Gems Release 2014 Roster
May 23, 2014 - West Coast League (WCL)
Klamath Falls Gems News Release
With less than two weeks before Opening Night, the Klamath Falls Gems have released their 2014 Roster and are reloaded and ready to begin their fourth season June 5th against the rival Medford Rogues. The Gems travel to Bremerton, Washington to take on the Kitsap BlueJackets the next night.
The Gems return home to take on the Yakima Valley Pippins Saturday, June 14th. Come out and see the improvements made to Kiger Stadium this spring as the City of Klamath Falls, the Kiger Association, volunteers, and Jerry and Lisa Walker, owners of the Gems, banded together to provide financing for stadium improvements. On the first base side you will not be able to miss a new building that includes ADA restrooms and offices for the Gems and Kiger Association. Among other improvements, you will notice new paint on the outfield wall, façade, and bleachers.
A real "gem" of the season will be the West Coast League All-Star Game and Home Run Derby that will be held in Kiger Stadium on Monday, July 21. Tickets are already on sale for this marquee event call the Gems 541-883-4367.
Mitch Karraker returns as Head Coach of the Gems for the 2014 season. Mitch is an Assistant Coach at the University of Oregon.
Former Team USA and University of Oregon Catcher Brett Hambright returns to the Gems for his second season as Assistant Coach under Karraker. JJ Altobelli rounds out the coaching staff in what is looking like a good year for the Gems.
Coach Karraker is optimistic about this year's team.
Pitchers to watch this year include Jordan Kron, Brac Warren, Juliene Jones, Michael Silva, and Austin McGeorge.
Jordan Kron, is a 5'8" 185 pound righty from Manteca, California. A freshman at UC Riverside for the 2014 season, Kron shows promise as he pitched 19 complete games in 33 starts while posting a 1.56 ERA in high school. He has also showed some power with the bat. In his senior year at East Union High School, Jordan hit .368 with 13 of his 28 hits going for extra bases.
Rosebud, Montana native Brac Warren graduates from Custer County High School of Mile City, Montana this spring. The 6'4" right hander throws a 91 mph fastball. Brac has committed to the University of Oregon where he should excel in both baseball and academics. He also possesses a long and strong swing and can really drive the ball. Warren has aspirations of playing professional baseball.
Juliene Jones played the 2014 college season with the University of Hawaii, picking up three saves in 14 games pitched. Jones became the closer midway through the 2014 season. He previously pitched for Sacramento City College. His brother Jonathon plays in the Blue Jays organization.
Loyola Marymount sends pitcher Michael Silva to the Gems for the summer of 2014. Silva, a 6'1" 190 sophomore is in his second season at LMU. In 2013 he struck out eight in 11 innings pitched. This past season he struck out five in eight innings. Silva is from Valencia, California.
Austin McGeorge graduated from Canyon High School of Anaheim, California in 2013, where the 6'2" 175 pounder pitched and also played second and third base. The 6'2", 185 pound freshman at Long Beach State and appeared in three games this past season.
Position players should produce some runs for the Gems this season. Players to watch are Chad DeLaGuerra, Thomas Walker, Casey Soltis, Steven Packard, and Josh Banuelos.
DeLaGuerra is a junior at Grand Canyon University in the spring of 2014, where he tore the cover off the ball. Chad hit a team high .373 with an on-base percentage of .473 and a slugging percentage of .555. He also stole all 16 bases he attempted. The Gems look forward to a season with this Santa Maria, California native.
Thomas Walker is a 2011 graduate of Long Beach Poly High School of Long Beach, California. Walker played for UC Riverside in spring, 2014. The big right hander hit .325 and was perfect in the outfield with 61 putouts and two assists, while not committing an error.
Casey Soltis is graduating from Grenada High School of Livermore, California this spring. The 6'1" outfielder/ first baseman/pitcher is hitting .325 so far this spring with an on-base percentage of .495, a slugging percentage of .775, and a remarkable OPS of 1.270, while not committing an error. Casey has committed to the University of Oregon.
Steven Packard hit .259 in 33 games for the University of Oregon this past spring. Packard, a 6'1" 200 pound outfielder/first baseman is from Mission Hills High School of San Diego. He bats and throws left-handed. In 2010 for the Ducks he hit .333 with two home runs before leaving on a two year Mormon Mission. His bat should be a welcome addition the Gems this season.
Josh Banuelos is a 6'2" redshirt junior first baseman at Fresno Pacific. He bats and throws right-handed. He hit .378 this past season. He spent two years at Fresno City College where he earned first team all-conference honors in 2011.
These ten young men as well as the rest of the team will make the Gems 2014 season very exciting and a season to remember.
Tickets are now available for purchase by contacting the Gems at 541-883-4367.
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West Coast League Stories from May 23, 2014
- Pippins Annouce Opening Day Sponsor - Yakima Valley Pippins
- Gems' on Line Store Will Remain Open Through Memorial Day - Klamath Falls Gems
- Gems Release 2014 Roster - Klamath Falls Gems
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