Gems Sign South African First Baseman
Published on April 20, 2011 under West Coast League (WCL)
Klamath Falls Gems News Release
KLAMATH FALLS, OR - The Klamath Falls Gems today signed Wesley Hoskins of Alberton, Gauteng, South Africa. Hoskins, 22, is a right handed hitting first baseman scheduled to enter Green River (WA) Community College in the fall.
Hoskins played on the 2009 South African World Cup team and was on South Africa's 2009 World Baseball Classic team as a reserve. In the 2011 California Winter League, Hoskins hit .400, second in the league, for the Palm Desert Coyotes before moving to Washington to join the Green River team for spring workouts.
While in the United States, Hoskins has been working with Gems Coach Brian Embery at Embery's Evergreen State Sports baseball academy in Sumner, Washington.
"Coming to Klamath Falls this summer is a great progression for Wes's career," Gems General Manager Chuck Heeman said. "He has the skills to play at a Division I school but the cost of a school at that level, for an international student, is prohibitive. Scholarships are difficult to find for an international player because not many coaches in the U.S. have seen them play at any sort of competitive level. We're happy and fortunate to have Wes with us and we look forward to his success."
Hoskins is expected to be in uniform at the Gems' home opener on June 3.
The Gems are members of the West Coast League, a nine-team professional style wood-bat summer college league. The WCL features pro prospects from major conferences across the country. More than 100 WCL alums are playing affiliated professional baseball this season, and 11 ex-WCL stars have played in the Major Leagues this season. For more information on the league, visit www.westcoastleague.com. For more information on the Gems, visit www.klamathfallsgems.com.
West Coast League Stories from April 20, 2011
- Gems Sign South African First Baseman - Klamath Falls Gems
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