HarbourCats Re-Sign Three Players for 2015
August 27, 2014 - West Coast League (WCL)
Victoria HabourCats News Release
VICTORIA, B.C. - The 2015 roster is starting to take shape with players who are familiar to fans of the Victoria HarbourCats - and players who performed at a very high level in 2014.
All-star right-handed pitcher Alex Rogers (top photo) highlights the first three signings announced by new Head Coach Graig Merritt. Rogers was named to the 2014 West Coast League All-Star Game, a true WCL success story because he emerged from a 10-day tryout contract at the start of the season to be one of the most dependable pitchers in the league.
Also returning for 2015 are infielder Griffin Andreychuk (middle photo) and right-handed pitcher Alex FaGalde (bottom photo).
"This is an exciting announcement for our fans, but also for me as Head Coach because I am looking forward to working with these players and seeing them continue to progress," said Merritt, the former pro catcher and current Tampa Bay scout from Maple Ridge who was named to his position on August 14, and who added Alec Adame as pitching coach last week.
"Rogers is a pure pitcher - he knows how to locate and get batters to hit his best pitch, and he`s a quality individual. Griffin is a fireplug, a table-setter, who has some pop in his bat. I have seen him improve from his time in the B.C. Premier League. FaGalde`s progression this last summer was impressive, and he`s healthy now and will benefit from a full year at Bob Miller`s program in Cuesta. We look forward to having all three players back."
Rogers, another Nanaimo product, is heading back to Trinidad State Junior College for his sophomore season. He made 10 appearances, nine of them starts, and was 3-4 with a 3.09 ERA, and was 'that pitcher' on the staff who received little offensive support. In 61 innings, he allowed 56 hits, walked just 16, and struck out 28, numbers that had him named to Team North for the All-Star Game.
Andreychuk, a Nanaimo product who returns to Seattle University this fall to play his sophomore season of NCAA Division 1 baseball, hit .271 (38-140) with 25 runs, five doubles, two triples and a home run, playing mostly second base in 41 games. He drove in 14 runs while occupying the leadoff spot many nights, and drew more walks (28) that he struck out (21).
FaGalde, a late addition to the pitching staff, turned into one of the most reliable arms. The native of El Dorado Hills, California, who goes into his sophomore season with Miller`s program at Cuesta College, was 3-0 with a 1.85 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 34 innings of work - 12 appearances, including three impressive late-season starts. He gave up 29 hits and walked 11, featuring a heavy fastball.
"These are quality individuals on and off the field, and that`s the culture we are looking to build in Victoria," said General Manager Jim Swanson. "Our fans will be happy to see these players return, and we believe that another year of experience will allow them to be part of a run at a playoff berth, and see what happens from there. Graig, Alec and I are working hard on the recruitment of players for 2015, and part of that process is looking to have quality people come back next year and adding great players around them, particularly focusing on improving the pitching staff and its performance."
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West Coast League Stories from August 27, 2014
- HarbourCats Re-Sign Three Players for 2015 - Victoria HabourCats
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