HarbourCats Sign USA Home Run Leader for 2016
August 19, 2015 - West Coast League (WCL)
Victoria HabourCats News Release
VICTORIA, B.C. - We think Matt Smith is going to like our park, and that our park will suit him well.
The Victoria HarbourCats are pleased to announce the first player signing for the 2016 season, and he is outfielder Matt Smith of the Sacramento State Hornets. Smith, from Placerville, CA, and a product of Eldorado HS, led all of USA high school baseball in home runs this past spring with 14 long balls, and the 6-4/200 right-handed hitter is one of the prime collegiate recruits heading to school this fall.
Smith was also a standout basketball player in high school. In regular season play in baseball last spring, he hit .598 with 57 RBIs, third best in the nation, and pounded out 15 doubles to post a 1.271 slugging percentage. When you consider there are just shy of 15,000 high school baseball teams in the US, leading the country in that home run stat is quite the accomplishment. Adding to it, Smith's own team surrendered just one home run in home games in 2015, so Smith was a definite difference-maker.
Maybe more impressive? He had just four strikeouts.
"We have developed a great relationship with Sacramento State, bringing us players like Nathan Lukes, Gunner Pollman, and PJ Floyd, who we hope to have return this coming season as well," said Jim Swanson, General Manager of the HarbourCats.
"Sacramento State has a tremendous program, and they develop winners. Matt has pure, raw power, and we know our park has reachable fences. We led the West Coast League in home runs in 2015 with people like Floyd, Kevin Collard, Griffin Andreychuk, Austin Guibor and Ben Polshuk leading the way. We think Matt will see his development aided here the same way PJ advanced last summer, and how a year with the HarbourCats in the WCL helped Nathan Lukes get drafted and sign with the Cleveland Indians organization."
The HarbourCats are working hard on recruiting next year's team and hope to have more announcements next week, as paperwork is completed.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MR. HARBOURCAT!!!
Yes, it's Alex DeGoti's birthday today... and yes, that deserves a note on this press release. Wishing a great day to the only three-year HarbourCat in team history, a class act and our first honoree in the team's Ring of Honor at Royal Athletic Park.
TICKETS FOR 2016, OFFERS
Season tickets and 10-packs for 2016 are for sale by calling the office (778-265-0327) or by stopping in at 101-1814 Vancouver Street. Unused tickets from 2015 act as discount coupons (limit one per customer, per transaction) and the HarbourCats have an exciting first-time corporate partner season ticket offer that is available for companies wanting to secure the best seats.
Pricing is at 2015 levels for a limited time, and those deals will not be extended past the end of September (fiscal year end).
The HarbourCats have surpassed the 100 mark on season ticket commitments for 2016, which means the Main Grandstand (Section 10) is filling up.
OFFICE HOURS
With the off-season now upon us, the team's office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street will see reduced hours through August and September.
MONDAY - Closed
TUESDAY-FRIDAY - 9:30am-3:30pm
SATURDAY-SUNDAY -- Closed
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West Coast League Stories from August 19, 2015
- HarbourCats Sign USA Home Run Leader for 2016 - Victoria HabourCats
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
