Pippins Add Two Pitchers to 2016 Roster
February 12, 2016 - West Coast League (WCL)
Yakima Valley Pippins News Release
YAKIMA, Wash. - Two pitchers are the latest additions to the Yakima Valley Pippins' 2016 roster.
Zach Draper is a 6-foot-4, 200-pound left-hander from West Jordan, Utah, who is pitching this spring at the College of Idaho after two years at the College of Southern Idaho. Ian Doughty, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound right-hander from Durango, Colo., will start this spring at the University of Northern Colorado. Both are in the junior year at college.
Draper has started the 2016 season with a 2-0 record and was named NAIA player of the week after his most recent start. In 12 innings this spring, he has struck out 16 and walked two while giving up just four hits and two earned runs.
"Zach, who we knew could pitch after two good years at CSI, has a great feel for the game and does what every good pitcher does - he throws a lot of strikes and misses a lot of barrels," Pippins manager Marcus McKimmy said. "His experience as an upperclassman and his maturity will be great to have in our community and our locker room this summer."
McKimmy expects both Draper and Doughty to compete for spots in the Pippins' starting rotation.
"All the reports I've gotten on Ian is he's had a great fall and early spring, but more than anything loves to compete," McKimmy said. "He has a fastball between 87-89 mph, a solid slider and really good feel for his change-up. He will fill a role as a starting pitcher for UNC and will have a chance to compete for the same role this summer. What really excites me about Ian is how much he's looking forward to spending his summer in the Pacific Northwest."
UNC opens its season Feb. 19.
The Pippins open the 2016 season at Wenatchee on June 3. Yakima Valley's home opener is slated for Monday, June 6, at 7:05 p.m. against 2015 West Coast League champion Bend, Ore. Season tickets and ticket mini plans are available for purchase at Hunky Shaw's Team Shop, 12 S. Second St. in the historic Larson Building in downtown Yakima. Ticket packages also can be purchased by calling 509-575-4487 or online at pippinsbaseball.com.
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West Coast League Stories from February 12, 2016
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- Pippins Add Two Pitchers to 2016 Roster - Yakima Valley Pippins
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