Pippins Add Two Univ. of San Diego Freshmen to Roster
December 12, 2015 - West Coast League (WCL)
Yakima Valley Pippins News Release
YAKIMA, Wash. - A pair of University of San Diego recruits will join the Yakima Valley Pippins next summer, manager Marcus McKimmy announced today.
The third-year manager is excited about the qualities Jay Schuyler, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound freshman outfielder from Laguna Niguel, Calif., and Jack Sandberg, a 6-foot-3, 195-pound freshman first baseman, will bring to the Pippins in 2016.
"Jack is your prototypical big, physical first baseman who can really hit from the left side," McKimmy said. "He has the ability to hit for power and average to all fields, but what I really like about Jack is the way he thinks and talks about hitting. It's very dynamic and advanced, which is not surprising given his offensive coaches at USD.
"Jay is a super-athletic outfielder who can also get behind the plate in a pinch," McKimmy said. "We plan to use him primarily in the outfield because the speed tool and instincts he possesses are really above average. Players from USD are notoriously good base runners, which is something we really look for in our position players. Jay will be a problem for opposing defenses from day 1, and I'm very happy he will be wearing Pippin green."
McKimmy is also looking forward to working with the USD program.
"The University of San Diego is a program we are very excited to work with in the 2016 season," he said. "Head coach Rich Hill regularly produces top 15 recruiting classes in the country and very high picks in the Major League Baseball draft. For example, current Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant, the 2015 NL Rookie of the Year and second overall pick in the 2013 MLB draft, attended the University of San Diego. Both of these guys coming to Yakima are young, but very talented."
Joining the USD players next summer are previously announced players from Cal State Fullerton, UC Irvine and Gonzaga.
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 December 12, 2015
- Pippins Add Two Univ. of San Diego Freshmen to Roster - Yakima Valley Pippins
- Sweets Add Weeg from Emory for 2016 - Walla Walla Sweets
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