Pippins Announce First 2016 Player Signings
October 24, 2015 - West Coast League (WCL)
Yakima Valley Pippins News Release
YAKIMA, Wash. - Two pitchers and a catcher who are part of Cal State Fullerton's recruiting class this year will join the Pippins next summer as the Yakima team opens its third year in the West Coast League.
Right-handed pitchers Josh Rios and Gavin Velasquez and catcher Chris Ceballos are the Pippins' first players from Cal State Fullerton, which played in the 2015 College World Series and was the only CWS team from the West Coast.
"I can't tell you how excited I am for our fans and our team to begin a relationship with Cal State Fullerton baseball," Pippins manager Marcus McKimmy said Saturday. "Their reputation for excellence and consistency in developing professionals year in and year out speaks for itself. Welcoming all three of these fine baseball players to Yakima is something I really look forward to doing."
In September, Fullerton's 2015 recruiting class was ranked No. 24 in the nation by Collegiate Baseball newspaper - tops in the Big West Conference.
Ceballos batted .422 and set a Chino Hills (Calif.) High School record with 12 home runs during his senior season. He was named first team all-state, All-Sierra and Baseline League and earned team MVP honors.
"A great team always has good catching, and what better way to start a team than with a very physical catcher who will impact the middle of our lineup this summer from day one," McKimmy said. "At 6-foot-1 and 215 pounds, Chris had an unbelievable 2015 summer in California and has a very good chance to start right away as a freshman at CSF. Leadership, toughness and defense are all the things we look for in the position -- and Chris has all of that."
Velasquez was 6-3 with a 1.14 ERA in 57 innings as a senior at South Hills High School in West Covina, Calif. He recorded 57 strikeouts and earned first team All-Palomares League honors.
"Gavin is a guy that is turning heads this fall at CSF with his ability to just get outs. His arsenal features a three-pitch mix with a fastball, slider and change-up, which makes him a great candidate to be a starter here in Yakima. At 6-foot-2 and still maturing, his best days are surely ahead of him," McKimmy said.
Rios was named first team All-Moore League as a senior and earned team MVP honors as a senior at Long Beach Poly High School in Long Beach, Calif., and earned first-team All-Moore League honors. He was also named second team All-CIF (California Interscholastic Federation).
"Power, Power, Power," McKimmy said. "Josh is 6-2 and 220 pounds this fall and will easily be a low-90 mph arm out of the bullpen for the Pippins. He was a 4-year honor roll student who comes from a baseball family, but what I like best is that he's a great teammate and is used to winning."
The Pippins' third season begins in June. The team's schedule is expected to be announced next week.
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West Coast League Stories from October 24, 2015
- Pippins Announce First 2016 Player Signings - Yakima Valley Pippins
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