Pippins Ink Two More, Including Former East Valley Player
March 16, 2016 - West Coast League (WCL)
Yakima Valley Pippins News Release
YAKIMA, Wash. - Hunter Hansen, an East Valley High School alumni with previous experience in the West Coast League, is one of two new players who will join the Yakima Valley Pippins this summer.
Hanson, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound junior from the College of Idaho who played in the WCL for Wenatchee in 2015 and Klamath Falls in 2014, is currently hitting .363 (41-for-113) with 10 doubles, a triple and five home runs for the Yotes. He also has 18 stolen bases in 26 games.
"We are excited to welcome Hunter to Yakima, where he will fit in nicely with a versatile infield we've assembled so far," Pippins manager Marcus McKimmy said. "Hunter has worked extremely hard to improve all aspects of his game since playing high school ball at East Valley. He's really increased his physical strength, and I think it's realistic our fans will see him at all four infield positions at one point or another this summer. On the offensive side, he impacts the game with his above-average base-running skills and his ability to switch-hit."
Also joining the team is right-handed pitcher Ryan Garcia, a 6-foot, 170-pound senior from La Salle High School in Sierra Madre, Calif., who will attend UCLA in the fall.
"Ryan is another really talented high school player who is going to be very successful in the Pac-12," McKimmy said. "He's a dominant high school player who also plays shortstop and bats fourth in the lineup. In Yakima, he will more than likely be used out of the bullpen with a fastball that touches 90 mph. Pitching is a priority for hi, and the fact that he gets to work with former Major League Baseball pitchers doesn't hurt anything."
The Pippins open the 2016 season Friday, June 3, at Wenatchee. 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 March 16, 2016
- Pippins Ink Two More, Including Former East Valley Player - Yakima Valley Pippins
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