Pippins Sign Two Big West Postion Players
January 28, 2014 - West Coast League (WCL)
Yakima Valley Pippins News Release
YAKIMA, Wash.-The Yakima Valley Pippins announced the addition of Vince Fernandez of UC- Riverside and Alex Guenette of UC-Irvine. Both will play their first collegiate season this spring before they migrate north to Yakima. Fernandez is a prized outfield recruit for the Highlanders while Guenette is a prized recruit at catcher for the Anteaters.
"Marcus has worked very hard at putting our roster together," Director of Operations Noel Zanchelli said. "Fernandez and Guenette are pieces of the puzzle that will help us compete for a West Coast League Championship."
Guenette and Fernandez will be the third and fourth signees from the state of California. They join recent signees Nick Kern and Matt Trask who both will play for UCLA.
"We are trying to build a team that can win right now," Pippins Manager Marcus McKimmy said, "as well as in the future. Fernandez and Guenette can play at a high level for us for multiple seasons."
Fernandez a native of Livemore, Calif. and a 2013 graduate of Granada High School was named to the 2013 Perfect Game Honorable Mention California Region Team. The 6'3" 200 lb. outfielder will also see time at third base. In high school he was a career .306 hitter with a .412 on-base percentage and a .449 slugging percentage. He led the Matadors to a semifinal appearance in the 2013 California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Division I North Coast Section Tournament. As an underclassman the Matadors made two quarterfinal appearances in the CIF North Coast Section Tournament as well.
"Vince is a great addition to our roster," McKimmy said, "He can play multiple positions which helps in June. The fluidity of the roster in the beginning of the season forces us to move guys around. We need flexibility and Vince gives us many options."
Guenette, a 5'10" 205 lb. freshman graduated from La Jolla Country Day High School in 2013. He was named to the 2013 Perfect Game Honorable Mention California Region Team. As a Torrey he was a career .385 hitter with 13 homeruns. As a sophomore he and his teammates won the Division IV CIF State Title. Guenette was an Area Codes Game finalist. He also played for the Red Sox and Orioles scout teams. He was a team captain for La Jolla in 2012.
"Building a solid battery was a priority for us," McKimmy said. "Guenette will be a coach on the field and help manage the pitchers. He will also be an offensive threat; he has a lot of pop in his bat. "
The Yakima Valley Pippins will begin their quest for a WCL Championship at Yakima County Stadium on June 6th, 2014 at 7:05 PM against East Division rival and WCL powerhouse Wenatchee. Tickets are now on sale for the 2014 season, including full-season and partial-season packages, as well as select team merchandise. Those interested in being part of something great from the start are asked to contact Noel Zanchelli at 206.271.7820 or by email at noel@pippinsbaseball.com.
You can reach the Pippins offices at 509-575-8304. The team store, stadium improvements and other fan-friendly amenity projects will begin in early spring 2014.
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West Coast League Stories from January 28, 2014
- Pippins Sign Two Big West Postion Players - Yakima Valley Pippins
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