Rogues Add Four to Roster
October 23, 2014 - West Coast League (WCL)
Medford Rogues News Release
MEDFORD, OR - The Medford Rogues today announced four player signings for the 2015 season. Rejoining the Rogues for his second season is lefthanded pitcher Ivan Dilda (U. of Hawaii). New to the squad are Dilda's Rainbow Warriors teammate, freshman infielder J.J. Kitaoka, and Fullerton (CA) Junior College freshman outfielder Austin O'Banion. The Rogues also signed former Ashland High and current Oregon Tech star infielder Ethan Schlecht.
"We're building the squad every day and we like what we have to this point," Rogues General Manager Chuck Heeman said. "Ivan was a great surprise for us last year and really became one of our most consistent arms, whether starting or coming in from the pen. J.J. Kitaoka was a very highly rated prospect coming out of high school before his injury last year. Austin O'Banion has already proven himself in a summer collegiate league, winning a triple crown last summer. Ethan has been all-region for two years at Oregon Tech and we can't ignore that kind of talent, especially from a local team. Our 2015 squad is filling fast and we look forward to more player signing announcements."
Information on the latest group of 2015 Medford Rogues:
Ethan Schlecht, 2B/3B, Oregon Tech, Junior
6'1", 190, Ashland, OR, bats and throws right
Schlecht was named to the All-NAIA West Group team for the second straight season in 2014 following a year where he hit .359 with 27 RBI in 43 games with the Owls. He also helped the Ashland Grizzlies to the 2010 OSAA Class 5A championship game as a sophomore at Ashland High and to the state quarterfinals the following two years. He was a high school teammate of 2013 and 2015 Rogue RHP Jamie Flynn.
Ivan Dilda, LHP, Hawaii, Junior
6'1", 180, Honolulu, HI, bats and throws left
Dilda attended Pepperdine in 2013-14 but has transferred to Hawaii to be closer to home. He returns for a second summer in Medford after leading the Rogues in ERA in 2014 (1.94), appearing in 20 games covering 37 innings, striking out 30 while walking only 12.
J.J. Kitaoka, Infielder, Hawaii, Redshirt Freshman.
5'10", 185, Kona, HI, bats and throws right
Kitaoka was named Hawaii's Big Island Interscholastic Federation Player of the Year in 2011 and 2012 and hit .434 with 24 RBI in 24 games as a senior before suffering an injury and redshirting his true freshman year at Hawaii.
Austin O'Banion, Outfielder, Fullerton (CA) JC, Redshirt Freshman
6'2", 195, Yorba Linda, CA, bats and throws right
O'Banion won the 2014 summer collegiate Rocky Mountain League's triple crown, hitting .455 with six home runs and 37 RBI on the year. He was first team All-Empire (CA) League in 2013, hitting .463 with five home runs in his senior year.
The Rogues will announce their 2015 season schedule as soon as it is available. Season tickets are available now by visiting the Rogues' Harry & David Field offices or calling 541-973-2883, or by visiting www.medfordrogues.com online.
The West Coast League is a 12-team collegiate wood-bat baseball league composed of the best college players, coaches, facilities and operators in the industry. Ranging from Medford, Oregon north to Kelowna, B.C., and the league has operated as the WCL since 2005. In June, 56 WCL players were selected in the Major League draft. For more information on the WCL, go to www.wccbl.com.
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West Coast League Stories from October 23, 2014
- Rogues Add Four to Roster - Medford Rogues
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