Salem-Keizer Loses Metzger, Adds Seven New Players
Published on June 26, 2015 under Northwest League (NWL1)
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes News Release
Ronnie Jebavy of the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
(Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, Credit: Mason Shoultz)
The Volcanoes will gain and lose players throughout this season as our ballplayers inch closer to their dream of one day playing in the Major Leagues. Salem-Keizer said farewell to center fielder Brennan Metzger yesterday, but added seven new players - six of which were selected in the 2015 Draft.
Metzger will continue his career with the Class-A Augusta GreenJackets. The outfielder hit .217 with six walks in his six games with Salem-Keizer.
Chris Shaw - First Baseman - @SHAWESOME24 - Shaw was the second first-round selection for San Francisco in the 2015 Draft. A first baseman for Boston College, Shaw led his team in batting average (.319), RBIs (43), home runs (11), on-base percentage (.411) and slugging percentage (.611) in 2015. He also only committed one error in 40 games. Shaw broke his hamate bone in April, ultimately hurting his overall power numbers last season, but many scouts felt that the 6'3", 245-pound left-handed hitter had some of the best power potential in the draft. Shaw played in the Cape Cod League - a collegiate summer league - in 2014 and led the league in homers, some of which were hit over 450 feet.
Ryan Halstead - Pitcher - @ryhalstead - Halstead was a 21st-round selection in the 2015 Draft out of the University of Indiana. Halstead pitched well in his senior season with the Hoosiers, posting a 2-2 record with a 2.59 ERA in 29 appearances out of the bullpen. The right-hander pitched especially well considering he missed the majority of 2014 with a leg injury.
C.J. Hinojosa - Shortstop - @C_Hinojosa9 - Hinojosa was selected in the 11th round of the 2015 Draft out of the University of Texas. He played three seasons with the Longhorns before forgoing his final year of eligibility to sign with San Francisco. He was a major contributor his final year in Austin, finishing second on the team in home runs (seven), fourth in RBIs (30), tied for third in doubles (nine) and fifth in hits (51). He especially feasted on Big 12 competition, hitting .304 with six home runs and 53 total bases. Hinojosa was also a tremendous student - he was a recipient of the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholarship, which is a national award for minority and international student athletes who excel academically.
Touch down in Oregon!
- C.J Hinojosa (@C_Hinojosa9) June 25, 2015
Ronnie Jebavy - Outfielder - @RonbonJebavy - A fifth-round selection out of Middle Tennessee State University, Jebavy left school a year early in order to sign with the Giants. He played only one season at MTSU but made the most of it, leading the team in batting average (.359), on-base percentage (.408), hits (88) and stolen bases (24). His performance earned him Conference USA Newcomer of the Year honors and a spot on the All-Conference USA team. Jebavy's older brother, Ryan Stephens, is currently playing for the Grand Junction Rockies in the Pioneer League. Jebavy, who started yesterday in center field for Salem-Keizer, had a professional debut to remember - he homered in only his second at-bat.
Cory Taylor - Pitcher - Taylor was selected in the eighth round of the 2015 Draft. A three-year starter at Dallas Baptist, Taylor had a strong final season with the Patriots, going 7-1 with a 3.60 ERA in 16 starts. He was even better down the stretch, posting a 1.44 ERA in his final four starts. Taylor tossed a complete game against the University of Texas in the Dallas Regional in 2015, allowing just one run while striking out nine.
Caleb Smith - Pitcher - @csmith2011 - Smith is the lone newcomer who has prior professional experience. The left-hander was a 17th-round selection in the 2014 Draft and joined the Arizona League Giants for the remainder of the season that year. Smith posted a 1-0 record with a 4.35 ERA in 13 relief appearances for the Giants in his first season and was off to a solid start this season, collecting two saves without allowing a run in two appearances with Arizona.
Jose Vizcaino Jr. - Third Baseman - @VizcainoJr - Son of former Major Leaguer Jose Vizcaino Sr., the younger Vizcaino was a standout during his three years Santa Clara University. The infielder led his team in runs scored (43), hits (65), doubles (14), triples (4), home runs (9), RBIs (39), total bases (114), slugging percentage (.588) and was second in batting average (.335) in 2015. He's had success in Oregon before as well, reaching base five times with five RBIs and a home run while playing a three-game series at the University of Portland.
The journey begins!! Couldn't be happier to be a @SFGiants...Thanks for the endless support! Go Giants @MLB
- Jose Vizcaino Jr. (@VizcainoJr) June 10, 2015
Images from this story
 Ronnie Jebavy of the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (Mason Shoultz) |
Northwest League Stories from June 26, 2015
- Emeralds Win Third Straight, Take Series Opener with Tri-City - Eugene Emeralds
- No. 4 Overall Pick Dillon Tate Debuts Tonight - Spokane Indians
- Salem-Keizer Loses Metzger, Adds Seven New Players - Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
- Flashback Friday at PK Park - Eugene Emeralds
- 4th of July Pennant Run Is One Week Away - Spokane Indians
- Dust Devils Win Series in Front of Sellout Crowd - Tri-City Dust Devils
- Clark Plays Role of Superman in Defeat - Spokane Indians
- Reed Shines as Hops Secure Sweep - Hillsboro Hops
- C's Learn "It's not how you Start, but how you Finish" - Vancouver Canadians
- Hawks Offense Sputters as Emeralds Take Series - Boise Hawks
- Volcanoes Come up Short Despite Debuts - Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
- Ems Defeat Boise, 3-1, Claim Series - Eugene Emeralds
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