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WCL Walla Walla Sweets

Sweets Add Three Pitchers for 2016

May 24, 2016 - West Coast League (WCL)
Walla Walla Sweets News Release


Walla Walla, WA - As the season creeps closer, the Sweets continue to put the finishing touches on a roster that will compete with the best in the West Coast League. This week, they finalized the contracts of three pitchers: Cole Henderson (RHP/3B, Nevada), Ryan Anderson (LHP, Nevada) and Joe Heineman (RHP, Baylor).

Henderson, a 6-foot 3-inch, 180 pound right-handed pitcher who can also play third base, will make his college baseball debut with the Sweets this summer following his graduation from Valhalla High School in Jamul, CA. The multi-sport athlete (Henderson played both baseball and basketball) hit .370 with three home runs and 16 RBIs his junior year while also going 3-2 with a 2.68 ERA on the mound. He was ranked a top-50 prospect out of California by Baseball America and the fourth-best third baseman in the state.

"Cole was one of this year's best high school pitching prospects in California in 2016," Sweets manager Frank Mutz said. "With a 6'3, 180 pound frame, Cole has the potential to be one of the West Coast League's top pitching prospect. Cole will come to us this summer looking to gain Division 1 experience welcoming the opportunity to log significant of innings for the Sweets. I see Henderson as possibly one of our starters or long relievers."

Anderson, a 6-foot 6-inch, 180 pound southpaw out of Sparks, Nevada, will join the Sweets straight from Spanish Springs High School. As a junior, he compiled a 2.20 ERA with 56 strikeouts ain 43 innings and led his team to a league championship. He was ranked as the number two left-handed pitching prospect in Nevada by Perfect Game.

"My expectations are very high for this 6'6 lefty," Mutz said of Anderson. "Last summer our pitching coming out of high school going into division 1 program was extremely successful. Ryan should be one of our six starters this summer. Ryan's numbers for 2016 are off the charts and my hope is they carry over to the Sweets this summer."

Heineman, a 6-foot 1-inch, 190 pound right handed pitcher out of Southlake, Texas, is the oldest of the group and entering in his junior year at Baylor. The transfer from Weatherford College has experience on the mound and out in the field as a pitcher and shortstop for Weatherford last season. He won five games and recorded six saves while striking out 43 in 33 innings and also hit .356 with two home runs. For the Bears this season, he is 3-3 with a 3.26 ERA and has struck out 34 in 38 and two thirds innings.

"We are so fortunate to get an arm like Joe Heinemen's for the 2016 summer," Mutz said. "Joe brings three years of college experience at the junior college and division one level which will shore up our rotation and possibly the later part of the bullpen. Heineman is a former shortstop which brings arm strength and athleticism to the position. My experience as a player and coach has taught me converted position players to pitchers bring an exciting dynamic to the position. I believe Joe will bring that excitement from Waco to Walla Walla this summer."

The Walla Walla Sweets will open the 2016 season presented by Columbia REA, on June 3 against the Victoria HarbourCats. Season tickets and mini-plans are on sale now. For more information about these and other ticketing options visit wallawallasweets.com, stop by the Sweets Shoppe in downtown Walla Walla, or call 509.522.BALL (2255).



West Coast League Stories from May 24, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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