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Walla Walla Sweets

Three More Right-Handed Pitchers Heading to Walla Walla in 2016

February 18, 2016 - West Coast League (WCL)
Walla Walla Sweets News Release


WALLA WALLA, Wash- The Walla Walla Sweets helped bolster its pitching staff as three more right-handed pitchers were announced on Thursday morning. Walla Walla welcomes AJ Carkner (University of Pikeville), Michael Bono (University of Santa Clara) and Kyle Narahara (CS Monterey Bay).

AJ Carkner, a 6-foot 1-inch, 165-pound right-handed pitcher, is familiar with the Sweets as he returns for his third summer in Walla Walla. Last season, he filled in toward the end of the year as he made three appearances and one start. He finished with a 6.00 ERA in nine innings with four strikeouts and zero walks. In the 2014 season, he filled the same role and threw four innings out of the bullpen without giving up a run. He is a transfer from Walla Walla CC and a native of Ellensburg, WA. This season for the UPike Bears, he has made three appearances with two saves and a 3.00 ERA.

"I am thrilled we have AJ returning to the Sweets for his third stint," manager Frank Mutz said. "I wish we had him all summer last year. It's rare to see a young man at his age work so hard to develop his craft. Carkner will been one of the Sweets captains this summer and I'm counting on him to shore up the back end of our bull pen. My only concern with AJ is he might pitch a lot of innings for Pikesville and they could shut him down for the summer. AJ had the opportunity to play in the Cape Cod League this coming summer but has elected to pitch for the Sweets. I'm grateful he chose us!"

Michael Bono, a 6-foot, 166-pound right-handed pitcher, comes to the Sweets from the University of Santa Clara. A native of Clovis, CA, he was drafted out of high school by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 35th round (1065 overall) in 2014. In his freshman season with Santa Clara, he saw limited action, giving up six runs in three innings. The Broncos will start their season on Friday, February 17th.

"We are adding a very good arm to our pitching staff by signing Michael Bono," Mutz said. "Bono was a highly recruited prospect out of a great high school program in Fresno CA Buchanan HS. Michael is considered to be a top ranked pitching prospect going into the 2018 draft. We are very fortunate to get such a quality arm. Bono sits at 88-91 with an occasional 93 on his fast ball and I believe we will get a chance to see his velocity develop over the summer. Not only does he have an electric fast-ball, he is a strike thrower which will get him a lot if innings for the Sweets this summer. I see Michael as one of our possible starters this summer and Walla Walla has a unique opportunity to watch a future MLB pitcher at Borleske this summer."

Kyle Narahara, a 6-foot 4-inch right-handed pitcher, joins his CSMB teammates Myles Hager, Hayden Duer and Nick Vigo up in Walla Walla for the summer. The junior has picked up two wins and two saves in his four appearances this year and has not allowed a run, while striking out six and walking three in 4 and 2/3 innings. He transferred to CSMB from Chabot College.

"Kyle is a very special player and I see him pitching in many different roles for the Sweets this summer," Mutz said. "I consider Kyle to be what baseball calls a "Swing Guy". He can pitch in any role, starter, middle relief, set up, or even close. To have this type of talent on your pitching staff adds to an already solid and deep staff. Narahara is a true competitor, and from what I've heard from his teammates and coaches at Monterey Bay, he is a great teammate. Kyle will add so much to our pitching staff as we continue to get deeper and deeper with each pitcher we sign."

"It's going to be nice to look down into our bullpen this summer and bring out one great arm after another," Mutz added.

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).

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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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