By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com
Tradewater Pirates head coach Brandon Kitch announced the signing of three additional players on Tuesday, expanding the team's roster to 21 with three open slots to fill.
The latest additions include three position players, which should igreatly increase Tradewater's depth in the infield, outfield and behind the plate.
"It's going to be hard to make a lineup, but it's also going to be fun," Kitch said of choosing potential starters among his players. "The thing is that the guys that aren't in lineup will be able to come off the bench and help us out. I'm excited. I'm ready to get started there."
Shortstop Cass Via will join the Pirates from Garden City Community College (Kan.). Via, a 5-11, 185-pound right-handed hitter, led Garden City with a .349 batting average in 2008. This season, Via has hit .364 with a team-high 47 hits and 29 RBIs as well as a .450 on-base percentage.
In the outfield, Sean Flaherty will bring speed and provide some much needed depth when outfielder/pitcher Sean Mahley takes the mound.
"If Mahley is starting for us, then I've got three other guys that can play outfield and go after it for us," Kitch said.
Last season, Mahley worked primarily as a starter for Tradewater, but Kitch and assistant coach Brad Cowan have considered another option for the pitcher.
The latest additions include three position players, which should igreatly increase Tradewater's depth in the infield, outfield and behind the plate.
"It's going to be hard to make a lineup, but it's also going to be fun," Kitch said of choosing potential starters among his players. "The thing is that the guys that aren't in lineup will be able to come off the bench and help us out. I'm excited. I'm ready to get started there."
Shortstop Cass Via will join the Pirates from Garden City Community College (Kan.). Via, a 5-11, 185-pound right-handed hitter, led Garden City with a .349 batting average in 2008. This season, Via has hit .364 with a team-high 47 hits and 29 RBIs as well as a .450 on-base percentage.
In the outfield, Sean Flaherty will bring speed and provide some much needed depth when outfielder/pitcher Sean Mahley takes the mound.
"If Mahley is starting for us, then I've got three other guys that can play outfield and go after it for us," Kitch said.
Last season, Mahley worked primarily as a starter for Tradewater, but Kitch and assistant coach Brad Cowan have considered another option for the pitcher.
"Brad and I have been talking and I think we might use him as a closer and that way he can play every day in the outfield and use him to close if we need to."
Pitching should not be a weakness on this year's Tradewater team, Kitch said.
"Our pitching staff, we've
got a bunch of guys that throw the ball hard," he said. "We've got some low ERAs and that's going to help us out there. I think pitching and defense are going to win it for us. I think offensively we're going to be pretty good."
Kitch said the Pirates have also added a catcher to shore up the position and take pressure off the already-signed Miguel Vazquez as well.
In addition to player moves, Kitch has also tentatively hired an assistant in Chris Sexton, who played under Kitch at Vernon College (Texas).
With Sexton on staff, Kitch said Cowan will have the opportunity to talk with pitchers while Sexton coaches first base.
"It never hurts to have another set of eyes, either," Kitch said.
Although Kitch has been busy working as an assistant at Faulkner University (Ala.) this spring, he has had enough time to keep tabs on the Tradewater players' statistics.
"I'm real pleased with the numbers guys are putting up," he said. "Offensively, we've got some guys that can hit for power and run a little bit."
With three open spots left on the roster, Kitch has no doubts how he would like to fill the squad.
"The remaining guys are going to be pitchers for sure," he said. "Brad's working on that as we speak and we should have those done hopefully at the end of the month...I told Brad I wanted to get quality guys instead of just filling out a roster."
Pitching should not be a weakness on this year's Tradewater team, Kitch said.
"Our pitching staff, we've
got a bunch of guys that throw the ball hard," he said. "We've got some low ERAs and that's going to help us out there. I think pitching and defense are going to win it for us. I think offensively we're going to be pretty good."
Kitch said the Pirates have also added a catcher to shore up the position and take pressure off the already-signed Miguel Vazquez as well.
In addition to player moves, Kitch has also tentatively hired an assistant in Chris Sexton, who played under Kitch at Vernon College (Texas).
With Sexton on staff, Kitch said Cowan will have the opportunity to talk with pitchers while Sexton coaches first base.
"It never hurts to have another set of eyes, either," Kitch said.
Although Kitch has been busy working as an assistant at Faulkner University (Ala.) this spring, he has had enough time to keep tabs on the Tradewater players' statistics.
"I'm real pleased with the numbers guys are putting up," he said. "Offensively, we've got some guys that can hit for power and run a little bit."
With three open spots left on the roster, Kitch has no doubts how he would like to fill the squad.
"The remaining guys are going to be pitchers for sure," he said. "Brad's working on that as we speak and we should have those done hopefully at the end of the month...I told Brad I wanted to get quality guys instead of just filling out a roster."
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