BROTHER OF APPLESOX GREAT AMONG LATEST SIGNINGS

Alex Gonzales, the brother of former Sox pitcher Marco Gonzales, is among the latest to join the 2016 AppleSox. Other signings include the return of last year's shortstop Evan Douglas, right-handed pitcher Ross Clevenger, right-handed pitcher Jimmy Dobrash, and left-handed pitcher Nick Hoefling. 

WENATCHEE – Two position players along with a trio of pitchers will head to Wenatchee this summer to play for the AppleSox. Utility player Alex Gonzales, infielder Evan Douglas, right-handed pitcher Ross Clevenger, right-handed pitcher Jimmy Dobrash, and left-handed pitcher Nick Hoefling have signed to play with the AppleSox. 

“Our roster is ready to go for the season and we look forward to all of these guys contributing,” said AppleSox head coach AJ Proszek. “This is a really good mix of experience and youth, which not only describes these five players but the whole team as well. I am excited about the talent that we have coming to Wenatchee this summer and can’t wait for the season to get started.”

Gonzales, from Fort Collins, Colo., is finishing his senior year at Rocky Mountain High School. The versatile utility player is committed to play at Colorado Mesa University. He is following in the footsteps of his older brother Marco Gonzales, who also played for the AppleSox right out of high school in 2010. He went on to have a decorated career at Gonzaga and was the taken by the St. Louis Cardinals with the 19th overall pick of the 2013 MLB Draft. After spending time in the major leagues the last two years, he is out this season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.  The baseball family also includes Alex and Marco’s father Frank Gonzales, who is the manager of the Grand Junction Rockies, the rookie league affiliate of the Colorado Rockies.

Douglas is returning to the AppleSox after appearing in 43 games for the team last season. The Spokane native hit seven home runs last summer, which was a team-high for the AppleSox and tied for the fourth most in the West Coast League. This spring he is hitting .329 for the Community Colleges of Spokane, where AppleSox skipper AJ Proszek serves as the school’s pitching coach. The sophomore will continue his college career by transferring to Lewis-Clark State College next season. 

Clevenger, a product of Eagle, Idaho, is wrapping up his junior campaign at Northwest Nazarene University. He is a starting pitcher for the Crusaders and is currently 5-2 with a 4.87 ERA. He has contributed to one of the best seasons in program history at NNU this year. Last weekend the Crusaders clinched their first ever Great Northwest Athletic Conference baseball championship. 

Dobrash is in his freshman season at South Mountain Community College in Phoenix, Ariz. On the mound this spring he has compiled a 6-4 record with a 4.87 ERA. The hurler out Denver, Colo., has pitched exclusively out of the bullpen, appearing in a total of 15 games. 

Hoefling is completing his senior year of high school at Valley Christian High School in Morgan Hill, Calif. The prep hurler will join the AppleSox before starting his college career at Seattle University in the fall.    

The 2016 season will begin at home on June 3 with a three-game series against the Yakima Valley Pippins. The team’s 17th season will include 33 home games at Paul Thomas Sr. Field. 

Single game tickets start at just $7 for adults and $6 for kids. Season tickets are available now and can be purchased by contacting the AppleSox office at (509) 665-6900.