Newcomers Providing Immediate Boost For AppleSox

John Newman Jr. (left) and Michael O’Hara celebrate a run on June 19 against Bend. (Photo by Macy Lowe)

As the first month of the West Coast League season winds down the AppleSox roster is about as full as it will be all summer. As of June 24, 36 players comprise the 2021 squad. Before they hit the road for a season-long six-game road trip, the AppleSox added seven new players to their roster and many have already left their mark on their new team. 

The AppleSox are bolstered at catcher with three more added and four in total on the active roster. John Newman Jr. from UC Santa Barbara, Collin Villegas from Cal Poly and Jacob Wyeth from Louisiana State all joined the Sox for the June 18-20 weekend home set against Bend and for the foreseeable future this summer.

Newman has settled in nicely as a designated hitter, appearing in the first two games against the Cowlitz Black Bears on June 22 and 23 and hitting a combined 3-for-8 at the plate with an RBI, three walks and two runs. He had collected at least one-hit in all three of his starts to that point.

Villegas and Wyeth have started a combined three games behind the dish prior to action on June 24. Villegas did an excellent job at fouling off pitches to extend at-bats on June 20 en route to a 2-for-3 day with two walks. Wyeth, fresh off LSU’s impressive season ending with a loss in the Super Regional against Tennessee on June 13, flew across the country to play for the AppleSox. He collected a hit in each of his first two games, including a 2-RBI double on June 23 against Cowlitz to draw the AppleSox within one run in the eighth inning.

Wyeth wasn’t the only AppleSox newcomer to appear in the NCAA Tournament. Justin Simpson joined the AppleSox after Central Michigan was eliminated by Notre Dame on June 6 and made his AppleSox debut in dramatic fashion on June 18. He entered as a pinch runner in the bottom of the eighth inning with the AppleSox tied with the Bend Elks, 4-4, and the go-ahead run at first base. He promptly stole second and eventually scored the game-winning run when Jackson Van De Brake drew a bases-loaded walk.

That would be the first of many runs for Simpson. Entering play on June 24, Simpson is second on the AppleSox in runs (nine) and is only one back of Tino Bethancourt for the team lead. That despite playing in seven fewer games than Bethancourt. 

In his first start of the season on June 19, Simpson attacked the first pitches he saw in his first two at-bats to collect base-hits and then added his third hit of the night in his third time up to the plate. That aggressive approach paid off for him, but it’s one that he said the next day that he doesn’t usually take at the plate.

Justin Simpson celebrates as he crosses home plate on June 20 against Bend. (Photo by Macy Lowe)

“I’m not one to swing at the first pitch” Simpson said, “but I had a good round of batting practice and I came out here to hit the baseball so I thought ‘if I get a fastball early, let’s try to do something with it.”

Patience paid off for Simpson in the ensuing games on June 20 and June 22. He finished 0-for-6 out of the leadoff spot, but drew three walks both nights and scored a combined five runs. 

Michael O’Hara from Santa Clara is also off to a blazing start at the plate. He reached base safely in each of his first five games with the AppleSox, including recording two multi-hit efforts in his first three games. 

O’Hara put on a show in each of his first three games with the AppleSox and it began with a three-hit night in his debut on June 18. Though he “only” collected one hit the next night, O’Hara swiped three bags that evening and then stole another base on the 20th while also recording his second multi-hit game in three days. He drew a combined three walks in the first two games of the road trip against Cowlitz to reach base safely in each of his first five games with the AppleSox.

The newcomers are still working to get to know their new teammates but many, including Simpson have fit right immediately.

“It’s a little different but I’m pretty good at getting along with others,” Simpson said. “I’m not too shy of a person so it makes that side a little easier. It’s nice to meet new people and hopefully I’ll get to play against some of them in the spring.”

Starting at home and getting used to Wenatchee helped them out, but they especially benefited from the AppleSox long road trip during the penultimate week of June. The time away from the field really helps players get to know each other when they aren’t trying to secure another victory.

“The road trips are where you really bond with guys,” Simpson said. “Being on the bus and in hotels is where you really get to know them and build friendships.” 

Late June to mid-July is the best time for roster depth in the summer baseball season. Most teams are out of college postseason tournaments and not enough players are at the point of usage in the summer that they have to be shut down just yet.

The AppleSox know that their depth extends from beyond just four catchers. The infield is extremely versatile. Bethancourt can play first and third base while middle infielders Garrett Cutting, Adam Grob and Jackson Van De Brake can all play second base, shortstop, and third base. Simpson is comfortable at shortstop and second base. Even Rece Stapp was asked to move from second base to first base on June 22. Luc Stuka (first base) and Zach Toglia (third base) are the only infielders who have played just one position.

The outfield is just as crowded if not more-so. Dakota Duffalo has played at all three positions, O’Hara has appeared in right field and center field and Aidan Selfridge has appeared at both corner positions. Enzo Apodaca is locked in as the regular centerfielder while Payton Flynn has also seen action in left field.  

Head Coach Ian Sanderson has more than enough depth all around. Now, it’s about figuring out who will start at each position and lock in regular playing time for the rest of the summer.