AppleSox Announce First Three Members of 2023 Roster

AppleSox head coach Mitch Darlington announced on Monday the first three players of the 2023 roster. Hunter Gibson, Jack Moffitt, Brandham Ponce are the first three returning players signed to suit for the AppleSox again in 2023. 

“Those guys know what we accomplished last summer and they know what the goal is.” Darlington said. “They know what we’re all about and we expect them and our other returners to be leaders on this summer’s team.” 

Gibson returns to the mound in 2023 for the AppleSox after appearing in 10 games a year ago, tied for the third-most among Sox pitchers. He was sidelined due to injury during the 2022 college season but returned and made an impact on the mound for the AppleSox. He had a 2.70 ERA after his first seven appearances following a five-inning shutout performance in relief against Corvallis on July 17 in which he struck out six, walked and allowed one hit. 

The Ellensburg native recorded a 2.96 ERA with 37 strikeouts and four walks over 27.1 innings in 10 appearances at Big Bend in 2021 as a freshman. Gibson tossed four scoreless innings in his season debut for the Vikings on Feb. 18 against Spokane Falls. He only allowed one hit, struck out six and walked three. 

“He primarily pitched in home games last summer as he lived in Ellensburg and commuted from there around his work schedule,” Darlington said. “He was coming off an arm injury last summer and he had some innings and pitch count limits. I really think you are going to see a different type of pitcher this summer. Him getting a full spring season and his velocity increasing lead me to believe he will have a great season with us after a great season at Big Bend.” 

Moffitt was with the AppleSox from start to finish last season, making his debut on the road in the third game of the season before getting the start in the 2022 North Division Championship Game. He allowed three-runs-or-less in eight-of-10 starts and saved his best for last in the final game of the season as he only allowed one unearned run in a season-high six innings and struck out three Bellingham batters. Moffitt tossed five-or-more innings in three-of-his-final-four starts and struck out a season-high six batters in five scoreless innings against Kamloops on July 20.

Moffitt has been at Gonzaga since 2020 but only appeared in one game over his first three years until this spring. He has pitched in two games, both in relief, after solely being used as a starter in Wenatchee. Moffitt previously played summer collegiate baseball for the Wheat City Whisky Jacks in 2021, posting a 4.75 ERA with 48 strikeouts in 53 innings over 13 games (11 starts).

“I felt like from his first start all the way to the end that he kept getting better and better,” Darlington said. “I think he’s going to come in more polished. He’s a guy with a heavy fastball that got up as high as 94 miles per hour. The big thing for him is going to be developing that off-speed pitch. It’s about finding a changeup that he can locate for a strike and finding a breaking ball that he can throw in any count.”

The AppleSox’ 2022 home run leader is back for 2023. Ponce whacked four home runs in the regular season before adding another one in the postseason. The utilityman appeared at first base (four times), third base (six times), left field (five times), right field (three times) and on the mound (twice) while also serving as the designated hitter once last summer in 22 games with Wenatchee. He thrived at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium, batting .327 with all five of his home runs in 16 games there. 

Ponce transferred to Washington State after two huge seasons at Big Bend and is in his first season in Pullman. His first hit with the Cougs was a big one as he smacked a bases-clearing double on Feb. 18 in a win over Villanova. 

Ponce began his collegiate career at Central Arizona in 2020 when he hit .206 in 20 games for the Vaqueros. He transferred to Big Bend and hit .354 with 3 home runs and 25 RBI in 28 games in 2021 and then batted .339 with six home runs and 42 RBI in 2022. Ponce was named to the ABCA Rawlings All-America Third Team and All-NWAC First Team and was also named NWAC East Region MVP as a utility player. 

“Beyond excited for him to be back with the AppleSox,” Darlington said. “His leadership is one of the biggest reasons why we wanted to have him back. The leadership that he provided for our dugout and the way that he rallied the troops and kept guys focused, kept them locked in. I can’t imagine the summer without Brandham. The guy has an infectious smile and the kid hit some massive home runs for us down the stretch.” 

Stay tuned over the coming weeks as more roster additions are announced for the AppleSox. Next week’s roster release will detail four more returning players. 

To hear more of Darlington’s thoughts on the first three members of the 2023 roster stay tuned for the newest addition of the AppleSox Podcast on Thursday. You can listen to it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Ticket packages for the AppleSox’ 23rd season are now on sale. Season tickets lock in your seats for all 31 home games and run as affordable as $145 for general admission bleacher seats while reserved premium seating is $245. Additionally, fans can get 10-ticket Double Play Ticket Packs for $60. These 10 general-admission ticket punches can all be used at once or spread out over the course of the season over multiple games. To purchase 2023 ticket packages please visit applesox.com/season-tickets call 509-665-6900 or email allie@applesox.com.