AppleSox Sign Five Players From California Colleges
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AppleSox head coach Mitch Darlington announced on Tuesday the addition of five new players to the AppleSox’ 2023 roster. Frankie Carney, Cole McGowan, Nick Putnam, Jacob Dahlstrom and Sebastian David all join the AppleSox from California colleges.
“There’s so much good talent in the state of California,” head coach Mitch Darlington said. “Some of these guys are Washington natives heading to California schools, which is cool to see because if you’ve got a place to play it’s hard to beat California. For some of these guys it’s neat to come to Washington for the summer for some cooler temperatures.”
Carney is the first-of-two players at UC Irvine to join the AppleSox after his freshman year with the Anteaters. He has not appeared in any games yet this season but comes to the AppleSox with some acclaim for his work in high school. Carney batted .402, recorded a 1.149 OPS and stole 18 bags to earn First Team All-Western League honors as a senior at St. Augustine High School in San Diego in 2022. His work earned him a spot on the West team for the East vs. West All-Star Game at Petco Park in a matchup of the top high-school talent in the San Diego area.
The middle infielder got his first taste of college baseball and summer college baseball last year in the South Florida Collegiate League with the West Palm Beach Knights. Carney batted .308 and collected at least one hit in nine-of-15 games and seven of his 10 runs scored came in his final three games.
“Really good speed,” Darlington said. “Likes to get on the bases and likes to run. Defense is one of his strengths, a really good glove up the middle. We could see him bouncing between shortstop and second base. He can get on base and make things happen. He’s gonna bring a ton of energy, a ton of speed and a good glove up the middle. Three things I love.”
McGowan is the other Anteater freshman signed to join the AppleSox. Like Carney, he has not gotten into any game action this spring but was a tri-sport athlete in high school, playing basketball and rugby in addition to baseball at Redwood High School.
The San Rafael, Calif. native hit .329 with seven extra-base hits and 19 runs in 27 games as a senior. He batted .299 with five extra-base hits and 12 RBI in 20 games as a junior in 2021. McGowan was ranked as the 58th-best outfielder among high school players in California by Perfect Game.
“He is another guy with really good speed,” Darlington said. “A guy who gets on base and makes things happen. Cole is a very good defensive outfielder, which is very important at our park where the wind blows out to right.”
AppleSox fans may recognize the last name of the third addition to this week’s roster. Catcher Nick Putnam, younger brother of 2022 AppleSox pitcher Jake Putnam, has signed to join the 2023 AppleSox. He is in his freshman year at UC Santa Barbara and is looking to make his debut for the Gauchos.
Putnam hit .253 with two doubles, two home runs and 16 RBI in 27 games as a senior at San Ramon Valley High School in 2022. The Danville, Calif. native continues the tradition of two players from the same family playing for the AppleSox. Other sets of brothers to play for the AppleSox in recent years include Michael and Zach Toglia as well as Marco and Alex Gonzales.
“Nick is a 6-foot-6 catcher with a lot of power,” Darlignton said. “He can hit doubles, a lot of juice in the bat. It’s tough to crack that lineup there as an underclassmen but he’s a talented kid and I’m excited to keep the Putnam family in Wenatchee.”
Dahlstrom is teammates with returning AppleSox pitcher Quincy Vassar and is also a West Coast League veteran after pitching in 12 games for Walla Walla in 2021. He has starred in his first year at Vanguard, recording a 3.73 ERA with 36 strikeouts and 15 walks in 31.1 innings over eight games (six starts). Dahlstrom’s best start came on Feb. 11 against Southwestern Assemblies of God University, when he tossed seven scoreless and hitless innings while only allowing one walk and striking out five.
Dahlstrom previously spent parts of three seasons at Bellevue Community College from 2020-22. He recorded a 3.85 ERA while striking out 96 and walking 32 in 110 innings over 25 games (20 starts).
“Their head coach had thrown out his name last year and Quincy brought up his name this fall,” Darlington said. “He is off to a great start at Vanguard as one of their starters and is going to be a big asset for us. I could see him getting a few starts with the AppleSox and then see where he goes from there.”
David comes to the AppleSox as a highly-touted prospect who is committed to play at Stanford next year. He earned First Team All-Metro honors and earned a spot in the Metro League All-Star Game as a junior at Lakeside High School in Medina, Wa. last spring.
David has previously played for USA Baseball’s 16U/17U National Team Development Program in August, 2021. Baseball Northwest ranked him as the eighth-best prospect in Washington this year. He also was invited to and participated in the Area Code Games in 2021 and 2022.
“Sebastian is a big-time talent,” Darlington said. “I am beyond ecstatic to have him with us. A really special player. A name to keep your eye on as the (MLB) Draft approaches in July. He’s got all the tools of a big-time prospect in the middle infield. The results and where he has been invited kind of speak for themselves.”
To hear more of Darlington’s thoughts on the five players signed from California colleges stay tuned for the newest addition of the AppleSox Podcast on Thursday. You can listen to it and other previous roster-release episodes 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.
