Vassar Hired As Pitching Coach

The Wenatchee AppleSox have announced that the franchise’s all-time leader in strikeouts, Quincy Vassar, has been hired as the team’s pitching coach for the 2025 season. 

Vassar will join second-year coach Xander Orejudos as assistants on head coach Mitch Darlington’s staff. Darlington, the reigning co-WCL Head Coach of the Year, is entering his fourth campaign with Wenatchee. 

“I am thrilled to announce the addition of Quincy Vassar to the AppleSox coaching staff in 2025,” Darlington said. “Quincy’s passion for ApppleSox baseball, his ability to lead and his mind for the game will make him a huge addition to our staff. Quincy has cemented himself in AppleSox history as a player and I expect the same level of success to carry over for him as a coach.”

Vassar pitched each of the last three seasons for the AppleSox, logging a franchise-record 131.2 innings over 28 games. The southpaw posted a 3.90 ERA with a franchise-best 125 strikeouts. He tossed at least five innings in 17-of-25 starts.

The Brewster native also made three postseason appearances with the AppleSox, including two of the more impressive starts in recent AppleSox playoff history. He helped Wenatchee finish off a series sweep of Kamloops in 2022 with eight strikeouts and one unearned in seven innings in Game 2 of the North Division Series. Two years and one day later he shoved again in Game 2 of the North Division Series, this time tossing a complete game with eight strikeouts and one run vs. Victoria to keep the AppleSox’ season alive. 

“I’m very excited to be joining the coaching staff in Wenatchee,” Vassar said. “The AppleSox have been a big part of my baseball career and I am looking forward to helping athletes make it a part of their own story as the new pitching coach. I couldn’t be more proud to have played for Mitch and now have the chance to work with him and Xander to bring the next championship back to Wenatchee. AppleSox arm farm incoming Summer 2025.”

Vassar saved his best work for his final summer of eligibility with the AppleSox, earning All-WCL Second Team honors in 2024. His 2.92 ERA was the fourth-best among qualified WCL pitchers and his 49.1 innings were sixth-most. The graduate senior at Vanguard tossed two complete games, first with an eight-inning and four-strikeout effort June 29 at Bellingham followed by a nine-inning effort in the playoffs. Postseason included, Vassar tossed at least five innings in seven-of-10 starts. One of those three that he didn’t came when the 2024 WCL All-Star started on three days' rest for a beleaguered AppleSox pitching staff June 9. The Brewster native only allowed two runs over his final 18 innings of the regular season, spanning four games.

Vassar fills the spot of Mike Callia, who departs due to an expanded role at Lower Columbia College. Callia’s staff recorded a 3.35 team ERA in 2023, good for fifth-best in the WCL, en route to the team going 27-17. Five AppleSox pitchers earned All-WCL honors in 2023 and then two more were recognized in 2024 for the WCL runners-up. 

The 2025 AppleSox schedule will be released next month. It represents the 25th season in franchise history. Stay tuned to applesox.com and westcoastleague.com. Season tickets and other ticket packages can be purchased today at applesox.com/season-tickets.