H-Cats roster firms up

Dylan Stowell

We have good news and bad news regarding the HarbourCats roster. First the bad news… because it’s always easier getting that out of the way as quickly as possible.

Yesterday the team announced that three previously-signed players won’t be able to suit up for the HarbourCats this summer due to injuries. The players are Andrew Calica (UCSB), Will Dennis (Seattle U) and Matt Susac (University of Nevada). Calica is a big loss, since he was probably the best outfielder on the team. Fortunately the HarbourCats are very deep in the outfield, so it will free up some playing time for other capable players like the sweet-swinging Hunter Mercado-Hood. Losing Dennis, a lefty who can both close and be a frontline starter, will also hurt. Now for the good news...

The 'Cats announced that they have signed four more players, including three pitchers. The new recruits are:

Name	Pos	Year	2013-14 School	Level
Garcia, Alex	RHP	HS Senior	Bishop Amat Memorial HS	High School
Stowell, Dylan	RHP	Freshman	California Baptist University	NCAA Division II
Sullivan, Don	LHP	Sophomore	Riverside City College	Cal. Comm. Colg. Athletic Assn.
Pollman, Gunner	C	Freshman	Sacramento State	NCAA Division I

The most intriguing signing out of this group is freshman pitcher Dylan Stowell from California Baptist University (a Division II school). In six relief appearances this spring, Stowell has struck out 10 batters and given up only one hit over 8 ⅔ innings pitched -- but he has also walked 8 batters. Based on those numbers, we might have another “Nuke” LaLoosh on our hands, but if Stowell can improve on his control then he’ll be very useful in late-inning situations.

The HarbourCats now have 40 players under contract. Look for a few more tweaks to the roster as we approach Opening Day.