Photo by: J.W. Toy III

Sonoma Stompers Chris Kwitzer batting vs. the San Rafael Pacifcs.

League Highlights

In the first month of the season, the Pacific Association of Professional Baseballs Clubs had its first player (Chris Mazza) reach the Major Leagues and also featured the Vallejo Admirals’ signing of former three-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner Brandon Phillips.

Chris Mazza pitched for the San Rafael Pacifics in 2018 where he had an ERA of .59 in 30.2 innings pitched. 

Brandon Phillips rounded out his first week of play for the Admirals going four-for-thirteen with three runs scored and three RBIs. Phillips also knocked his first home run of the 2019 season vs. the San Rafael Pacifics on June 29, 2019.

On The Mound

Napa Silverados pitcher Sam Curtis had a phenomenal start to the season leading the league in strikeouts with 41 in just 27.1 innings pitched. The former William Jessup alumnus has a three-to-one won-loss record in his five starts. 

The Sonoma Stompers had two pitchers get promoted in the first month of the season. Left-hander Cole Watts was signed to the Idaho Falls Chukars, Rookie-ball affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. The second pitcher was D.J. Sharabi who was promoted to the American Association’s Cleburene Railroaders where he joined former 2018 teammate and PAPBC Rookie of the Year Kenny Meimerstorf. Sonoma also has current ERA leader Henry Omana on their roster where he is 2-1 with a 1.80 ERA in 20 innings pitched while striking out 27 batters.

At The Plate

Napa Silverados standout William Salas leads the league in hitting with an impressive .456 batting average. Salas is 36-for-79 in his first 20 games played. The infielder has also hit three home runs while driving in 19.

San Rafael Pacifics slugger Axel Johnson currently leads the league with eight home runs and 33 runs batted in. The Tulsa, Oklahoma native had 13 RBIs his last six games of the month.

Sonoma Stompers Dondrei Hubbard is chasing Johnson with his own seven home runs and 26 RBIs, which are both second and respectively.  

Salina Stockade rookie Zane Gelphman also has seven home runs and a .333 batting average. 

End of June Standings:

TEAM            W        L    GB

Sonoma        16        5        -    

San Rafael   13        11    4.5

Vallejo           13        11    6

Napa               9        13    7.5

Salina             7        15    9.5

All June Promotions:

Team        Player                        Organization

VAL         Brandon Fischer        Quebec Captiales

SON        Cole Watts                 Kansas City Royals

SON        D.J. Sharabi              Cleburne Railroaders

NAPA        Ray Jones             Gary Railcats