Several ex-WCLers earned 2013 preseason honors by Baseball America in its college baseball preview issue. Former Wenatchee AppleSox southpaw and first baseman Marco Gonzales of Gonzaga was named to Baseball America’s first-team All-America squad.

Gonzalez led Wenatchee to a WCL title in 2010 as the Zags’ frosh-to-be went 5-1 with a 2.76 ERA while striking out 66 over 52 innings pitched earning Marco first-team All-WCL honors.

Baseball America rated Oregon State and Oregon #6 and #15, respectively, in its pre-season national rankings. The Beavers and Ducks were the only Pacific Northwest ranked teams. Both teams are stocked with players with WCL experience. The Beavers projected starting lineup as listed by Baseball America includes WCL alums catcher Jake Rodriguez (Corvallis), first baseman Danny Hayes (Corvallis), third baseman Jared Casper (Kitsap), shortstop Tyler Smith (Klamath Falls), outfielder Joey Matthews (Bend), outfielder Ryan Barnes (Wenatchee), starting pitcher Ben Wetzler (Corvallis), starting pitcher Matt Boyd (Corvallis) and relief pitcher Tony Bryant (Wenatchee). The Ducks projected starting lineup features outfielder Connor Hofmann (Corvallis), designated hitter Kyle Garlick (Cowlitz) and relief pitcher Jimmie Sherfy (Corvallis).

UCLA was also ranked. The #12 Bruins projected starting lineup also includes players with WCL experience as catcher Shane Zeile (Walla Walla), Cody Regis (Bellingham), Kevin Williams (Walla Walla), Pat Valaika, Jr. (Wenatchee), Ty Moore (Wenatchee), Eric Filia-Snyder (Wenatchee) and relief pitcher James Kaprielian (Wenatchee) were listed.

The Oregonian newspaper featured both OSU and UO in its Feb. 15 Beaver and Duck previews. Former WCLers Ben Wetzler of OSU and Jimmie Sherfy of Oregon were featured on the front page of the sports section (pictured). Both hurlers starred on the Corvallis Knights 2011 championship team.

The West Coast League is pleased to announce the below Baseball America preseason honorees:

First-Team All-America

UTL- Marco Gonzales (Wenatchee AppleSox, 2010), Gonzaga

PAC-12

Top Fifteen Newcomers
#2 – James Kaprielian (Wenatchee AppleSox, 2012), RHP, UCLA
#3 – Hunter Virant (Walla Walla Sweets, 2012), LHP, UCLA
#6 – Cole Irvin (Cowlitz Black Bears, 2012), LHP, Oregon
#10 – Ty Moore (Wenatchee AppleSox, 2012), OF, UCLA
#12 – Austin Barr (Corvallis Knights, 2012), C, Stanford

Top Fifteen Prospects, 2013 MLB Draft
#7 – Ben Wetzler (Corvallis Knights, 2011), LHP, Oregon State
#11 – Jimmie Sherfy (Corvallis Knights, 2011), RHP, Oregon
#13 – Adam Nelubowich (Wenatchee AppleSox, 2011), 3B, Washington State

Top Ten Prospects, 2014 MLB Draft
#4 – Jace Fry (Corvallis Knights, 2011), LHP, Oregon State
#7 – Eric Filia-Snyder (Wenatchee AppleSox, 2011), OF, UCLA

Best Tools
Fastest Runner – Connor Hofmann (Corvallis Knights, 2011-2012), Oregon
Best Defensive 2B – Kevin Williams (Walla Walla Sweets, 2011), UCLA
Best Breaking Ball – Jimmie Sherfy (Corvallis Knights, 2011), Oregon

Big West

Top Ten Newcomers
#6 – Thomas Eshelman (Klamath Falls Gems, 2012), RHP, Cal State Fullerton

Top Fifteen Prospects, 2013-2014 MLB Drafts
#5 – Chase Johnson (Corvallis Knights, 2011), RHP, Cal Poly
#7 – Taylor Sparks (Wenatchee AppleSox, 2012), 3B, UC Irvine
#14 – David Andriese (Corvallis Knights, 2010-2011), OF, UC Riverside

WCC

Pitcher of the Year
Marco Gonzales (Wenatchee AppleSox, 2010), Gonzaga

Top Ten Newcomers
#1 – Taylor Jones (Wenatchee AppleSox, 2012), RHP, Gonzaga
#4 – Cabe Reiten (Wenatchee AppleSox, 2012), 2B, Gonzaga
#7 – Troy Conyers (Kelowna Falcons, 2012), LHP, San Diego

Top Fifteen Prospects, 2013-2014 MLB Drafts
#2 – Marco Gonzales (Wenatchee AppleSox, 2010), LHP, Gonzaga
#9 – Travis Radke (Bend Elks, 2012), LHP, Portland
#15 – Kody Watts (Cowlitz Black Bears, 2011-2012), RHP, Portland

Mid-American Conference

Top Five Newcomers
#1 – Taylor Willliams (Cowlitz Black Bears), RHP, Kent State

Top Ten Prospects 2013-2014 MLB Drafts
#5 – Taylor Willaims (Cowlitz Black Bears), RHP, Kent State

Summit League

Top Five Prospects 2013-2014 MLB Drafts
#3 – David Ernst (Kelowna Falcons), RHP, North Dakota State

TOP 50 COLLEGE PLAYERS BY CLASS

Seniors
#3 – Matt Boyd (Corvallis Knights, 2010), LHP, Oregon State
#38 – Tyler Smith (Klamath Falls Gems, 2012), SS, Oregon State
#50 – Tommy Nance (Cowlitz Black Bears, 2012), RHP, Santa Clara

Juniors
#11 – Marco Gonzales (Wenatchee AppleSox, 2010), LHP, Gonzaga
#37 – Ben Wetzler (Corvallis Knights, 2011), LHP, Oregon State

Sophomores
#26 – Jace Fry (Corvallis Knights, 2011), LHP, Oregon State
#42 – Travis Radke (Bend Elks, 2012), LHP, Portland
#49 – Eric Filia-Snyder (Wenatchee AppleSox, 2011), OF, UCLA

Freshmen
#7 – James Kaprielian (Wenatchee AppleSox, 2012), RHP, UCLA
#10 – Hunter Virant (Walla Walla Sweets, 2012), LHP, UCLA
#25 – Cole Irvin (Cowlitz Black Bears, 2012), LHP, Oregon
#49 – Ty Moore (Wenatchee AppleSox, 2012), OF, UCLA