Harbour Cats battle Walla Walla Sweets

WALLA WALLA 2 VICTORIA 1

Ten was terrific for the Victoria HarbourCats in the 2017 MLB draft this week. That’s the number of former HarbourCats players selected, indicating the club must be doing something right in its development model.

“You always hope one of these guys is the next Nick Pivetta,” said co-owner and managing-partner Jim Swanson, referring to the former hometown HarbourCats pitcher, now with the Philadelphia Phillies.

“We had 10 players taken this year and the same number last year. Obviously, that’s a good thing for our organization and our fans.”

Taking credit for a draft pick in the West Coast League is a relative thing because most of it goes to the players’ schools. Still, these players spend considerable time in summer collegiate leagues such as the WCL.

Taken in the 2017 MLB draft this week were former HarbourCats Alex Garcia, a pitcher in the 15th round; pitcher Josh Mitchell in the 22nd round; shortstop Timmy Richards in the 24th; pitcher Joe Record in the 28th; outfielders Austin Guibor, Sean Watkins and pitcher Alex Fagalde, all in the 30th round; outfielder Hunter Mercado-Hood in the 32nd; and infielder Michael Gretler in the 39th. Also taken in the 24th round was Victoria Mariners junior infielder Jason Willow.

On the diamond Wednesday, the Sweets edged the HarbourCats 2-1 in Walla Walla, Washington, to snap a three-game Victoria winning streak. Po-Hao Huang, Andrew Vaughn of Cal-Berkeley and Harry Shipley from Purdue each hit doubles but Victoria left seven runners stranded. Huang recorded the RBI for the ’Cats. Isaac Mullins from the Washington State Cougars went six innings and took the loss for Victoria.