HarbourCats add pair of MLB draft picks

The Victoria HarbourCats continue to piece together a solid lineup in a bid to return the West Coast League championship series.

The HarbourCats on Tuesday added two MLB draft picks and re-signed a fan favourite from Hawaii as preparations for the 2018 WCL season continue.

B.C. product Carter Loewen has committed to Victoria for this summer, and the 6-foot-4 right-handed pitcher and DH brings an impressive resume. Loewen, who is in his freshman season at the University of Hawaii, was drafted in the 40th round of the 2016 MLB draft by the Toronto Blue Jays after staring for Canada’s national junior team that summer. Loewen is also a product of the Abbotsford Cardinals of the B.C. Premier Baseball League, where he threw a no-hitter in 2015.

The HarbourCats also solidified their infield by signing Seattle Mariners draft pick Jack Smith out of the Washington State Cougars program. The 6-foot-3 Smith, who hails from nearby Mercer Island, Washington, was a star shortstop for Mercer Island High School where he was selected in the 39th round by the Mariners in last spring’s draft.

And back for his second stint in Victoria is catcher/third baseman Kekai Rios out of the University of Hawaii. Rios played 12 games for the HarbourCats last season before having to return early to school but he hit .308 in those games.

“These are big signings for us, returning Kekai and adding two drafted players,” HarbourCats general manager Brad NorrisJones said in a statement. “There is experience, there is size, and a ton of skill in these three, adding to the depth you need to have in order to compete at this level. Our league is good, and these players know they’ll be challenged, and that our goals are to bring our fans a winner.”

The HarbourCats open the 2018 WCL season at home on June 1 when the Wenatchee AppleSox pay a visit to Royal Athletic Park.