Joe Magrisi and Jack Gonzales Named West Coast League All-Stars

YAKIMA, Wash. – Two pitchers for the Yakima Valley Pippins, right-hander Joe Magrisi and left-hander Jack Gonzales, have been named to the North Division roster for the 2019 West Coast League All-Star Game, the league office announced Tuesday. The All-Star Game will take place on Tuesday, June 23, at Vince Genna Stadium in Bend, Oregon.

It is the first WCL All-Star Game selection for both pitchers. Gonzales, in his second year with the Pippins, has posted a 2-0 record and 1.80 ERA over 30 innings of work. The Oceanside, California native ranks fourth in the West Coast League in ERA, while his 30 innings pitched are 6th-most league-wide.

Gonzales, a rising junior at Dixie State, has struck out 25 batters and walked 10 in 12 appearances, while opponents have hit just .226 off of him. Gonzales made his first start of the summer on Sunday against Port Angeles, throwing a 7-inning complete game and earning the win after allowing 2 runs and striking out a season-high five.

Magrisi, a two-time WCL Pitcher of the Week honoree, leads the league in ERA (0.62) and strikeouts (53) this season. A native of San Diego, California, the right-hander is the only pitcher in the West Coast League with 3 different double-digit strikeout games this season. In his last start, Magrisi earned the win after striking out 11 over 7 shutout innings against Port Angeles.

A rising sophomore at Cal State Fullerton, Magrisi has walked just 9 batters in his 28.2 innings of work this summer, while opponents have hit .115 off of him. Amongst qualified pitchers, that .115 mark ranks as the 2nd-best league-wide, and his 16.6 strikeouts per nine innings leads all qualified arms.

The Pippins’ two All-Stars marks the sixth consecutive season with at least two selections, in the team’s sixth year of existence. It is the first time since 2015 that the Pippins have sent two pitchers to the All-Star Game.

By Miles Klotz

July 16, 2019