2016 Pacific Association Most Valuable Player Joel Carranza will be returning to the Stompers in 2017 along with other stars from last season's championship team. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)
Hayley M. Slye / Media Relations
SONOMA, Calif. – The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, begins its 2016 Pacific Association Championship defense with the 2017 season opener on the road Friday against the Pittsburg Diamonds at Winter Chevrolet Stadium.
The Stompers will feature 14 returning players from 2016 on their Opening Day roster, including the league’s 2016 Most Valuable Player Joel Carranza and 2015 Defensive Player of the Year Yuki Yasuda.
Mike Jackson Jr., who received the second-most votes for 2016 Pacific Association Pitcher of the Year, will also be returning to the mound for the Stompers, and is scheduled to get the start on Friday.
The 2017 roster also features Kelsie Whitmore and Stacy Piagno, who became the first women to play co-ed professional baseball since the 1950’s as Stompers last season.
The 2017 Stompers will be led by 2016 Manager of the Year Takashi Miyoshi, who’s been at the helm in Sonoma since 2015. Miyoshi has designated Carranza to serve as the team’s hitting instructor and Jackson Jr. to be the team’s pitching coach. Even Neiser, who pitched for the Stompers in 2016 will serve as the club’s bench coach.
2017 OPENING DAY ROSTER
CATCHERS
Isaac Wenrich**
Daniel Comstock
INFIELDERS
Joel Carranza*
Scott David*
Yuki Yasuda*
Kevin Farley
Eddie Mora-Loera*
Masa Miyadera
OUTFIELDERS
Matt Hibbert*
Brennan Metzger**
Matt Lococo
Marcus Bradley
Kelsie Whitmore*
PITCHERS
Mike Jackson, Jr., RHP*
Juan Espinosa, RHP*
Tyler Garkow, RHP
Scott Plaza, RHP
Pat Lemmo, RHP*
Adam Ogburn, RHP*
Ryan Richardson, RHP*
Jacob Cox, RHP*
Andy De La Cruz, LHP
John Kovalik, RHP
DJ Sharabi, RHP
Stacy Piagno, RHP*
*Denotes returning from 2016 team
**Denotes returning from 2015 team
STOMPERS TICKETS
Opening Day at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field is June 13. Tickets and merchandise are available now either online, at the fan shop at 234 W Napa Street or at the box office on game day.
Use promo code "OPENINGDAY" to receive 15% off of home opener tickets online.
For more information, contact the front office at 707-938-7277.