The Victoria HarbourCats are pleased to announce that two key members of the 2015 squad are returning to play for the West Coast League organization next summer.
Outfielder AJ Alcantara (UC-Irvine) and versatile infielder/outfielder PJ Floyd (Sacramento State) have signed to rejoin the HarbourCats in 2016. Also signing is Floyd’s teammate at Sacramento State, catcher James Outman, a top recruit out of Junipero Serra HS in San Mateo, CA.
“It’s always a good sign to have quality, productive players want to return to your program, and Alcantara and Floyd were right at the top of our list of players we wanted back,” said Jim Swanson, general manager of the HarbourCats.
“Both put up good numbers and will only be better with another year at their great school programs. They know our system here, they know our coaches and our community, and they can help us lead others so we have less learning time and can hit the ground running to start the 2016 season.”
Alcantara, who previously played in Wenatchee, hit .330 (33-100) with 13 runs, 21 runs driven in, eight doubles, two triples and two home runs in 31 games.
He persevered through some nagging injuries but was a middle-of-the-order right-handed bat, seeing time in all three outfield spots. Alcantara is a junior at UC-Irvine this fall.
Floyd, a left-handed hitter, hit .287 (31-108) with 16 runs, seven doubles, five home runs and 26 RBIs in 33 games — but also hit three home runs in a non-league game in Nanaimo on July 19, long balls not counted in that total.
Floyd was recruited as an infielder, but his strong arm could see him move to the outfield in a bid to keep his potent bat in the lineup. Floyd is a sophomore for the Hornets.
Outman is a six-foot-two, 195-pound left-hand hitting catcher who was named to the Perfect Game all-tournament team. A two-sport athlete in high school, he was a star linebacker for the football team. Outman is entering his freshman season with the Hornets, and has a booming bat, strong defense, and will push for playing time in his first collegiate season.
“With last week’s announcement of outfielder Matt Smith of Sacramento State, we have four players on our roster and the coaching staff is working hard to fill the roster for 2016,” said Swanson.
“This is our fourth season in the West Coast League and the other teams do a great job of putting quality teams on the field. We’re looking everywhere we can for the parts that will give our fans a chance at celebrating a championship.”