Three Stanford Hurlers Signed by Gulls

The Newport Gulls and Stanford University have had a strong relationship over the Gulls’ 15 years in the NECBL, and in 2015, the Cardinal is once again sending top talent to Cardines Field.

Stanford will be represented this summer by three arms on the Gulls pitching staff: LHP Quinn Brodey, RHP Colton Hock, and RHP Keith Weisenberg. The three rising sophomores will be part of the Gulls youth movement in 2015.

“We are fortunate that they trust giving us their best players annually, and this year is no different,” said Gulls General Manager Chuck Paiva of Stanford’s relationship with Newport.

Keith Weisenberg is starting his first season with the Cardinal. The 6’5” right hander from St. Petersburg, Florida was drafted out of high school by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 38th Round. An impressive pitcher nationally, Weisenberg has touched the mid-90s consistently with his fastball. Perfect Game USA has ranked him as both the second best freshman prospect in the country and named him a Perfect Game 1st Team All-American.

“Weisenberg will probably start for the Gulls this season depending on how much he pitches at Stanford,” said Paiva. “I expect he will draw a lot of attention and will be fun to watch this summer.”

Colton Hock is also starting his first season with the Stanford Cardinal in 2015. Hock is a high profile pitcher from Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. In his senior year at Bloomsburg High School, he not only batted .527, he also struck out 19 batters that he faced in the 2014 Pennsylvania State playoffs. Hock’s senior year was littered with awards, including 2014 Press Enterprise District 4 MVP and 1st Team All-State as both a pitcher and position player.

The 2015 season will be Hock’s second in a summer collegiate league. In 2014, he spent the season as a pitcher and first baseman in the California Collegiate League as a member of the PFU Capitalists. Hock notched a 6.38 ERA in 24 innings pitched with 24 strikeouts, holding batters to a .255 average. Due to his commitment to Stanford, Hock was not drafted, but Perfect Game ranks Hock as the 53rd best freshman prospect in the country.

“I think Colton has the potential to be an All-Star in the NECBL,” said Paiva. The Gulls GM believes that Hock could compete for a starting position in Newport, or pitch out of the bullpen, possibly as the Gulls closer.

Quinn Brodey is the wildcard from the Stanford signings. The Los Angeles native is a strong left-handed pitcher who features a fastball that ranges in the mid-90s and deceptive breaking pitches. Brodey is also a high-profile outfielder with power. Drafted in the 37th round by the Washington Nationals, Perfect Game ranks Brodey 59th among freshman prospects in 2015.

“Brodey has started his season at Stanford as a hitter and pitcher, so I am confident he will be a special player for the Newport Gulls this summer,” Paiva said. He added that Brodey will get a chance to both pitch and hit in Newport, and a role has yet to be determined for the 2015 season.

The Gulls have a history of fielding top talent from Stanford. In 2010, Cardinal pitcher Mark Appel was dominant in his role as a starter for Newport, owning a 6-1 record with a 1.86 ERA, earning First Team All-NECBL honors. He pitched for Team USA the following summer, and in 2013 became the highest drafted alumnus in NECBL history, selected by the Houston Astros in the 1st Round as the first overall draft pick.

Also in 2010, Stanford infielder Kenny Diekroeger patrolled the dirt at Cardines for the Gulls, batting .324 en route to an NECBL All-Star selection along with his teammate Appel. Diekroeger was drafted in the 4th Round in 2012 by the Kansas City Royals, and has spent the last three seasons in the Royals farm system.

More recently, RHP Brett Hanewich and NECBL All-Star shortstop Tommy Edman represented Stanford on the 2014 Gulls championship squad.

According to Paiva, the 2015 season will be another in a long line of strong years for the Newport-Stanford relationship.

“Stanford has always sent us outstanding baseball talent but they are also great ambassadors off the field, as well,” said Paiva. “The three pitchers we are getting have a chance to be as good as anyone in the NECBL this summer.”

In the build-up to the start of the 2015 season, the Newport Gulls will be releasing roster previews on a regular basis. The preceding release on Stanford players is the first in this series.