The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
Current Temperature
49°F
Current Conditions
Overcast clouds
View complete weather report

Color Scheme

Subscribe now

Texas assigns additional 15 players to Indians

Somer Breeze Staff writer

The Spokane Indians’ roster is slowly taking shape with opening day just five days away.

Fifteen more of the parent club Texas Rangers’ draft picks were assigned to Spokane – five on Tuesday and 10 on Monday.

Tuesday’s assigned players include right-handed closer Brennan Garr from the University of Northern Colorado, shortstop Cody Hines from the College of San Mateo, shortstop Jay Heafner from Davidson College, right-handed pitcher John Slusarz from the University of Connecticut and right-handed pitcher Austin Weilep of Lewis-Clark State College, who also played for Northport High School.

Weilep went 5-0 with a 3.72 ERA and 58 strikeouts this season and was drafted in the 34th round. He will join former teammate, right-hander Shannon Wirth, who went 7-1 with a 2.96 ERA and 66 strikeouts his final season at LCSC. Wirth was drafted in the 32nd round and was assigned to Spokane on Monday.

Nine others were assigned with Wirth on Monday, including four familiar faces from the 2005 Northwest League championship season: infielders Johnny Washington and Julio Santana, right-handed pitcher Brett Zamzow and outfielder/first baseman Wally Backman Jr.

New to the Indians roster is outfielder Brian Nelson from Corban College, who was drafted in the 35th round. Nelson hit .396 with 38 runs batted in and six home runs this season.

Rounding out the 10 assigned Monday are right-hander Jose Jaimes from the 2005 Arizona League Rangers, catcher Billy Killian from the 2005 Eugene Emeralds of the NWL, right-hander Derrick Jones from George Fox University in Newberg, Ore., and first baseman Chris Kemp from the University of Tennessee.

The newly assigned Indians join 11 players appointed to Spokane on Friday. All assigned players will report to Spokane today.

The Indians’ first workout will be Thursday prior to the seven-inning exhibition game at 6:30 p.m. against the Spokane RiverHawks. Gates will open at 5:30 and the $3 tickets for general admission will benefit the YMCA/YWCA Capital Fund.

The Indians will open their regular season against the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Avista Stadium. Less than 1,000 reserved bench seats are available for the opener. The opener will include fireworks.