As the London Majors get set to write the 2016 chapter in the story of the historical franchise, they are augmenting some familiar faces with some big name additions to the lineup this season.
Catchers
Both Mike Ambrose and Sean Refflinghaus return to behind-the-plate duties and are both looking to build off the 2015 season. Hometown veteran Ambrose is currently playing professionally in Australia, and he looks to further build on last season’s numbers with the Majors. He had four home runs last season to go along with a .267 batting average. The versatile player competed at a number of infield and outfield positions last season, as well, but will mostly be catching this season.
Refflinghaus played as a junior call-up last year and hit .265 with 12 walks in his part-time role, gaining lots of experience which helped him to an MVP season with Fanshawe College in the Ontario College Athletic Association.
Infielders/DH
Two additions highlight this part of the team: shortstop Keith Kandell from California and first baseman/outfielder Ian Horne from New Brunswick.
Kandell is a three-year veteran of the Intercounty Baseball league, having played for Burlington last year. He is a former all-star (2014) and also played in the Pacific Association for the Sonoma Stompers. A potential candidate for a leadoff spot with his speed, he replaces veteran infielder Paul Lytwynec, who has taken a position working as a police constable in Oxford County with the Ontario Provincial Police.
Horne played NCAA Division 1 baseball for Norfolk State in 2014, and in 2015 he played for the San Francisco Seals in the Far West League, as well as the University of New Brunswick. His size contributes to a big swing, and the Majors are hoping he can be a solid middle-of-the-order type of hitter.
Returning this season is the Majors’ power hitter and fan-favourite Cleveland Brownlee. He led the team in home runs, and with his .321 batting average and 26 RBIs, he earned 2nd team all-star status. He will be chasing some of the Majors’ all-time records this year, including home runs.
Returning at second base is Chris McQueen. The London native had a good rookie campaign for the Majors last year, hitting .286 with 12 stolen bases and took over the starting spot in the playoffs, hitting a blistering .365. He can also play the outfield and is pegged as a likely replacement for Cody Mombourquette, who moved back to the Ottawa- area for work.
Also returning in a hitting role is veteran Brett Sabourin. Last year was his first full season as a hitter (he was formerly a starting pitcher). He hit .287 last year with 12 RBI, and he will compete for at-bats this season with others in a potentially potent offence.
Outfield
Venezuelan import Angel Castillo will be a new face in the Majors’ outfield. The 6-foot-3 right-handed batter has played professionally throughout the U.S. and internationally, most recently playing in Japan with a .260 batting average through 50 games.
Joining Castillo will be Byron Reichstein of St. Thomas, who rejoins the team and has all the tools to be an all-star type player.
Humberto Ruiz hit .300 last year as a regular starter and has speed to go along with his increasing knowledge of the game every season.
Tyler Follett, a speedy London native, will be a junior call-up who is currently attending school in Baltimore on a scholarship and is one of the top hitters in his freshman season.
Pitching
Returning this season will be Venezuelan import Oscar Perez, who was one of the top pitchers in the Intercounty Baseball League last season with a 6-1 record, 3.22 ERA and 49 strikeouts.
Todd Leavitt from Vernon, British Columbia, who boasts a fastball clocking in at 90-92 MPH joins the Majors after stints professionally across the United States. He most recently pitched for the Pericos de Puebla of the Arizona Winter League where he went 3-0 with a 1.52 ERA and 4 saves.
Own Boon returns with experience from a championship run with Western University, and he will likely be a starter this year after splitting starting and relief duties last season. His 1.80 ERA was tops on the Majors last season to go along with his 1 win and 2 saves.
Cory Hammond returns after an injury-plagued campaign last season. He is a former IBL 2nd team all-star and will be competing along with Jordan Skavinsky and Braeden Ferrington in the bullpen for innings.
Co-Owner, General Manager, and Coach Roop Chanderdat, who returns for his 11th season with the team, continues to work on the roster and looks to announce some pitching and import players very soon.
Joining Chanderdat will be Casey Daniel Pulham at third base. Max Escrogin will move to the role of pitching coach, while Jeremy Parking returns to the role of first base coach.
Story and photo submitted by the London Majors