April 14, 2023

Official Victoria HarbourCats News Release

VICTORIA, B.C. -- He's from UC Santa Barbara, he can catch, play the outfield, steal bases, drive the ball for extra base hits -- and he's back for another season as a Victoria HarbourCat.

Todd Haney, the head coach of the HarbourCats, is pleased to announce the next group of players locked in for the 2023 summer, headlined by returning catcher/outfielder Jessada Brown (UC Santa Barbara), who stole 18 bases in 2022, while hitting .286 with five doubles, a triple and four long balls, which tied for second on the team. He was also hit by pitches a team-leading eight times.

"Jesse was a key player for us last year and it's great to have him back," said Haney, who led the team to its fourth playoff appearance in the last five seasons played. "He was a presence and made people around him better, got guys better pitches to hit. This is great news to have him back, and to announce him as part of a very athletic group of position players."

Brown isn't the only big bat now on the roster -- stocky infielder Shay Kubo is hitting .313 (33 hits in 25 games) in the top third of the order for Illinois State, and Dallas Macias, versatile enough to play shortstop or centre field, was a two-sport star (baseball, football) in high school who will be a key player at Oregon State for four years. The lefty hitter's first college hit was a triple.

Outfielder Lane Brewster of Sam Houston State was leading off and starting in right field as a freshman, following up this spring with four home runs and 10 stolen bases, starting every game for the Bearkats.

The signings on Friday:

C/OF Jessada Brown, UC-Santa Barbara, 5-11/200, sophomore from Seattle

IF/OF Dallas Macias, Oregon State, 5-11/192, freshman from Parker, Colorado

IF Shay Kubo, Illinois State, 5-8/165, junior from Waipuha, Hawaii

OF Lane Brewster, Sam Houston State, 5-11/170, sophomore from League City, Texas

The HarbourCats celebrate their 10th Anniversary in 2023 and the season kicks off with the home opener against the Kamloops NorthPaws on Friday June 2.