Millers Welcome Back Veterans for 2017

The Moose Jaw Miller Express are pleased to announce the return of seven players for the 2017 Western Major Baseball League season. Coming back to the Friendly City are pitchers Grant Westmoreland, Bo Sheridan, Jesse Marks, and Keegan Kwong, they will be joined by catcher/outfielder Jeremy Stidham, infielder Lane Harvey, and catcher/utility Cole Warken.

Stidham, 5’9” 190lbs, is from Colorado Springs, Colorado and played this season at Eastern Michigan and through 46 games had a .237 batting average, nine doubles, one triple, five home runs, and 22 RBI’s. Behind the plate he has a .987 fielding percentage and has thrown out 13 runners on 21 stolen base attempts. In 2016 with the Millers, Stidham played in 36 games and had a .298 batting average, seven doubles, one triple, 11 home runs, and 27 RBI’s.

“We're very proud to be able to bring Jeremy back. He was a priority signing this off-season for his leadership with the pitching staff, his outstanding abilities as a catcher, and his game changing presence at the plate. He's a huge add for us and we look for him to be a key contributor for a third season in a row,” commented Head Coach Michael Hunt.

Harvey, 5’7” 170lbs, is from Sydney, Nebraska and played this season at Indian Hills Community College. In 48 games this season he has a .312 batting average, eight doubles, one triple, one home run, and 32 RBI’s. Last summer with the Millers he played in 37 games and had a .232 batting average, two doubles, and eight RBI’s.

“Lane is a very versatile, gritty player, being able to play third, shortstop, and second base,” said Hunt. “He's a spark plug at the top of the order and he will be coming into the summer riding a breakout spring season.”

Warken, 5’11” 195lbs, is from Regina and played this season at Polk State College, in 53 games he had a .300 batting average, 14 doubles, two triples, three home runs, and 45 RBI’s. In 2016 Warken played in nine games with the Millers, he had a .324 batting average, two doubles, and three RBI’s.

“Cole has been with the organization for several seasons now. First as an affiliated player, then as an everyday catcher three years ago. He's played parts of the last two seasons here and we finally have him for a full season again,” said Hunt. “He had an outstanding spring season this year and was rewarded by being named to his JUCO conference All-Star team as a 1st team DH.”

Westmoreland, LHP, 6’3” 185lbs, is from Pearland, Texas and played this season at the University of Houston-Victoria. Westmoreland appeared in 15 games this season and finished with a 1-0 record, in 24.2 innings he had 28 strikeouts, 17 walks, and a 5.47ERA. Last season he started nine games for the Millers and had a 2-5 record, in 47.1 innings he had 48 strikeouts, 27 walks, and a 5.32ERA.

“Grant is another three year Miller, he will bring an added facet to his game this year as a reserve outfielder/1B as well as pitching. He had a strong senior season this spring where he was able to play both sides of the game for the first time. He will bring a lot of fire to the team and bolster our depth,” commented Hunt.

Sheridan, RHP, 6’1” 195lbs, is from Sugarland, Texas and was a teammate of Westmoreland at the University of Houston-Victoria. Sheridan appeared in 19 games this season and finished with a 1-3 record, in 39.1 innings he had 33 strikeouts, 13 walks, and a 3.89ERA. In 2016 he appeared in 11 games for the Millers and started eight games and finished with a 2-2 record, in 38.2 innings he had 35 strikeouts, 31 walks, and an 8.37ERA.

“Bo brings a big arm back to the Millers and we look for him to bring experience and grit back to the fold,” said Hunt. “Last summer he showed us the ability to dominate a lineup and we look for him to do it yet again as a top of the rotation pitcher for us this summer.”

Marks, RHP, 6’1” 175lbs, is from London, Ontario and spent this season at Adrian College and appeared in eight games and posted a 1-1 record, in eight innings he had four strikeouts, nine walks, and a 4.50ERA. Last summer in Moose Jaw, Marks appeared in eight games and made seven starts where he posted a 1-5 recor

d, in 38 innings he had 14 strikeouts, nine walks, and a 6.86ERA.

“Jesse was a workhorse for us last summer as a starting pitcher, and we look for him to fill that same role,” said Hunt. “He brings a lot of savvy and composure to the pitching staff and we're very happy he's a Miller once again.”

Kwong, RHP, 5’7” 160lbs, is from Edmonton and played this season at Douglas College and is returning to Moose Jaw for his second season with the Millers. Last summer with the Millers Kwong appeared in five games and had six strikeouts, seven walks, and a 9.00ERA in five innings.

“Keegan comes to us again as a player we can fit in at several positions, but will primarily contribute out of the pen. He's a clubhouse guy who leads by example and is ready to be called upon in any situation,” said Hunt.

The Millers open the 2017 WMBL season Thursday, June 1 in Swift Current, their home opener will be Friday, June 2 against Weyburn at Ross Wells Park.