Porter, 2 more sign with Sox

Wes Porter dazzled fans at All Seasons RV Stadium as a member of the Yuba-Sutter Gold Sox last season.

Fans will get to see the left-handed pitcher in action once again after he signed a contract to play with the collegiate woodbat organization this week, according to manager Brad Peek.

The Gold Sox also signed infielder Jesse Rodgers and outfielder Billy Krause, each from the University of Portland, to complete their first three signings of the season.

“We are expecting big things from him,” Peek said of Porter.

Porter, a reliever for the Gold Sox last year, finished 2-0 with a 2.15 ERA and three saves. His nasty breaking ball and stifling off-speed pitch baffled opposing teams, making him a weapon Peek could turn to late in the game.

Porter was a sophomore at Yuba College last season and is now pitching in San Jose State University's starting rotation. He is 0-1 in two starts with an 18.00 ERA for the Spartans.

Rodgers, a sophomore left-handed hitter, will play short stop or second base for the Gold Sox. He has a .227 batting average in seven games with Portland. He hit .230 with 15 RBIs as a freshman.

“He's scrappy, doesn't have a lot of power but puts the ball in play,” Peek said.

Krause, a sophomore, will play center field but could play left or right, Peek said. Krause has started two games for the Pilots. He finished last season with a .183 average and 10 RBIs.

“He's not a speed burner, but he's a good runner,” Peek said. “He is a guy that can develop power down the road.”

Peek said he has gotten verbal commitments from 18 other players but none have yet to ink deals.

The Gold Sox finished the season 39-15 last year and 16-10 in the California Collegiate League.

Yuba-Sutter will play in the newly formed Horizon Air Summer Series this season.