Mat-Su adds new talent

PALMER — Michael Gerlach is getting a jump on his career at San Jose State.

The San Jose State recruit and former Cabrillo College outfielder has joined the Mat-Su Miners and will play for former San Jose State assistant coach Brian Yocke.

“I’m excited. I get to kind of tutor him before he gets to go on to my alma mater,” Yocke, Mat-Su’s first-year, coach. “He’s coming in with a lot of speed, lot of energy.”

Former Mat-Su Miners head coach Jeff Pritchard, a San Jose State assistant who worked with Yocke for the last two years, recommended Gerlach to the miners. Gerlach led his junior college squad in a number of statistical categories as a sophomore. He hit a team-best .362, and also led the squad with 46 hits, nine doubles, three triples and 22 RBI.

Yocke said he’ll certainly help Gerlach prepare to become a Spartan.

“The fun thing about it, and I told him this, he’s going to be wearing it the hardest from me because I know what he’s going into,” Yocke said. “I’m going to make sure he’s prepared. San Jose State has always been known to be tough going in for junior college players, because of the style that San Jose State plays is so specific. There’s so much tactical stuff you have to have that junior colleges usually don’t focus on. It’ll be exciting for him to be able to try that in the summer without any pressure. Once he gets to San Jose State, they’ll expect him to be able to do that.”

The Miners have also added outfielder Wesley Jones to the roster. Jones capped his junior year at Milligan College in Tennessee. Miners pitching coach Chris Gordon, who is also the pitching coach at Milligan, suggested bringing Jones to Palmer.

“Chris is excited to give this kid an opportunity,” Yocke said. “He comes with a lot of credentials. He has an unbelievable arm and is really fast.”

Yocke said Jones has been clocked at 95 mph, making the throw from the outfield. He’s also 6-foot-2 and runs a 6.5 60-yard dash.

Jones hit .347 as a junior at Milligan. He also finished with 50 hits, 16 doubles, 34 runs, 18 RBI and a team-high 12 stolen bases.