Zane Gelphman Named ROY

Former Northwest Honker third baseman, Zane Gelphman, was recently named the 2019 Pacific Association Of Professional Baseball Rookie Of The Year. Originally signed by the Salina Stockade he appeared in 53 games prior to being traded to the San Rafael Pacifics at the trading deadline. That move proved to pay steep dividends as Gelphman homered twice during the championship series leading the Pacifics the league championship. It was the Pacifics fourth overall Pacific Division title — claiming championships in 2014, 2015, 2018 and 2019.

Overall he appeared in 67 games (both regular season and playoffs) hitting 20 home runs while batting .268

“Playing in the Pacific Association was a lot of fun,” Gelphman said of his experience. “All I needed was a shot at pro ball and they gave me that opportunity. It was a great step forward in baseball for me and hopefully I’m able to keep taking strides.”

A first team All-PIL selection in 2017, he appeared in 32 games hitting .347 with 13 extra base hits (nine doubles, one triples and three home runs) for the Honkers.

“Success was not without a price tag, there were a lot of lonely nights in the gym and hitting by myself off a tee at the cage.”

He played two seasons of junior college baseball at Cabrillo College prior to transferring to Oklahoma Baptist when he was a 2018 D2 All-American after hitting .333 with 17 home runs an 55 RBI in only 50 games.

Founded in 2013, the Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs is an independent baseball league based in Northern California. Former major league players Brandon Phillips, O’Koyea Dickson and Jailen Peguero all played in the league in 2019