AIGLES ADD FOUR TO 2023 ROSTER
The Trois-Rivières Aigles have signed four recruits for the 2023 Frontier League campaign. Manager Matthew Rusch has agreed with receivers Victor Cerny and Easley De La Cruz, infielder Tyler Clark-Chiapparelli and pitcher Jacob Stobart.
A product of the NCAA Division I California State University Northridge Matadors, Victor Cerny will begin his professional career with the Aigles this summer, after spending the 2022 campaign as the bullpen catcher with the American Association's Winnipeg Goldeyes.
A native of Winnipeg, Cerny was recommended by Goldeyes batting coach and former Frontier League player Amos Ramon. Rusch has also kept good contacts in the Manitoban capital after having played there for two seasons (2012-2013). "He is a young receiver who is very strong defensively. He had the opportunity to learn a lot last summer by being around the Goldeyes. He posted good numbers in college and it is a quality acquisition for a player with rookie status," said the manager of the Trifluviens.
For his part, Easley De La Cruz will also make his professional debut after a five-year stint in the NCAA (Keystone and Texas – Permian Basin). "De La Cruz is a very good athlete who has the potential to become a star receiver. His greatest quality is his ability to work with pitchers to get the best out of everyone. Also, as a left-handed hitter, he will give us additional options in the lineup.
In the case of Tyler Clark-Chiapparelli, it will be for him a return to Stade Quillorama, after having made a short stay there in 2022. The 24-year-old American had come to lend a hand to the Birds for two meetings in July. In seven at bats, he had one hit and one run.
During the 2022 season, Clark-Chiapparelli played with the Drummondville Brock, in the Quebec Major League Baseball. In 27 games, he battered .303 in addition to crossing home plate 27 times and driving in 22 runs.
"He's a young man who works very hard in training and wants to take his chance in professional baseball. He is able to offer very good defensive play in the infield and he had some very good batting contacts during his stay with us last year," said manager Rusch.
Finally, the Trois-Rivières manager agreed with a reliever, Jacob Stobart, a left-hander from Stephen F. Austin's Lumberjacks NCAA Division I Western Athletic Conference. "Stobart is a strike thrower who will give us some good depth in the bullpen. His arsenal of pitches will make him a quality solution to face the best batters in critical moments.
The Aigles' training camp will get under way towards the end of April for the franchise's second season in the Frontier League. The first game is scheduled for Friday, May 12 as the Aigles visit the Tri-City ValleyCats. Then, the home opener will take place on Tuesday, May 23 when the Lake Erie Crushers will visit Stade Quillorama.
