BAYCATS BEAT: SIGNINGS RECAP PART ONE

BARRIE – From the new merch announcement to the 2024 season tickets going on sale, the Baycats have certainly had a busy and exciting start to the offseason. With that, there have been plenty of signings including returning players and some new players. This is the first edition of Baycats Beat, keeping you up to date with your team. 

The Baycats Media Team has you covered throughout the offseason on social media announcing signings, chatting with players on Baycats Banter, and providing Baycats content to the best fans in the IBL. You can also keep track of all the signings with our signings tracker.

BARRIE BAYCATS SIGN RYAN RIJO, FRANK GARCÉS, ADAM ODD, AND ROYCE ANDO

Four keys to the Baycats 2023 success return for 2024. Ryan Rijo was the first of the signings. Rijo was a first-team All-Star in 2023 hitting .359 with 11 home runs and 48 RBI, setting a Baycats single-season record in that category. Garcés, another Baycat first-team All-Star, led the team in the pitching department guiding Barrie all the way to the finals. 

Adam Odd and Royce Ando also played a big role on the 2023 Baycats. Odd, with a .390 batting average, cemented himself into the middle of the order having a breakout season. Ando, while playing in a limited amount of games during the regular season, performed extremely well in the playoffs helping to lead his team towards a finals appearance.

BARRIE BAYCATS SIGN HAYDEN JACO, CHRIS LAZAR, AND BRAD GRIEVESON

Jaco, Lazar, and Grieveson are veteran leaders for this team. Jaco, coming off his first season with the Baycats in 2023, has won an IBL championship, winning with the Majors in 2021, and will be a consistent option behind the plate this season. Lazar, who spent last season recovering from labrum surgery, is no stranger to the league, playing for both the Hamilton Cardinals and Welland Jackfish. 

Brad Grieveson’s IBL resume speaks for itself. 2002 IBL Rookie of the Year and IBL Champion, being part of Barrie’s first title in 2005. Along with serving as the pitching coach last season, Brad was a consistent arm in the bullpen and someone who can start a game if need be as well.

BARRIE BAYCATS SIGN JUAN BENÍTEZ, EVAN SOULES, AND KYLE MAVES

Juan Benítez, Evan Soules, and Kyle Maves provide depth to this Baycats roster, Benítez, the number two starter behind Frank Garcés, was solid in 2023 and had some key playoff outings against Hamilton and Kitchener. Soules is another depth arm that has major upside at a young age. The 21-year-old will pitch in Australia this winter hoping to gain more experience heading into the 2024 season. The speedy utility option of Maves also adds a weapon at the top and bottom of the lineup. 

BARRIE BAYCATS SIGN OWEN JANSEN, BRAD MCQUINN, AND CHRIS COX

Owen Jansen and Brad McQuinn, while not getting as much playing time as most of their teammates last season, have the potential to play a pretty big role on this team in 2024. Jansen, a 2022 IBL first-team All-Star and a former player at Division One Purdue University, has tremendous potential to break out again in the league. 

McQuinn, a guy who can run and play the outfield, will also be important to the depth of this team. Chris Cox is another depth bullpen arm who can eat up innings when needed. 

Follow the Barrie Baycats on social media to stay updated with the team throughout the offseason. 

Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram