The Victoria Mariners Baseball Program has had great success over the years. Part of this success is evident in the number of Victoria Mariner Alumni who have been drafted into Major League Baseball, or who have received US or Canadian college or university scholarships.
Michael Saunders was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 11th round of the 2004 Major League draft. Saunders is highly touted as the 'future' left fielder for the Seattle Mariners. Saunders made his major league debut on July 25, 2009 and played in over 100 games with the big club in 2012, one of only 10 Mariner rookies to do so. This past season he was a starter often batting leadoff or in the two spot.
Jesse Hodges, Free Agent Signee, with Chicago Cubs in 2012. After a stellar performance with the Canadian Jr National team, which resulted in being selected team MVP, Hodges signed as a free agent with the Chicago Cubs. Hodges quickly was assigned to the Boise Hawks, the Cubs A affiliate, as a third baseman. The Boise Hawks finished their season defeating the Vancouver Canadians in the Northwest League Championship.
Jalen Harris was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2011 MLB draft. He has signed and is currently playing with the Helena Brewers in the Rookie Premier League.
Carson Vitale was selected by the Texas Rangers in the 2010 MLB draft. After a couple of years as a catcher in the minors, Carson had to retire as a player due to injuries resulting from a collision at home plate. Carson has moved on to coaching and is now with the Anaheim Angels as a hitting instructor.
Kelly Norris-Jones, of the 2010 Victoria Mariners PBL Championship team, was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in June 2010. Kelly opted to take a scholarship opportunity with the Division I University of Illinois, and is now entering his Junior year.
Kyle Orr was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 4th round and 113th overall of the 2006 Major League Draft.
Bobby Scott, was chosen by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2004.
College or University Baseball
For many Victoria Mariners, the opportunity to attend college or university on a baseball scholarship is the main goal. Below is a listing of some of the Victoria Mariner Alumni who have combined college or university studies with the game they love to play....baseball:
2015 Mariner Grads:
- Chris Blaskovich: Douglas College, BC
- Sam Glowicki: Big Bend CC, WA
- Nolan Bruce: Douglas College, BC
- Cole Russell: Douglas College, BC
- Nick Dawson: Salt Lake CC, UT
- Jake Bosence: Big Bend CC, WA
2014 Mariner Grads:
- Chris Fougner: Salt Lake CC, Utah
- Colton Wood: Cochise CC, Arizona
- Evan Willow: McPherson College, Kansas
- Morgan Varley: Thompson Rivers University (TRU), BC
- Jacob Barnard: Shoreline CC, Washington
2013 Mariner Grads:
- Drayson Lum: Marshalltown CC, Iowa
- Brendan Somers: El Paso CC, Texas
- David Warren: Colby CC, Kansas
- Mackenzie Catto: University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver
2012 Mariner Grads:
- Daryl Blaskovich: Marshalltown CC, Iowa
- Ty Russell: Marshalltown CC, Iowa
- Matt Bryan, Treasure Valley CC, Oregon
- Erik Phillips, Treasure Valley CC, Oregon
2011 Mariner Grads:
- Cole Holt: Colby Community College, Kansas
- Brendan Magee: Jamestown College, North Dakota
- Mike Shaw: offer made, acceptance TBD
- Cooper Skejie: Cloud County, Kansas
- Riko VanderMey: Cloud County, Kansas
2010 Mariner Grads:
- Kelly Norris-Jones: University of Illinois
- Adam Cessford: Salt Lake CC, Utah
- Scott Jones Colby Jr College, Kansas
- Austin Russell: McPherson College, Kansas
- Connor Moughtin: Minot State Univ, North Dakota
- Levi Kerns: Minot State Univ, North Dakota; now playing at UBC
- Greg Thibadeau: Cisco Jr College, Texas
- Matt Phillips: Thompson Rivers University (TRU), Kamloops
- Connor Russell: VIU, Naniamo
- Jamie Barbour: Dakota State University
- Kelly Murray: Dakota State University
- Matt Boomer Zupanc: VI University
Previous years:
- Carson Vitale: Creighton University, Nebraska
- Duncan Blades: Abeline Christian University, Texas
- Jared Gale: Laredo CC, Texas
- Andrew Crowe: Texas A&M Intl University
- Nic Cuckovich: Riverside CC, California
- Greg Dealy: Thompson Rivers University (TRU), Kamloops
- Jag Gordaya: Texas Southern University
- Adam Jung: University of South Alabama
- Sam Lawless: Jamestown College, ND
- Kyle Long: Thompson Rivers University (TRU), Kamloops
- Danny Moore: Thompson Rivers University (TRU), Kamloops
- Dustin Robertis: Mesa State College, Colorado
- Michael Turcotte: Treasure Valley CC, Oregon
- Dan Welch, Dayton University, Ohio
- Josh Campbell, Treasure Valley CC, Oregon
- Cameron Wych: Cisco College, Texas
