Another former Kelowna Falcon has broken into the big leagues.
Ex-Falcons’ pitcher Phil Maton made his Major League Baseball debut on Sunday for the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.
“We are extremely happy for him,” says Falcons general manager Mark Nonis. “I remember when we first saw Phil throw here at Elks, and thinking he has all the tools to make it, including the right attitude. It’s a great day for Phil and our organization.”
On Sunday against the Kansas City Royals, Maton tossed a scoreless inning in an 8-3 Padres defeat.
Maton, who played in the West Coast League in 2012, joins ex-Falcons Chris Davis (Orioles), James Paxton (Mariners) and Tyler Wagner (Rangers) in the baseball’s top circuit.
While the four are in the Major Leagues, a host of other former Falcons are working their way up, including Brett Nicholas who made his debut last year with the Texas Rangers at Safeco Field.
In the summer of 2012 in Kelowna, he went 2-1 with a save over 11 appearances a, with 39.1 innings pitched while posting a 2.74 ERA and striking out 42.
The hard throwing right-hander, rated the No. 18 prospect in the San Diego system by Baseball America, was called up after nine consecutive scoreless appearances at AAA El Paso.
Falcons in Cowlitz…
After two days off, the Falcons (5-4) return to WCL action Tuesday night in Cowlitz against the Black Bears.
Kelowna’s next home action is this Friday, June 17 against the Yakima Valley Pippins. First pitch at Elks Stadium is 6:35 p.m.