Five newcomers join AppleSox for 2026 season

WENATCHEE — As the Wenatchee AppleSox finalize their 2026 roster, five newcomers are set to make their debut with the club this summer, bringing a mix of collegiate experience, offensive production and developmental potential to the roster.The additions include catchers Luke Baier and Jake Overstreet, right-handed pitcher Jacob Gabler, and outfielders Nikko Paoletto and Jonah Shields. Each arrives from a different baseball background but is expected to add depth at key positions.

Baier, a Wenatchee High School graduate, returns to his hometown after stops at Pacific Lutheran University, Centralia College and Abilene Christian University. The 6-foot-5 catcher appeared in 47 games for Centralia during the 2024 season, recording 30 hits, seven doubles, two home runs and 18 RBIs. He spent portions of two summers in the West Coast League before joining the AppleSox.

Overstreet enters his first summer league season after two productive years at Weatherford College in Texas. The sophomore catcher batted .403 with 81 hits, 18 doubles and 14 home runs this spring while leading the Coyotes in batting average, hits and doubles.

Gabler, an Edmonds native, joins Wenatchee following stints at Washington State University and the University of Texas at Arlington. The 6-foot-6 right-hander has appeared in 14 games across three collegiate seasons and will make his summer league debut with the AppleSox.

Paoletto arrives after a breakout season at Santa Ana College. The Chino, California, native batted .422 with 84 hits, 18 doubles, 11 home runs and 58 RBIs in 51 games. Before transferring to Santa Ana, he spent a season at the University of Utah.

Shields brings the most summer league experience of the group. The junior outfielder has spent parts of three seasons with the Minot Hot Tots of the Northwoods League while also playing Division I baseball at Cal State Bakersfield and Jacksonville University. Shields hit .359 with 75 hits, 36 RBIs and 24 stolen bases during the 2025 season at Jacksonville and was batting .408 this spring before his season ended after 14 games.

The five newcomers join a Wenatchee roster that blends returning players with new additions as the AppleSox begin the 2026 West Coast League season.