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AtL High Point Rockers

Rockers Add Two More Experienced MLB Pitchers Including UNCG's Povse

April 1, 2021 - Atlantic League (AtL)
High Point Rockers News Release


Pitcher Max Povse with the Arkansas Travelers
Pitcher Max Povse with the Arkansas Travelers
(High Point Rockers)

HIGH POINT, N.C. - The High Point Rockers today added two more pitchers to their roster who have experience in the Major Leagues. The two righthanders include former Philadelphia Phillie Nefi Ogando and former UNCG and Seattle Mariner Max Povse.

The addition of Povse and Ogando gives the Rockers seven players on the 2021 roster with Major League playing experience. They join pitchers Jake Petricka and Josh Judy, along with infielders Tyler Ladendorf, Michael Martinez, and Mitch Walding.

Povse, 27, is the second former UNC Greensboro pitcher to sign with the Rockers this week, joining lefty Bryce Hensley. Povse, a native of Cary, N.C., was a third round draft pick of the Atlanta Braves in 2014 and was named to the Carolina League All-Star team in 2016. He was traded to the Seattle organization and after an outstanding spring training in 2017 was called up to the Major Leagues in June 2017. He spent the 2018 season with both AA Arkansas and AAA Tacoma and missed the 2019 campaign due to an injury.

"Max reached the big leagues at a young age, just 23, and has a world of potential," said Rockers' manager Jamie Keefe. "I really like the way he throws and we will be looking to do anything we can to help him get back to the Major Leagues."

Ogando, 31, has been in professional baseball since 2010 and reached the Major Leagues with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2015 and 2016. He has 26 wins and 21 saves in 11 seasons of professional baseball. Ogando spent the 2019 season with the Cleburne Railroaders of the American Association and went 4-5 with a 3.56 ERA. He has also pitched in the Puerto Rican and Dominican Winter Leagues over the last seven seasons. Ogando is a native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

"Nefi fits in really well with our ballclub," said Keefe. "We couldn't be happier with the way the bullpen is shaping up. We've got five or six guys with experience as closers. In our situation, we have the staff to be able to close out every inning that needs closing."

The Rockers will begin their second season of play on Friday, May 28 when they visit the York Revolution. The home opener at Truist Point is slated for Tuesday, June 1 vs. the Lexington Legends, one of the two new teams to join the Atlantic League in 2021. High Point's schedule includes 120 games with 60 contests slated for Truist Point.

Check out the High Point Rockers Statistics




Images from this story

Pitcher Nefi Ogando
Pitcher Nefi Ogando
 Pitcher Max Povse with the Arkansas Travelers
Pitcher Max Povse with the Arkansas Travelers
  

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