The Victoria Generals have announced the signing of two pitchers with ties to the Big 12 Conference. Rafael Pineda, a freshman at Texas A&M University, and Tyler Smith, a freshman at the University of Kansas, will both toe the rubber for the Generals in the summer of 2011.

 

“We have had some great players from the Big 12 on our team the last few seasons, and these two guys certainly fit the mold and will help us reload our pitching staff,” commented Blake Koch, general manager of the Generals.

 

Rafael Pineda, a native of Fort Worth, redshirted last year at Texas A&M due to an arm injury. The 6’5”, 210 pound right hander is expected to make a full recovery and be ready to contribute around midseason this year for the Aggies.

 

Pineda was a four-year letterwinner at Crowley High School where he earned second-team all-district honors and was named team MVP as a senior in 2009. Pineda went 5-0 in district play with a 1.88 ERA, striking out 56 batters in 41 innings of work while leading Crowley to the second round of the state playoffs.

 

Pineda’s father, Rafael, played for the California (now Los Angeles) Angels in the late 1980s. His uncle, Cesar Puello, played for the Dominican Republic’s national team.

 

“Rafael’s best days of baseball are ahead of him,” Koch stated. “As soon as he can fully recover from his arm injury, he’ll have the ability to develop and reach his full potential. We’re looking forward to seeing Rafael contribute for us on the mound this summer.”

 

Tyler Smith, a native of Cypress, will join the Generals starting rotation this summer. Smith is expected to be a midweek starter for the Kansas Jayhawks during his freshman campaign. 

 

The 6’1”, 205 pound left hander was a three year letterman at Tomball High School where he was named a Preseason All-American prior to his senior year and was an all-district performer. Smith was also named to the All-TASO Tournament Team in 2009 and played for Team Texas at the 2009 Sunbelt Classic.

 

“Tyler has the ability to be an elite pitcher in the Big 12,” said Koch. “He will fit in nicely at the front of our rotation and will give us the chance to win every time he takes the mound.”