Rockers add three newcomers to roster

HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point Rockers on Tuesday announced the signing of three newcomers for the 2023 season. Catcher Tyler Blaum and pitcher Courtney Mack each played in the Atlantic League in 2022 while outfielder John Daly will make his ALPB debut.

Mack, 30, will begin his second year of professional baseball after playing with three Atlantic League teams in 2022. He debuted with Kentucky in July and made one start, going five innings and allowing just one hit in a win over Lexington. After being released, he signed with Charleston and made five appearances, all out of the bullpen. He then finished the season with York, posting a 2-1 record in eight games including six starts with one of those wins coming against the Rockers on Sept. 18. For his first season in professional baseball, Mack was 3-2 with a 6.56 ERA in 15 appearances.

“Courtney is a very promising pitcher who showed what he can do when given the opportunity,” said Rockers manager Jamie Keefe. “He was out of baseball for a couple of years but he continues to work hard and is progressing every day.”

Blaum, 24, will be a strong defensive addition to the Rockers. While playing collegiately at Virginia-Wise, Blaum became the first player in school history to be awarded a Rawlings Gold Glove after playing error-free baseball in 2021. He threw out 11 of 24 base-stealers and was named the top defensive catcher in the South Atlantic Conference. He broke into the Atlantic League in 2022 with the Charleston Dirty Birds, hitting .239 with a pair of home runs and 21 RBI in 83 games. Following his college career, Blaum joined the United Shore League in 2021 before moving to Joliet, Ill. in the Frontier League.

“Tyler will really solidify our defensive behind the plate,” said Keefe. “He has proven he is an outstanding catcher and that will be his primary duty, to provide great defense and work in sync with our pitching staff.”

Daly, 24, is an outfielder who played at the State University of New York at Albany, compiling a .297 average with five home runs and 32 RBI as a senior in 2022. Before joining the Great Danes, Daly was a third team All-American at Rockland Community College, posting a career .395 batting average with 18 doubles and eight home runs. In 2023, Daly hit .353 in 16 games with Bakersfield in the Pecos League.

“John really surprised us during a showcase event over the winter,” said Keefe. “He can run and is a former football player so he brings a certain level of grit to the game. He will run through the outfield wall for you and will be a big help defensively.”

The Rockers will open the 2023 season at home on April 28 with the Long Island Ducks. High Point will play its first 10 games at Truist Point through May 8.  Individual game tickets will go on sale starting March 31.

About High Point Baseball, Inc.

The High Point Rockers, operated by the non-profit High Point Baseball, play their home games at Truist Point, a state-of-the-art $36 million ballpark which serves as a catalyst to the rejuvenation of downtown High Point. In 2022, the Rockers reached the League Championship Series of the 10-team Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, an MLB Partner League with clubs from New York to North Carolina.

About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)

Celebrating its 25th Anniversary season in 2023, the Atlantic League is Major League Baseball’s first Professional Partner League, a player gateway to the major leagues, and a leader in baseball innovation. ALPB has sent over 1,200 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 45 million fans to its family-friendly ballparks throughout its 25-year history. Please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.