WALLA WALLA, Wash. – A trio of freshmen are set to join the Sweets ahead of the upcoming season. Michigan’s Johnny Backus, New Mexico State’s Cole Rogers, and Arizona’s Gunner Geile are eager to take on the summer with enthusiasm and a drive to win ball games.

Backus is an outfielder who bats from the left side of the plate with an innate ability to get on base. The California native hit above the .300 threshold in each year of his high school career. Backus is well above average defensively and is a threat to steal a base in any situation. The 6-foot-5, 18-year-old enters his freshman season ranked as a top 500 player in the country, according to Perfect Game. Backus is excited for the competition the Sweets and the West Coast League provide.

“I chose the Sweets because of the great competition in the West Coast League and the strong community of the Sweets,” Backus said.

Next up is Cole Rogers, a speedy outfielder who is dangerous on the base paths, does whatever it takes to get on base, and has sneaky power from the left side of the plate. The Phoenix native finished his high school career with an on-base percentage just shy of .450 and a slugging percentage above that mark. It may be Rogers’ first year in semi-pro ball, but he already has more than enough experience in what it takes to be a pro. His father, Lamaar, was the third base coach for the St. Paul Saints, a Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. Rogers’ experience with his dad is how he fell in love with the game.

“Going to all the Saints games growing up got me into it. That’s how I fell in love with it. I realized I can have a shot and go somewhere with it, and that’s why I stuck with baseball. I don’t know what I would do without it,” Rogers said.

Lamaar also played professional baseball, bouncing around multiple organizations, most notably the Colorado Rockies’ Double-A affiliate. Rogers’ experience with the game, his unique blend of power and speed, and his love for baseball are set to make him an integral part of the Sweets’ 2025 season.

Last but certainly not least is Gunner Geile, an outfielder with plenty of experience at some of the highest levels. The left-handed hitter played his senior season at IMG Academy before committing to No. 21 Arizona for his college career. In high school, the Arizona native hit .291, stole 27 bases, and was awarded a Gold Glove in the outfield. Geile is ranked as a top 150 player and the second-best outfielder in Arizona according to Perfect Game. But for Geile, it’s not his on-field abilities that make him stand out.

“I pull people around me to be the best they can and see how good we can be as a team. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what your batting average is; it matters what the team’s winning average is,” Geile said.

Despite being a standout player with elite traits and an unmatched drive to win, Geile was not always sure he would be in the position he is now.

“There was a point during the last year of Little League where I was like, ‘You know what, this game is really hard,’ but my dad made me finish the season and try out for my first club team. That was where I really started making big strides and wanting to see how good I could get,” Geile said.

The freshman is sure to use his drive to always get better and his leadership abilities this summer in Walla Walla.

The Sweets open their season on the road at Springfield on May 30. Their first home game of the season is June 6 against the Ridgefield Raptors. Season tickets and groups are now on sale; single game tickets will go on sale in the spring.