Fariss performed solidly for the Sweets last summer - both at the plate and on the mound. He hit .286 (22-for-77) with three dingers and nine runs driven across, and posted a .468 slugging percentage. Fariss notched a 2-0 record and two saves in six pitching appearances. He struck out 10 and walked just two in nine innings of duty.

Ben's playing time was limited last spring at the University of California Santa-Barbara. He had a 3.38 earned average and struck out three in 2.2 innings.

Fariss was a three-year letter winner at Valencia, Calif., High School. The Toronto Blue Jays selected him in the 39th round of the Major League Baseball draft after his senior season.

Ben pitched and roamed the outfield in high school. He batted .368 with a handful of home runs and went 6-3 on the hill with a 3.43 ERA his senior year.

Fariss was even more impressive the year prior during a league championship season. He was voted the Vikings' Player of the Year and was both first-team All-City and All-State after batting .449 with five home runs and a Foothill League record 46 RBI's, and going undefeated in four decisions with a scant 1.20 earned average.

Ben is a sociology major and would like to pursue a career as a personal trainer. He roots for the Angels and his favorite player, Mike Trout. He likes to snowboard, wakeboard and work out in his spare time.

Ben, son of Trent and Cheri, was born in Glendale, Calif., on Jan. 8, 1999, and has an older brother named Scott.

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