Rockers ink two veteran players

Mar. 10—HIGH POINT — The High Point Rockers have added a pair of newcomers to their roster as the 2022 season rapidly approaches. The Rockers have signed Atlantic League veteran reliever Junior Rincon and versatile infielder Diego Goris.

Rincon, who spent 2021 in the Atlantic League with Lancaster and Charleston, is projected to play a vital role in the Rockers' bullpen this season.

Rincon started last season in Lancaster where he struggled to an 0-2 record and a 7.67 ERA in 21 appearances. Rincon, 30, was traded to Charleston on Aug. 1, where he flourished and helped the Dirty Birds to the playoffs in their first season in the ALPB. Rincon went 6-0 with a 2.48 ERA and recorded three saves in 28 appearances with the Dirty Birds. Rincon finished fourth in the ALPB with 49 appearances last year.

"Watching what Junior did last year, the body of work he put on the table, especially against us, was special," said Keefe. "He really threw the ball well. He's a plus power arm with a 12-6 breaking ball. He had a lot of success against us, and it will be really nice to have him on the back end of our bullpen. He's a guy who has shown he can go back-to-back innings when he's ready."

The Rockers represent Rincon's fifth ALPB team. He started with York in 2018, moving to Somerset in 2019 and playing with Lancaster and Charleston in 2021. His professional career began with the Miami Marlins' entry in the Dominican Summer League in 2011. He spent time in the Milwaukee and Atlanta organizations until 2017, reaching as high as Class AA Biloxi in the Southern League with the Brewers in 2016.

Goris, a versatile infielder who has played all four infield positions as well as catcher, will be playing in the United States for the first time since 2018. He began his career as a 17-year old, playing with the Pittsburgh team in the Dominican Summer League.

A native of Santiago, Dominican Republic, Goris has also spent time in the Kansas City and San Diego organizations. The 31-year-old has logged over 1,100 games as a professional and has over 4,000 career at-bats while compiling a career .279 average.

"We are really excited to get Diego," Keefe said. "He played in Mexico last year, but he's looking at being able to come back to the states and get re-signed. We were able to have 12 players sign with Major League organizations last year, and we think we can have the same success with Diego."

The addition of Rincon and Goris brings the number of players under contract to the Rockers for the 2022 season to five, joining infielder Michael Martinez, first baseman Zander Wiel and infielder/outfielder Ben Aklinski.