The Saltdogs have signed three players for the upcoming season, the club has announced.
The new roster players include RHP Jake Hohensee, LHP Kevin Grendell and RHP Ian Kahaloa.
RHP Jake Hohensee is returning for his second season with the Saltdogs after a standout career at the University of Nebraska and a reliable first year in professional baseball last year. The former Lincoln East HS Spartan went 0-3 with a 4.50 ERA across 22 relief appearances in his pro debut last year.
In his four-year career at Nebraska, Hohensee went 9-6 with a 3.69 ERA in 63 total appearances, including an impressive 1.05 ERA with 13 saves in 19 relief appearances his senior year.
LHP Kevin Grendell carries six seasons of affiliated experience into 2019, and this upcoming season will be his first in the American Association.
A former 11th-round pick of the Baltimore Orioles out of San Pasqual HS (Escondido, CA) in the 2012 MLB Draft, Grendell posted a career 11-14 record with a 3.78 ERA in affiliated baseball before going 4-1 with a 2.62 ERA in 34 appearances with Sussex County of the Can-Am League last year.
Grendell reached Double-A in both 2016 and 2017 while with the Los Angeles Angels organization. He spent his first four seasons with the Orioles organization before his time with LA. He also has experience pitching in the Australian Baseball League.
Also joining the ‘Dogs is RHP Ian Kahaloa, a former 5th-round pick of the Cincinnati Reds out of Campbell HS (Ewa Beach, HI) in the 2015 MLB Draft.
Kahaloa spent two seasons in the Reds organization and posted a 2.35 ERA in 20 appearances and 17 starts in rookie ball from 2015-2016. Kahaloa will make his independent baseball debut with the Saltdogs in 2019.
The Saltdogs begin their 19th season on May 16th at the Sioux City Explorers. The team opens the 2019 home schedule at Haymarket Park on Thursday, May 23rd. For more information on the ‘Dogs, follow the team on Facebook and on Twitter/Instagram @saltdogsball.