Former HarbourCats lefty moves from Royals to Twins, Advances his pro career

For Immediate Release

December 11, 2020

VICTORIA, BC – Former Victoria HarbourCats left-handed pitcher Josh Mitchell is trading MLB uniforms — once with the Kansas City Royals, now a member of the Minnesota Twins.

Mitchell, who pitched two seasons for the HarbourCats, 2015 and 2016, and was a West Coast League all-star in 2016, was selected in the annual Rule V draft for minor league players to be snapped up by other organizations.  He is the first former HarbourCats player to be selected in the Rule V draft process and will now, as per Rule V minor league draft guidelines, be placed on the Twins AAA affiliate Rochester Red Wings for the 2021 season. Mitchell was previously with the Wilmington Blue Rocks, the High-Aaffiliate of Kansas City in 2019.

The Twins lifted the lefty from the Royals with their second round choice, 40th overall.

Mitchell was taken in the 22nd round of the 2017 MLB draft out of the University of Pittsburgh. In 2019, his last season (due to covid), he had 47 strikeouts and 13 walks and a 3.30 ERA, and has posted boosts in his velocity in training since his last game action. The 22-year-old, 6-2/220, really blossomed as a pitcher in his two summers in Victoria. Mitchell was a dominant 7-0 with a 1.86 ERA in 2016, making nine starts and earning Pitcher of the Year honours. Mitchell, Austin Dondanville and Will McAffer formed the top pitching trio in the WCL that season.

Mitchell has thrown 110 innings over 73 games in his pro career, and is 11-2 with four saves.

The HarbourCats are scheduled to begin their 2021 season on the road on June 1 against the expansion Edmonton Riverhawks in the first ever West Coast League game played in Alberta.  They will return home for the home opener on Friday, June 4 against their rivals from across the Strait of Juan deFuca, the Port Angeles Lefties.   The HarbourCats will also welcome two other expansion teams to Victoria this season, with both the Nanaimo Night Owls and Kamloops NorthPaws scheduled to make visits to Wilson’s Group Stadium.  FULL 2021 schedule details can be found HERE.

Season Tickets and 10-Game Flex Packs Now Available! (NOTE:  Single game tickets will go on-sale in early 2021)

If you are able, or if you know friends and colleagues who are able, please consider any of the following:

2021 Season tickets — the best way to help, one that guarantees you seats to all our games (usually 35 per year or so) plus other season ticket holder perks. Contact chris@harbourcats.com for details. SEASON TICKET PROMOTION NOW ON!  Get a free Prince of Whales whale watching pass (145.00 value) with every season ticket purchase! Plus other great perks!  Details HERE!

10-Game Flex Packs / Vouchers — Don’t want to commit, or can’t commit to season tickets? Consider 10-game flex packs – anytime vouchers that can be used in any combination…10 tickets at one game, 1 ticket at 10 games or anything in between. Season ticket voucher equivalents are also available.  Flex Packs can be purchased at the office and are also available on-line at:  https://victoria-harbourcats-official.myshopify.com/products/10-game-flex-pack-general-admission

Corporate Partnerships – Want to put your company name or brand in front of our 100,000 fans every season?  Or know someone who does?  Consider joining us as a partner.  From a simple program ad, to the most complex of game day sponsorship, complete with signage and tickets, we will customize any campaign to suit your needs and budget.  And with our new HCATS.TV platform and our ownership group’s expansion of a new team in Nanaimo in 2021, the opportunities are now Island wide! Contact john@harbourcats.com for details.

Fundraising / 50-50 – Have an organization that needs to raise funds now?  A $1000 investment buys you 100 anytime 2021 game vouchers for our Premium Reserved seats that you can then turn around and sell for $20 each, earning you your investment back, plus another $1000 in return. We will then hold a 50-50 date for you in 2021 and you can bring your group to the park to sell that game, taking home 50% of the proceeds. Contact chris@harbourcats.com for details.

Merchandise – Consider a HarbourCats merchandise purchase from our store at 1814 Vancouver Street, or from our on-line store, The Cat Shop, at https://victoria-harbourcats-official.myshopify.com/ New items, including 2020 game caps and player’s gear are arriving weekly and we need to clear them out!

OFFICE HOURS 

For August and September, we are officially open Monday through Friday 10 am to 5 pm.  We are often in and out of office during off-season, so best to call 778-265-0327 before venturing over to make sure. Closed Saturdays and Sundays.