Anthony Misiewicz (Jeff Halstead, Tacoma Rainiers)

With the baseball season just around the corner of 19^th & Tyler, we fired up the hot take machine with three bold predictions for the 2020 Rainiers season. Spring Training, just two weeks away, is a time to believe, and let’s just say we’ve got belief in spades.

One not so bold prediction? R manager, Daren Brown, will get his 500th win with the Rainiers. With only six wins needed to hit that mark, he will be the first ever to reach No. 500 with the franchise.

Rainiers broadcaster Mike Curto took some time to break down the catching options and potential corner infielders for Brown in 2020. The catchers list is a tad shallow for now, but for good reason. Hot prospect Cal Raleigh is likely to come up to Tacoma at some point this year.

Stay up to date on Tacoma Rainiers news at TacomaRainiers.com.

Season tickets are available. Email Tickets@WeRTacoma.com for more information.

Mariners Organization News

At Seattle’s annual Pre-Spring Training Media Event, the word was that they are going to lean on quite a few of last year’s Rainiers. The M’s are going to be young and will continue to push prospects through the system. Success will be measured in development.

Four of the five Mariners prospects in the MLB Pipeline’s Top-100 are heading to big league camp.

MLB and PCL News

MLB Pipeline released their Top-100 Prospects list last week. Outfielder Jarred Kelenic comes in at No. 11, with Julio Rodriguez, Logan Gilbert, Evan White, and George Kirby filling out the list. It’s a thriving system pumping out talent. Get excited.

In addition to Spring Training, Arizona is hosting the World Baseball Classic 2021 Qualifiers beginning March 12. Kino Sports Complex in Tucson is hosting 12 nations from across the globe trying face off against the giants that automatically qualified for the 2021 championship.

The best attacking and defensive players from 2019 are back with Defiance this season. Hopeau is building off a year in which he twice appeared for Sounders FC. At just 21, the young veteran is primed to explode into a multi-dimensional scoring threat. Josh Atencio may not have a position yet, but his role is clear – he must keep the other guys from scoring. These are exciting players who see trophies in their future. So do we.

Stay up to date on Tacoma Defiance news at TACDefiance.com.

Single match tickets are now available. Wave the Flag of Defiance with our crew at Opening Night on March 6 or join us for the full season as our players explore the region and test their mettle.

Sounders Organization News

Seven Defiance players took the pitch with Seattle’s First Team in their first scrimmage of preseason. Hopeau played alongside MLS Cup winners while Atencio played as the stopper when the youth took the field. The First Team returns to Starfire for practices on February 1 before heading to Mexico City on Feb. 6. There will be a few Defiance players with them on that trip.

Jordan Morris and Cristian Roldan rejoined the team after training with the USMNT. That extra preparation should help the Sounders as they get ready to face Olimpia in Honduras on February 20.

MLS and USL News

Player movement in USL includes big moves like Andrew Carleton going on loan to Indy XI from Atlanta United. Indy lost the USL’s all-time leading scorer Dane Kelly to Charlotte Independence.

In the West, T2 got weaker as Portland lost their second best goal-scorer from 2019 to Reno 1868. Foster Langsdorf and Reno come to Cheney Stadium for Opening Night on March 6. Wave the Flag of Defiance with us.

The This Is R City crew went hard at the dinner table over the holidays. They’re starting the New Year by hitting up the best places in R City to get active and stay healthy.

Events around R City

• Jan. 26 – Feb. 28: Our Own Expressions is a chance for teen writers to win money for their written or visual arts. The Pierce County Library Foundation awarded 36 winners in 2019.
• Jan. 30: The Tacoma Historical Society is honoring Senator Rosa Franklin (retired). Biographer Tamiko Nimura and Senator Franklin just released her autobiography. Franklin was our state’s first African-American woman to serve in the state senate.
• Feb. 1: 253 Defiance membership drive at Wingman Brewing.
• Feb. 1: Fawcett Hall at Alma Mater is hosting BowieVision, a David Bowie tribute band. More than a concert, they are an experience.
• March 6: Buy Defiance Opening Night tickets now. Flags up!

The Tacoma Team Store is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Click here for Rainiers and here for Defiance to purchase online.