Washington Wild Things Add Three New Players to 2016 Roster
The Washington Wild Things have signed LHP Brian O’Keefe, RHP Alex Williams and RHP Tyler Garkow from the California Winter League.
"We are excited to sign Alex, Brian and Tyler and look forward to their progress in the CWL. Additionally, we are eager to see how they compete during Spring Training with the Wild Things,” said head coach Gregg Langbehn.
LHP Brian O’Keefe, a Milford, Connecticut native, joined the Frontier League after pitching for the University of Bridgeport in his home state.
O’Keefe was named to the 2015 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Preseason All-East Region First Team. In his last year at Bridgeport, O’Keefe was also selected as the 2015 ECC Preseason Pitcher of the Year.
He finished his career in NCAA Division II baseball as UB’s all-time leader in wins and strikeouts. The 6-foot pitcher ended his senior season with the Bridgeport Purple Knights with a 3.36 ERA.
O’Keefe had a standout season during his junior year in 2014. He was named to the All-Conference First Team. He ended the year with a 5-7 record and a 2.49 ERA. He posted 81 strikeouts over 83 innings as well as two shutouts on the year. He earned a place among the top-five on the ECC leaderboard for complete games, innings pitched and strikeouts.
RHP Alex Williams joined the Frontier League after playing for the University of Findlay.
The 6-foot-3 pitcher ended his 2014 season with a 1.70 ERA. During that year, he pitched in a school record 21 games. He was named to the All-GLIAC First Team and received an honorable mention for All-American honors from the NCBWA for his impressive season. He threw 47.2 innings for a 4-3 record, posting 49 strikeouts and three saves.
He was selected to play in the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League All-Star Game in 2014 after his junior year.
During his 2015 season, he appeared on the mound for the Findlay Oilers in 22 games with a 2-2 record. He recorded 7 saves.
Williams holds the distinction of having allowed only 4 extra base hits during his entire college career.
RHP Tyler Garkow pitched for Point Loma Nazarene University during his collegiate baseball career.
During his time with the Sea Lions, he recorded a 3.43 ERA and 61 strikeouts across 14 starts during his junior year. He received a NAIA Pitcher of the Week honor and a 2012 Composite Award during that season.
The Arcadia, California native played with the Roswell Invaders of the Pecos League in 2014.
