The Victoria HarbourCats don’t need to look far for motivation this season – it’s already written on their alumni wall at Royal Athletic Park.
With former Victoria players like Nick Pivetta, Andrew Vaughn, Nathan Lukes and now Chase Meidroth making waves in pro ball, general manager Christian Stewart says the HarbourCats’ reputation as a launchpad for big-league dreams is stronger than ever.
“It just shows what kind of talent comes through here every summer,” Stewart said. “These guys may be here for just a few months, but it can be a springboard to something bigger. And for our fans, it’s pretty special to say, ‘I saw him before he made it.’”
That professional pedigree continues to grow as the HarbourCats prepare for another crack at the West Coast League title.
After finishing the 2024 season with a 29–25 record and falling short in the postseason, the club is aiming to hit the ground running when they open up their 2025 campaign on the road against the Kelowna Falcons on May 30.
“I think the big takeaway from last year was we had a really good second half,” Stewart said. “We went on a big run that propelled us into the playoffs, and we were happy to be there, but it took us half a season to really find that groove. Todd [Haney] wanted to build a team this year that comes out of the gate with that same mindset.”
Haney, now in his fifth year as head coach, has leaned into a high-upside group of newcomers on the positional player side.
That includes University of Nevada third baseman Sean Yamaguchi, a breakout freshman who’s hit 10 home runs and batted .333 this spring for the Wolf Pack.
He’ll be joined by towering 6'7" outfielder Jacob Doyle, also from Nevada, who’s shown both power and speed with nine homers and five stolen bases.
From St. Mary’s University, catcher Dillon Lopez (.330 AVG, 13 extra-base hits) and slugging outfielder Garrett Brooks (.351 AVG, 10 HRs, 44 RBIs) will add punch to the middle of the order.
“We’ve got some serious bats coming in,” Stewart said. “These are guys producing at a high level in college. They’re competitive, they want to win, and we think our fans are going to love watching them.”
Victoria also added Canadian right-hander Logan Rumberg, a junior from George Mason with more than 50 college appearances under his belt. He’ll join a bullpen led by familiar faces – including Lower Mainland product Jake Finkelstein, now entering his third season in Victoria.
“Jake’s one of those guys who gets it – he knows what we expect here,” said Stewart. “He brings intensity every time he’s on the mound and sets the tone in the clubhouse.”
Shea Lake also returns on the mound, while another familiar name – Kamana Nahaku – is expected to rejoin the team mid-season. Nahaku, a University of Hawaii product, was recently named USA Baseball’s Golden Spikes Player of the Week after a five-homer weekend.
“We’re thrilled to get Kamana back. He’s the kind of guy who can turn a game with one swing,” Stewart said. “And he’s been here before, so he understands the level of play and the atmosphere.”
While the roster has seen some turnover, Stewart says the foundation is built for early success – something the team lacked last year.
“We’ve brought in guys who are ready to contribute now,” he said. “They’re coming from top programs, they’re already in mid-season form, and they’re hungry. This is a group that can make noise right away.”
As always, the team will play in front of one of the West Coast League's most passionate fan bases. Last season, the HarbourCats boasted the third-highest average attendance across the league, with 2,577 fans per game during their 27 home contests.
“We talk to players all the time who’ve heard about the crowds, the atmosphere, the city,” Stewart said. “Victoria sells itself. It’s a great place to play summer ball – and once they’re here, they want to win.”
With a reloaded roster, veteran pitching, and a growing alumni legacy, the HarbourCats are once again poised to contend – and maybe finally break through after finals appearances in 2019 and 2024.
“This league is tough,” said Stewart. “But we think we’ve got the group that can do something special this year.”
Victoria will open up their home slate on Friday, June 6, against the Port Angeles Lefties.
The club will once again bring fireworks back into the fold, with four nights planned, including June 7 and 30, July 12, and Aug. 4.
