Five Waves Alumni Named to 2026 Spring Breakout Roster

 The Ocean State Waves are proud to recognize former players who were named to the 2026 Major League Baseball Spring Breakout Roster with their respective organizations!

Each professional organization names their spring breakout roster towards the end of spring training each year, to showcase and recognize upcoming talent within the organization, while allowing them to compete against the top prospective talent across other organizations. The goal of these games are to showcase the talent pipeline within the teams, and helps within the competitive evaluation going on amongst coaches and team managers across all levels of internal competition. 

Five Waves alumni who have taken the field at Old Mountain in just the last four seasons have been regocnized as top prospects within their organization through these breakout rosters!

David Mershon - 2023 Wave

Infielder David Mershon played for the organization in 2023 and was a key contributor during his time with the team, appearing in 35 games, including the playoffs. Mershon had a .307 batting average in the regular season with 27 hits, 20 runs and 16 stolen bases. He was selected in the 2024 MLB draft by the Los Angeles Angels organization and is currently playing in the Double-A with the Rocket City Trash Pandas. Mershon has accumulated over 300 at-bats in his professional career. 

Jake Cook - 2023/24 Wave

Jake Cook played in 14 games during the 2023 season where he recorded five hits, four runs scored, three RBIs and three stolen bases with a .357 batting average. Cook returned in 2024 but this time was on the mound, pitching 12 innings across 10 games and striking out 12 batters. Cook was selected No. 81 overall in the 2025 MLB draft by the Toronto Blue Jays, marking the third-highest draft selection in franchise history for a former Waves player, and he remains with the organization today. During the 2025 MLB Draft Combine, Cook tied the all-time record for the 30-yard dash with a time of 3.50 also showcasing an impressive all-time broad jump at 128 inches. 

Aaron Walton - 2024 Wave

Outfielder Aaron Walter was a top offensive contributor to the Waves in the 2024 season. Walter appeared in 26 games and recorded 28 hits in 90 at-bats. He batted .311 scoring two home runs and 21 RBIs. Walton was selected No. 66 overall in the 2025 MLB Draft, the highest draft selection by a former Ocean State Waves player in franchise history!

Eric Genther - 2023/24 Wave

Eric Genther has a strong 2023 career with the Waves, hitting a .364 in 12 games. The outfielder topped his first season the following summer with 31 hits, 21 runs scored and 20 RBIs in 34 games. After college, Genther signed a professional contract in July 2025 with the New York Yankees and is currently competing with the organization!

Brandyn Garcia - 2022 Wave

Brandyn Garcia made seven appearances with the team in 2022 where he struck out 12 batters across six innings pitched. With the Waves, the Newport native recorded a 1-1 record. Garcia is the most recent Wave to make his MLB debut, as he got his name called this past summer with the Seattle Mariners, before a late-season trade to the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was drafted by the Mariners in 2023 and is currently making his mark in spring training with the Diamondbacks.

Be sure to keep an eye out for these guys in the coming months, we're anticipating more debut performances from our outstanding alumni! Never miss a game at Old Mountain Field, you never know which future stars could be taking the field on any given night.