Christian Almanza: The Rising Star of Oakland Ballers
Christian Almanza, a standout player from Saint Mary’s College, has recently inked a deal with the Oakland Ballers, setting the stage for an exciting 2025 season for fans of the team.
A Record-Breaking Sensation
Almanza, who received accolades as the 2023 WCC Player of the Year and a two-time All-WCC First team member, left an indelible mark at Saint Mary’s by shattering program records for the most home runs in both a single season (24) and a career (47). In 2023, his exceptional performance included a .290 batting average, 16 home runs, and 40 RBIs in 51 games. The following year, Almanza escalated his game further, boasting an impressive slash line of .343/.459/.778, accompanied by 24 home runs and 69 RBIs.
Welcoming Christian Almanza
Tyler Petersen, the Assistant General Manager of Baseball Operations, expressed his enthusiasm about Almanza joining the team, emphasizing the significance of recruiting top local talent. He lauded Almanza’s stellar 2024 season and highlighted the excitement among Saint Mary’s alumni to witness him don the Green and Gold jersey.
A Homecoming Story
Hailing from Stockton and a graduate of St. Mary’s High School, Almanza embarked on his collegiate journey at the University of Utah before transitioning to Saint Mary’s in 2022. With his remarkable track record, if Almanza maintains his impressive form, he stands a good chance of garnering attention from major league teams in 2025, following in the footsteps of four Ballers players who secured contracts with MLB franchises last season.
Building the Roster
The Oakland Ballers have been proactive this offseason, unveiling eight members of their 2025 roster, including Almanza. The roster also features pitchers Connor Sullivan, Kyle Pijaszek, Connor Richardson, and Brody Eglite, catcher Tyler Lozano, shortstop Tremayne Cobb Jr., and outfielder Tyler Best. The team is actively working on retaining fan favorites from the previous season, promising more updates in the near future.
Looking Ahead
As the anticipation builds for the forthcoming Opening Night of the 2025 season, fans can secure their Season Tickets and Flex Packs on tickets.oaklandballers.com. Stay tuned for further developments and announcements from the Oakland Ballers as they gear up for an action-packed season ahead. For additional information about the team, visit www.oaklandballers.com and join the excitement surrounding Christian Almanza’s journey with the Oakland Ballers.
