By IAN WILSON
The Moose Jaw Miller Express have proven to be formidable postseason foes in recent years.
The Millers pushed the Okotoks Dawgs to the brink in the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) championship series in 2022 and 2024, before they gave the Saskatoon Berries all they could handle in the opening round of the East Division playoffs last year.
That best-of-three series against the Berries went the distance and then some. With Saskatoon leading 10-3 in the late stages of the winner-take-all contest, Moose Jaw put up nine runs in the eighth inning to take the lead until the Berries tied things up in the bottom of the ninth. A 10th-inning grand slam from outfielder Carter Beck clinched the series for Saskatoon, leaving fans and players alike exhausted from the rollercoaster lead changes.
It was an impressive showing for the fourth-seeded Miller Express, who went 27-29 in the regular season, even if Moose Jaw fell just short in their upset bid.
So, what can be expected from the Miller Express in 2026? What veterans are returning to the roster and what fresh blood will be injected into the lineup?
Let’s take a closer look at the team.
BATTING
Australian outfielder William Edwards – who finished third in WCBL MVP voting in 2025 – is back to lead the offence of the Miller Express. Edwards led the league in doubles, with 22, and tied the WCBL single-season record for runs batted in (RBI), with 66. In his 55 games, he batted .364 with nine home runs, 60 runs and 11 stolen bases.
Pacey Phillips also makes a return to the outfield of Ross Wells Park. The lefty batter from Kerrobert, Saskatchewan saw action in 26 games with Moose Jaw last summer, including all three of the team’s playoff contests. In his 67 WCBL at bats, Phillips batted .328 with 14 runs, 10 RBI, five stolen bases and one long ball.
Also available for outfield duty is newcomer Chris Franks, a graduate student out of Ashland University. The Ohio native has suited up in four seasons with the Eagles and in 172 games, he has a .316 batting average, 110 runs, 124 RBI, 32 doubles, 20 homers and 29 stolen bases.
Jimmy Kurtz is another new outfield addition out of Caldwell University, a Division 2 NCAA school. The 6-foot-4 New Jersey senior has a .312 batting average, 47 runs and 33 RBI in 81 games with the Cougars over the last two years.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to explore a new country, face strong competition, and play in front of a great fan base,” said Kurtz.
Back for a fourth summer to anchor the infield is Texan Thomas Soto, a switch hitter who set a WCBL single-season record for runs last year by crossing the plate 70 times. In his 143 regular season games and 14 postseason contests with the Miller Express, Soto is batting .319 with 176 runs, 76 RBI, 31 doubles and 66 stolen bases.
Fellow infielder Ben Waliczek has signed on for a second season in Moose Jaw. The righty batter from Wichita, Kansas played a total of 59 games with the Millers in 2025. Through 175 regular season and playoff at bats, he scored 62 runs, notched 26 RBI and swiped 34 bags.
Eduardo Saenz is also poised for a return trip to Saskatchewan. The corner infielder – a Laredo, Texas native – appeared in 54 games with Moose Jaw last year, hitting .286 with 36 runs, 42 RBI and nine homers.
“Eduardo is a guy we’re really excited about. He brings a strong presence at the plate, competes every at bat, and has the ability to impact the game offensively. We believe he’s going to be a big part of what we’re building in Moose Jaw,” said Miller Express head coach Michael Gonzalez.
New to the infield is Brayden Bunnell, a Bismarck State College first baseman with a .438 on-base percentage, .317 batting average, 34 runs and 28 RBI this season in 45 games with the Mystics.
Giovanni Lugo is another infielder who will make his Miller Express debut this summer. The St. Thomas University student is described by Gonzalez as “a competitive player who brings energy every time he steps on the field.”
Gary Swann will frame pitches for Moose Jaw after two seasons as a catcher at Bethany Lutheran College. In 67 games with the Vikings, the Arizona product has a .449 on-base percentage, .358 batting average, 74 runs, 62 RBI, eight dingers, 11 stolen bases and 24 doubles.
“Gary is the type of player every coach wants. He plays the game hard, brings great energy every day, and competes in every situation. We love his intensity and believe he’s going to be a difference maker for us this season,” said Gonzalez.
Also signed on as a catcher is Jacob Mraz, who is capable of slotting into the lineup as an outfielder, as well. The switch hitter from Colorado has suited up in 98 games with the Colby Community College Trojans over the last two years and batted .305 with 56 RBI, eight round trippers and 23 doubles.
PITCHING
On the bump, look for ace Westin Walls to baffle batters yet again. The 6-foot-5 righthander from Terrell, Texas led the WCBL in regular season strikeouts (89) and innings pitched (72.1) in 2025. He is entering his third season with the Miller Express. Over 32 total games and 124-plus innings in the WCBL, Walls is 9-7 with five saves, 135 strikeouts and a 5.43 earned run average (ERA).
“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Westin back. He’s the definition of a competitor – durable, focused, and relentless on the mound,” said Gonzalez.
Starting pitcher Rodolfo Guardiola was another innings eater with Moose Jaw last summer and he’s signed on for a second season with the club. The 6-foot-3 Texan went 4-2 with a 4.47 ERA and 40 Ks in 56.1 innings with the Millers. Of his 12 appearances, two came in the postseason and 10 were starts.
“We expect him to take another step forward this year. Having him back brings experience, toughness and leadership to our pitching staff,” said Gonzalez.
Jacob Glazener took the mound at Ross Wells Park mainly as a starter last summer. The southpaw from Arizona will seek to build on his 2-1 record and 20 strikeouts in nine outings and 25 innings with the Miller Express.
Newcomer Bryce Stenzel is a 6-foot-3 senior who has pitched for the University of Missouri-St. Louis over the last two years and worked as both a starting pticher and a reliever. In 14 appearances and 23 innings, Stenzel made four starts and posted a 1-1 record with a 4.30 ERA and 18 Ks.
Local product Nathan Pisio was a revelation as the primary closer for the Miller Express in 2025, his second campaign with the WCBL squad. The right-handed reliever has taken the mound in 22 playoff and regular season contests for the Miller Express. In 28-plus innings, Pisio is 3-2 with a 3.18 ERA and 28 strikeouts.
“Nathan has been a reliable arm for us and someone our staff trusts in big moments,” noted Gonzalez.
“He proved he can get the job done when the pressure is on. It’s always special when a local player represents Moose Jaw, and we’re excited to have Nathan back for another season.”
Righty reliever Jordan Bauer has signed up for bullpen work with the Millers yet again. The 6-foot-3 product of Torrington, Alberta went 3-0 with nine strikeouts in 16 games and 20-plus innings for Moose Jaw in 2025. Bauer pitched for the Weyburn Beavers in 2024.
Logan Bach is new to the team and is expected to take on innings as a reliever. With St. Clair County Community College, Bach has pitched in 17 games over the last two years and recorded 26 strikeouts in 27.2 innings.
Also new to the squad is Jake Hicks, who has been pitching out of the bullpen at Spalding University for the last three years. The 6-foot-3 hurler has a 1.93 ERA, two saves and three strikeouts in 4.2 innings with the Golden Eagles this season.
“Jake is a big-bodied pitcher with a strong presence on the mound. He competes hard, throws with intent, and we believe he’s going to be a key piece of our staff in 2026. We’re excited to get him to Moose Jaw and see what he can do in our league,” said Gonzalez.
COACHING
Veteran bench boss Eric Marriott accepted a professional coaching position with the Ottawa Titans of the Frontier League, opening up a spot for one of his top lieutenants in 2026.
Over four seasons as the head coach of the Miller Express, Marriott assembled a regular season record of 124 wins and 99 losses, while leading Moose Jaw to two WCBL finals appearances as East Division champs.
“Thank you to everyone in the Millers organization who believed in me as a player, coach, and most importantly as a person. The community of Moose Jaw has helped raise me and will always be my second home. It’s time for me to take the next step in my career,” said Marriott in a media release from the team.
“I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and the support I have around me. Moose Jaw, this is not good bye, but simply see you later.”
Taking the baton from Marriott is Michael Gonzalez, who has been a long-time assistant coach and first base coach with the club.
“Becoming the head coach of the Millers has been a dream of mine since I became a part of the organization in 2022. Being able to maintain what Marriott and I built means a lot to me,” said Gonzalez.
“Taking the next step in my coaching career, with this community behind me, is very comforting. I know they expect great baseball, and with the roster coming along nicely, I feel we will be in for an exciting summer.”
Joining Gonzalez is Geoff Freeborn, who will serve as the pitching coach in Moose Jaw. The founder of Sidearm Nation has coached with the Edmonton Prospects and the University of Calgary Dinos. Freeborn was an All-Star pitcher with the Calgary Dawgs in 2003.
Home Ballpark:Â Ross Wells Park
Home Opener:Â 7:05 p.m., Friday, May 29th vs. Regina Red Sox
2025 Regular Season Results:Â 4th place in East Division with 27 wins & 29 losses
2025 Playoff Results:Â First-round loss to Saskatoon Berries; 1-2 postseason record
WCBL Championships: 1999
Tales of Baseball 