Rathbun Named Pitching Coach for Brewster Whitecaps
Herkimer NY- Herkimer College Head Baseball Coach Jason Rathbun has accepted the pitching coach position, for the Brewster Whitecaps of the prestigious Cape Cod league for the 2022 season.
Brewster Head Coach Jamie Shevchik (Keystone College) needed a replacement, for former Pitching Coach Scott Landers (Oswego State) who recently accepted the Head Coaching position for the Bourne Braves. Shevchik stated, "Adding quality people to our staff is always the biggest priority. As a manager you are only as good as the guys that you work with. I've known Coach Rathbun for a long time and our commitment to the players and our personalities align perfectly."
Brewster is coming off a 2021 Cape League championship season with former Herkimer General Dale Stanavich (Rutgers) one of the leaders of the pitching staff. Stanavich plans on returning to Brewster for the 2022 season before hearing his name called in the upcoming MLB draft. "That was an exciting part about this decision, to be able to coach Dale again. Especially because his 2nd year here with us was cancelled due to COVID in 2020," stated Rathbun. Stanavich said "Coach Razz will push you to be the best version of yourself, he's taught me many valuable lessons on and off the field. He is a perfect fit for the Brewster Whitecaps and blends perfectly with the winning culture. I believe he will have an immediate impact on the pitchers and also the organization as a whole. He goes above and beyond for his players and demands greatness. I am excited to reunite and win a lot of baseball games."
Rathbun added, "Getting a chance to be a part of the Cape Cod league has been a dream since I was a kid. The opportunity to work for Brewster, who was a team that I watched just about every summer, it's like a lifelong dream coming true. I have had the chance at Herkimer, to develop some major league prospects on the mound and high level division one caliber arms. Getting the chance to work with some of the best pitchers in the country is an opportunity I look forward to. I am very excited to work with a successful and well respected person in Coach Shev and his staff. I'm very thankful that my job and my family were able to allow me to have this opportunity."
Rathbun has help develop a stable of arms over his time at Herkimer, those include:
Dale Stanavich- Rutgers/Brewster
Greg Farone- Louisville commit
Jacob Shortslef- Texas Rangers draft pick
Willie Gabay- Tampa Rays draft pick
Joe Kuzia- St Johns/Bourne/Texas Rangers
John Mikolaicyk-Hofstra/Brewster
Tanner Beang-Binghamton
Ryan Packard- Dayton commit
Rob Hardy- Binghamton/PC Siena/PD Rice
Joe Nellis- St Johns
Chris Henry- St Johns
Shinnosuke Takahashi-Yomiuri Giants
"Coach Razz" has been Head Coach at Herkimer since 2005. He has led a perennial nationally ranked (15 years) NJCAA Division III program. In 16 seasons, compiled a record of 515-173 (75%) with average over 30 wins. Led the Generals to 13 Conference Championships, 13 Regionals Championships and 7 appearances to the NJCAA Division III College World Series (3 finishes in 3rd Place). Eight times named Conference Coach of the Year, Seven times named District A Coach of the Year and Six times named NJCAA Region III Coach of the Year. He has produced 70 All-Regions and 22 All-Americans.