Pipeline Power: Offseason Report
The Ballers’ Offseason Report #3
by Nick Clementi
As the Ballers love to say, the pipeline is real. The B’s continue to show why Oakland is a destination for players making the most of their careers as the team makes moves in the offseason in the Pioneer League and beyond.
We have two new re-signings to announce: welcome back SS Tremayne Cobb Jr. and 3B Jake Allgeyer! The Oakland Ballers have now fully brought back the left side of their infield from their championship run, with 3B Nick Leehey also re-signing this offseason.
Former B’s reliever James Colyer will not be joining the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the American Association, and it’s for good reason. Colyer and offseason signee P Grant Manning have both signed instead with the Washington Nationals organization. Six players in the two year history of the Ballers have now signed with MLB organizations.
After much uncertainty this offseason regarding the future of the catcher position in Oakland, Tyler Lozano appeared live on B’s Cast recently to announce his plans for 2026. T-Lo has decided to hang up the cleats, thus finishing his career in baseball as an Oakland Baller. He goes out on top as a champion and perhaps the most important player in B’s history, given his contributions as a player, leader, and fan favorite in the community. Lozano’s legacy includes being the franchise’s all-time leader in games played and the first Baller to homer in multiple postseasons. To quote the ghost of Babe Ruth in The Sandlot, “heroes get remembered, but legends never die.”
All that news covered, let’s introduce the four newest Oakland Ballers:
Solomon Washington is a Brentwood, Tennessee native who joins the B’s after two seasons at Austin Peay, one season with Calhoun Community College, and a brief stint at Tennessee Tech. He was an effective reliever for Austin Peay the past two seasons, striking out 67 batters in 52.2 innings. Washington is also coming off a successful summer as a starting pitcher in the MLB Draft League, posting an ERA under 5 and a 10.2 K’s per 9. He showed off a good breaking ball in the Draft League, and according to assistant GM Tyler Peterson, his fastball reached as high as 96 MPH. Assuming that Gabe Tanner, Dylan Matsuoka, and Aidan Risse claim three rotation spots, Washington should be well-positioned to crack the rotation during spring training with the B’s.
Valek Cisneros is a Clinton, Oklahoma native who arrives in Oakland after 3 seasons at the Division II level with the University of Central Oklahoma. The 6’5” right-hander was a very reliable reliever in college, finishing with an ERA under 4 and striking out 120 batters in just 88.1 innings. Cisneros is used to late-inning situations, securing 30 saves during his time with Central Oklahoma. He features a 3-pitch mix, topping out at 90 MPH with his sinker, a slider in the low-80s, and a curveball in the mid-80s. Cisneros even brings football experience, originally signing with Oklahoma State to play football before deciding to play baseball at the junior college level. He should have a good chance at earning a role in the bullpen with Oakland, potentially for late inning situations.
Anthony Alvarez is an Oxnard, CA native who returns to the Bay Area after two seasons at DII San Francisco State. Alvarez is a 6’0” right-handed pitcher who joined the Gators after two years with Oxnard Community College. After only appearing in 8 games for SF State in 2024, Alvarez became a consistent contributor last season. While his numbers from college might not blow you away, he possesses low-to-mid-90s velocity on his fastball and a nasty sweeper in the low-80s. His ability to generate swings and misses should give him a chance at cracking Oakland’s bullpen. One fun note with Alvarez is that he faced new Ballers 2B/SS Zack Blaszak when SF State played Montana State-Billings just about a year ago today (Blaszak grounded out to 2nd).
The B’s have re-acquired RHP Braydon Nelson who returns to Oakland after spending a season with the Long Island Ducks. The Brecksville, OH native had a very successful stint in Long Island out of the bullpen, compiling a 3.60 ERA in 50 innings pitched. Similarly to his 2024 season with Oakland, Nelson secured a handful of saves despite not being a full-time closer. Prior to joining Long Island, he was a rock-solid reliever for the Ballers in 2024, striking out 34 batters in 29.2 innings and finishing with a 3.64 ERA. He also had an accomplished collegiate career, originally as a starter for St. Bonaventure before transitioning to reliever at the University of Tampa. In his second-to-last year at Tampa, he finished with 11 saves and a microscopic 1.79 ERA. Nelson rejoins a Ballers bullpen in need of an experienced closer, an opportunity that I see him capitalizing on.
By my count, the Oakland Ballers roster is up to 22 players (10 pitchers, 12 position players). Look for 5-6 more pitchers and 2-3 more position players to be signed before the Ballers begin their spring training.
Nick Clementi is an Oakland native and lifelong Oakland baseball fan. He enjoys long walks on the beach and summer nights at Raimondi Park. He’s a Scrappy enthusiast who doesn't believe in sacrifice bunts. Sports content moderator by day, Ballers beat writer by night.
