Yuba City player emotional at making Phillies roster, Granite Bay catcher may join him

Brock Stassi, the 27-year-old first baseman/right fielder from Yuba City, was informed by the Phillies this week that he made the roster after an impressive showing in spring training.

Stassi was overwhelmed with emotion at receiving the good news.

“My scout Joey Davis drafted me 33rd round,” Stassi said Thursday holding back tears. “He saw something in me and I’m so thankful, thankful.”

Another Sacramento area player, Andrew Knapp, 25, out of Granite Bay High, appears to be on the cusp of joining the Phillies’ 25-man roster, as well. The player from Roseville is expected to be the team’s backup catcher. He batted .266 with the AAA-affiliated Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs.

Knapp’s father Mike played several seasons in the minors. Knapp was 5 years old when his dad retired.

Meanwhile, Brock’s younger brother, Max, is a 26-year-old catcher for the Astros. Max congratulated him.

A 33rd-round draft pick by Philadelphia in 2011, Brock Stassi hit .267 in 117 games with the Phillies' Triple-A club in Lehigh Valley.

In other Major League Baseball news involving area players, Aaron Judge, 24, of Linden High School in Stockton has been named the New York Yankees’ starting right fielder.

This story was originally published April 1, 2017 at 8:56 AM with the headline "Yuba City player emotional at making Phillies roster, Granite Bay catcher may join him."