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Arizona Diamondbacks Purchase Contract of Rockland Boulders Pitcher Alex Gouin

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During Sunday’s game against the Trois-Rivières Aigles at Palisades Credit Union Park, there was an announcement that Rockland Boulders starting pitcher Alex Gouin’s contract had been purchased by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Gouin stepped out of the Boulders dugout to a thunderous standing ovation from players on both sides and fans.

For Gouin, have worked for this moment since he was young, it was a huge moment, getting an opportunity to play affiliated ball.

“To have support from family and friends and a staff like here pull for you and care about their players,” Alex Gouin said. “I’m a big believer in the big man upstairs and in charge of everything and thankful for him.”

“When I heard the news, I got away from everyone real quickly and went to the weight room right next to the clubhouse and said a quick prayer thanking him for everything he is doing for me,” Gouin continued. “It’s a bittersweet moment having a girlfriend for four years and our anniversary is tomorrow and her birthday so it’s a big day to celebrate.”

Born in Cuba and having emigrated to the United States when he was nine years old, Gouin got the start in game two of a series against the Cuban National Team. “Starting against Cuba, a proud moment for me and my family to be able to share that moment with them and especially coming from Cuba,” he said. “Things didn’t go my away in the Cuban series but you feel such pride in taking part in a special event.”

Last Friday, Gouin tossed a gem in his final start in a Boulders uniform; hurling eight-shutout innings scattering five hits while striking out five.

“I couldn’t ask for a better way to finish a game honestly and can’t stress how much of a good time here,” he said. “These guys are like brothers’ and definitely going to miss them but baseball is a short memory whether you have a good or bad game and when it’s time to move on.”

Gouin’s improved to 3-1 on the season with a 3.16 ERA.

Talking about the fans at Palisades Credit Union Park, Gouin said the fans are unreal and it feels like you are playing at a major league stadium not just because of the amenities, resources and beautiful field. He passed down some valuable inside information to new teammate Aaron Wilson before last Friday’s game ended, “The walk-offs are the most unbelievable thing ever and sure sweet everywhere but here the fans get into and fired up and a lot of fun to win in that fashion.”

This marked the seventh player under Jamie Keefe to go directly from the Rockland Boulders to an MLB affiliate team and ninth overall in Boulders franchise history.

“This was a kid coming into this year between the Twins and Diamondbacks; two organizations that have been great with us wanted to see this guy get innings,” Keefe said. “I told him you have 50 or 60 innings you are not going to be here. A smart kid with a huge upside and hats off to Alex for doing the extra work to get to the next level.”

“Those are the spots you like to fill and phone calls have,” said Keefe. “To see everybody stand out on their feet and congratulate him and other dugout standing up and clapping that’s what the Can-Am League is about.”

Junior Arrojo on Alex Gouin; “So happy for him, pitching great, a great person that deserves a chance and know he is going to do well and very excited for him. That is what we play for and to see a brother of mine get an opportunity to go to the next level there is nothing better than that.”

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Sunil Sunder Raj

Since July of 2014 Sunil Sunder Raj has been with In The Zone. Sunil has experience covering minor league baseball, high school and college sports. A beat writer for the Rockland Boulders for six years, Ramapo College men’s basketball for four years, NJIT men’s basketball and Seton Hall women’s basketball. Now focusing on feature articles about athletes, coaches and sports media professionals. A graduate of Ramapo College of New Jersey with a bachelor of arts degree in journalism.
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