Jackfish beef up on the mound
The Welland Jackfish have added former Major League pitcher José Domínguez.
The Welland Jackfish have upgraded their rotation for the upcoming Intercounty Baseball League season.
Former Major League pitcher José Domínguez and ex-Jackfish Euclides Leyer have been signed and should give the club a strong, dependable starting four to go along with returning right-handers Ben Abram and Teodoro Ortega.
“Let’s just say we will have as professional and experienced a starting staff as we have ever had,” Jackfish general manager Jason McKay said. “Coupled with the young guys we have signed, we should remain very exciting.”
Domínguez joins the Jackfish with four seasons of Major League experience with San Diego, Tampa Bay and the Los Angeles Dodgers where he compiled a 4.82 earned run average and 37 strikeouts.
Domínguez has spent most of his career in the minors, notably in AAA, where he recorded a career 4.34 ERA with 414 strikeouts over 198 games played.
The native of the Dominican Republic joins Welland following a season with the Tigres de Chinandega of the Nicaraguan Winter League.
Leyer is no stranger to the Rose City, suiting up for the Jackfish during the club’s inaugural 2019 season where he was named an IBL second team all-star after recording a 2.57 ERA with 67 strikeouts and a 7-2 record.
Since 2019, Leyer has suited up for the Gastonia Honeyhunters of the Atlantic League (2021-2022), Olmecas de Tabasco of the Mexican league in 2023 and most recently the Tigres de Chinandega of the Nicaraguan Winter League where he recorded a 1.65 ERA with 17 strikeouts over 16.1 innings pitched.
Leyer also joined Team Curagao during the 2025 Series of the Americas, the same tournament as Jackfish pitcher Deivy Mendez and catcher Robert Mullen.
“We’re super excited about our pitching,” Jackfish manager Brian Essery said.
The Jackfish have also added catcher Russell Young.
Young, 22, played last season with the University of British Columbia. Currently in his third season with the Thunderbirds, Young recorded a .317 average in 2024 with 13 doubles, four home runs and 27 RBI. The former Canadian Junior National Team member also suited up for the Edmonton Riverhawks of the West Coast League in 2024 where he recorded a .255 average with five doubles and 20 RBI in 34 games.
“We needed another catcher,” Essery said. “We didn’t want to put 42 games on Robert (Mullen) even though he wants it. We know that’s not realistic. So we had to go get another guy and this guy fits the bill. He’s definitely a legit player. We’ve heard good things on him and we’re excited to bring him in and see what he can do and give him the opportunity to get some innings behind the plate. He’s an athletic kid, so there’s other positions that are available for him to play as well.”
The Jackfish previously announced the re-signing of Mendez, Scott Gillespie, Daniel Howat, infielders Greyson Barrett, Ethan Hunt and Jonah Weisner and outfielders Brandon Hupe, Gianfranco Morello and Jake Sanford.
The Jackfish open the 2025 season Saturday, May 17 versus the Barrie Baycats. Full season, flex and group packages are all available. To learn more or to purchase, visit www.wellandjackfish.com or call 905-735-9834.
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