2026 SIGNING TRACKER: OF Raffi Gross

KITCHENER - The Kitchener Panthers are proud to announce the signing of outfielder and Indy ball MVP Rafael "Raffi" Gross.

Gross is coming off a stellar year with the Portland Mavericks in the four-team Mavericks Independent Baseball League, where he was named the league MVP in 2025.

He hit for a .299 average, including eight home runs, 36 RBI and stole 22 bases in 48 games. Gross also won a gold glove award.

In 2024, he hit .269 in 12 games for Baton Rouge in the Texas Collegiate League and also played for Texas Southern University.

Gross is a USA Baseball 16U national team development program alumni.

"Raffi adds a young and dynamic outfielder to the mix for us," said general manager Shanif Hirani.

"He adds an element of speed on both sides of the ball and provides us with versatility in the outfield."

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RAFAEL "RAFFI" GROSS

• Bats/Pitches: R/R
• Hometown: Winnipeg, MB
• Birthdate: April 27, 2003
• Pronunciation: RAH-fee GROW-ss