Mequon, WI – On Tuesday, the Northwoods League held their annual Major League Dreams Showcase in Madison, WI. This event features the top players in the league as voted on by MLB scouts. Players participate in workouts in front of scouts before taking part in a doubleheader. This season, eight Lakeshore Chinooks players participated in the showcase as members of the home team in the second game of the doubleheader. 

Marshall Kasowski (Houston) got the honor of starting the game for the home squad. He did not disappoint, needing just 10 pitches to get through a 1-2-3 frame in his only inning of work. Zac Lowther (Xavier) was the next Lakeshore pitcher to get into the game, tossing the fourth inning. He also looked good, giving up a walk but also striking out two batters in his chance to showcase his solid fastball-curveball combination to scouts. 

Also getting into the festivities was right-hander Lake Bachar (UW-Whitewater). The Division III product, as we have seen all year with the Chinooks, was dominant. He struck out all three batters he faced, showing that he certainly belongs on a stage like this. 

Connor Jones (Georgia) was the fourth Lakeshore pitcher to be used in the contest. He did not fare as well, giving up three runs in his inning of work. 

The team only managed three hits in the game, but all three came from Chinooks. Anthony Massicci (Canisius), who has played shortstop the whole year for Lakeshore, got the start at second base. He smacked a single in the first inning in a 1 for 3 performance. 

Greg Deichmann (Louisiana State) got the nod at the hot corner for the club. Like Massicci, he had a 1 for 3 night, notching a base hit in the bottom of the sixth. Zarley Zalewski (Kent State) also had a 1 for 3 outing with a single that came in the eighth. Normally a corner infielder, Zalewski was the starter in left field. For what it's worth, he was drafted as an outfielder in the 40th round of the 2012 MLB Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates, so it is clear that pro teams are giving him a look as an outfielder. 

Doug Kraeger (Richmond) was the fourth Chinooks position player to play in the showcase. He went 0 for 2 but drew a walk as the first baseman. 

The Chinooks have had an up-and-down season, but it is certainly nice to see them so well represented at an event that draws the eyes of many in professional baseball. The results were mixed, but we could very see these eight, among other current Chinooks, join ranks with the 45 former Lakeshore players who have found themselves drafted in the past four years. 

The rest of the Lakeshore squad had the day off, but the team will return to action on Wednesday at Kapco Park. The club will be taking on the Battle Creek Bombers looking for redemption after losing to them in a tight game on Monday. 

The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. The 21 year old summer collegiate league is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 120 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (OAK). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. For more information, visit www.lakeshorechinooks.com.