ONE STEP CLOSER:  Eric Hanhold

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers / Milwaukee Brewers (Class A)

Mequon, WI – Coming out of high school, former Chinook Eric Hanhold was tabbed as “Mr. Irrelevant” in 2012, as he was the final pick in the MLB Draft (1,238^th overall by the Philadelphia Phillies), but chose instead to attend the University of Florida as he assumed the more appropriate moniker –  the 2012 draft’s “Don’t Count Him Out” player.

The 6’4 right-handed pitcher threw 40 solid innings in nine appearances with Lakeshore as he helped the club to it’s first-ever Northwoods League playoff appearance by notching a 3-1 record with a 2.70 ERA.  Along the way, Hanhold impressed enough scouts and then turned in a solid three year career with the Gators to improve his standing in the 2015 Draft as a 6^th round selection by the Milwaukee Brewers (181^st overall pick in the sixth round of the 2015 MLB Draft).

After his selection, Hanhold made a brief appearance for the Brewers’ Arizona League rookie team and then returned to Wisconsin for another summer as a member of the Class A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.  Working mostly as a starter, Hanhold pitched 36.1 innings in 11 total appearances as the Brewers experimented with his role.  Despite a smooth delivery and live arm, Hanhold went 0-5 with a 7.43 ERA.  As a low-round pick, Hanhold faces critical spring training as he attempts to make a mark with the Brewers.  Check in with his progress at:

http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=milb&player_id=621098#/career/R/pitching/2015/ALL

 

ONE STEP CLOSER:  Ryan Harris

Greenville Drive / Boston Red Sox (Class A)

Mequon, WI – As one of the first Florida Gators to play for the Lakeshore Chinooks, right-handed pitcher Ryan Harris powered through Northwoods League hitters in 2012 as he struck out 49 batters in his 42.2 innings at Kapco Park.  After returning to Gainesville where he led the Gators with 37 appearances in 2013 and then with five saves in 2014, Harris was snatched up by the Boston Red Sox (794^th overall pick in the 36^th Round of the 2014 MLB Draft).  Assigned to the Lowell Spinners for the remainder of 2014, Harris’s career barely got off the ground as he suffered through a shoulder problem and pitched only 4.2 innings.  After an off-season strengthening program, however, the feisty reliever was promoted to the Greenville Drive where he competed well.  Harris went 4-4 with four saves and a respectable 2.72 ERA in 30 appearances and made the most of his second season in the Boston organization, where Harris now hopes to make an even bigger jump in 2016.  Fans can keep up with his progress at:

http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=milb&player_id=605267#/career/R/pitching/2015/ALL

The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. The 22-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 140 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 (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (CHC). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. For more information, visit www.northwoodsleague.com.