Mankato, Minn. – The Mankato MoonDogs Baseball Club, of the Northwoods League, is excited to announce the addition of pitchers Reggie Meyer, Connor O’Brien and Jack Czeszewski to the 2015 Roster.
Reggie Meyer is a 6’4, 185 pound righty Freshman out of the University of Minnesota. The New Brighton, Minnesota native is in his first year with the Golden Gophers. The 2014 Totino-Grace High School graduate was named All-Northwest Suburban Conference in 2013 going 5-2 with a 1.11 ERA and again in 2014 going 5-2 with a 1.10 ERA. Meyer’s is not the first in the family to play baseball for The U. His father Bob played for the Gophers from 1980 to 1983 and his older brother Ben is a senior pitcher on this year’s team.
"He is big right arm in a very competitive Big Ten this year,” said Field Manager Ryan Day. “Reggie comes from a long line of Gophers and we are excited to have him,” said Field Manager Ryan Day.
In 2015, for the Golden Gophers, Meyer has posted a 1-2 record in seven appearances, four starts, over 13 innings and fanning six.
Connor O’Brien is a 5’11, 190 Junior righty out of the University of Southern Mississsippi. The Tampa, Florida native is in his first year at Southern Miss. Prior to USM O’Brien spent one year at Tallahassee Community College where he appeared in 24 games posting a 1-3 record while striking out 39 over 48.1 innings. He freshman year was spent at North Carolina State where he saw limited action throwing 2.1 innings.
“He is a strong right handed pitcher who is going to provide a strong mentality and presence every time he touches the ball,” said Day. “Connor is a guy who we expect to be in the rotation this summer for us and is going to compete every time he's out there."
In 2015, for the Golden Eagles, O’Brien has appeared in eight games, throwing 9.2 innings, striking out 11, with a 1-0 record and one save.
Jack Czeszewski is a 5’9, 180 pound lefty Junior out of Illinois State University. The Elk Grove Village, Illinois native is in his third season with the Red Birds. In 2014, Czeszewski appeared in 49 games, 39 starts primarily as an outfielder and designated hitter and had a .241 average, four homeruns, 25 RBI. He also took the mound in three relief appearances over 2.1 innings, striking out three. This season Czeszewski has seen a shift in his role, from playing the field to toeing the rubber.
"He is a guy who is going to fill a couple roles this summer,” said Day. “Jack is going to provide us a lefty who can throw out of the pen, as well as a power left-handed bat that can drive in runs."
In 2015, for the Red Birds, Czeszewski has taken on a bullpen reliever role, appearing in 16 games, one start, with a 1-2 record over 23.2 innings pitched while striking out 18.
The MoonDogs home opener is scheduled for May 27th at 7:05 p.m. against the Rochester Honkers at Franklin Rogers Park. Season tickets are now on sale at the MoonDogs office located at 1221 Caledonia Street. For more information, visit our website or call the MoonDogs office at 507-625-7047.
“The Mankato MoonDogs are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 22nd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2015, the Northwoods 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), Allen Craig (BOS) and Ben Zobrist (OAK). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website. For more information, visit http://www.mankatomoondogs.com
