The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters added a pair of teammates from Eastern Michigan today by announcing the acquisitions of junior catcher Kyle Peterson and junior left-handed pitcher Brian Hill.
Kyle Peterson becomes the latest Rafter signee that was previously drafted out of high school, as the backstop was taken in the 50th Round of the 2008 MLB Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays. He instead chose to begin his collegiate career by attending Chandler-Gilbert Community College in Arizona, where he played his first two seasons prior to transferring to Eastern Michigan this year. Through 19 games for Eastern Michigan this spring, Peterson is batting .214 (9-for-42) with 2 doubles and 10 RBI. While it is still very early on in their season, Peterson has already socked a team-leading 4 home runs.
While attending Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Peterson appeared in 93 games while staring 91 and batted .214 with 9 doubles, 8 home runs, and 42 RBI spanning his freshman and sophomore years.
Peterson attended Hamilton High School in Chandler, Arizona where he earned four varsity letters in baseball during his high school career. As a senior, he was a member of Hamilton’s state championship team, earning All-Region and All-State accolades for his performance. His outstanding play earned him the chance to participate in the 2008 Area Code Games for the Cincinnati Reds. The Area Code Games are one of the highest regarded high school talent tournaments in the country, with players having to be nominated by a Major League scout to be considered for an invitation to participate.
Brian Hill will join a stable of left-handed hurlers already assembled on the Rafters 2011 pitching staff. Like his current teammate, Kyle Peterson, Hill transferred to Eastern Michigan this year following a two-year stint at Phoenix Community College where he posted some impressive numbers.
Last season at Phoenix, Hill made 9 starts and posted a 4-4 record with a 2.81 ERA. Spanning 51.1 innings he only allowed 42 hits and struck out 45 batters. As a freshman he appeared in 11 games while posting a 3-6 record and a 2.45 ERA. He logged 69.2 innings and recorded 24 strikeouts in his first college action in 2009. For his performance he earned second team All-Conference honors while at Phoenix College.
Hill excelled at Sinagua High School in Flagstaff, Arizona where he earned second team All-Region honors as a senior and honorable mention All-Region as a junior. He is majoring in Sport Management at Eastern Michigan.
