Bucks Welcome Illinois First Baseman/Outfielder
Waterloo, IA – The Waterloo Bucks have announced that first baseman/outfielder Ryan Nagle has signed to play with Waterloo for the 2014 season. Nagle, a sophomore at the University of Illinois, is the eighth player to be named to the Bucks’ roster for the team’s 20th season.
Last season for the Fighting Illini, the 6’2”, 195-pounder played in 22 games, compiling six hits, five RBI, and a .318 on-base percentage. Nagle hit .167 for the season, starting in six games.
“I am extremely excited to become a Buck,” said Nagle. “I’m eager to continue the team’s success on the field.” Last summer, Nagle played for the Fayetteville SwampDogs of the Coastal Plain League under former Waterloo field manager Darrell Handelsman.
With Fayetteville, the Streator, Illinois native hit .254 in 38 games with nine RBI, five stolen bases, and a .358 on-base percentage.
"We are pleased to have signed Ryan to a contract and we are looking forward to the start of the 2014 season,” said Bucks general manager Dan Corbin. “Ryan is one of the best hitters at Illinois and he’ll be able to come in to Waterloo and play both first base and left field.”
Born August 7, 1994, Nagle attended Streator High School where he ranked as the number 27 overall prospect in the class of 2012 in Illinois by Prep Baseball Report. Nagle hit .459 with 20 doubles, eight home runs, and 41 RBI in 2011. Ryan is the son of Mike Nagle and Lynn Halgren.
The Bucks will open the 2014 season on the road versus the Rochester Honkers on May 27, but return to Waterloo for their home opener versus Rochester on May 28. Season tickets and group outings are currently on sale. For more information, call the Bucks’ Ticket Line at (319) 232-5633. Fans are encouraged to stay in touch with the Bucks in the off-season by utilizing their website at www.waterloobucks.com.
The Waterloo Bucks are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, 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 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including MLB All-Stars Max Scherzer (DET), Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYY), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live and free of charge via the Northwoods League YouTube channel. For more information, visit www.waterloobucks.com.