James Expected to Play Multiple Positions for Waterloo
Waterloo, IA – The Waterloo Bucks have announced that utility player Matthew James has signed to play with Waterloo for the 2015 season. James, a sophomore at the University of Illinois, is the eighth player to be named to the Bucks’ roster for the team’s 21st season. James joins Fighting Illini teammate Ryan Nagle on Waterloo’s roster.
Last summer, James played for the Lexington Snipes of the Midwest Collegiate League where he hit .247. The 6’1”, 185-pounder hit one home run with nine RBI in 25 games.
“Matt has a very easy swing with some power to the pull side,” said Bucks general manager Dan Corbin. “He’s a pretty fast runner and we expect to mainly see him play second base and third base, and maybe even have an appearance or two on the mound, but he can be used all over the field if needed.”
Last season for the Fighting Illini, James hit .190 with six runs, eight walks, and two hit by pitches. A native of Normal, Illinois, James played in 18 games and finished with a .452 on-base percentage.
Born April 3, 1995, James played prep ball at Normal West High School where he was ranked as the number 26 player in the Class of 2013 in the state of Illinois by both Perfect Game USA and Prep Baseball Report. James was named a Louisville Slugger first team All-American in 2013 after hitting .411 with 38 RBI as a senior. Matthew is the son of Brad and Denise James. His father, Brad, played in the Atlanta Braves’ organization in the early 1990s.
The Bucks, the winningest team in all of summer-collegiate baseball over the past two years, will open the 2015 season on the road versus the Alexandria Blue Anchors on May 26, but return to Waterloo for their home opener versus the Mankato MoonDogs on May 28. Fans are encouraged to stay in touch with the Bucks in the off-season by utilizing their website at www.waterloobucks.com.
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The Waterloo Bucks 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 www.waterloobucks.com.