Mankato, Minn. – The Mankato MoonDogs Baseball Club, of the Northwoods League, is excited to announce the addition of outfielders Hunter Mercado-Hood and Kevin Hall to the MoonDogs 2015 Roster.
Hunter Mercado-Hood is a 6’0, 190 pound Sophomore outfielder from the University of San Diego. The Brentwood, California native returns to the Toreros after his freshman campaign where he saw action in 32 games; 17 starts while hitting .307 with two doubles and nine RBI. In the summer of 2014, Mercado-Hood played in the West Coast League (WCL) for the Victoria HarbourCats where he hit .385 with 46 RBI in 51 games and captured First-Team All-WCL honors.
"Hunter is a guy who was one of the top hitters in the WCL last year as a freshman,” said Field Manager Ryan Day. "We're excited for him to come out and be a productive part of our offense this summer."
For the Toreros in 2015, Mercado-Hood is hitting .300 while playing in four games, three of which he started and has one stolen base.
Kevin Hall is a 6’3, 215 pound Junior outfielder and catcher out of the University of North Alabama. The Collierville, Tennessee native is in his first year with the Lions. Prior to UNA, he played at Meridian Community College where he captured several honors including Scholar Athlete of the Year (2014) and Miss-Lou All-Conference (2014).
"Kevin is a strong and athletic outfielder who will fit in great with the type of team were trying to put together," said Day. "He is a guy who can hit for power, but will mostly be a gap to gap doubles type of hitter."
For the Lions in 2015, Hall is hitting .318 with three doubles five RBI in six games, all of which he has started.
"Both players are going to be responsible for a lot of RBIs this summer for the MoonDogs and we're excited to be able to have two great young men from two quality baseball programs," said Day.
The MoonDogs home opener is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27, 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.
“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 (OAK) and Ben Zobrist (OAK). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website. For more information, visit http://www.mankatomoondogs.com