(Rochester, Minn.)— The Rochester Honkers Baseball Club announced today the signing of outfielder Mark Contreras (Con-trer-as) from the University of California- Riverside for the 2015 season. The versatile athlete will see action in the outfield and infield for the Honkers this summer.
The 6-foot, 183-pound sophomore is currently hitting .289 with three doubles, five RBIs and is 1-3 in stolen bases. Contreras has been the every-day starting left fielder for the 6-7 Highlanders. He’s one of four players to see action in every game including Drake Zarate who will join him this summer with the Honkers. Zarate is currently leading the team with his .396 batting average.
As a freshman, Contreras saw limited action, appearing in 19 games and getting five starts. In his 27 total at bats, Contreras hit .148 with 2 RBIs and was 4-4 in stolen bases.
Contreras graduated from Canyon Springs HS, where his team won the Inland Empire Championship all four years. He was awarded Defensive Player MVP in 2010, was an All-League First Team selection in 2011 and 2012 as a third baseman and was named First Team All-League as a short stop in 2013. All four years in high school, he was recognized for having the highest GPA for student athletes.
The Rochester Honkers 22nd season begins on May 26th when the Mankato MoonDogs bark into Mayo Field for a 7:05pm first pitch. Season Tickets, Bonus Books, Suites and Patios are now available. Call the Rochester Honkers office at 507-289-1170 for more information. The Honkers are also looking for host families for the 2015 season and ask all interested parties to call the business office for more information.
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The Rochester Honkers 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.rochesterhonkers.com