Freshman All-American Highlights Pair of Teammates Bound For Witter Field
Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. – Continuing the process of assembling the 2016 roster, the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters have announced that 2015 Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American infielder Yamil Pagan (Alabama State) will be joining the Rafters for the upcoming season. Accompanying Pagan to Witter Field will be outfielder Joseph Estrada (Alabama State), not only a collegiate teammate but also a fellow Puerto Rico native.
“We’re thrilled to have Yamil and Joseph bring their respective skill sets to our club,” said Rafters general manager John Fanta, “Fans will be impressed with their athleticism and versatility both in the field and at the plate.”
IF – Yamil Pagan, 6’0” 175 (R/R) Sophomore, Alabama State University
After a freshman season that saw him garner national recognition, the Alabama State second baseman is set to join the Rafters for the 2016 season. As a freshman in 2015, Pagan was selected a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American. He appeared in 47 games including 45 starts in route to helping lead the Hornets to their second consecutive SWAC Eastern Division championship. Pagan hit .321 on the season with a .398 on-base percentage. In addition to reaching base consistently, the middle infielder swatted four home runs, compiled 30 RBI, and scored 40 runs. Pagan will look to take the next step forward this spring as a sophomore for the Hornets. He is a native of Puerto Rico and prepped at the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy, made famous for developing Carlos Correa, the 2015 American League Rookie of the Year.
OF – Joseph Estrada, 5’10” 190 (S/R) Sophomore, Alabama State University
The switch-hitting Estrada played primarily in a starting role for the Hornets as a true freshman outfielder, appearing in 42 games of which he started 32. At the plate, Estrada posted a .379 on-base percentage in addition to hitting at a .227 clip with one home run, 14 RBI, and 27 runs scored. Following his freshman campaign at Alabama State, Estrada spent the summer of 2015 competing for the Waynesboro Generals of the Valley Baseball League. This spring Estrada will look to build on his debut season in 2015 and will occupy a spot in the outfield for the Hornets. He is a native of Puerto Rico.
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The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 23rd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2016, 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 140 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 (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (CHC). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website. For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com.