KALAMAZOO, MI – The Growlers are excited to announce the signing of Brandon Gali, a junior shortstop from the University of Miami and Connor Manous, a freshman right-handed pitcher and infielder from Indiana University.
Brandon Gali: 5’11’’, 170, INF, Bats/S., Throws/R, University of Miami, (Jr.), Louisville, KY
Gali spent his first two seasons playing junior college ball at Polk State College where he helped the eagles win two conference championships. Gali hit .219 with one home run and 27 RBIs in 56 games last season. He will start his junior season this spring as a Miami Hurricane and have a chance to compete for the starting second base job. Gali is a versatile infielder who can play second base or shortstop, and has good legs stealing 15 bases in 50 games last season at Polk State. At Miami’s scout day Gali was clocked at 6.6 for the 60 yard dash which tied with two other Hurricanes for fastest on the team. Gali will provide the Growlers with flexibility to play both middle infield positions and the threat of stealing a base anytime he gets on base.
Connor Manous: 5’11”-180 Ibs, RHP, IF, Bats/R., Throws/R, Indiana University (Fr.), Munster, IN
Connor was a four-year letter winner in baseball and three-year letter winner in basketball at Munster high school in Munster, IN. Connor finished his senior season with an ERA of 0.76 in 64.1 innings. He also struck out 106 batters and threw five complete games in his final season. He was named 2016 Chicago Post-Tribune Player of the Year, and was a three-time first-team all-conference honoree. He led Munster to two sectional championships, and recorded a 6-1 record with 1.56 ERA and 57 strikeouts his junior year. In his first varsity season Connor went 7-1 with 0.48 ERA and 54 strikeouts.
Connor grew as a pitcher each year at Munster high school. He nearly hurled more strikeouts his senior season (106) than his first two varsity seasons combined. His fastball sat at 91 MPH in high school, but he has received workouts to increase his leg and arm strength from Hurricane coaches and hopes to have his fastball up to 94 MPH in time for his first season of college ball. The right-hander originally signed with the University of Miami in Florida, but transferred to be closer to home this winter. Munster High School’s baseball coach praised Manous for his work ethic and leadership abilities throughout his career in high school. The Growlers are ecstatic to add Connor to the roster with his fastball and well rounded mental make up. The Growlers look forward to seeing how Connor grows as a player in his freshman year before he the heads to Kalamazoo for the summer.
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The Kalamazoo Growlers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 23rd season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 20 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 150 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including two-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and two-time World Series Champion Ben Zobrist (CHC). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.growlersbaseball.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store and set the Growlers as your favorite team.