KALAMAZOO, MI –Current Virginia Cavalier and member of the 2021 Growlers team Jake Gelof has been named a semi-finalist for the Dick Howser Award, given to college baseball’s best player based on both on and off-the-field categories. Gelof slashed .376/.477/.768 during the regular season in 2022 with the Cavs and logged 19 home runs, 15 doubles, and 74 RBI. 

The Dick Howser award, whose namesake was an All-American shortstop at Florida State, is given to a player that excels in onfield performance, off-the-field leadership, and all-around character as both a person and a ballplayer. The award winner will be announced in Omaha on the eve of the College World Series opening game on June 17th. 

Both Jake Gelof and his older brother Zach are former Growlers. Consequently, they have enjoyed enormous success in their careers, with Zach currently among the best hitters in the AA Texas League and Jake not far off from what should be an early-round pick in the MLB Draft. 

The Growlers want to congratulate Jake Gelof on his nomination and tremendous success this season and wish him the best of luck going forward!

Come out to Homer Stryker Field to see potential future award winners from across college baseball in a Growlers uniform all summer long!

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The Kalamazoo Growlers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 27^th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 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, over 250 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and MLB Gold Glove finalist and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TOR). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. 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 or on Google Play and set the Growlers as your favorite team.