The Kalamazoo Growlers are happy to announce the 2020 roster. The roster includes eight former Growlers plus the retainment of two members of the 2019 coaching staff. Starting pitcher and Kalamazoo native, Adam Wheaton (Trine University), will be back for his third consecutive season after recording a 3.48 ERA and 46 strikeouts last summer. Eamon Horwedel (Ohio University) also returns after leading the Growlers in strikeouts (60) and wins (7). In the field, Shea Kramer (Utah), looks to lead the offense again after playing in 67 of 74 games in 2019. Kramer also ranked 2nd in the Northwoods League in doubles (20) and led the team in hits (70), runs, (40), RBIs (36) and HBP (9).
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All Returning Players:
RHP, Adam Wheaton, Junior, Trine University (Portage, MI)
RHP, Eamon Horwedel, Sophomore, Ohio University (Ann Arbor, MI)
RHP, Will Mullen, Senior, Western Michigan University (Rochester, MI)
RHP, Nate Wargolet, Junior, Grand Valley State University (Richland, MI)
C, Khale Showers, Sophomore, Northwood University (Belmont, MI)
IF, Trent Quartermaine, Junior, Ball State University (Richland, MI)
IF, Jake Topolski, Sophomore, Duke University (Medford, NJ)
Utility, Shea Kramer, Junior, University of Utah (Vacaville, CA)
The roster also features many players who either are from West Michigan or attend college in the area. RHP Luke Scoles (Central Michigan University), a Gull Lake HS graduate, will join the team as well as Mattawan native Max Huntley (Western Michigan University). Additionally, Blake Dunn (Western Michigan University) will make the short travel from Bobb Stadium to join the roster after leading the Broncos in RBIs (17) and stolen bases (11) in the abbreviated 2020 season.
Other local talent joining the squad:
RHP, Grant Jebbia, Junior, Davenport University (New Boston, MI)
LHP, Taylor Clifton, Sophomore, Kalamazoo Valley CC (Fort Wayne, IN)
LHP, Connor Brawley, Sophomore, Davenport University (Dowagiac, MI)
RHP, Ben Thomas, Junior, Grand Valley State University (Zeeland, MI)
MIF, Ben Chosid, Junior, Kalamazoo College (Ann Arbor, MI)
OF, Will Morrison, Sophomore, Western Michigan University (Grosse Pointe, MI)
The remainder of the roster consists of players from across the country, featuring former Kenosha Kingfish and Bismark Lark, Luke Stephenson (Xavier University), and Ben Van Cleve (University of Mississippi) who ranked third on the Rebels squad in 2020 with a .385 batting average
The rest of the Growlers team:
RHP, Andre Orselli, Sophomore, Ball State University (Lake Orion, MI)
RHP, Chris Brown, Redshirt-Sophomore, Triton College (Evanston, IL)
RHP, Billy Blair, Sophomore, Concordia University-Ann Arbor (St. Charles, MI)
RHP, Trey Nordmann, Freshman, Howard College (Dewitt, MI)
RHP, Antoine Harris, Freshman, Mississippi Gulf Coast CC (Chalmette, LA)
RHP, Griffin Lanoue, Junior, Xavier University (Rosemount, MN)
RHP, Chandler Schultz, Freshman, Belmont University (Nashville, TN)
OF, Garrett Schultz, Freshman, Xavier University (Nashville, TN)
OF, Cade Sammons, Freshman, University of Mississippi (Jackson, TN)
IF, Brett Barrera, Freshman, Stanford University (Huntington Beach, CA)
Utility, Carson Greene, Stanford University (San Diego, CA)
The coaching staff is highlighted by Cody Piechocki (Kalamazoo Valley CC), returning for his fourth summer at the helm of the Growlers. Also returning for a third summer is Zane Gonzalez (University of Rio Grande), who will remain the pitching coach. New to the team is newly signed Kalamazoo Valley CC hitting coach Andy Merchant, who will be in the same role with the Growlers.
The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Currently in its’ 27th 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 200 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET) and Curtis Granderson (MIA). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. For more information, visit www.northwoodsleague.com or download the Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play.