La Crosse, Wis. – The La Crosse Loggers today announced that South Florida pitcher Brandon Lawson and Mesa CC (Ariz.) infielder Jordan Zimmerman, both sophomores, have signed for the 2015 season.
Lawson, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound right-hander from Spring Hill, Florida, moved into South Florida’s starting rotation as a freshman in 2014, turning in a 3-1 record and 3.74 ERA in 16 appearances (nine starts) with 27 strikeouts in 53 innings. He is expected to fill a rotation spot for the Bulls again his spring. Lawson was a prep standout at Hernando High School (Fla.) and was twice named North Suncoast Pitcher of the Year.
"Brandon Lawson is a guy that has a real good feel for how to pitch," Loggers General Manager Chris Goodell said. "Having logged significant innings as a freshman for USF, coupled with another impactful sophomore season coming this spring, will position him to be very successful in the Northwoods League. We're excited for him to be a leader on our staff."
Zimmerman, a 6-foot, 200-pound utility infielder from Mesa, Ariz., capitalized on an outstanding season at Mesa CC (Ariz.) in 2014 to capture the attention of Michigan State as one of its top 2016 recruits. Zimmerman had a successful 2014 season overall, batting .378 with 15 doubles, six triples, five homers, 49 RBI and 22 stolen bases for Mesa, and was named MVP of the NJCAA Division II World Series. He played for the Palm Springs (Calif.) Power this past summer, batting .375 with 32 RBI and was named Southern California Collegiate Baseball League Player of the Year. He returns to Mesa CC for the 2015 spring season, then will join the Loggers to prepare for his junior season with the Spartans.
"Jordan Zimmerman is a special player who loves to play the game," Goodell said. "He brings a middle-of-the-order bat with him and we are anxious to go to work with him over the course of a NWL season. Logger fans are going to love the way Jordan plays the game."
The Loggers’ 12th Annual Winter Baseball BBQ is set for 7:05 p.m. Jan. 22 at the Stoney Creek Hotel in Onalaska. Featured guests will include New York Mets pitcher Victor Black, a member of the 2007 Loggers, and new manager Bill Sandillo.
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The La Crosse Loggers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Preparing for its 22nd season of summer collegiate baseball, 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 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (DET) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (BOS) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League YouTube channel. For more information, visit www.lacrosseloggers.com.