(Rochester, Minn.)– Former Rochester Honker and North Dakota first basemen/pitcher Jeff Campbell announced Wednesday on Twitter that he will sign with the Atlanta Braves organization. Campbell played for the Honkers in 2013 and 2014, and was named a NWL All-Star in 2014 along with competing in the NWL Home Run Derby.
The last week has brought so much joy. I am happy to say that I will be signing with the Atlanta Braves and continuing my baseball career!
— Jeff Campbell (@catfishy21) July 8, 2015
Campbell told the Grand Forks Herald that he expects to join Atlanta's affiliate in the rookie high league, the Danville Braves of Virginia.
The announcement comes less than one week after Campbell won the 2015 College Home Run Derby on July 2nd.
Campbell had a record setting night at the Derby after hitting 20 out of TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha. He hit four more in the second round to advance to the two-man final against Will Craig of Wake Forest. Craig led 25-24 going into the final, but Campbell outscored him 10-5 in the final round to take the victory. He was ESPN's Star of the Night on July 2nd for his performance.
In the summer of 2013 with the Honkers, Campbell hit .218 with four home runs and 22 RBIs. He was 1-1 with a 3.77 ERA. Used exclusively as a reliever, Campbell made 10 appearances, collecting one save and 13 strikeouts.
In 2014, Campbell resigned with Rochester on a temporary contract, but slugged and pitched his way to a full season extension, finishing with a .289 average with six home runs and 38 RBIs. He also made 16 appearances as a reliever, finshing with a 2-1 record with 3 saves. He improved his ERA to a 2.58, and stuck out 23 batters while walking just six.
Campbell a just finished up an outstanding career at North Dakota, where he started every game he played in from 2012 to 2015 while leading the team in homeruns all four years. This season, he batted .365 with 11 home run, which was tied for the lead in the Western Athletic Conference. For his collegiate career, Campbell has a .303 average, 162 RBIs and 32 homeruns. He was the first UND player to hit for the cycle in the school's Division 1 era and was an All-WAC selection in 2015.
The Honkers next home game will be Saturday, July 11th, as they face the St. Cloud Rox for a double header of seven-inning games starting at 6:05. It will be the Field of Future Stars presented by Meshbesher and Spence. All RYBA, RYSA, RYHA, Girls Softball and Miracle League players wearing their uniform top gain free admission to the game!
Catch all the Honkers action live on Sports Radio AM 1520 The Ticket, or watch the games live at www.northwoodsleague.com by clicking the watch games live link at the bottom of the page.
The Rochester Honkers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 22nd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2015, 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 120 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 (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (OAK). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website. For more information, visit www.rochesterhonkers.com
