ROCHESTER, MINN. — The Rochester Honkers, five-time champions of the Northwoods League, are soaring with excitement regarding the two newest members of the 2021 roster. Georgia Southern infielder Jason Swan and left-handed pitcher Jay Thompson will button up Honkers jerseys this season as the quest for a sixth franchise championship gets underway.

Swan, a senior, is a talented utility infielder that the Eagles have utilized primarily at first base this season. Hailing from Jacksonville, Fla., Swan has enjoyed a fruitful spring at the plate, hitting .278 through 40 games played. The right-handed hitter splits time between the leadoff hole and the middle of the order and has reached base at nearly a 33% clip in 2021. Swan has driven in 18 runs in 170 trips to the plate, and his 10 doubles are tied for second-most on the Eagles roster. A four-year starter at Georgia Southern, Swan has swiped 40 bases during his tenure in Statesboro, including a perfect 9-for-9 mark this season.

“Jason is someone I’m very excited to have this summer,” Honkers first-year field manager Paul Weidner said. “He’s a very high-energy player that has versatility and has played really well this spring against top-end competition. I firmly expect him to have a big impact all summer.”

Thompson, a junior, has dominated his competition throughout his 2021 campaign. The left-hander boasts a minute 0.50 ERA and 0.67 WHIP over 18 innings of bullpen work this season. A Cumming, Ga. native, Thompson has impressed with an 18:4 strikeout-to-walk ratio against 62 batters faced and just eight hits allowed all year.

“Jay will be a key bullpen piece for us in hopefully high-leverage situations,” Weidner said. “His low three-quarters arm slot delivery from the left side makes him a matchup nightmare and a very uncomfortable at-bat for the hitter. He’s had a ton of success against both right-handed hitters and left-handed hitters this spring.”

The Rochester Honkers enter their 28th season of play on May 31st on the road against the Eau Claire Express at 7:05 PM. Connect with the team on social media by liking them on Facebook at Rochester Honkers Baseball Club and following them on Twitter (@RochHonkers) and Instagram (@HonkersBaseball). Join the conversation by using the hashtag #UnlockTheFlock, and follow along with all Honkers roster reveals with the hashtag #ReleaseTheGeese.

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The Rochester Honkers 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 27th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league of its kind in the world with 22 teams, drawing significantly more fans and provides a friendly ballpark experience. 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). 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) each participated in the NWL before they were MLB stars. 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.rochesterhonkers.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Honkers as your favorite team.