ROCHESTER, MINN – The Rochester Honkers, five-time champions of the Northwoods League, are happy to announce right-handed pitcher Frank Craska and two-way player AJ Campbell will return to Rochester in 2022.  

Craska, a senior at Lafayette College, didn’t allow an earned run in 6.1 innings pitched with the Honkers last summer. At Mars Area high school he was named first team all-conference, pitching to a 2.14 ERA his two seasons on the varsity team, holding opposing batters to a .219  batting average against.  

“We are very excited to have Frank back this summer,” said Honkers field manager Andrew  Urbistondo. “He’s a go-to arm with a great feel for all of his pitches. His consistency and leadership abilities will land him on the bump for us in key situations this summer.” 

Campbell, a redshirt-freshman at Frostburg State, played for the Honkers in 2020 but missed 2021 due to Tommy John Surgery. The Absecon, New Jersey native is off to a phenomenal start with the Bobcats, through 9 games he has 3 HR, 12 RBI and a .583 slugging percentage.  Campbell, an Ocean City High School graduate, holds the school’s single season record in  ERA (0.66) and RBI (34).  

“We are very excited to have AJ return to Rochester this summer,” said Urbistondo. “He will be key for us, as we’ll showcase his skills all over the diamond.” 

The Rochester Honkers start their quest for a sixth Northwoods League title on May 30th when they host the Willmar Stingers at Mayo Field. Connect with the Honkers on social media by  following them on Twitter (@RochHonkers), Instagram (@honkersbaseball) and like the Honkers  on Facebook at Rochester Honkers Baseball Club. Also, subscribe to the Honkers on YouTube  at ‘Rochester Honkers’ where episodes of Meet The Honkers premiere every Friday. Interact on  social by using the hashtag #FunForTheWholeFlock!  

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 two-time 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.