The Rockford Rivets will be welcoming eight returning players back to the 2019 roster. First year team manager Josh Keim is excited about the experience being brought back to the team.
“I feel good with what we have,” says Keim. “We have a really good mix of guys who have experience in the Northwoods League with Rockford for a couple summers. There are plenty of players who are looking to continue their baseball careers, who are attending bigger schools, but also a mixture of young guys who are having their first season in a collegiate league like this, and I’m excited to see where that goes.”
The returning eight players are listed as follows:
Parker Bates – OF – Louisiana Tech University
Cooper Cain – RHP – Valdosta State University
Anthony Holubecki – RHP- University of Notre Dame
Tim Lilly – INF – Villanova University
Tanner Propst – LHP – Louisiana Tech University
Nathan Schneiderman – LHP – University of Dubuque
Jacob Vander Wal – OF – Long Beach State University
Cory Wright – LHP – Valdosta State University
Parker Bates – OF – Louisiana Tech
Bates is a Tyler, Texas native returning from the 2018 campaign with the Rivets. Bates finished the season batting .250 with 2 home runs and 24 RBI’s on 41 hits. in 2018 with LA Tech, Bates recorded a .993 fielding percentage with only one error on 139 chances as a center-fielder.
Manager Josh Keim on Parker Bates – “Parker is an experienced hitter at the collegiate level who we are very excited to have back on the field. He’s going to add some versatility to the lineup. He can run, he’s got some pop off the bat, and we are very happy to see him back.”
Cooper Cain – RHP – Valdosta State University
Cooper Cain is a right-handed pitcher from Jacksonville, Florida, returning from the 2018 season. Cain pitched 55 and 2/3 innings last year, posting a 2.42 ERA with 19 walks and 58 strikeouts.
Josh Keim on Cooper Cain – “He’s a very solid pitcher. He was selected for the Northwoods all star game last year, and we expect him to be starting for us once a week.”
Anthony Holubecki – RHP- University of Notre Dame
Holubecki is a Right-handed pitcher joining the Rivets for his second season. He attends Notre Dame and is from Elburn, Ill. He appeared for the Rivets in the 2018 Major League Dreams Showcase.
Tim Lilly – INF – Villanova University
Lilly is a versatile infielder playing for Villanova University. Lilly started multiple games at both second base and shortstop for the Wildcats. With Rockford in 2018, Lilly capped off the year with a .211 batting average on 95 at-bats.
Josh Keim on Tim Lilly – “He is going to be a great leader for this club. We are going to expect him to come in and be a leader, but he will also be a tough player for us this year.”
Tanner Propst – LHP -Louisiana Tech University
Propst is a left-handed pitcher who appeared in seven games last year pitching 34 innings while striking out 23. The Madison, Miss. native plays college baseball at Louisiana Tech University.
Nathan Schneiderman – LHP – University of Dubuque
Schneiderman is a hard-throwing lefty that is returning with the Rivets from 2018. Schneiderman closed the year with a 2-1 record boasting an impressive 2.32 ERA for 6 saves in 38 and 2/3 innings pitched.
Josh Keim on Nathan Schneiderman – “He’s a big lefty. He’s expected to be our closer. Nathan graduated this spring, and has aspirations to move on to the next level. Hopefully we can help him get his shot.”
Jacob Vander Wal – OF – Long Beach State University
Last year, Vander Wal was a very solid hitter for the Rivets. Jacob had a .276 batting average to close the season, and 24 runs batted in. Vander Wal also led the team in extra base hits with 18.
Josh Keim on Jacob Vander Wal – “He grinds. This summer is going to be huge for him. He’s a guy who is going to play hard day in and day out. He will come ready to compete.”
Cory Wright – LHP – Valdosta State University
Wright is a South Elgin, Illinois native. Wright is the 3rd returning left-handed pitcher on the roster this year, creating a stellar variety on the starting pitchers squad.
Josh Keim on Cory Wright – “We expect big leadership qualities out of Cory. Cory has been with the Rivets for a few years now. He has traveled all over the country, and he is going to be in our starting rotation. Cory is going to be our opening night starter, and we are excited to see him get his innings in.”
Opening night for the Rockford Rivets is Tuesday, May 28th versus the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters. Game time is set for 6:35. Call the box office today at (815)-240-4159 for tickets, and information about our new $75, all-you-can-eat 5-game pack!
The Rockford Rivets are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The 25-year old summer collegiate 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 former 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 portal. For more information, visit www.rockfordrivets.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Rivets as your favorite team.