Four Atlantic Coast Conference Players Signed to the 2016 Rox Roster

St. Cloud, MN – The St. Cloud Rox announced this afternoon that four players from the Atlantic Coast Conference have signed to play for the team in 2016.  The list includes Brendan Illies from University of North Carolina, Jim and Ed Voyles from Florida State University, and Dan Metzdorf from Boston College.

Illies is a 6’1” catcher currently a freshman at University of North Carolina.  Prior to joining the Tar Heels, he was a 33^rd round draft pick of the New York Mets in 2015. As a member of the Puyallup High School (Puyallup, WA) team he was named to the Washington All-State Team three times. Following his senior season he was named to the Perfect Game West All-Region First Team. Illies has many family members that reside in Central Minnesota.

Jim Voyles, a 6’8” right handed pitcher is currently in his junior season at Florida State University. During the 2015 season he appeared in 21 games for the Seminoles and had a 2.63 earned run average with 27 strikeouts in 27.1 innings pitched.  Last summer he played for the Anchorage Bucs in the Alaskan Baseball League.  There he appeared in 11 games and posted a 6-0 record and a 0.52 earned run average over 52 innings pitched.  He was selected to play in the Alaskan Baseball League All-Star Game.     

Ed Voyles, also a 6’8” right handed pitcher at Florida State University, will join his twin brother on the Rox following his redshirt sophomore season at Florida State University. Last season he appeared in six games for the Seminoles posting a 1.42 earned run average.  He struck out five batters and did not issue a walk.  Last summer Voyles also played for the Anchorage Bucs in the Alaskan Baseball League where he appeared in 11 games and had a 3-2 record with a 1.98 earned run average.  He was also selected to play in the Alaskan Baseball League All-Star Game.

Metzdorf is a 5’10” left handed pitcher at Boston College currently in his freshman season. The Burlington, Massachusetts native posted a 7-0 record with a 1.40 earned run average during his senior season at Buckingham, Browne & Nichols High School.  In 2015 he was named the Independent School League pitcher of the year and to the Perfect Game All-American Honorable Mention team. He will join college teammate and returning Rox outfielder Michael Strem on the team in 2016.

In total the Rox now have 13 players under contract for the 2016 season.  Field Manager Augie Rodriguez, along with the Rox organization will continue to build the roster for the 2016 season. 

The Rox will play their 5^th season of Northwoods League baseball in 2016.  The home opener at Joe Faber Field is scheduled for Saturday, June 4^th at 7:05pm against the Thunder Bay Border Cats. Season and group tickets for the 2016 season are currently on sale. For more information regarding this release or game schedule please contact the Rox front office at (320) 240-9798 or visit www.stcloudrox.com

The St. Cloud Rox are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Preparing for its 23^nd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2016, the Northwoods League is the largest summer collegiate 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 140 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 (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (CHC). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website.  For more information, visit www.stcloudrox.com.