(Pictured: Demetrius Sims, photo courtesy Bethune-Cookman University)

Marcinczyk and Sims Add Depth To Lineup

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.- The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters have announced the the additions of outfielder Tom Marcinczyk (Rutgers) and infielder Demetrius Sims (Bethune Cookman) to the 2015 team. The Rafters are excited to bring these two dynamic players from their programs to Wisconsin Rapids.

 

 

 

 

 

OF- Tom Marcinczyk 5’9” 190 lbs (L/L) Sophomore, Rutgers
A sweet swinging, left-handed hitter, Marcinczyk started 42 of 46 games for the Scarlet Knights in his freshman season and finished with a .254 batting average and 14 runs batted in. He has started all 7 games for the Scarlet Knights so far in the 2015 season. Marcinczyk has gotten off to a solid start in sophomore campaign including blasting a home-run against #9 Miami on Valentine’s Day.

The 5’9” outfielder hails from Middlesex, New Jersey and was a career .506 hitter in high school. While compiling that astounding batting average he also set the school record with 164 hits in his career. In his senior season he hit .556 with seven triples and 49 hits. If his numbers at the plate aren’t enough, Marcinczyk also posted an impressive 11-0 record and 0.89 ERA on the mound while helping his team to a record of 26-4. In addition to those individual achievements, he also won the Group I state and sectional titles.

“Tom has all the tools–he is a complete player both offensively and defensively,” said Rafters field manager Craig Noto. “He is coming off a great summer in the Futures League (.315/15/1/8 w/31 RBI) and I expect him to have a big year this spring at Rutgers. He is currently hitting in the cleanup spot for the Scarlet Knights and hit a home run opening weekend at Miami. We will count on him heavily to be a consistent threat in our lineup and play all three outfield spots at a high level.”

 

 

 

 

 

INF- Demetrius Sims 6’2” 185 lbs (R/R) Redshirt Freshman, Bethune Cookman
Demetrius Sims is another welcomed addition to the 2015 roster for Wisconsin Rapids. He has started all 10 games this season at shortstop for Bethune-Cookman after redshirting his first year at the school. He currently leads the team with 25 assists from the infield. He has also scored 4 runs in his 10 games with the Wildcats this season. Sims is no stranger to summer collegiate baseball as he was an All-Star in the Florida Collegiate League last summer where he posted a .350 batting average in 40 games.

During his final prep season he was named the Washtenaw County Player of the Year after batting .323 with 14 runs batted in, and 41 runs scored while leading his team to a district championship. Athleticism runs in the Sims family as his older brother Dion plays tight end for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. The freshman is an Ann Arbor, Michigan native, so he will have a chance to travel back to his home state when the Rafters visit Kalamazoo and Battle Creek this summer.

“Demetrius is an exciting young player,” said Rafters field manager Craig Noto. “Last summer in the Florida Collegiate League he garnered a spot on the Top 10 Prospects List after redshirting at Bethune-Cookman. He’s a mature fielder and has outstanding range with an above average arm. He brings a great energy level to the ball park every day and should be a great table setter for us offensively.”

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The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters 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), Allen Craig (BOS) and Ben Zobrist (OAK). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website.  For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com.