(Pictured: Mitchell McGeein, photo courtesy of Eastern Michigan Athletics)

McGeein and Molitor Supply Right-Handed Depth To Lineup

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters have announced the additions of infielder Mitchell McGeein (Eastern Michigan) and outfielder Blake Molitor (Illinois State) to the 2015 roster.  Both players also bring versatility to manager Craig Noto’s lineup as they can play multiple positions.

“We’re very excited to add these two power bats to our lineup this summer,” said Rafters  general manager John Fanta. “We look for both to be perfect fits in our home ballpark with the raw power to hit the ball out of the ballpark that they both possess.”

IF – Mitchell McGeein 6’1” 210 lbs (R/R) Junior, Eastern Michigan
Mitchell McGeein is off to a strong start this spring, starting all 21 games for the Eagles and leading the team with a .329 batting average and 14 runs driven in. His marks for home runs (7) and slugging percentage (.671) top the Mid American Conference leaderboards as well. His seven home runs rank him tied for the third most in college baseball. McGeein recorded a 12 game hitting streak already this season, batting primarily out of the cleanup spot. In his first two years at Eastern Michigan, McGeein showed a power stroke as well hitting six doubles in each year, and knocking out five and four home runs in his freshman and sophomore seasons respectively. He is a native of Calgary, Alberta, Canada and majoring in Biology.

OF – Blake Molitor 6’1” 219 lbs (R/R) Junior, Illinois State
Blake Molitor enters his first season with the Redbird program following two years at Des Moines Area Community College. In his sophomore season with DMACC Molitor hit .294 with 13 doubles, 12 home runs, and 53 runs batted in, garnering first team all-district and honorable mention all-conference honors. His strong 2014 season followed up a freshman campaign that saw Molitor earn first team all-conference honors after hitting .306 and tallying 16 doubles, six home runs, and 38 RBIs. As a high school player in Minnesota, Molitor was a two time first-team all-state selection in his junior and senior seasons and was named a Mr. Baseball award finalist following his senior season. He is a native of Plymouth, Minnesota and is majoring in Business Administration.

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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.