Rafters Sign Two Hurlers to Pitching Staff

Another familiar face will be returning to the mound at Witter Field this summer. Today the Rafters announced the return of left-handed pitcher Alex Jackson to the pitching staff. Jackson will be joined by a fresh face from Chapman University, right-handed pitcher Jonathan Hernandez.

“Alex adds another established arm back to our pitching staff for the upcoming season,” said Rafters GM John Fanta. “This will be the first time we’ve partnered with Chapman University but feel very strongly about the recommendation we received from our former skipper Scott Laverty, who is the head guy there. They’re setting Jonathan up to be their closer this spring and we look forward to watching him at Witter Field this summer.”

Jonathan Hernandez

Alex Jackson

Alex Jackson’s veteran presence and solid left arm are a welcoming sight for the Rafters. Last summer, Jackson appeared in 14 games for the team while recording 15 strikeouts over 19 innings. In addition, he posted a 1-0 record with a 2.79 ERA. Currently, Jackson is getting set to pitch his sophomore season with Heartland Community College. Alex is originally from Mahomet, Illinois.

Jackson will be joined on the mound by new teammate Jonathan Hernandez. Jonathan is heading into his junior season with Chapman University in California. The righty has had a successful career with the Panthers the past two seasons. Last year he pitched in 13 games and had a record of 4-3 with a 3.60 ERA. In 25 innings, he recorded 19 strikeouts and one save. Former Rafters Field Manager Scott Laverty is now the head coach at Chapman and is setting him up to take over the closer role this spring for the Panthers. Hernandez is also a veteran of summer collegiate baseball as he played in the California Collegiate League the past two years. Hernandez is a native of San Mateo, California.

Jackson, Hernandez and the rest of the 2018 Wisconsin Rapids Rafters will begin their season on the road against the Madison Mallards on Tuesday, May 29^th. The Home Opener is slated for Friday, June 1^st against the Wisconsin Woodchucks. The entire 2018 Rafters schedule is available at www.raftersbaseball.com.

The Rafters are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Entering its 25th anniversary season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 20 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 185 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 (TOR). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Rafters as your favorite team.