The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are excited to welcome Noah Beal, Grant Manning, and returner Collin Kiernan.

Kiernan is currently in his fifth year at Kean University. He began his college career at Rutgers University in 2018, and he is in his fourth season at Kean.  Kiernan is a returner to the Rafters, in 2021 he threw 31.1 innings, compiled a 1-1 record, and recorded 40 strikeouts to only 10 walks.  So far during Kiernan’s 2022 campaign at Kean, he has a 

7-0 record with a 2.48 ERA, and 72 strikeouts to only 14 walks. He would like for Larry David to portray him in a movie and a film that never gets old to Kiernan is “Shawshank Redemption.”

“I’m looking forward to playing some really good competition in the Northwoods Leagues,” said Kiernan. “The league brings in great players from all across the country and that’s something to look forward to.  As a returner to the Rafters, I would just like to say I’m very happy to have the opportunity to come back and play in front of such wonderful fans.”

Noah Beal is playing in his sophomore season at UNLV.  This season, the Clovis, California native has thrown 30.2 innings, compiling a 6.75 ERA and 18 strikeouts to 14 walks.  Beal was a two-way player in high school and a very good one.  He hit .355 his senior season at Clovis High School while posting a 0.55 ERA in the COVID shortened season of 2020.  In 2019, Beal was named the MVP of the 2019 California Baseball Coaches’ Association series for his pitching and hitting in the three-game series between the northern and southern portions of the state. 

Grant Manning is currently in his third season at Chapman University, but due to COVID, he is still a freshman on the field.  Manning has made 20 appearances in his career across three seasons compiling a career 3.16 ERA.  In 2022, Manning is off to his best start, with a 2.56 ERA, and 59 strikeouts to 12 walks  Manning has never played in the Northwoods League but did play summer league baseball in 2021 with the Sag Harbor Whalers of the Hamptons Collegiate League. 

“I’m looking forward to the competitive environment that the Northwoods League provides,” said Manning. “It’s one of the best summer leagues out there, and it really is an honor to be able to play with the Rafters. These past few years have been wild for everyone, but for at least just a few hours in the day I really hope to let everyone in the stands forget all of the trouble going on outside and just provide some entertainment for the fans. I look forward to meeting everyone this summer, and let’s make this year a good one.” 

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The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 27th season, the Northwoods 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 245 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and MLB All-Star Jordan Zimmermann (DET). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. 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