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 Schaumburg Boomers

Schulz Sold to Padres, Three Added in Tryout Camp Draft

April 30, 2014 - Frontier League (FL)
Schaumburg Boomers News Release


SCHAUMBURG, Ill. - Prior to the start of Spring Training on May 1, the 2013 Champion Schaumburg Boomers have sold the contract of outfielder Nick Schulz to the San Diego Padres and added three to the roster at the annual Frontier League Tryout Camp Draft with the selection of IF/OF Mark Nelson out of Florida Atlantic University, former Kansas City Royals prospect RHP Joe Karlik and RHP Heith Hatfield from the University of Memphis.

Schulz was preparing to report to Spring Training in Schaumburg before the Padres called. Despite never officially donning a Boomers uniform, the San Jose State star becomes the fifth member of the Schaumburg Boomers to have his contract purchased by a Major League Baseball organization in the last eight months. Prior Boomers purchased by MLB teams are INF Gerard Hall, P/OF Sean Mahley and INF Steve McQuail, who all went to the Arizona Diamondbacks after the 2013 season and RHP Edwin Carl, who joined the Los Angeles Dodgers organization in July 2013.

Nelson, 23, helped lead Florida Atlantic University to their second-ever Sun Belt Conference Tournament Championship in 2013. In 162 careergames at FAU, Nelson owns a .273/.377/.412 stat line with 24 doubles, 14 homers and 97 runs batted in. A preseason All-Sun Belt Conference selection in 2013 and a two-time Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week, Nelson was one of those rare players who drew more career walks (81) than strikeouts (75) as a member of the Owls.

Karlik, 25, joins the Boomers after appearing in nine games with the Royals in 2012 before an injury ended his season and caused him to miss all of 2013. In 10.2 innings of work as a professional, Karlik owns a 2.45 ERA with five strikeouts and seven games finished.

Hatfield, 23, comes to Schaumburg after a four-year career at the University of Memphis. The Bartlett, Tenn. native is coming off his best season in 2013, where the senior earned a 4-2 record with a 3.67 ERA, two saves and 39 strikeouts over 41.2 innings and 21 appearances out of the bullpen for the Tigers. For his career as a pitcher, Hatfield boasts a 10-9 record with a 5.63 ERA to go along with seven saves and 113 strikeouts in 123 innings pitched.

The Annual Tryout Camp has been in place for all 22 seasons of the Frontier League. A record number 334 players pre-registered and with approximately 50 walk-up signups, that makes a total of around 384 participants at the two-day tryouts. Eight players from the 2012 and 2013 drafts have been signed by MLB organizations and eight MLB clubs had scouts in attendance in 2014.

The Boomers in particular have had a great deal of success finding talent at the Tryout Camp with 2012's second and third round selections, Sean Mahley and Chad Mozingo respectively, each earning a trip to the Frontier League All-Star Game. Mahley was also a two-time selection and the Most Valuable Player at the 2013 Frontier League All-Star Game. The 2012 first round selection, Jose Rodriguez, was a solid contributor on the pitching staff before being lost for the season in 2013 due to an arm injury.

With the additions of Nelson, Karlik and Hatfield, the Boomers officially have 35 players signed to contracts for the 2014 season. The latest additions will join outfielders Alexi Colon, K.C. Judge, Bobby Martin, Matt Petrone, Justin Vasquez andZac Zdanowicz; pitchers Hunter Ackerman, Kayvon Bahramzadeh, Gilbert Barrara, James Bierlein, Cal Bowling, Max Duval, Seafth Howe, Danny Jimenez, Clark Labitan, Matt Lamothe, Sean Mahley, Dexter Price, Charle Rosario, ErikShannahan, AnthonySmith and Seth Webster; catchers Michael Valadez, Ty Nelson and Cody Coffman; and infielders Denver Chavez, Jordan Dean, Ben Kline, Brian McConkey, Ryan Normoyle, Tyler Sciacca and Cameron Sherrer on the final Spring Training Roster, with Media Day and the first workout scheduled for May 1.

The Schaumburg Boomers open the 2014 season with Championship Weekend featuring three straight days of fireworks and giveaways along with the Ring Ceremony on Friday, May 23 when the Boomers open against the Florence Freedom at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available now by calling 847.461.3695, online atwww.boomersbaseball.com or in person at the Boomers Stadium Box Office located at 1999 S. Springinsguth Road in Schaumburg.


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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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