Honkers Continue to Play While Roster Takes Shape
Published on June 21, 2013 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Rochester Honkers News Release
Rochester,MN - Through the first three weeks of the 2013 season, the Rochester Honkers have seen many faces come and go, but have still managed to stay above the .500 mark and compete for a first-half season title.
Nine members of the 2013 Honkers roster got the call from the 2013 First-Year Player Draft in early-June. Chad Wallach (Cal State Fullerton,) DJ Snelten (Minnesota,) Kenny Mathews (Riverside City Community College,) and Cole Wiper (Oregon) were all selected in the first ten rounds of the draft and signed without putting on a Honkers uniform in 2013.
Toby Thomas (Pensacola State,) selected in the 21st round by the Chicago White Sox, and Jordan Milbrath (Augustana College,) in the 35th round by the Cleveland Indians, each signed their professional contracts after making contributions for Rochester this season. Thomas hit .216 with 4 RBI and three stolen bases in 12 games as the Honkers shortstop. He also made one appearance on the mound. Milbrath, who was in his second season with the team, went 0-2 with one save while compiling an 8.47 ERA.
The draft was not the source to take players from the Honkers roster, as Steve Serratore (Des Moines Area Community College) and Elliott Engle (Doane College) were both shut down due to injuries. Serratore, the Austin, MN native, was shut down by the Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine because of an injury to his right arm. In 11 games with the Honkers, Serratore hit .278 with a homerun. Engle saw his third season in Rochester cut short after experiencing soreness in his shoulder. He made four appearances on the season, posting a 1.42 ERA in 12.2 innings.
The signings and injuries have opened the door for four players who signed temporary contracts and will be extended to full-time players. Pitchers Brandon Stennis (Doane College,) Alex Tenorio (Menlo College,) and West Concord, MN native, Logan Spitzack (St. Cloud State) have all earned a roster spot as they all have an ERA under 3.20 this season. Catcher Matt Halloran (Minnesota) will be extended from a temporary player to a full-time player for a second consecutive season.
Nick Dolsky (Oklahoma State) has also returned for a fourth summer with the Honkers. Dolsky allowed just one unearned run on four hits in four innings in his first start of the season. Jared Deacon (Cal State Fullerton) has also joined the Honkers roster due to Serratore and Wallach leaving. Deacon, a back-up to Wallach at Cal State Fullerton, has drove in four runs in his first two games for Rochester.
As the roster continues to form, the players on the field will look to continue the recent success of a seven-game winning streak and climb in the North Division standings.
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