Rivets Add Illini
Published on April 6, 2016 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Rockford Rivets News Release
LOVES PARK, Ill. - The University of Illinois baseball program burst onto the national scene last season with a Big Ten pennant, a program-record 50 wins, and a deep run in an NCAA superregional. Two Illini freshmen will help the Rockford Rivets compete for a Northwoods League title this summer.
The Rivets announced on Wednesday that it had signed pitcher Cole Bellair and third baseman/outfielder Brenden Spillane for its NWL season.
Bellair's 2.48 earned-run average leads the Illini. He's 0-1 after nine appearances, four as a starter, and has a 2-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
"Cole was a dominating high school pitcher in Chicago and highly recruited around the country," Rivets manager Brian Smith said. "His ability to repeat his delivery is what makes him so successful. His future is extremely bright. Cole has already proven to be a front line starter and a back end of the bullpen arm. However it shapes up, Cole is going to be a player to watch for in the NWL."
In each of his last two years at Lockport Township High School, Bellair averaged more than a strikeout an inning.
As a senior at Wheeling High School last spring, Spillane was named by USA Today to its all-state first team. Four games into his college career, Spillane is 0-for-8.
"Brenden is an extremely toolsy player," Smith said. "He's a big-bodied kid with can run and hit for power. Brenden will see a lot of time in the outfield and at a corner infield position this summer. His size and athleticism will allow us to be flexible with him. He has made a few mechanical adjustments at school and is slowing gaining more confidence. The (Pittsburgh) Pirates saw enough of Brenden to draft him in the 34th round last year. Once he gets used to the speed of the college game, Brenden is going to be a force to be wreckin' with."
Northwoods League Stories from April 6, 2016
- Bullfrogs Announce Alternate Cheese Jersey - Green Bay Rockers
- Rivets Add Illini - Rockford Rivets
- Pair with Major League Ties Return to Huskies for '16 Campaign - Duluth Huskies
- Naquin Makes MLB Debut - Mankato MoonDogs
- Express Sign Two from California - Eau Claire Express
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