Two Return for 2020 Campaign
February 20, 2020 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Kalamazoo Growlers News Release
The 2020 Kalamazoo Growlers Season will feature the return of two players to the organization. Adam Wheaton and Jake Topolski will return to Homer Stryker Field this summer.
This recruiting update is presented byÃÂ OnStaff Group. OnStaff Group is the largest human resource services firm in Southwest Michigan, maintaining an exceptionally experienced and stable staff.ÃÂ Learn how your company can benefitÃÂ from over 168 years of expertise from a vast variety of organizations and industries today!
RHP Adam Wheaton, 6'1", (R/R) Junior, Trine University (NCAA- Division III)
Wheaton, a Kalamazoo native, will be in his third year with the Growlers organization. Over the course of his 2019 summer, the righty made nine starts and 11 total appearances with a 3.48 ERA. He amassed 62 innings, striking out 46 while only allowing 15 walks. One of Wheaton's highlight performances came June 3 in a 3-0 victory over the Rockford Rivets in which Wheaton threw a four-hit, complete game shutout.
A starter in all of his 11 appearances for Trine University in 2019, Wheaton threw three complete games and led the team in innings pitched (58.1), strikeouts (61) and ERA by a starter (3.09). He finished 4-4 in his decisions and walked 13 batters all season.
During the 2018 summer, Wheaton appeared in 11 games, starting seven. He sat at a 3-3 record, throwing 31 K's and a 3.69 ERA in 48.2 innings. Wheaton's older brother, Ben, also donned a Growlers jersey at the same position.
Wheaton attended Hackett Central Catholic High School and earned the 2017 Kalamazoo Gazette Baseball Players of the Year honor during his senior year. He threw 68 innings, striking out 114 and only allowing three earned runs.
INF Jake Topolski, 6'0", (R/R) Sophomore, Duke University
Over the course of last summer, Topolski hit .227 over 58 regular season games. He collected 41 totals hits, including five doubles and three home runs, 21 RBIs and 30 runs scored. He walked 25 times and was hit by pitches on three occasions to bring his summer on-base percentage to .330. Defensively, Topolski was used primarily in the middle infield while also making a few starts at third base.
Topolski redshirted for Duke in 2019 and after the first series of this season, Topolski was used as a pinch-runner and scored in a 9-8 win over Army.
A Medford, N.J. native, Topolski was a three-sport athlete at Lenape High School in New Jersey playing baseball, football and basketball. He was the 2018 Courier Post Male Athlete of the Year. On the diamond, Topolski was ranked the number four shortstop in New Jersey and number 43 overall prospect by Perfect Game, while also being among Perfect Game's Top 500 overall prospects. He hit .360 with 27 hits, seven home runs and 22 RBIs in his senior season and was a 2018 Rawlings-Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American.
Northwoods League Stories from February 20, 2020
- Dock Spiders to Host "Baseball at the Bank" Event - Fond du Lac Dock Spiders
- Rafters Reach Extension Agreement for Lease at Witter Field - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Express Alumni Update: Noah Denoyer - Eau Claire Express
- Two Return for 2020 Campaign - Kalamazoo Growlers
- Five Return for 2020 Campaign - Kalamazoo Growlers
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.
