As the first month of independent baseball comes to a close, many former CWL players are contributing greatly to their teams. In the CWL’s first five years, over 300 players have received contracts to play at all levels of professional baseball. Here are just a few of the many players who are finding success early in the 2014 campaign.
Justin Vasquez (’13) – Vasquez is currently 2nd in the entire Frontier League in hitting. The lefty outfielder is scorching hot with a .367 average through 21 games for the third place Schaumberg Boomers, managed by Jaime Bennett, a CWL instructor. The versatile Vasquez is also tied for first on the team with 12 RBIs and is second on the team with 4 stolen bases. Justin also was a major contributor to the 2013 Boomers, as he had the game winning hit in Game 2 of the championship series that saw Schaumberg take home the Frontier League title.
Marquis Riley (’13) – Riley is also finding success in the Frontier League. The speedy infielder, after turning a successful trip to the CWL into a contract with the Atlanta Braves, has found a home in Joliet. Riley is currently 4th on the Slammers with a .293 average through 21 games. He’s also provided some run production as he is 3rd on the squad with 7 RBIs.
Cole Brocker (’14) – Brocker has been dominant out of the bullpen for the Normal Cornbelters. Brocker has struck out 24 in 18 innings, sporting a 1.50 ERA while going 1-0 with 1 save. The former Oregon State Beaver has appeared in 9 games and has been anything but normal for the Cornbelters.
Michael Schaub (’14) – Schaub, another righty from the most recent CWL, has been even more unhittable than Brocker. Schaub is 1-1 out of the Rockford Aviators’ bullpen but is not letting the opposition put up any runs. In 12 innings so far, the former Milwaukee Brewer prospect has struck out 13 with a miniscule 0.75 ERA.
Michael Hur (’14) – Hur came into the 2014 CWL with successful numbers in the Frontier League and came out of it with a contract in the American Association. The multi-talented outfielder, who also tops 90 on the bump, is batting .299 for the Grand Prairie Airhogs. He’s also driven in 10 while contributing 2 stolen bases as well.
These are just a few of the success stories from the CWL. We’d also like to recognize and congratulate Nick Schulz (’14), who’s season starts tomorrow with the Padres’ Class A affiliate in Eugene. We are confident that Schulz will find much of the same success that many of his CWL peers have as well. Be sure to check back here for more updates on CWL alumni.
