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WAUSAU, WI – September
20, 2007 – Former
Wisconsin Woodchucks Darin Ruf, Blake Martin, and Willy Kesler
were recently named top prospects in the Northwoods League,
according to Perfect Game Crosschecker and Baseball America.
Perfect Game
Crosschecker listed Ruf as the 7th best prospect in
the NWL, while Martin was 11th and Kesler was 15th.
Baseball America also tabbed Martin as the 9th
best prospect in the league.
Ruf, a first-baseman
from Creighton, led the 2007 Woodchucks in numerous offensive
categories. The
Omaha, Nebraska native was the team leader in runs scored (40),
hits (69), doubles (16), home runs (8), RBI (34), slugging
percentage (.558), and on-base percentage (.459).
Martin, a left-handed
pitcher from Louisiana State University, was a solid reliever
coming out of the Woodchucks bullpen this summer.
He finished the season with a record of 2-1 and a 2.72
ERA in 39.2 innings pitched. Baseball America ranked Martin as the 3rd best NWL
prospect in 2005 when he played for the Waterloo Bucks.
Kesler, a 6’0”
right-handed pitcher from Lamar Community College, was the
Woodchucks’ opening day starter in 2007.
Opposing batters had a difficult time getting on base
versus Kesler, who walked only 14 hitters in 75+ innings and
yielded an opponent batting average of .224.
He finished the year 4-6 in 12 starts with a 2.74 ERA.
Kesler, who will be playing at the University of New
Mexico this upcoming season, led the Woodchucks pitching staff
with 86 strikeouts.
The
Wisconsin Woodchucks are a member of the Northwoods League, a
college wood bat summer league featuring players from across the
country. Baseball
America named the Northwoods League as one of the premier summer
collegiate baseball leagues in the country.
For ticket information contact the Woodchucks office at
715-845-5055.
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