Lefties Bill and Organ to Return to Rafters
Jan 28, 2012
Wisconsin Rapids, WI – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters announced the return of two key left handed pitchers who played important roles during the first two seasons of Rafters baseball. Tommy Organ (North Florida), who led all 2010 Rafters pitchers in strikeouts joins 2011 starter Augey Bill (Arizona) in what is shaping up to be a strong rotation for first-year manager Jake Martin.
“We are extremely excited to have both Tommy and Augey return to Wisconsin Rapids for the 2011 season,” said assistant general manager John Fanta. “Both players have already experienced a great deal of success in the Northwoods League and we look forward to having their leadership on the 2012 team.”
LHP-Tommy Organ, 6’5”, 180 lbs (L/L) Junior, North Florida [pictured left]
After leading the Inaugural Season Rafters pitching staff in strikeouts in 2010, Tommy Organ will return to Wisconsin Rapids following his junior season at North Florida this spring. Last spring, Organ appeared in 15 games (8 starts) for the Ospreys and posted a 4.12 ERA. In 43.2 innings he struck out 44 batters and posted a 4-2 record during his sophomore season, subsequently being named to the 2011 Atlantic Sun Conference All-Academic Team.
Following his freshman year at North Florida, Organ appeared in 16 games for the Rafters, making 8 starts. He posted a 1-3 record to go along with a 4.39 ERA and struck out a team-high 54 batters in 53.1 innings of work. Arguably his best pitching performance of the season occurred on July 23rd at Wausau, after transitioning from bullpen to starting duty. In 6.1 innings against the Woodchucks, Organ allowed only 2 hits while striking out a season-high 11 batters. He allowed only one unearned run in the dominant performance.
The Chicago, Illinois native appeared in 15 games out of the North Florida bullpen while posting a 4.56 ERA as a freshman. In 25.2 innings he struck out 19 batters and also compiled 3 saves. He currently resides in Tarpon Springs, Florida.
LHP-Augey Bill, 6’8”, 220 lbs (L/L) Junior, Arizona [pictured right]
After redshirting his sophomore year, Bill proved to be a very consistent and durable force for the 2011 Rafters pitching staff. After joining the team mid-season, Bill appeared in 8 games (7 starts) and posted a 3-1 record and 4.10 ERA. Spanning 37.1 innings on the mound, Bill allowed only 32 hits while striking out 36 batters and only allowing 13 walks.
In 17 games (1 start) for the Arizona Wildcats as a true freshman in 2010, Bill posted a 4.40 ERA in 14.1 innings on the mound. Opponents posted a miniscule .218 batting average against him, the lowest mark for any pitcher on the staff. He managed to strike out 14 batters in as many innings, while allowing only one extra base hit. Bill is a native of Danville, California and is currently enrolled in the College of Engineering at Arizona, with a major in aerospace engineering.
Former Buck Jennings on Marlins 40-Man Roster
Jan 12, 2012
Miami, FL - This fall former Waterloo Bucks pitcher Dan Jennings was promoted to the Miami Marlins' 40-man roster. Jennings, who is originally from West Des Moines, Iowa, was one of four Miami Minor Leaguers to be placed on the team's 40-man roster.
The left-handed Jennings, who played with the Waterloo Bucks in 2006 and 2007, was drafted by the Marlins in the ninth round of the 2008 MLB Amateur Entry Draft. Jennings has played in Miami's minor league system since 2008. In 2011, Jennings started the season with the Double A Jacksonville Suns of the Southern League and was moved up to Triple A where he played for the New Orleans Zephyrs of the Pacific Coast League. For the summer, Jennings compiled a 5-4 record, a 5.27 ERA, and 56 strikeouts in 56.1 innings.
A University of Nebraska product, Jennings appeared in 33 games for the Bucks in his two seasons with Waterloo, which is tied for the 10th most on the Bucks' career list. With Waterloo, Jennings owns a career 6-7 record with a 2.59 ERA (seventh best for a career in the Bucks' record books) and 99 strikeouts in 125.1 innings pitched. His 15 games started and three complete games both rank in the top 10 for a career with Waterloo. In his final season with the Bucks, Jennings finished the season with a 2.01 ERA, which is tied for the seventh best mark in a single season for Waterloo.
Jennings joins former Bucks right-handed pitcher Evan Reed on the Marlins' 40-man roster. Both played in the Arizona Fall League for the Surprise Saguaros in this offseason. Jennings saw action in nine games and had a 3.95 ERA, while Reed held a 2.57 ERA in 12 appearances.
