Normal, Illinois - The Normal CornBelters, presented by the Illinois Corn Farmers, recently signed their five players. RHP pitcher Jarrett Coker and LHP Alex Smith, C/1B Ryan Boelsen and OF Tim Rawlings, and INF Mike Garcia are the first-ever additions to the roster.
Coker, 24, attended Columbus State University in Georgia where he was a part of the All-Conference first team in 2009. The 6’2”, 190 lb right handed pitcher signed with the White Sox as a non drafted free agent in August of 2009 to the Great Falls Voyagers of the Pioneer League. He was 3-2 with a 5.32 ERA and .289 opponent batting average in his rookie season with the Voyagers.
Smith, 25, born in Virginia Beach, Virginia, attended the University of Virginia and was signed to the Sussex SkyHawks in the Can-Am league in 2009. The left handed pitcher was 0-1 with a 4.40 ERA and a .293 opponent battling average in his first professional season with the SkyHawks. “
Boelsen, 23, comes to the CornBelters as a double threat able to play both catcher and first base. The Garden City, New York native attended Adelphi College where he was named to the first team All-Conference in the ECC. Recently, Boelsen played for the Sussex SkyHawks of the Can-Am league where he had a .224 average in 49 at bats.
Rawlings, standing 6’0” and 210 lb, played for Augusta State University after coming off a very successful start to his college career with the College of Lake County in Illinois. Originally from Mundelein, IL, Rawlings batted .393 with five home runs and 12 doubles. The catcher also proved to be at the top of his game with 39 stolen bases.
Garcia earned his communications degree from Newman University where he was named the 2007 male student athlete of the year. He led the team with a .400 batting average and 42 RBIs while also maintaining a 3.8 GPA. In 2009 Garcia signed with the Joliet Jackhammers of the Northern League. This past summer he had a .286 average in 49 at bats, 14 hits and 7 RBIs.