As Spring Training begins around the Frontier League, the Windy City ThunderBolts are adding reinforcements to an already talented roster. After tryout camps concluded this week, the ThunderBolts announced three new signings.
With their first pick in the Frontier League Draft and the tenth overall, Windy City selected catcher Larry Pempek, who most recently played at Northern Kentucky University. In his senior season in 2010, Pempek hit .351 in 33 games. He had five home runs and 23 RBI. The Bolts have had success in the past selecting catchers in the draft. The last one they grabbed was Zach Aakhus in 2009. Aakhus went on to win the 2010 batting title.
Outfielder Lenell McGee was the second round draft choice. McGee attended Mount Carmel High School in Chicago before beginning his professional ball career. He spent three seasons in the Dodgers system, rising to Class A in 2010 when he played for the Great Lakes Loons. He was a .235 hitter at Great Lakes with a .340 on-base percentage. McGee also has some Frontier League experience, having appeared in 11 games for the Southern Illinois Miners last year.
Windy City also made a move this week at their tryout camp, signing Austin Brough, a pitcher out of Western Illinois University. During his senior season in 2010, Brough went 1-4 with an 8.56 ERA in 22 appearances for the Leathernecks.
The Windy City ThunderBolts are a member of the twelve-team Frontier League, the oldest professional independent baseball league in the nation. The ThunderBolts open the 2011 season at Standard Bank Stadium on Thursday, May 19th. Season tickets, flex plans, and all group tickets (including suites, picnics, party box, & spa) are on sale now! Single-game tickets for the 2011 season go on sale Saturday, April 30th. For more information please call 708.489.BALL or visit wcthunderbolts.com.
