Former Rafters Wheeler, Koback Excel in Minor Leagues

(Pictured left to right: Beck Wheeler and Cody Koback)

Wisconsin Rapids, WI-September 2, 2011.  With the minor league baseball season coming to a close this past week, it’s time to take a look at new chapters that were written for a couple of former Rafters who began their professional baseball careers this summer. 

One year removed from donning a Rafters uniform, Beck Wheeler found himself competing in the minor leagues for the New York Mets rookie affiliate, the Gulf Coast League Mets.

Wheeler signed a free agent contract with the Mets as a pitcher earlier this summer, a role that he will try to evolve into after being mostly an infielder during college.  After playing third base and shortstop at UC-Santa Barbara and with the Rafters last summer, Wheeler is now toeing the rubber for the Mets in hopes of moving up the Mets’ minor league ladder on the mound.  He was very impressive in his new role this season, to say the least. 

In 14 games, spanning 20.2 innings, Wheeler allowed just eight hits and two earned runs for a miniscule 0.87 ERA.  He struck out 20 batters while holding opponents to a .121 batting average, showing flashes of brilliance to go along with his fastball that sits in the low 90s.  He also recorded two saves to go along with a perfect 3-0 record.

“I had an opportunity to work out in front of one of their scouts and things went well,” said Wheeler earlier this summer.  “Pitching is still relatively new to me, but I think the Mets’ organization felt that was a good thing because I can learn to pitch the way they would like me to.”

 (Cody Koback)

Another former Rafter, Cody Koback, left the team in mid-July after signing a professional contract with the Boston Red Sox, who made him a 10th Round Selection in the 2011 June MLB First-Year Player Draft.  Koback was assigned to the Gulf Coast League Red Sox, which is the same league as Wheeler’s Gulf Coast League Mets.

Like Wheeler, Koback also got off to a solid start in his professional career.  Making his debut on August 1st, Koback went 1-for-3 with a double and did not look back.  In 19 minor league games, Koback posted a .291 batting average (16-for-55), with one home run and eight RBI.  He also carried a .426 on-base-percentage and scored 11 runs.

In 28 games for the Rafters this summer, Koback led the team with a .287 batting average (33-for-115) while tallying seven doubles, four triples, nine RBI, and scoring 16 runs.  He also was 9-for-11 in stolen base attempts.

Koback lead the 2010 Rafters squad in multiple offensive categories including games played (58), hits (58), runs scored (30), batting average (.305), on base percentage (.404), hit by pitch (12), slugging percentage (.405), while also tying for the team lead in home runs (4).  He appeared in the 2010 Northwoods League All-Star Game in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and went 1-for-2 with a triple in that game.

Koback recently wrapped up his junior season at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, slugging his way back from an injury shortened sophomore year to lead the WIAC in multiple offensive categories including slugging percentage (.696), runs (68), and total bases (112). Koback led the Pointers squad in multiple categories as well, leading or holding a share of the lead in on base percentage (.518), home runs (7), steals (16), and RBI (46).

The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are members of the 16-team summer collegiate Northwoods League. The Rafters will play a 70 game schedule with 35 home games in 2012. Reserve your 2012 ticket packages today by calling 715-424-5400, or in person by stopping by the Rafters office at Historic Witter Field.  For more information visit www.raftersbaseball.com.

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