RailCats Acquire Former Big 10 Star Mike Rohde
Gary, Ind.-The 2007 Northern League Champion Gary SouthShore RailCats Professional Baseball club announced today that infielder Mike Rohde (pronounced ROE-dee) has been acquired from Sioux Falls of the American Association as the player to be named later in a 2007 deal that sent left-handed pitcher Kris Regas from Gary to Sioux Falls.
Rohde, who starred at the University of Illinois, began his professional career in 2007 with Schaumburg of the Northern League where he was a contender for the league Rookie of the Year award. Rohde batted .318 with 15 doubles, two home runs, and 32 runs batted in while playing in 62 games, primarily at second base and the outfield. Rohde hit .400 with runners on base (100 at bats) and hit .414 with men in scoring position. He should provide a lift to a RailCats offense that did not feature a .300 hitter in 2007. First baseman Dave Detienne led the club in batting at .286.
Rohde was a first baseman and third baseman at Illinois where he spent three years, batting a combined .327 with 12 home runs and 130 runs batted in. He enjoyed his best season as a sophomore in 2005 when he earned 2nd Team All-Big 10 honors, batting .355 with four home runs and 38 runs batted in. Rohde batted .315 as a junior in 2006 and hit .316 as a senior in '07 with career highs in home runs (5), RBI (54), doubles (20) and stolen bases (11). Rohde put together a 17 game hitting streak with the Fighting Illini in 2007 and had a 14 gamer that stretched from late in the 2005 season into 2006. Rohde lettered as a freshman at the University of New Orleans.
Rohde was the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association Player of the Year in 2002 at Brookfield Central High School where he batted .609 in 21 conference games during his senior season. He was also named Greater Metro Conference Player of the Year and first team All-State in 2002 and was the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Player of the Year that same season while leading his team to the Wisconsin state championship. Rohde's father, Mark, played baseball at Valparaiso University from 1970-'72.
Rohde will still be classified as a Northern League rookie in 2008. The RailCats must keep a minimum of four rookies on the roster throughout the 2008 season to comply with league rules.
The RailCats begin defense of their 2007 Northern League title on May 15th when they host Joliet in the 2008 season opener. Call (219) 882-2255 for ticket information.
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