SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — Prior to the first day of Spring Training, the Schaumburg Boomers and Manager Jamie Bennett announced the signings of a pair of local high school superstars in Fenwick High School alum and former Kansas City Royals prospect Mike Giovenco and St. Charles North southpaw and former Cleveland Indians farmhand Danny Jimenez.

Giovenco, 25, comes to the Boomers after three seasons in the Kansas City Royals organization after being drafted in the 14th round of the 2010 MLB First Year Player Draft. The 6-foot-6 right-hander racked up 142 strikeouts over 70 appearances in the Royals system. Prior to playing in the pros, Giovenco became the all-time single-season leader in strikeouts at North Park University after he fanned 101 batters in 2010. The Fenwick High School alum earned First Team All-Region Honors and was named to All-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin First Team in both 2009 and 2010.

Jimenez, 23, was originally drafted in the 37th round of the 2008 MLB First Year Player Draft out of St. Charles North but chose to attend John A Logan College in Carterville, Ill. for one year prior to starting his professional career. As a freshman at John A. Logan, Jimenez posted a 6-2 record with a sparkling 2.02 ERA over 12 appearances. For his professional career, Jimenez boasts a 3.47 earned run average in 212.2 innings to go along with a 13-11 record and 155 strikeouts.

With the additions of Giovenco and Jimenez, the Boomers now have 36 players signed to contracts with Spring Training now underway. Both of the newest Boomers will join pitchers James Bierlien, Tony Delmonico, Cody Griebling, Scott Hays, Dan Lazzaroni, James Jones, Matt Kuna, Joe Parsons, Delvin Perez, Daniel Petitti, Chris Phelan, Dexter Price, Jose Rodriguez, Cam Roth and Tyler Ware; catchers Max Garza, Ty Nelson and Mike Valadez; infielders Eric Barnes, Mike Demperio, Gerard Hall, Michael Lynch, Jordan Marks, Brian McConkey, Steve McQuail, Ryan Miller and Frank Pfister; and outfielders Mike Bolling, Blake Helm, Sean Mahley, Bobby Martin, Chad Mozingo and Trevor Willis.

The Boomers Spring Training roster is now set and all 36 will by vying for a spot on the Opening Day roster, which will consist of between 22-24 players. Tickets are on sale now for the sophomore season of Boomers Baseball and with May 16 rapidly approaching, get your hands on the best seats available now by calling 847.461.3695, visiting www.boomersbaseball.com or stopping by the Boomers Stadium Box Office.

TRANSACTION LIST

5/2/13: Signed RHP Mike Giovenco and LHP Danny Jimenez

PLAYER BIOS (Listed Alphabetically)

Mike Giovenco – RHP

Fenwick High School and North Park University standout Mike Giovenco signed with the Boomers on May 2, 2013 as a free agent.

Giovenco, 25, comes to the Boomers after three seasons in the Kansas City Royals organization after being drafted in the 14th round of the 2010 MLB First Year Player Draft. For his career, Giovenco owns a 5.14 ERA, and a 6-11 record in 138.1 professional innings. The 6’6” right-hander also racked up 142 strikeouts over 70 appearances in the Royals system.

Prior to playing in the pros, Giovenco became the all-time single-season leader in strikeouts at North Park University after he fanned 101 batters in 2010, bettering his own team record of 87 set the previous year in 2009. For his three-year career as a member of the Vikings Baseball Team, Giovenco amassed 247 strikeouts in 213 innings to go along with an 18-14 record and a 4.23 ERA. In both 2009 and 2010, Giovenco earned First Team All-Region Honors and was also named to All-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin First Team.

While at North Park, Giovenco competed against INF Ryan Miller and Boomers Director of Marketing and Media Ed McCaskey in the CCIW while both played for nearby Wheaton College.

Danny Jimenez – LHP

Former St. Charles North High School standout Danny Jimenez signed with the Boomers as a free agent on May 2, 2013 after four seasons in the Cleveland Indians system.

Jimenez, 23, was originally drafted in the 37th round of the 2008 MLB First Year Player Draft out of St. Charles North but chose to attend John A Logan College in Carterville, Ill. for one year prior to starting his professional career.  As a freshman at John A. Logan, Jimenez posted a 6-2 record with a sparkling 2.02 ERA over 12 appearances. The left-hander tossed 89.1 innings and surrendered just 20 earned runs and 70 hits while also racking up 94 strikeouts.

The decision definitely paid off as after a sensational season in college, the Cleveland Indians took Jimenez in the 23rd round of the 2009 draft. After two great seasons in the Arizona League, Jimenez put together his best campaign as a pro with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers in the New York-Penn League. In 71.2 innings, Jimenez earned a 4-3 record, a 2.39 ERA and was named to the All-Star Team. For his professional career, Jimenez boasts a 3.47 earned run average in 212.2 innings to go along with a 13-11 record and 155 strikeouts.