SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — After playing collegiately in Chicago at Robert Morris University, southpaw Rey Rodriguez begins his professional career with the defending Frontier League Champs after agreeing to terms on a contract today with the Schaumburg Boomers, presented by Wintrust Community Banks.

Rodriguez, 24, comes to Schaumburg after two unbelievable seasons at Robert Morris University. In 2012, Rodriguez was named a First-Team NAIA All-American, and in both 2012 and 2013, the lefty was named the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) Pitcher of the Year and was selected First Team All-Conference after posting otherworldly numbers on the mound.

For his career at RMU, the Venezuela native owns a sparkling 1.19 ERA over 23 appearances including 19 starts and an astounding 11 complete games with a staggering seven shutouts! With a scintillating 17-2 record, Rodriguez struck out 156 batters over 135.2 innings allowing just 18 earned runs and only 75 hits. Rodriguez also threw a no-hitter against Lindenwood-Belleville (Ill.) on March 22, 2013, recording seven strikeouts and two walks in the process.

With the addition of Rodriguez, the Boomers officially have 36 players signed to contracts for the 2014 season. All 36 of the following players are vying for what will likely be a 23-man Opening Day roster: outfielders Alexi Colon, K.C. Judge, Bobby Martin, Matt Petrone, Justin Vasquez and Zac Zdanowicz; pitchers Hunter Ackerman, Kayvon Bahramzadeh, Gilbert Barrara, James Bierlein, Cal Bowling, Max Duval, Heith Hatfield, Seafth Howe, Danny Jimenez, Joe Karlik, Clark Labitan, Matt Lamothe, Sean Mahley, Dexter Price, Rey Rodriguez, Charle Rosario, Erik Shannahan, Anthony Smith and Seth Webster; catchers Michael Valadez, Ty Nelson and Cody Coffman; and infielders Denver Chavez, Jordan Dean, Ben Kline, Brian McConkey, Mark Nelson, Ryan Normoyle, Tyler Sciacca and Cameron Sherrer as the Boomers continue Spring Training over the weekend.

The Schaumburg Boomers open the 2014 season with Championship Weekend featuring three straight days of fireworks and giveaways along with the Ring Ceremony on Friday, May 23 when the Boomers open against the Florence Freedom at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available now by calling 847.461.3695, online at www.boomersbaseball.com or in person at the Boomers Stadium Box Office located at 1999 S. Springinsguth Road in Schaumburg.