BOOMERS BRING BACK FORMER ACE AND STAR HITTER FOR 2016 SEASON 

Introductions will not be necessary when Boomers manager Jamie Bennett welcomes his two latest acquisitions to Schaumburg for spring training on April 28th.

Seth Webster, the ace pitcher for Bennett’s 2013 and 2014 back-to-back champions, and infielder Mark Nelson, a 2014 rookie sensation, both return after having their contracts purchased by National League ball clubs in 2015.

“We are extremely excited to have Seth and Mark back with us this season, “ Bennett said. “Both guys have been major contributors to the success of our club in the past. They represent our club in a professional manner and define what we look for in a player in the clubhouse both on and off the field.”

Webster, 26, was signed by the Atlanta Braves on May 15, 2015, one day after pitching the Boomers to a season opening victory in Windy City. His transition to MLB affiliated baseball was a successful one as Webster was named an organizational all-star in the Braves system. The Braves recognize the top player at each position, regardless of age or prospect status, with Webster garnering the honor for the best right handed pitcher.

 In 2015, the Louisiana native started one game for the Rome Braves (Class Low A) and made 20 starts in Class High A for the Carolina Mudcats, where he finished the year with an ERA of 3.12, 103 strikeouts and only 10 bases on balls in 135 2/3 innings.

Webster was spectacular in the Boomers post-season championship run in 2014.  In three post-season starts, Webster delivered a 3-0 record with 20 strikeouts and a 0.78 ERA, allowing only five hits over 23 innings. Each of his three victories clinched a series win, including the deciding game of the championship series vs River City.

Nelson returns to the Boomers after spending the majority of 2015 in the San Francisco Giants farm system.  The versatile 25-year-old had his contract purchased by the Giants on May 24, 2015 following eight games with the Boomers.  Nelson played at three levels of the Giants system last season including four games at Triple AAA Fresno. His longest stay was 21 games in low A Salem-Keizer where he posted one home run and five RBI in 77 plate appearances. The former Florida Atlantic University star had a fantastic rookie season in Schaumburg in 2014, leading the Boomers in RBI’s with 55.  The 14th pick in the first round of the 2014 Frontier League Tryout Camp Draft, Nelson finished fifth in the league batting race with a .323 average while collecting 100 hits, 19 doubles and 50 walks for the league champions.

The Boomers have also traded outfielder Alexi Colon to the Lincoln Saltdogs of the American Association for a player to be named later.  Colon departs Schaumburg ranked second on the franchises’ all-time list in home runs and third in RBI.