Leonard, Fisher, & Frazier Set to Return to Wilson

Updated March 06 2017
WILSON, N.C.

With the Coastal Plain League (CPL) season creeping closer, the Tobs have signed back several key components from the 2016 campaign that saw the team compile a 35-25 overall record and fall one win shy of reaching the Petitt Cup Championship Series. The first set of returners for the Tobs 2017 season will be Junior 1B/DH Conner Leonard (Appalachian State), Junior INF Austin Fisher (Santa Clara), & Redshirt-Junior INF Chad Frazier (Concord).

The return of Leonard to the Tobs lineup in 2017 will signify a power bat to the middle of the lineup. During the 2016 season Leonard was tied for the team lead with 6 HRs. Having played and started in 30 games during the regular season for the Tobs, the Winston-Salem, NC native posted a .243 batting average to go along with 17 RBIs. During the 2017 season with the Mountaineers, Leonard has collected 3 RBIs and 5 hits in the early season.

Tobs General Manager Mike Bell had this statement in regards to the return of Leonard for the upcoming season, “Conner will help bring power back into our lineup again. He is a great leader on and off the field and are thrilled to have him back with us.”

Infielder Austin Fisher will make another splash in the Tobs lineup for the upcoming season. The Dublin, California native will be making another cross-country trek this summer to the Tobs build off the success from last season. The Sophomore played in 24 games and started in 21 for the Black and Gold while hitting .261 while scoring 17 times and driving in 14 during the 2016 campaign. In limited action, thus far, for the Broncos, Fisher is hitting .250 with a solo homerun and scoring three times.

“We are looking forward to welcoming Austin back to the east coast again for the season. He brings a tenacity and work effort to the ballfield every single day that is contagious, and that’s what we want to see with the long CPL season” says Tobs Head Coach Aaron Lynch.

The final early season signing period returner is Chad Frazier, whom will enter his third season with the Tobs. The Redshirt-Junior was a key contributor to last season’s success. Starting in 31 games and playing in 32, the Roanoke, Virginia native was near the top of the team in several offensive categories. Frazier batted .307 (5th) to go along with 18 runs scored (4th) and a .423 OBP (2nd) to help pace the Tobs offense last summer. Early regular season numbers at Concord University see him leading the Mountain Lions in Batting average (.420), runs scored (19), hits (21), OBP (.554), stolen bases (5-5), and homeruns (2).

Bell had rave reviews for welcoming Frazier back for the 3rd time, “It’s rare to have players play three seasons for one summer team, but Chad is the type of player that you welcome back year in and year out. We are thrilled to be bringing him back for his third and final season in the black and gold here at Fleming Stadium.”

The Wilson Tobs home opener for the 2017 season is Sunday, May 28th. Season tickets and ticket packages are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (252) 291-8627, or by visiting www.wilsontobs.com/tickets

The Wilson Tobs enter their 21st season as an original member within the Coastal Plain League for the 2017 Summer. The upcoming season for the Tobs will see an expanded community outreach effort, increased participation in helping the less fortunate, and more exciting entertainment for the Wilson Community. We would like to dedicate each successful season to the Wilson Community, Coastal Plain League Organization, Host Families, Sponsors Partners, and the Dedicated Fans throughout the city of Wilson. The Wilson Tobs have played host to over 100 alumni taken in the draft and have produced a dozen players who have gone on to play in the MLB, including Cy Young & MVP winner Justin Verlander. For more information on the Wilson Tobs, visit our website www.wilsontobs.com.

The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s premier summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 22nd season in 2018, the CPL features 16 teams playing in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL has had over 1,450 alumni drafted and 111 of those – including 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander – make their Major League debut; while another notable alum – Russell Wilson – won Super Bowl XLVIII. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com and follow us via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat @CPLBaseball..

Contact:

Max Gagnon

Phone:

(252) 291-8627