SPRINGFIELD, MA - The Blue Sox announced their third singing for the 2018 season today in All Ivy League middle infielder Simon Whiteman of Yale University. 

"When we start putting our roster together, we always type cast what your ideal Blue Sox player would be like, he just checks all the boxes," opined Blue Sox General Manager Hunter Golden. "He's literally got everything we like. He's and older, more mature player with a lengthy track record of success both at school and in summer ball and he's got some legitimate pro-level tools to go along with it. But just as important, he's by all accounts a fantastic, hard working kid who has a real nose for the game."

Whiteman, a 5'10 junior from Trumbull, CT earned 2nd team All Ivy League recognition last season, helping the Bulldogs to an Ivy League Championship and an NCAA Tournament berth; hitting .311/.367/.410 in 161 AB's to go along with 11 stolen bases. His momentum rolled into the summer in the Hampton's League where he hit .347/.425/.407 and stole 20 bases in 118 AB's. For his efforts, Whiteman was named an All Star. 

"What really sold us on Simon was when we spoke to a few rival coaches in the Ivy League and just how highly they spoke of him," continued Golden. "We like players that always just kind of find a way to be in the thick of things on the diamond - and Simon fits that mold. He's a career .982 fielder in college, he runs a legitimate 6.4 60, which would make him one of the faster players we've ever had - and just finds a way to push the action - whether that's shooting balls in the gap or always being a threat to steal when he's on - he's just always giving the opposing team something to think about."

Whiteman is already off to a fast start this season, posting a .344/.400/.375 slash in 32 AB's. This past week he earned Ivy League Player of the Week honors, going 7 for 14 against national powerhouse Virginia - reaching base nine times and driving in six runs. He recorded at least one hit in each of those games, including a 3-for-5 performance with 3 RBI's in their 11-4 victory over the Cavaliers on Saturday.

"Every year, you see guys that might be a little off people's radars a bit that just shows up and turns a lot of heads," said Golden. "Simon is going to be a very dangerous player at our level - and we think he's got a chance to really put himself on the map this summer."