KALAMAZOO – Former Western Michigan baseball infielder Jimmy Roche becomes the second player from the 2018-19 roster to sign a professional contract, signing with the Joliet Slammers of the independent Frontier League.
Roche joins outfielder Nate Grys who signed a contract with the Birmingham Bloomfield Beavers of the United Shore Professional Baseball League last month.
During his time in Kalamazoo, Roche played in 144 games, starting 110 and registered a .297 batting average, a .342 on-base percentage and a .957 fielding percentage. The Orland Park, Ill., native amassed 140 hits in his career with five home runs, 19 doubles and 74 RBIs.