The Region's Team Of Northwest Indiana

Whiting, Ind. – May 20, 2016 – When Bo Fletcher participated in the Midwest Collegiate League in 2013, he developed a desire to play for the Northwest Indiana Oilmen.

Three years later, Fletcher will be able to fulfill that goal. The Alcorn State redshirt sophomore infielder has been added to the 2016 Oilmen roster.

“When I played in this summer league before, the Oilmen were the best team in the league,” Fletcher said. “I know I’m coming to a winning team, and we also have the best field in the league by far. I like that.”

During his first stint in the MCL, which came in the form of eight games with the Zephyrs in 2013, Fletcher was still attempting to navigate the difference between high school and college baseball.

Fletcher had just finished his senior season at Simeon Career Academy when he played for the Zephyrs. He quickly learned about the high level of competition in the league, going 0-for-20 on the season.

Now, with three years of college under his belt, Fletcher is confident he’ll have more success this summer with the Oilmen.

“It was pretty tough for me coming straight from high school,” Fletcher said. “Now, I think I’m ready to compete on the same level as the college guys. I’m not fresh out of high school anymore.”

Fletcher comes to the Oilmen from the Chicago White Sox Amateur City Elite program, continuing a tradition of MCL players coming through the program. Corey Ray – also a Simeon graduate – is among the former ACE players that went onto play in the Midwest Collegiate League. Ray is currently projected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

At Alcorn State, Fletcher has an opportunity to play against some of the nation’s elite programs like Louisiana State, Mississippi State, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma. That strength of schedule was part of what attracted him to play for the Braves.

“I’ve gotten to go a lot of places and play a lot of places I’ve never been before,” he said. “It’s been the experience of a lifetime.”

Fletcher lists defense and speed as strengths in his game.

“This summer I would like to work on my defense at shortstop,” he said. “I’m new over there. I also want to work on my bunting game and improve my bunting a little bit.”

Fletcher, a recreation major, is completing an internship for Relativity Sports Agency this summer. Relativity Sports Agency is a premier sports management company dedicated to providing elite professional athletes a full-range of development services. Clients include Miguel Cabrera, Justin Verlander, Jose Abreu and Jimmy Butler.

“I was told I’ll have to think how I would as an athlete and consider what the pro guys would want,” Fletcher said. “I have to get them gear or paid autograph sessions. It’s a marketing internship.”