2012: Sat out after preseason knee injury. 

HIGH SCHOOL: Was a three-year letter winner in baseball, basketball and football at Suffield Academy in  West Suffield, Connecticut ... In baseball he was second team All-League player for coach Bryan Brissette as a freshman and sophomore before earning first team honors as a junior and senior . .. Was named team MVP following his junior and senior seasons and was named Player of the Year as a senior in 2011 ... As a senior, he posted a 6-1 record with a 1.25 ERA with 77 strikeouts in 44.2 innings of work ... As a junior, was 5-2 with a 3.22 ERA with 74 strikeouts in 45.2 innings ... Helped his team to a 14-1 record and a Western New England championship ... Played American Legion ball for the Winsor Locks, earning Pitcher of the Year honors and posting a total record of 23-4 ... Was an honor roll student as a freshman and senior.

PERSONAL: Full name is Benjamin D. Rakus ... Was born on July 9, 1993, in Massachusetts ... Is the son of Ed and Judith Rakus ... Has two brothers – Eric and Keith – both of who were college athletes, one in football at Lehigh and the other played baseball at Vermont ... Is a Sports Management major.