Fresno State Athletics
Diamond 'Dogs in the Pros: Fall Update
9/19/2017 8:49:00 AM | Baseball
After taking a look at how the Diamond 'Dogs in the professional ranks were fairing earlier this summer, let's take a look at how the 27 former Bulldogs in major/minor league baseball in 2017 performed this season.
FRESNO, Calif. - After taking a look at how the Diamond 'Dogs in the professional ranks were fairing earlier this summer, let's take a look at how the 27 former Bulldogs in major/minor league baseball in 2017 performed this season.
MLB: The final day of the MLB regular season is Oct. 1 with the MLB Playoffs starting Oct. 3. The World Series will be Oct. 24-Nov. 1.
Doug Fister, Pitcher, Boston Red Sox, ninth year in MLB, first with Red Sox
After starting the season with the Salt Lake Bees, the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels, Fister was signed by the Boston Red Sox on June 23 and proceeded to make his first start against the Angels two days later tossing six innings allowing seven hits, three runs and notched six strikeouts.
On the season, the right-hander is 5-8 with a 4.86 ERA striking out 69 batters in 79.2 innings of work. He has made 16 appearances for the AL East-leading Red Sox starting 13 games. In his last nine starts since July 31, he is 5-3 with a 3.63 ERA striking out 48 while only walking 20. Boston sits three games ahead of the Yankees with 12 games remaining for each club.
Fister, a Bulldog in 2005-06, has appeared in the major leagues with the Mariners, Tigers, Nationals, Astros & Red Sox and has an 82-84 overall record with a 3.67 ERA along with 916 strikeouts in 1,345.2 innings.
Matt Garza, Pitcher, Milwaukee Brewers, 12th year in MLB, fourth with Brewers
Garza, a Bulldog from 2003-05 who was a first-round selection of the Minnesota Twins in 2005, is the longest-tenured professional Bulldog as he is now in his 12th season, including his fourth with the Brewers. After starting the season on the disabled list, the Selma native made his season debut on April 24 against the Cincinnati Reds and through 23 appearances this season he is 6-9 record with a 4.99 ERA.
In 113.2Â innings of work, Garza has posted 78Â strikeouts and made 22 starts. He struck out a season-high seven and picked up his first win of the season on April 30 at home over the Atlanta Braves. He tossed a season-high seven innings in his next start on May 6 at Pittsburgh limiting the Pirates to one earned run. He notched wins at home on July 5 over Baltimore, Aug. 5 against St. Louis and Aug. 13 vs. Cincinnati.
Garza makes his next start on Wednesday evening at Pittsburgh. The Brewers are currently 3.5 games behind the Cubs in the NL Central Division race with 12 games remaining for Milwaukee and 13 left for Chicago. In his career, Garza sits at 93-106 with a 4.09 ERA and has 1,379 strikeouts in 1,709.2 innings and has now won six or more games in nine of the last 10 seasons dating back to 2008.
Aaron Judge, Outfielder, New York Yankees, second year in MLB/Yankees (official a Rookie in 2017 since had less than 130 AB's in 2016)
Judge has put up eye-popping numbers in his official rookie season as he closes in on a likely American League Rookie of the Year award at the end of the season. Judge currently leads the AL and ranks second in the majors in home runs with 44 as he joins an exclusive list of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle as Yankees to hit 40 or more home runs in a season while under 25 years old. He also joins Mark McGwire as the only two rookies in MLB history to hit 40 or more home runs in their first season.
Helping the Yankees to their 25th consecutive winning season, Judge leads the AL in runs (117), walks (115), on-base percentage (.413) and slugging percentage (.584) while being tied for sixth in RBIs (97).
Judge has 34 multi-hit games, 31 multi-run games and 24 multi-RBI games on the season. In a 14-3 win over Baltimore on June 11, the Linden, Calif., native went a perfect 4-for-4 with a double, two home runs, drove in three RBIs and scored four runs. In a 13-5 win at home over the Orioles on Sept. 14, he went 3-for-4 with two home runs, scored three runs and drove in a season-high six RBIs.
Judge won the MLB Home Run Derby in Miami on July 10 followed by making his All-Star game debut on July 11 as he became the first Bulldog since Bobby Jones in 1997 to play in the Midsummer Classic.Â
Jordan Luplow, Outfielder, Pittsburgh Pirates, fourth professional season, first with Pirates
The most recent Bulldog to make his major league debut, Luplow debuted with the Pirates in San Diego on July 28 getting the start in right field. After seeing action in four games, drawing a walk in nine at-bats, Luplow was sent back down to Triple-A Indianapolis.
Since being recalled back to the Pirates on Aug. 28, Luplow has appeared in 17 games hitting .250 with 13 hits in 52 at-bats and has three doubles, two home runs, three runs scored and nine RBIs. Pittsburgh enters Tuesday with 11 games remaining in the regular season.
Luplow put together a great start to the season at Double-A Altoona appearing in 73 games for the Curve tallying 73 hits, including 31 for extra-base hits. A third-round selection in 2014, the Clovis native accounted for 15 doubles, 16 home runs, 37 RBIs and 45 runs scored as he earned a spot in the Eastern League All-Star Game, but was promoted to Indianapolis on June 30.
In two stints with the Indians, out of the International League, Luplow appeared in 44 games hitting .325 from the plate finishing with 52 hits, including 15 for extra-bases. He smacked seven doubles, one triple and seven home runs and added 19 RBIs and 29 runs scored.
Wilson was traded from the Detroit Tigers to the Chicago Cubs on July 31 at the trade deadline as he helps the defending World Series champions try to capture the National League Central crown over the final two weeks of the regular season. The Cubs sit 3.5 games ahead of the Brewers and enter Tuesday with a magic number of 10 to lock up the division.
Since making his debut with the Cubs on Aug. 2, the southpaw has appeared in 17 games tossing 13.0 innings and has notched 16 strikeouts. He picked up a win on Aug. 20 at home over Toronto and struck out a season-high three on Aug. 31 at home against Atlanta. Wilson has reached the three-strikeout plateau six times in 2017.
In 42 appearances with the Tigers, he went 3-4 with a 2.68 ERA striking out 55 batters in 40.1 innings. He limited opponents to 12 earned runs and converted 13 saves. In his career, Wilson has pitched for the Pirates, Yankees, Tigers and Cubs and is 22-14 with a 3.32 ERA. He has appeared in 335 games tossing 311.1 innings and has 329 strikeouts.
Minors
AAA Level
Justin Haley, Pitcher, Boston Red Sox, Pawtucket Red Sox
Haley tossed a scoreless inning of relief against the Kansas City Royals on April 5 in his MLB debut while playing for the Minnesota Twins. The Sacramento native, who was a sixth-round selection of the Red Sox in 2012, totaled 10 appearances for the Twins tossing 18.0 innings with a 6.00 ERA and notched 14 strikeouts.
Haley picked up his first career save on April 13 in an 11-5 win over Detroit throwing 3.1 innings while allowing four hits, one run and added six strikeouts. He was was placed on the 10-day disabled list on May 29 with right shoulder soreness, made four rehab appearances at Triple-A Rochester before being returned to Boston on July 24. Haley, who was a Rule 5 Draft selection in 2016, was then assigned to Triple-A Pawtucket with the Red Sox and moved back to being a starter.
The right-hander made seven starts for Pawtucket (67-75) posting a 1-2 record with a 2.66 ERA tossing 44.0 innings while striking out 35 batters. On Aug. 15, he tossed a complete game against Louisville (Reds) throwing six innings allowing three earned runs and stuck out four. He picked up his lone win during his time with Pawtucket on Aug. 9 tossing 6.2 innings allowing five hits, three earned runs and struck out a season-high 10 without allowing a walk in a 6-5 win over the Charlotte Knights (White Sox). Six of his seven starts were quality starts (six innings and three earned runs or less) and he had four-plus strikeouts in each of his final five starts.
After starting the season on the disabled list, Scheppers made five appearances with the Texas Rangers in late June before being sent down to Triple-A Round Rock on July 2. During his stint with the Rangers, Scheppers tossed four innings allowing five hits, three runs while striking out five.
The former first-round selection of the Rangers in 2009, Scheppers appeared in 31 games with the Express (66-72) finishing with 1-3 with a 4.84 ERA. He made his lone start of the season on July 8 tossing 3.1 innings in a 10-9 win over the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Brewers).
In 30 relief appearances, he threw 45.0 innings allowing 22 earned runs while striking out 39. He picked up three saves on the season, including two in his final four appearances of the season. He went two-plus innings in 12 appearances and registered two or more strikeouts in 13 appearances. His lone win came in his final outing on Sept. 2 in a 5-3 win over Oklahoma City (Dodgers) going 2.0 innings with a season-high four strikeouts.
Justin Miller, Pitcher, Salt Lake Bees (Los Angeles Angels)
After spending the past two seasons with the Colorado Rockies, Miller elected to become a free agent last winter signing a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels. Invited to spring training by the Angels, Miller was assigned to Triple-A Salt Lake where he made 38 relief appearances before being released on July 16. A Bulldog on the 2008 National Championship team, Miller tossed 46.0 innings for the Bees (72-70) this season striking out 37 batters while only allowing eight walks.
The Bakersfield native finished 5-1 with a 5.48 ERA and converted nine of his 11 save opportunities. Miller, who had nine multi-strikeout games this season, tossed a season-high 2.1 innings and 51 pitches on May 23 against El Paso (Padres) and struck out a season-best four.
Danny Muno, Infielder, Tacoma Rainers (Seattle Mariners)
A major league spring training invitee of the Detroit Tigers, Muno was released by the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens on March 28 before signing a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners on May 11. Assigned to Triple-A Tacoma, Muno finished his seventh professional season appearing in 90 games for the Rainers (66-76) hitting .273 from the dish totaling 80 hits, 47 runs scored and 33 RBIs.
A Bulldog from 2008-11, Muno tallied 29 extra-base knocks on the season with 20 doubles, one triple and eight home runs. He finished the season with 17 multi-hit games, including a perfect 4-for-4 performance against the Fresno Grizzles (Astros) on May 24 scoring a run and stealing a base. He added six three-hit performances, including a 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles, a run and an RBI in a 9-5 loss at Salt Lake (Angels) on Aug. 15.
AA Level
Trent Woodward, Infielder, Corpus Christi Hooks/Fresno Grizzlies (Houston Astros)
A 20th-round selection of the Houston Astros in 2014, Woodward spent the majority of his 2017 season at Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks appearing in 44 games hitting .259 from the plate with 37 hits, including six doubles and four home runs. The San Dimas native was placed on the 7-day disabled list on July 5 before returning to action with the rookie ball GCL Astros for four games from Aug. 4-9.
He returned to the Hooks on Aug. 13 for the remainder of the season appearing in nine games picking up hits in five contests as the Texas League club finished in a tie for second in the South Division with a 67-71 overall record. After appearing in four games with Triple-A Fresno in 2015, Woodward made his return to his collegiate hometown being promoted for the Grizzlies' final three games getting a hit in each game. In the Grizzlies' season finale at Salt Lake (Angels AAA) on Sept. 4, he hit a two-run triple and scored a run in a 9-7 victory.
Austin Wynns, Catcher, Bowie Baysox (Baltimore Orioles)
A 10th-round selection of the Baltimore Orioles in 2013, Wynns found a home with the Double-A Bowie Baysox this season after bouncing between three levels in 2016. In 105 games with the Baysox, Wynns hit .281 from the dish with 104 hits, including 30 for extra-bases. The San Diego native had 19 doubles, one triple and 10 home runs while adding 46 RBIs and 54 runs scored.Â
The Baysox finished the season 72-71 after being swept three games to none by eventual Eastern League champion Altoona Curve (Pirates) on Sept. 9. Wynns finished the season with 31 multi-hit games and had a season-high three base knocks on April 17 in a 3-2 win over Richmond (Giants) where he launched a three-run home run to drive in the Baysox's three runs in the game. In a 3-0 win over Reading (Phillies) on Aug. 17, Wynns smacked two solo home runs.Â
Chris Mariscal, Infielder, Modesto Nuts/Arkansas Travelers (Seattle Mariners)
Mariscal started off his 2017 campaign being voted a California League All-Star while playing with the Modesto Nuts (A-Adv.). After playing in the CAL All-Star Game hosted in Visalia on June 20 and helping the Nuts to the California League North Division First Half title with a 39-31 record, the Fresno native was promoted to Double-A Arkansas on July 22 after hitting .305 from the dish with 99 hits in 85 games with the Nuts. A 14th-round selection of the Seattle Mariners in 2014, the 2013 Second-Team All-MW selection totaled 13 doubles, six triples and seven home runs while driving in 49 runs and scoring 52 runs during his time with the Nuts.
In 40 games with the Arkansas Travelers (65-75), who compete in the Texas League, Mariscal hit .245 with 38 hits and added 14 RBIs and 15 runs scored. On the season, he tallied 37 multi-hit games, including 11 with Arkansas, and had three three-hit performances. He had back-to-back three-hit contests on Aug. 13 and Aug. 15 where he combined for two doubles, a triple and a home run, scored three runs and drove in six RBIs.
He was given The Alvin Davis "Mr. Mariner" award by the Mariners organization on Sept. 11 which is presented to the player who puts his team ahead of himself and does whatever the organization asks him to do.
Taylor Ward, Catcher, Â Inland Empire 66ers/Mobile BayBears (Los Angeles Angles)
After spending the first month of the season on the disabled list, Ward made his season debut with the 66ers on May 3 and appeared in 54 games hitting .242 from the plate before being promoted to Double-A Mobile BayBears on July 20.
In 33 games in Mobile (64-75), the 2015 first-round selection hit .286 with 34 hits in 119 at-bats and added three doubles and three home runs for the Southern League team. He had eight multi-hit contests with the BayBears, including four three-hit performances. In a 10-4 win at home over Jacksonville (Marlins) on Aug. 18, Ward went 3-for-5 with a single, double and a home run while driving in an RBI and scored two runs.
On July 26, Ward was named as one of seven Angels prospect who will play for the Scottsdale Scorpions in the Arizona Fall League starting Oct. 10. Comprised of top prospects from the Angels, Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants, Ward will be one of four catchers on the Scorpions this fall playing against some of minor league baseball's top prospects.Â
A Advanced Level
Jimmy Lambert, Pitcher, Winston-Salem Dash (Chicago White Sox)
Lambert moved from Class A Kannapolis to A Advanced Winston-Salem on June 22 after becoming a South Atlantic League All-Star with the Intimidators. The 2016 Mountain West Co-Pitcher of the Year got off to a great start to the season in Kannapolis posting a 7-2 record with a 2.19 ERA in 12 starts allowing only 18 earned runs in 74.0 innings.
In his time with the Dash (56-84), a member of the Carolina League, the San Dimas native made 14 starts and posted a 5-4 record with a 5.45 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 76.0 innings. He worked a season-high eight innings on April 20 allowing four hits, one earned run and struck out four in a 6-2 win over Hickory (Rangers A).
In his debut in Winston-Salem on June 24, Lambert tossed six hitless innings striking out three in a 4-2 win over Buies Creek (Astros). He fanned a season-high nine batters on Aug. 1 in a 5-4 win at home over Salem (Red Sox) going seven innings while only three earned runs. Lambert saved his best start for last tossing seven shutout innings in Winston-Salem's season finale on Sept. 4Â striking out six.
Dylan Lee, Greensboro Grasshoppers (Miami Marlins)
After being a 10th-round selection in 2016, Lee moved into a starting pitching role with Single-A Greensboro this season making 19 starts on the mound before being sidelined with a season-ending injury. The Dinuba native, who spent 2015-16 at Fresno State, went 4-10 with a 4.85 ERA tossing 98.1 innings and struck out 73 batters. Lee tossed a season-best seven shutout innings against Hickory (Rangers) on May 13 helping the Grasshoppers defeat the Crawdads 14-2.
Lee struck out a season-high six batters on four occasions, including his final start on the season on July 23 at home versus Asheville (Rockies) tossing five innings allowing five hits and three earned runs. Greensboro (75-63) won the South Atlantic League Northern Division and fell to Kannapolis (White Sox) in the SAL semifinals in two games.
Garrett Mundell, Pitcher, Charleston RiverDogs (New York Yankees)
A 23rd-round selection of the New York Yankees in 2015, Mundell appeared in 35 games in relief this season at Charleston. Finishing the season with 11 saves, Mundell finished tied for eighth in the South Atlantic League in saves. On the season, he went 1-4 with a 2.64 ERA notching 70 strikeouts in 47.2 innings of work. The Lake Forest, Calif., native limited opponents to only 14 earned runs, 12 walks and a .194 average from the plate.
In his second appearance of the season on April 13, he struck out six of the seven batters he faced in a 14-8 win over Rome (Braves). He picked up his lone win of the season on Aug. 29 pitching 1.1 innings getting three of his four outs via strikeout in a 4-3 win over Hickory (Rangers). The RiverDogs (77-65) won the SAL Southern Division Second Half and met the Greenville Drive (Red Sox) in the SAL divisional round round falling in three games.
Jake Shull, Pitcher, West Michigan Whitecaps (Detroit Tigers)
An 11th-round selection of the Detroit Tigers in 2015, Shull started off the season with the A Advanced Lakeland Flying Tigers making five relief appearances on the mound working eight innings striking out three before moving down to Single-A West Michigan on May 17. In 21 appearances with the Whitecaps, the Tracy, Calif., native went 2-1 with a 4.68 ERA working 32.2 innings on the mound striking out 25 and walking 10.
The Whitecaps went 91-45 in the regular season and won the Midwest League Eastern Division by 17.5 games as Shull pitched out the bullpen throughout the season. He tossed two or more innings in 14 appearances and struck out a season-high three batters in three games. He received a late season promotion back to Lakeland (62-66) on Sept. 1 and tossed two innings in his lone appearance on Sept. 2. West Michigan finished their season in the MWL playoffs falling in three games to Dayton (Reds).
A Short Season Level
Manny Argomaniz, Catcher, Staten Island Yankees (New York Yankees)
An undrafted free agent in 2015, Argomaniz signed with the New York Yankees and after playing in 25 games with the rookie league Pulaski Yankees in 2016, the Montclair, Calif., native spent 2017 with the Staten Island Yankees this season. After making his season debut on June 22, he appeared in 38 games hitting .257 finishing with 29 hits, eight doubles, one home run, 12 RBIs and 15 runs.
Argomaniz tallied nine multi-hit games on the season and put together a three-game stretch in late August where he had three straight games with two hits apiece. Staten Island, who finished 47-31 and won the New York-Penn League McNamara Division, fell in three games to the Hudson Valley Renegades in the NYPL semifinals on Sept. 12.
Aaron Arruda, Infielder, Vermont Lake Monsters (Oakland Athletics)
A 12th-round selection in the 2017 draft, Arruda was assigned to Short-Season Class A Vermont where he made his debut with the Lake Monsters on June 26 smacking two doubles. In 45 games with the team located in Burlington, the Clovis native hit .191 from the dish totaling 30 hits, including 12 for extra-bases. The two-time First-Team All-MW selection had eight doubles and four home runs while driving in 15 RBIs and scoring 17 runs.
Arruda had nine multi-hit games and went for a season-high three base knocks on Aug. 24 in a 6-0 win over Lowell (Red Sox). The Lake Monsters (44-35) won the NYPL Stedler Division before sweeping the Mahoning Valley Scrappers (Indians) in two games as Arruda had a pair of singles in a 8-3 win in game one on Sept. 9. Advancing to the NYPL Championship Series, Vermont was swept in two games by Hudson Valley (Rays). In the first game of the championship series on Sept. 13, the first baseman went 2-for-4 with a single and triple and drove in a run in a heartbreaking 3-2 loss in 13 innings.
Ryan Dobson, Infielder, Hillsboro Hops (Arizona Diamondbacks)
A 30th-round selection of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2017 draft, Dobson appeared in 22 games in rookie ball with the Arizona League D'Backs where he hit .287 from the dish and finished with 25 hits and 11 runs scored. The Culver City, Calif., native stole eight bases and tallied seven multi-hit games before being promoted to Hillsboro on July 29.
In 26 games with the Northwest League club, the second baseman picked up 16 hits, four doubles, six RBIs and scored 17 runs. He had four games with two hits and scored a season-high three runs on Aug. 8 in an 11-2 over Salem-Keizer (Giants). The Hops won the NWL South Division finishing 41-35 advancing to the NWL playoffs to face Eugene (Cubs) falling in two games.
Also a 30th-round selection in the 2017 draft, Guibor was assigned to the Gulf Coast League (GCL) Nationals on July 5 and played in seven games tallying five hits, including two triples and scored seven runs. The Campbell, Calif. native received a promotion to Auburn (30-45) on July 20 appearing in 26 games for the New York-Penn League affiliate. The outfielder finished the season hitting .263 with 25 hits, three doubles, two triples, 12 RBIs and tallied seven multi-hit games. In a win 9-6 over Mahoning Valley (Indians) on Aug. 2, Guibor had a season-high three hits with a pair of RBIs and scored a run.
Fred Schlichtholz, Pitcher, Tri-City Dust Devils (San Diego Padres)
Selected by his hometown San Diego Padres in the 13th round of the 2017 draft, Schlichtholz was assigned to the Tri-City Dust Devils of the Northwest League appearing in 16 games out of the bullpen. He compiled a 4-2 record with a salty 0.81 ERA allowing two earned runs in 22.1 innings of work. Schlichtholz struck out 23 while only allowing nine walks and limited opponents to a .200 average from the plate and gave up only six runs all season.
He converted a pair of save opportunities and tossed a season-high three innings on Aug. 19 at Everett (Mariners) limiting the AquaSoxs to one hit and picked up the win in a 4-3 win for Tri-City (40-36). He struck out a season-high three on July 2 and Aug. 5 and in his final eight appearances of the season, he tossed 10 innings allowing five hits and two unearned runs while striking out 10.
Ricky Tyler Thomas, Pitcher, Eugene Emeralds (Chicago Cubs)
The highest drafted Bulldog from the 2017 MLB Draft, Thomas was assigned to the Eugene Emeralds of the Northwest League. Helping the Emeralds finish 39-37 and earn a berth in the NWL Playoffs, Thomas was 1-0 with a 2.33 ERA tossing 19.1 innings and racked up 24 strikeouts.Â
He tallied two innings of work in eight appearances and tallied three strikeouts in six contests. He picked up the win in his debut on July 14, a 2-0 win over Hillsboro (Diamondbacks), going two innings allowing one hit and striking out three. Thomas came up big in the postseason tossing a season-high three innings in the Emeralds' 10-4 game two-clinching win over the Hops on Sept. 7 in the NWL playoffs. In that contest, he struck out a season-high five allowing one walk to his former teammate, Ryan Dobson.
Advancing to the NWL Championship Series, Eugene fell three games to one in a best-of-5 series as Thomas saw action in tough 2-1 loss in game three on Sept. 11. He threw 2.1 hitless innings allowing one walk and struck out three.
Jared Akins, Outfielder, GCL Twins
Akins, who was selected with the first pick of the 13th round of the 2017 draft started his career with the Gulf Coast Twins after playing one season at Fresno State. In 33 games of action, the Glendale, Calif., native hit .253 from the plate with 25 hits, 16 RBIs and 18 runs scored. Helping lead the Twins to the GCL South Division title with a 35-23 overall record, Akins added five doubles, one triple and three home runs while slugging .414.
Akins had two hits in seven games and in a 6-4 win at the GCL Red Sox on Aug. 18, he hit a grand slam and added a sacrifice fly for a season-high five RBIs. The Twins lost a one game playoff to the GCL Nationals 4-0 on Sept. 3 to end the season.
Jesse Medrano, Infielder, GCL Pirates
After becoming the final 'Dog to sign his contract on June 27, the 31st-round selection of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2017 was assigned to the GCL Pirates and made his debut on June 30 in a pinch-hitting role against the GCL Tigers West. The Concord, Calif., native appeared in 20 games in his rookie season hitting .259 with 15 hits (two doubles and two triples), eight RBIs and scored eight runs. In the Pirates' final game of the season on Sept. 2, Medrano went 4-for-4 with two triples, an RBI and scored two runs in a 5-2 win over the GCL Yankees East.Â
Rickey Ramirez, Pitcher, Elizabethton Twins
The fifth 'Dog selected in the top 15 rounds of the 2017 draft, Ramirez appeared in 15 games out of the bullpen for the Rookie ball team. In 29.1 innings of work, Ramirez struck out 21 batters and held opponents to a .234 average from the plate. In his professional debut on June 30 against the Kingsport Mets (Mets), Ramirez allowed a pair of hits and struck out two in a 12-10 win. He worked a season-high 3.2 innings on July 12 and struck out a season-best three on July 31.Â
Finishing the regular season with a 41-27 overall record, the Twins won the Appalachian League West Division, defeated Greenville (Astros) in three games in the APL semifinals and swept the Pulaski Yankees in two games for the APL Championship on Sept. 8. Ramirez tossed two innings against the Drive in game two on Sept. 4 picking up a strikeout.Â
Jake Stone, Outfielder, GCL Rays
Despite not being selected in the 2017 MLB Draft, Stone signed a free agent contract with the Rays on June 21 and was assigned to the GCL Rays on June 26 making his professional debut with a 2-for-4 performance with a single, double and walk against the GCL Red Sox.
In 45 games with the Rays, the Carlsbad, Calif., native hit .301 from the dish with 44 hits as over one-third of his hits went for extra bases finishing with 11 doubles, two triples and two home runs. He added 14 RBIs, 19 walks and 24 runs scored and had 15 multi-hit games on the season, including a season-high three in three games. In a 10-2 win at the GCL Twins on Aug. 14, Stone went 3-for-4 with a single, double and triple, drew two walks, added an RBI and scored four runs.
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MLB: The final day of the MLB regular season is Oct. 1 with the MLB Playoffs starting Oct. 3. The World Series will be Oct. 24-Nov. 1.
Doug Fister, Pitcher, Boston Red Sox, ninth year in MLB, first with Red Sox
After starting the season with the Salt Lake Bees, the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels, Fister was signed by the Boston Red Sox on June 23 and proceeded to make his first start against the Angels two days later tossing six innings allowing seven hits, three runs and notched six strikeouts.
On the season, the right-hander is 5-8 with a 4.86 ERA striking out 69 batters in 79.2 innings of work. He has made 16 appearances for the AL East-leading Red Sox starting 13 games. In his last nine starts since July 31, he is 5-3 with a 3.63 ERA striking out 48 while only walking 20. Boston sits three games ahead of the Yankees with 12 games remaining for each club.
Fister, a Bulldog in 2005-06, has appeared in the major leagues with the Mariners, Tigers, Nationals, Astros & Red Sox and has an 82-84 overall record with a 3.67 ERA along with 916 strikeouts in 1,345.2 innings.
Peter Abraham: Doug Fister has gone from fill-in starter to key cog for the Red Sox. https://t.co/hW8rzf35UL
— The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) September 12, 2017
Matt Garza, Pitcher, Milwaukee Brewers, 12th year in MLB, fourth with Brewers
Garza, a Bulldog from 2003-05 who was a first-round selection of the Minnesota Twins in 2005, is the longest-tenured professional Bulldog as he is now in his 12th season, including his fourth with the Brewers. After starting the season on the disabled list, the Selma native made his season debut on April 24 against the Cincinnati Reds and through 23 appearances this season he is 6-9 record with a 4.99 ERA.
In 113.2Â innings of work, Garza has posted 78Â strikeouts and made 22 starts. He struck out a season-high seven and picked up his first win of the season on April 30 at home over the Atlanta Braves. He tossed a season-high seven innings in his next start on May 6 at Pittsburgh limiting the Pirates to one earned run. He notched wins at home on July 5 over Baltimore, Aug. 5 against St. Louis and Aug. 13 vs. Cincinnati.
Garza makes his next start on Wednesday evening at Pittsburgh. The Brewers are currently 3.5 games behind the Cubs in the NL Central Division race with 12 games remaining for Milwaukee and 13 left for Chicago. In his career, Garza sits at 93-106 with a 4.09 ERA and has 1,379 strikeouts in 1,709.2 innings and has now won six or more games in nine of the last 10 seasons dating back to 2008.
Aaron Judge, Outfielder, New York Yankees, second year in MLB/Yankees (official a Rookie in 2017 since had less than 130 AB's in 2016)
Judge has put up eye-popping numbers in his official rookie season as he closes in on a likely American League Rookie of the Year award at the end of the season. Judge currently leads the AL and ranks second in the majors in home runs with 44 as he joins an exclusive list of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle as Yankees to hit 40 or more home runs in a season while under 25 years old. He also joins Mark McGwire as the only two rookies in MLB history to hit 40 or more home runs in their first season.
Helping the Yankees to their 25th consecutive winning season, Judge leads the AL in runs (117), walks (115), on-base percentage (.413) and slugging percentage (.584) while being tied for sixth in RBIs (97).
Judge has 34 multi-hit games, 31 multi-run games and 24 multi-RBI games on the season. In a 14-3 win over Baltimore on June 11, the Linden, Calif., native went a perfect 4-for-4 with a double, two home runs, drove in three RBIs and scored four runs. In a 13-5 win at home over the Orioles on Sept. 14, he went 3-for-4 with two home runs, scored three runs and drove in a season-high six RBIs.
Judge won the MLB Home Run Derby in Miami on July 10 followed by making his All-Star game debut on July 11 as he became the first Bulldog since Bobby Jones in 1997 to play in the Midsummer Classic.Â
List of Yankees who reached 40 HR in their age-25 seasons or younger:
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 10, 2017
Ruth
Gehrig
DiMaggio
Mantle
Judge pic.twitter.com/PArTZkArK9
Jordan Luplow, Outfielder, Pittsburgh Pirates, fourth professional season, first with Pirates
The most recent Bulldog to make his major league debut, Luplow debuted with the Pirates in San Diego on July 28 getting the start in right field. After seeing action in four games, drawing a walk in nine at-bats, Luplow was sent back down to Triple-A Indianapolis.
Since being recalled back to the Pirates on Aug. 28, Luplow has appeared in 17 games hitting .250 with 13 hits in 52 at-bats and has three doubles, two home runs, three runs scored and nine RBIs. Pittsburgh enters Tuesday with 11 games remaining in the regular season.
Luplow put together a great start to the season at Double-A Altoona appearing in 73 games for the Curve tallying 73 hits, including 31 for extra-base hits. A third-round selection in 2014, the Clovis native accounted for 15 doubles, 16 home runs, 37 RBIs and 45 runs scored as he earned a spot in the Eastern League All-Star Game, but was promoted to Indianapolis on June 30.
In two stints with the Indians, out of the International League, Luplow appeared in 44 games hitting .325 from the plate finishing with 52 hits, including 15 for extra-bases. He smacked seven doubles, one triple and seven home runs and added 19 RBIs and 29 runs scored.
Justin Wilson, Pitcher, Chicago Cubs, sixth year in MLB, first with CubsThe Pirates announced OF Jordan Luplow as their Minor League Player of the Year!
— Pirates (@Pirates) September 23, 2017
Congrats, Jordan! pic.twitter.com/BxW90IEuo5
Wilson was traded from the Detroit Tigers to the Chicago Cubs on July 31 at the trade deadline as he helps the defending World Series champions try to capture the National League Central crown over the final two weeks of the regular season. The Cubs sit 3.5 games ahead of the Brewers and enter Tuesday with a magic number of 10 to lock up the division.
Since making his debut with the Cubs on Aug. 2, the southpaw has appeared in 17 games tossing 13.0 innings and has notched 16 strikeouts. He picked up a win on Aug. 20 at home over Toronto and struck out a season-high three on Aug. 31 at home against Atlanta. Wilson has reached the three-strikeout plateau six times in 2017.
In 42 appearances with the Tigers, he went 3-4 with a 2.68 ERA striking out 55 batters in 40.1 innings. He limited opponents to 12 earned runs and converted 13 saves. In his career, Wilson has pitched for the Pirates, Yankees, Tigers and Cubs and is 22-14 with a 3.32 ERA. He has appeared in 335 games tossing 311.1 innings and has 329 strikeouts.
Minors
AAA Level
Justin Haley, Pitcher, Boston Red Sox, Pawtucket Red Sox
Haley tossed a scoreless inning of relief against the Kansas City Royals on April 5 in his MLB debut while playing for the Minnesota Twins. The Sacramento native, who was a sixth-round selection of the Red Sox in 2012, totaled 10 appearances for the Twins tossing 18.0 innings with a 6.00 ERA and notched 14 strikeouts.
Haley picked up his first career save on April 13 in an 11-5 win over Detroit throwing 3.1 innings while allowing four hits, one run and added six strikeouts. He was was placed on the 10-day disabled list on May 29 with right shoulder soreness, made four rehab appearances at Triple-A Rochester before being returned to Boston on July 24. Haley, who was a Rule 5 Draft selection in 2016, was then assigned to Triple-A Pawtucket with the Red Sox and moved back to being a starter.
The right-hander made seven starts for Pawtucket (67-75) posting a 1-2 record with a 2.66 ERA tossing 44.0 innings while striking out 35 batters. On Aug. 15, he tossed a complete game against Louisville (Reds) throwing six innings allowing three earned runs and stuck out four. He picked up his lone win during his time with Pawtucket on Aug. 9 tossing 6.2 innings allowing five hits, three earned runs and struck out a season-high 10 without allowing a walk in a 6-5 win over the Charlotte Knights (White Sox). Six of his seven starts were quality starts (six innings and three earned runs or less) and he had four-plus strikeouts in each of his final five starts.
Tanner Scheppers, Pitcher, Texas Rangers, Round Rock ExpressAfter appearing in 10 games for the Twins in '17, RHP Justin Haley is back in a PawSox uniform and your @bcsb starting pitcher of the game. pic.twitter.com/5KKYXFCxaS
— PawSox (@PawSox) July 30, 2017
After starting the season on the disabled list, Scheppers made five appearances with the Texas Rangers in late June before being sent down to Triple-A Round Rock on July 2. During his stint with the Rangers, Scheppers tossed four innings allowing five hits, three runs while striking out five.
The former first-round selection of the Rangers in 2009, Scheppers appeared in 31 games with the Express (66-72) finishing with 1-3 with a 4.84 ERA. He made his lone start of the season on July 8 tossing 3.1 innings in a 10-9 win over the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Brewers).
In 30 relief appearances, he threw 45.0 innings allowing 22 earned runs while striking out 39. He picked up three saves on the season, including two in his final four appearances of the season. He went two-plus innings in 12 appearances and registered two or more strikeouts in 13 appearances. His lone win came in his final outing on Sept. 2 in a 5-3 win over Oklahoma City (Dodgers) going 2.0 innings with a season-high four strikeouts.
Justin Miller, Pitcher, Salt Lake Bees (Los Angeles Angels)
After spending the past two seasons with the Colorado Rockies, Miller elected to become a free agent last winter signing a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels. Invited to spring training by the Angels, Miller was assigned to Triple-A Salt Lake where he made 38 relief appearances before being released on July 16. A Bulldog on the 2008 National Championship team, Miller tossed 46.0 innings for the Bees (72-70) this season striking out 37 batters while only allowing eight walks.
The Bakersfield native finished 5-1 with a 5.48 ERA and converted nine of his 11 save opportunities. Miller, who had nine multi-strikeout games this season, tossed a season-high 2.1 innings and 51 pitches on May 23 against El Paso (Padres) and struck out a season-best four.
Danny Muno, Infielder, Tacoma Rainers (Seattle Mariners)
A major league spring training invitee of the Detroit Tigers, Muno was released by the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens on March 28 before signing a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners on May 11. Assigned to Triple-A Tacoma, Muno finished his seventh professional season appearing in 90 games for the Rainers (66-76) hitting .273 from the dish totaling 80 hits, 47 runs scored and 33 RBIs.
A Bulldog from 2008-11, Muno tallied 29 extra-base knocks on the season with 20 doubles, one triple and eight home runs. He finished the season with 17 multi-hit games, including a perfect 4-for-4 performance against the Fresno Grizzles (Astros) on May 24 scoring a run and stealing a base. He added six three-hit performances, including a 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles, a run and an RBI in a 9-5 loss at Salt Lake (Angels) on Aug. 15.
AA Level
Trent Woodward, Infielder, Corpus Christi Hooks/Fresno Grizzlies (Houston Astros)
A 20th-round selection of the Houston Astros in 2014, Woodward spent the majority of his 2017 season at Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks appearing in 44 games hitting .259 from the plate with 37 hits, including six doubles and four home runs. The San Dimas native was placed on the 7-day disabled list on July 5 before returning to action with the rookie ball GCL Astros for four games from Aug. 4-9.
He returned to the Hooks on Aug. 13 for the remainder of the season appearing in nine games picking up hits in five contests as the Texas League club finished in a tie for second in the South Division with a 67-71 overall record. After appearing in four games with Triple-A Fresno in 2015, Woodward made his return to his collegiate hometown being promoted for the Grizzlies' final three games getting a hit in each game. In the Grizzlies' season finale at Salt Lake (Angels AAA) on Sept. 4, he hit a two-run triple and scored a run in a 9-7 victory.
Congrats to @Twoodward_3 on being promoted to Triple-A Fresno! pic.twitter.com/5juabUbHRB
— Corpus Christi Hooks (@cchooks) September 1, 2017
Austin Wynns, Catcher, Bowie Baysox (Baltimore Orioles)
A 10th-round selection of the Baltimore Orioles in 2013, Wynns found a home with the Double-A Bowie Baysox this season after bouncing between three levels in 2016. In 105 games with the Baysox, Wynns hit .281 from the dish with 104 hits, including 30 for extra-bases. The San Diego native had 19 doubles, one triple and 10 home runs while adding 46 RBIs and 54 runs scored.Â
The Baysox finished the season 72-71 after being swept three games to none by eventual Eastern League champion Altoona Curve (Pirates) on Sept. 9. Wynns finished the season with 31 multi-hit games and had a season-high three base knocks on April 17 in a 3-2 win over Richmond (Giants) where he launched a three-run home run to drive in the Baysox's three runs in the game. In a 3-0 win over Reading (Phillies) on Aug. 17, Wynns smacked two solo home runs.Â
Chris Mariscal, Infielder, Modesto Nuts/Arkansas Travelers (Seattle Mariners)
Mariscal started off his 2017 campaign being voted a California League All-Star while playing with the Modesto Nuts (A-Adv.). After playing in the CAL All-Star Game hosted in Visalia on June 20 and helping the Nuts to the California League North Division First Half title with a 39-31 record, the Fresno native was promoted to Double-A Arkansas on July 22 after hitting .305 from the dish with 99 hits in 85 games with the Nuts. A 14th-round selection of the Seattle Mariners in 2014, the 2013 Second-Team All-MW selection totaled 13 doubles, six triples and seven home runs while driving in 49 runs and scoring 52 runs during his time with the Nuts.
In 40 games with the Arkansas Travelers (65-75), who compete in the Texas League, Mariscal hit .245 with 38 hits and added 14 RBIs and 15 runs scored. On the season, he tallied 37 multi-hit games, including 11 with Arkansas, and had three three-hit performances. He had back-to-back three-hit contests on Aug. 13 and Aug. 15 where he combined for two doubles, a triple and a home run, scored three runs and drove in six RBIs.
He was given The Alvin Davis "Mr. Mariner" award by the Mariners organization on Sept. 11 which is presented to the player who puts his team ahead of himself and does whatever the organization asks him to do.
Three @artravs received @Mariners Minor League Awards! To read more about @8rellimnai, @NickNeidert, & @c_scal here: https://t.co/Teg9bxzk9T pic.twitter.com/wjyA3a3iDl
— Arkansas Travelers (@ARTravs) September 11, 2017
Taylor Ward, Catcher, Â Inland Empire 66ers/Mobile BayBears (Los Angeles Angles)
After spending the first month of the season on the disabled list, Ward made his season debut with the 66ers on May 3 and appeared in 54 games hitting .242 from the plate before being promoted to Double-A Mobile BayBears on July 20.
In 33 games in Mobile (64-75), the 2015 first-round selection hit .286 with 34 hits in 119 at-bats and added three doubles and three home runs for the Southern League team. He had eight multi-hit contests with the BayBears, including four three-hit performances. In a 10-4 win at home over Jacksonville (Marlins) on Aug. 18, Ward went 3-for-5 with a single, double and a home run while driving in an RBI and scored two runs.
On July 26, Ward was named as one of seven Angels prospect who will play for the Scottsdale Scorpions in the Arizona Fall League starting Oct. 10. Comprised of top prospects from the Angels, Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants, Ward will be one of four catchers on the Scorpions this fall playing against some of minor league baseball's top prospects.Â
A Advanced Level
Jimmy Lambert, Pitcher, Winston-Salem Dash (Chicago White Sox)
Lambert moved from Class A Kannapolis to A Advanced Winston-Salem on June 22 after becoming a South Atlantic League All-Star with the Intimidators. The 2016 Mountain West Co-Pitcher of the Year got off to a great start to the season in Kannapolis posting a 7-2 record with a 2.19 ERA in 12 starts allowing only 18 earned runs in 74.0 innings.
In his time with the Dash (56-84), a member of the Carolina League, the San Dimas native made 14 starts and posted a 5-4 record with a 5.45 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 76.0 innings. He worked a season-high eight innings on April 20 allowing four hits, one earned run and struck out four in a 6-2 win over Hickory (Rangers A).
In his debut in Winston-Salem on June 24, Lambert tossed six hitless innings striking out three in a 4-2 win over Buies Creek (Astros). He fanned a season-high nine batters on Aug. 1 in a 5-4 win at home over Salem (Red Sox) going seven innings while only three earned runs. Lambert saved his best start for last tossing seven shutout innings in Winston-Salem's season finale on Sept. 4Â striking out six.
A LevelThe Dash end the season with a 4-1 W in Salem!
— Winston-Salem Dash (@WSDashBaseball) September 4, 2017
+ @JimmyLambert12 7IP, 0R, 6K
+ Dexter 3H
+ Thomas 2H, 2RBI
RECAP: https://t.co/aQMksDrU8k
Dylan Lee, Greensboro Grasshoppers (Miami Marlins)
After being a 10th-round selection in 2016, Lee moved into a starting pitching role with Single-A Greensboro this season making 19 starts on the mound before being sidelined with a season-ending injury. The Dinuba native, who spent 2015-16 at Fresno State, went 4-10 with a 4.85 ERA tossing 98.1 innings and struck out 73 batters. Lee tossed a season-best seven shutout innings against Hickory (Rangers) on May 13 helping the Grasshoppers defeat the Crawdads 14-2.
Lee struck out a season-high six batters on four occasions, including his final start on the season on July 23 at home versus Asheville (Rockies) tossing five innings allowing five hits and three earned runs. Greensboro (75-63) won the South Atlantic League Northern Division and fell to Kannapolis (White Sox) in the SAL semifinals in two games.
Garrett Mundell, Pitcher, Charleston RiverDogs (New York Yankees)
A 23rd-round selection of the New York Yankees in 2015, Mundell appeared in 35 games in relief this season at Charleston. Finishing the season with 11 saves, Mundell finished tied for eighth in the South Atlantic League in saves. On the season, he went 1-4 with a 2.64 ERA notching 70 strikeouts in 47.2 innings of work. The Lake Forest, Calif., native limited opponents to only 14 earned runs, 12 walks and a .194 average from the plate.
In his second appearance of the season on April 13, he struck out six of the seven batters he faced in a 14-8 win over Rome (Braves). He picked up his lone win of the season on Aug. 29 pitching 1.1 innings getting three of his four outs via strikeout in a 4-3 win over Hickory (Rangers). The RiverDogs (77-65) won the SAL Southern Division Second Half and met the Greenville Drive (Red Sox) in the SAL divisional round round falling in three games.
Jake Shull, Pitcher, West Michigan Whitecaps (Detroit Tigers)
An 11th-round selection of the Detroit Tigers in 2015, Shull started off the season with the A Advanced Lakeland Flying Tigers making five relief appearances on the mound working eight innings striking out three before moving down to Single-A West Michigan on May 17. In 21 appearances with the Whitecaps, the Tracy, Calif., native went 2-1 with a 4.68 ERA working 32.2 innings on the mound striking out 25 and walking 10.
The Whitecaps went 91-45 in the regular season and won the Midwest League Eastern Division by 17.5 games as Shull pitched out the bullpen throughout the season. He tossed two or more innings in 14 appearances and struck out a season-high three batters in three games. He received a late season promotion back to Lakeland (62-66) on Sept. 1 and tossed two innings in his lone appearance on Sept. 2. West Michigan finished their season in the MWL playoffs falling in three games to Dayton (Reds).
ROSTER MOVE: With the addition of @daz_cameron16, P @jshull43 promoted to @LkdFlyingTigers. #wcaps #tigers
— Whitecaps (@wmwhitecaps) September 1, 2017
A Short Season Level
Manny Argomaniz, Catcher, Staten Island Yankees (New York Yankees)
An undrafted free agent in 2015, Argomaniz signed with the New York Yankees and after playing in 25 games with the rookie league Pulaski Yankees in 2016, the Montclair, Calif., native spent 2017 with the Staten Island Yankees this season. After making his season debut on June 22, he appeared in 38 games hitting .257 finishing with 29 hits, eight doubles, one home run, 12 RBIs and 15 runs.
Argomaniz tallied nine multi-hit games on the season and put together a three-game stretch in late August where he had three straight games with two hits apiece. Staten Island, who finished 47-31 and won the New York-Penn League McNamara Division, fell in three games to the Hudson Valley Renegades in the NYPL semifinals on Sept. 12.
Aaron Arruda, Infielder, Vermont Lake Monsters (Oakland Athletics)
A 12th-round selection in the 2017 draft, Arruda was assigned to Short-Season Class A Vermont where he made his debut with the Lake Monsters on June 26 smacking two doubles. In 45 games with the team located in Burlington, the Clovis native hit .191 from the dish totaling 30 hits, including 12 for extra-bases. The two-time First-Team All-MW selection had eight doubles and four home runs while driving in 15 RBIs and scoring 17 runs.
Arruda had nine multi-hit games and went for a season-high three base knocks on Aug. 24 in a 6-0 win over Lowell (Red Sox). The Lake Monsters (44-35) won the NYPL Stedler Division before sweeping the Mahoning Valley Scrappers (Indians) in two games as Arruda had a pair of singles in a 8-3 win in game one on Sept. 9. Advancing to the NYPL Championship Series, Vermont was swept in two games by Hudson Valley (Rays). In the first game of the championship series on Sept. 13, the first baseman went 2-for-4 with a single and triple and drove in a run in a heartbreaking 3-2 loss in 13 innings.
Vermont ties game again on @Ferrariboy_3 leadoff double and @aaron_arruda1 RBI triple. 2-2 with 2 outs and HV pitching change.
— VermontLakeMonsters (@VTLakeMonsters) September 13, 2017
Ryan Dobson, Infielder, Hillsboro Hops (Arizona Diamondbacks)
A 30th-round selection of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2017 draft, Dobson appeared in 22 games in rookie ball with the Arizona League D'Backs where he hit .287 from the dish and finished with 25 hits and 11 runs scored. The Culver City, Calif., native stole eight bases and tallied seven multi-hit games before being promoted to Hillsboro on July 29.
In 26 games with the Northwest League club, the second baseman picked up 16 hits, four doubles, six RBIs and scored 17 runs. He had four games with two hits and scored a season-high three runs on Aug. 8 in an 11-2 over Salem-Keizer (Giants). The Hops won the NWL South Division finishing 41-35 advancing to the NWL playoffs to face Eugene (Cubs) falling in two games.
Austin Guibor, Outfielder, Auburn Doubledays (Washington Nationals)We've gotten one back, but we trail Tri-City 3-1 in the bottom of the 7th.#AllHoppedUp pic.twitter.com/y4CFPxmRPw
— Hillsboro Hops (@HillsboroHops) August 26, 2017
Also a 30th-round selection in the 2017 draft, Guibor was assigned to the Gulf Coast League (GCL) Nationals on July 5 and played in seven games tallying five hits, including two triples and scored seven runs. The Campbell, Calif. native received a promotion to Auburn (30-45) on July 20 appearing in 26 games for the New York-Penn League affiliate. The outfielder finished the season hitting .263 with 25 hits, three doubles, two triples, 12 RBIs and tallied seven multi-hit games. In a win 9-6 over Mahoning Valley (Indians) on Aug. 2, Guibor had a season-high three hits with a pair of RBIs and scored a run.
Fred Schlichtholz, Pitcher, Tri-City Dust Devils (San Diego Padres)
Selected by his hometown San Diego Padres in the 13th round of the 2017 draft, Schlichtholz was assigned to the Tri-City Dust Devils of the Northwest League appearing in 16 games out of the bullpen. He compiled a 4-2 record with a salty 0.81 ERA allowing two earned runs in 22.1 innings of work. Schlichtholz struck out 23 while only allowing nine walks and limited opponents to a .200 average from the plate and gave up only six runs all season.
He converted a pair of save opportunities and tossed a season-high three innings on Aug. 19 at Everett (Mariners) limiting the AquaSoxs to one hit and picked up the win in a 4-3 win for Tri-City (40-36). He struck out a season-high three on July 2 and Aug. 5 and in his final eight appearances of the season, he tossed 10 innings allowing five hits and two unearned runs while striking out 10.
Ricky Tyler Thomas, Pitcher, Eugene Emeralds (Chicago Cubs)
The highest drafted Bulldog from the 2017 MLB Draft, Thomas was assigned to the Eugene Emeralds of the Northwest League. Helping the Emeralds finish 39-37 and earn a berth in the NWL Playoffs, Thomas was 1-0 with a 2.33 ERA tossing 19.1 innings and racked up 24 strikeouts.Â
He tallied two innings of work in eight appearances and tallied three strikeouts in six contests. He picked up the win in his debut on July 14, a 2-0 win over Hillsboro (Diamondbacks), going two innings allowing one hit and striking out three. Thomas came up big in the postseason tossing a season-high three innings in the Emeralds' 10-4 game two-clinching win over the Hops on Sept. 7 in the NWL playoffs. In that contest, he struck out a season-high five allowing one walk to his former teammate, Ryan Dobson.
Advancing to the NWL Championship Series, Eugene fell three games to one in a best-of-5 series as Thomas saw action in tough 2-1 loss in game three on Sept. 11. He threw 2.1 hitless innings allowing one walk and struck out three.
Rookie BallRicky Tyler Thomas closes out the 6th, and its still 2-1 Canadians. Headed down to the wire here in Vancouver, time to get the sticks going!
— Eugene Emeralds (@EugeneEmeralds) September 11, 2017
Jared Akins, Outfielder, GCL Twins
Akins, who was selected with the first pick of the 13th round of the 2017 draft started his career with the Gulf Coast Twins after playing one season at Fresno State. In 33 games of action, the Glendale, Calif., native hit .253 from the plate with 25 hits, 16 RBIs and 18 runs scored. Helping lead the Twins to the GCL South Division title with a 35-23 overall record, Akins added five doubles, one triple and three home runs while slugging .414.
Akins had two hits in seven games and in a 6-4 win at the GCL Red Sox on Aug. 18, he hit a grand slam and added a sacrifice fly for a season-high five RBIs. The Twins lost a one game playoff to the GCL Nationals 4-0 on Sept. 3 to end the season.
Jesse Medrano, Infielder, GCL Pirates
After becoming the final 'Dog to sign his contract on June 27, the 31st-round selection of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2017 was assigned to the GCL Pirates and made his debut on June 30 in a pinch-hitting role against the GCL Tigers West. The Concord, Calif., native appeared in 20 games in his rookie season hitting .259 with 15 hits (two doubles and two triples), eight RBIs and scored eight runs. In the Pirates' final game of the season on Sept. 2, Medrano went 4-for-4 with two triples, an RBI and scored two runs in a 5-2 win over the GCL Yankees East.Â
Rickey Ramirez, Pitcher, Elizabethton Twins
The fifth 'Dog selected in the top 15 rounds of the 2017 draft, Ramirez appeared in 15 games out of the bullpen for the Rookie ball team. In 29.1 innings of work, Ramirez struck out 21 batters and held opponents to a .234 average from the plate. In his professional debut on June 30 against the Kingsport Mets (Mets), Ramirez allowed a pair of hits and struck out two in a 12-10 win. He worked a season-high 3.2 innings on July 12 and struck out a season-best three on July 31.Â
Finishing the regular season with a 41-27 overall record, the Twins won the Appalachian League West Division, defeated Greenville (Astros) in three games in the APL semifinals and swept the Pulaski Yankees in two games for the APL Championship on Sept. 8. Ramirez tossed two innings against the Drive in game two on Sept. 4 picking up a strikeout.Â
On Friday, #Twins-affiliated @ETwinsBaseball won the @AppyLeague championship, the franchise's 11th title. https://t.co/yBpgXsohiA pic.twitter.com/VaQVwi1VO7
— MiLB.com (@MiLB) September 8, 2017
Jake Stone, Outfielder, GCL Rays
Despite not being selected in the 2017 MLB Draft, Stone signed a free agent contract with the Rays on June 21 and was assigned to the GCL Rays on June 26 making his professional debut with a 2-for-4 performance with a single, double and walk against the GCL Red Sox.
In 45 games with the Rays, the Carlsbad, Calif., native hit .301 from the dish with 44 hits as over one-third of his hits went for extra bases finishing with 11 doubles, two triples and two home runs. He added 14 RBIs, 19 walks and 24 runs scored and had 15 multi-hit games on the season, including a season-high three in three games. In a 10-2 win at the GCL Twins on Aug. 14, Stone went 3-for-4 with a single, double and triple, drew two walks, added an RBI and scored four runs.
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