A look at how Florida's 2011 MLB draft picks are doing in minor leagues
Sunday, June 3, 2012 | Baseball, Women's Basketball, Scott Carter
Photo: Former Gator lefty Nick Maronde pitching for Inland Empire 66ers (Fernando Gutierrez)
In researching the final game of last year's College World Series recently, I was reminded that the final out in Florida's 5-2 loss to South Carolina came on a fly out by former Gator Ben McMahan.
Soon afterward McMahan and several other Gators from last year's team signed pro contracts and were assigned to the minors.
With Monday's MLB amateur draft on tap, some of this year's Gators are likely to take the same path. First, they are on a mission to make it back to Omaha and win the program's first national title.
While that's a story for another day, let's take a look at how those Gators who made it to Omaha last season are doing in the minors this season:
--Ben McMahan (photo, left), OF, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Class A Midwest League). He was drafted by Milwaukee in 23rd round.
In 37 games, McMahan is hitting .300 (39-for-130) with nine doubles, three triples, three home runs and 19 RBIs.
--Nick Maronde, LHP, Inland Empire 66ers (Class A Advanced California League). The Angels drafted him in the third round.
Maronde made six starts for the 66ers (0-1, 2.83 ERA, 35 IP, 9 BB, 35 SO) before going on the disabled list. He was California League Pitcher of the Week in April. His last start was May 3 before going on DL with a lat injury according to Baseball America.
--Anthony DeSclafani, RHP, Lansing Lugnuts (Class A Midwest League). Toronto drafted him in the sixth round.
DeSclafani is 4-1 with a 3.14 ERA in 43 innings (51 H, 7 BB, 38 SO). He has made 12 appearances, including six starts.
--Alex Panteliodis, LHP, Savannah Sand Gnats (Class A South Atlantic League). The Mets drafted Panteliodis in the ninth round.
Panteliodis has made nine starts this season, going 3-3 with a 3.15 ERA. In 40 innings, Panteliodis has allowed 39 hits, walked 21 and struck out 24.
--Josh Adams (photo, left), 2B, Greensboro Grasshoppers (Class A South Atlantic League). Florida used a 13th-round pick on Adams.
Adams is playing shortstop in the minors and in 53 games is hitting .286 (59-for-206). Adams has good power numbers with 15 doubles, 11 homers and 46 RBI.
--Matt Campbell, RHP, Lakewood BlueClaws (Class A South Atlantic League). The Phillies took Campbell in the 24th round.
Campbell has appeared in 12 games – all in relief – and is 1-2 with a 4.42 ERA and three saves. In 18 1/3 innings, Campbell has allowed 14 hits, struck out 16 and walked nine.
--Tommy Toledo, RHP, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Class A Midwest League). Milwaukee selected Toledo in the 11th round.
A teammate of McMahan, Toledo is 6-0 with a 1.40 ERA and one save coming out of the bullpen. He has pitched 25 2/3 innings, allowing just 11 hits and a .131 opponents batting average. He has 18 strikeouts and 11 walks.
--Bryson Smith, OF, Bakersfield Blaze (Class A Advanced California League). Cincinnati drafted Smith in the 34th round.
In 47 games, Smith is batting .333 (56-for-168) with six doubles, one triple, five home runs and 31 RBI. Smith also has seven stolen bases.
Note: All statistics are updated through Saturday's games via minorleaguebaseball.com.
