Gators in the Pros Update
Monday, July 16, 2018 | Baseball
As Major League Baseball breaks for the 2018 All-Star game, we thought it would be a good time to check in on our former Gators baseball players playing in the professional ranks.
Nine Gators have seen action at the MLB level this season with numerous others moving up the ranks in the minor leagues.
A pair of left-handed relievers – Brian Johnson and Bobby Poyner – have been regulars in the Boston Red Sox bullpen.
Veterans Preston Tucker (Atlanta Braves) and Mike Zunino (Seattle Mariners) have seen consistent playing time with their clubs while rising star Harrison Bader has played in 75 games for the St. Louis Cardinals in his MLB Season.
Anthony DeSclafani made his return from the disabled list on June 5 and has made eight starts for the Cincinnati Reds. Meanwhile, Darren O'Day was shut down due to injury after appearing in 20 games for the Baltimore Orioles.
Matt den Dekker (New York Mets) and Nolan Fontana (Los Angeles Angels) also earned call-ups to the big leagues this season.
A trio of Gators participated in the MLB Futures Game over the weekend, helping lead Team USA to victory. Outfielder Buddy Reed has had a breakout season, hitting .324 with 12 HR and 47 RBI before his July 9 promotion to AA San Antonio Missions in the San Diego Padres organization.
Peter Alonso has displayed his power stroke all season long in the Mets farm system (21 HR and 75 RBI) and moved up to AAA Las Vegas with an eye on possibly joining the big league club later this season.
Right-hander Shaun Anderson picked up the win in the Futures game and was promoted to AAA Sacramento on Monday (July 16). He is having a stellar season so far, posting a 3.45 ERA in 16 starts for the Richmond Flying Squirrels (San Francisco Giants).
Catcher Taylor Gushue and outfielder Tim Tebow each earned invitations to the Eastern League All-Star Game while shortstop Richie Martin played in the Texas All-Star Game.
Top pitching prospect Dane Dunning has made a name for himself with AA Birmingham Barons and played in the Southern All-Star game. Left-hander Scott Moss has also pitched well, posting a 10-2 record and 3.58 ERA with the Daytona Tortugas.
2018 first round draft pick, Jonathan India has found his groove with the Greeneville Reds. After starting 0-for-12 in his first few games, he is 8-for-15 since with five extra-base hits (two home runs) and nine RBI.
CLICK HERE for a full list of Gators in the pros.
Nine Gators have seen action at the MLB level this season with numerous others moving up the ranks in the minor leagues.
A pair of left-handed relievers – Brian Johnson and Bobby Poyner – have been regulars in the Boston Red Sox bullpen.
Veterans Preston Tucker (Atlanta Braves) and Mike Zunino (Seattle Mariners) have seen consistent playing time with their clubs while rising star Harrison Bader has played in 75 games for the St. Louis Cardinals in his MLB Season.
Harrison Bader refuses to let the ⚾️ hit grass! pic.twitter.com/3hpZ09AAoS
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) July 8, 2018
Anthony DeSclafani made his return from the disabled list on June 5 and has made eight starts for the Cincinnati Reds. Meanwhile, Darren O'Day was shut down due to injury after appearing in 20 games for the Baltimore Orioles.
Matt den Dekker (New York Mets) and Nolan Fontana (Los Angeles Angels) also earned call-ups to the big leagues this season.
GATORS IN MLB:
| Harrison Bader (St. Louis Cardinals): | Darren O'Day (Baltimore Orioles): |
| 75 games, .272, 6 2B, 1 3B, 6 HR, 14 RBI (defensive standout) | 20 games, 3.60 ERA, 20.0 IP, 27 K, 4 BB, 1.10 WHIP |
| Placed on DL June 29 | |
| Matt den Dekker (New York Mets): | |
| MLB: 4 games (0-11) | Bobby Poyner (Boston Red Sox): |
| Minors: 63 games, .286, 12 2B, 5 3B, 11 HR, 34 RBI | MLB: 10.2 IP, 10 games, 2 ER, 10 K, 1 BB |
| Minors: 26.2 IP, 2.70 ERA, 29 K, 8 BB | |
| Anthony DeSclafani (Cincinnati Reds): | |
| 8 starts, 4-2, 5.32 ERA, 44.0 IP, 35 K, 13 BB, 1.27 WHIP | Preston Tucker (Atlanta Braves): |
| Activated from DL on June 5 | MLB: 58 games, .254, 9 2B, 4 HR, 22 RBI |
| Minors: 15 games, .232, 4 2B, 3B, 5 RBI | |
| Nolan Fontana (Los Angeles Angels): | |
| MLB: 8 games (1-11) | Mike Zunino (Seattle Mariners): |
| Minors: 38 games, .246, 11 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 18 RBI | 60 games, .189, 7 2B, 12 HR, 29 RBI |
| Brian Johnson (Boston Red Sox): | |
| 25 games/4 starts, 1-2, 4.20 ERA, 49.1 IP, 42 K, 17 BB |
A trio of Gators participated in the MLB Futures Game over the weekend, helping lead Team USA to victory. Outfielder Buddy Reed has had a breakout season, hitting .324 with 12 HR and 47 RBI before his July 9 promotion to AA San Antonio Missions in the San Diego Padres organization.
Peter Alonso has displayed his power stroke all season long in the Mets farm system (21 HR and 75 RBI) and moved up to AAA Las Vegas with an eye on possibly joining the big league club later this season.
Does this count as #CRUSHED?! @PeterAlonso20 with an absolute moonshot in the All-Star #FuturesGame! pic.twitter.com/uuxiolaJ1p
— New York Mets (@Mets) July 15, 2018
Right-hander Shaun Anderson picked up the win in the Futures game and was promoted to AAA Sacramento on Monday (July 16). He is having a stellar season so far, posting a 3.45 ERA in 16 starts for the Richmond Flying Squirrels (San Francisco Giants).
MLB FUTURES GAME PARTICIPANTS:
| Buddy Reed (San Antonio Missions/Padres): |
| 79 games with Lake Elsinore, .324, 21 2B, 7 3B, 12 HR, 47 RBI, 33 SB |
| Promoted to AA San Antonio on July 9, Also played in California All-Star Game |
| Peter Alonso (Las Vegas 51s/Mets): |
| Minors: 88 games, .280, 16 2B, 21 HR, 75 RBI |
| Hit .314 with 15 HR and 52 RBI with Binghamton before being promoted June 16 |
| Shaun Anderson (Richmond Flying Squirrels/Giants): |
| 6-5, 16 starts, 3.45 ERA, 94.0 IP, 93 K, 22 BB, 1.22 WHIP |
OTHER NOTABLE STANDOUTS:
Justin Shafer has posted a 0.91 ERA in 39.2 innings in the Toronto Blue Jays farm system. Paco Rodriguez, trying to rebuild his career after several injuries, has a 2.81 ERA in 25.2 innings and currently pitches for AA Chattanooga Lookouts in the Minnesota Twins system.Catcher Taylor Gushue and outfielder Tim Tebow each earned invitations to the Eastern League All-Star Game while shortstop Richie Martin played in the Texas All-Star Game.
Top pitching prospect Dane Dunning has made a name for himself with AA Birmingham Barons and played in the Southern All-Star game. Left-hander Scott Moss has also pitched well, posting a 10-2 record and 3.58 ERA with the Daytona Tortugas.
2018 first round draft pick, Jonathan India has found his groove with the Greeneville Reds. After starting 0-for-12 in his first few games, he is 8-for-15 since with five extra-base hits (two home runs) and nine RBI.
CLICK HERE for a full list of Gators in the pros.
NOTABLE PERFORMERS:
| Dane Dunning (Birmingham Barons/White Sox): | Scott Moss (Daytona Tortugas/Reds): |
| 6-3, 15 starts, 2.71 ERA, 86.1 IP, 100 K, 26 BB, 1.19 WHIP | 10-2, 16 starts, 3.58 ERA, 83.0 IP, 72 K, 24 BB, 1.30 WHIP |
| Promoted to AA on April 26, Played in the Southern All-Star Game | |
| Paco Rodriguez (Chattanooga Lookouts/Twins): | |
| Taylor Gushue (Harrisburg Senators/Nationals): | 3-0, 17 games (1 start), 2.81 ERA, 25.2 IP, 21 K |
| 75 games, .238, 14 2B, 3B, 10 HR, 40 RBI | |
| Played in the Eastern All-Star Game | Justin Shafer (Buffalo Bisons/Blue Jays): |
| 5-3, 32 games, 0.91 ERA, 39.2 IP, 33 K, 15 BB, 0.96 WHIP | |
| Richie Martin (Midland Rockhounds/A's): | |
| 74 games, .282, 21 2B, 5 3B, HR, 23 RBI | Tim Tebow (Binghamton Rumble Ponies/Mets): |
| Played in the Texas All-Star Game | 80 games, .276, 13 2B, 3B, 6 HR, 35 RBI |
| Played in the Eastern All-Star Game | |
| Jonathan India (Greeneville Reds/Reds): | |
| started 0-for-12, since 8-for-15 with 7 R, 2 HR, 2 2B, 3B, 9 RBI |
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