
Gators in the Pros: August 18 Update
Wednesday, August 18, 2021 | Baseball
To date, 77 Gators have reached the MLB – a total that has already seen an uptick during the 2021 season with the debuts of infielder Jonathan India, right-handed pitcher Jackson Kowar, catcher Taylor Gushue and left-handed pitcher Kirby Snead. Dating back to the start of head coach Kevin O'Sullivan's tenure in 2008, 25 former Florida players have made it to The Show.
Florida's collection of minor league players recently saw a six-player jump, as Franco Aleman, Nathan Hickey, Jack Leftwich, Tommy Mace, Christian Scott and Jacob Young all signed pro contracts after being drafted by various MLB organizations this past summer. So far, only Hickey (Rookie-level) and Young (Low-A) have been assigned to a specific MiLB affiliate.
In addition to Florida's abundant presence of professional players, former catcher Mark Kolozsvary (UF 2015-17) competed for Team USA and won a silver medal at the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
Of the 28 Gators currently competing in affiliated MiLB, 17 of them are positioned on either Double-A or Triple-A rosters. With that many alumni in the upper minors, it will not be long before another Gator makes their MLB debut.
Gators in the MLB
Pete Alonso | 1B | New York Mets | UF 2014-16
2021: .250/.333/.495, 26 HR, 1 3B, 17 2B, 69 RBI, 58 R, 44 BB, 3 SB (109 G – 396 AB)
Just two years removed from his 2019 National League Rookie of the Year campaign, Alonso is enjoying a strong third season with the Mets. After winning his second-consecutive Home Run Derby in July, Alonso came out firing on all cylinders with nine home runs since the All-Star Break – tied for the eighth-most in the MLB.
YOUR 2021 #HRDerby CHAMP! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/ibAZF0ucgb
— Florida Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) July 13, 2021
Harrison Bader | OF | St. Louis Cardinals | UF 2013-15
2021: .267/.330/.438, 9 HR, 9 2B, 28 RBI, 24 R, 18 BB, 6 SB (59 G – 210 AB)
Bader spent time on the injured list from May 25 to July 1 with a hairline fracture in his rib, but is now in the midst of his strongest offensive season across parts of five years in the big leagues. While Bader is on track to set a new single-season career high in long balls (12 in both 2018 and 2019), it comes as no surprise that he has also produced an excellent .994 fielding percentage in the outfield.
Harrison Bader
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) July 23, 2021
Is there anyone hotter? 🔥 pic.twitter.com/4vPal8SfiF
Anthony DeSclafani | RHP | San Francisco Giants | UF 2009-11
2021: 11-5, 23 GS, 131.1 IP, 2 CG, 3.29 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 35 B, 122 K
Although Desclafani was one of the more notable All-Star snubs this past July, the right-hander continues to churn out his best MLB campaign to date. Desclafani is tied for first in the MLB in complete-game shutouts (two) and his 3.29 ERA sits right behind his career-best mark of 3.28 in 2016 – a season which he has already surpassed in terms of innings pitched. Meanwhile, his WHIP of 1.08 stands to blow his previous career-best of 1.20 in 2019 out of the water.
"This guy should be going to the All-Star game."
— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) July 10, 2021
Rich Aurilia believes Anthony DeSclafani should be headed to Denver after yet another dominant performance Saturday afternoon. pic.twitter.com/jrZVu34hNW
Dane Dunning | RHP | Texas Rangers | UF 2014-16
2021: 5-7, 21 GS, 99.2 IP, 4.06 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 35 BB, 97 K
After breaking out with a strong rookie campaign in 2020 (2-0, 34 IP, 3.97 ERA, 35 K), Dunning is turning in yet another above-average year in 2021. Dunning's 110 ERA+ indicates his pitching has been 10% better than league average and he continues to strike out close to one batter per inning (8.8 K/9). Dunning has allowed three earned runs or fewer in eight-straight starts and is 2-1 with a 2.73 ERA across his previous-six starts dating back to July 1.
This is why we love Dane Dunning! Just made cheat code Shohei Ohtani look SILLY here! pic.twitter.com/cAPsVW1GIe
— Nolan Writin' (@NolanWritinFS) August 3, 2021
Jonathan India | 2B | Cincinnati Reds | UF 2016-18
2021: .280/.393/.471, 16 HR, 2 3B, 21 2B, 73 R, 55 RBI, 55 B, 8 SB (110 G – 382 AB)
As quite possibly the leading candidate for the National League Rookie of the Year Award, India has been on fire since the All-Star Break with the 14th-best OPS (.990) in baseball following the Midsummer Classic. India has found a groove as the regular leadoff hitter in the Reds batting order, helping power Cincinnati to a 65-56 record on the season. If India ultimately earns NL ROY honors, he would represent the second Gator in the last three seasons to claim the award (Pete Alonso, 2019).
Is @JonathanIndia the NL Rookie of the Year?
— MLB (@MLB) August 15, 2021
(MLB x @Flonase) pic.twitter.com/JkPPR2KHNo
Richie Martin | SS | Baltimore Orioles | UF 2013-15
2021: .233/.294/.367, 1 HR, 1 2B, 4 RBI, 4 R, 3 BB (10 G – 30 AB)
Martin's 2021 season only just got underway in the majors, as he was limited to Triple-A action and the injured list for the bulk of the campaign. A left wrist fracture kept Martin off the diamond from May 19 to Aug. 2, but the young infielder is finally back in an Orioles uniform after playing in 120 games for Baltimore back in 2019.
Darren O'Day | RHP | New York Yankees | UF 2003-06
2021: 0-0, 12 G, 10.2 IP, 3.38 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 4 BB, 11 K
Pitching in his 14th MLB season, O'Day has not appeared in a big-league game since July 4 as a result of a hamstring injury. The Yankees recently announced that O'Day will undergo season-ending surgery as a result of the injury, and the veteran reliever has not yet made it known whether or not he plans to pitch next season. For what it is worth, the right-hander was effective across 12 appearances for New York prior to the injury, working to a 3.38 ERA.
A.J. Puk | LHP | Oakland Athletics | UF 2014-16
2021 (MLB): 0-0, 5 G, 7.1 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, 4 BB, 8 K
2021 (Triple-A): 2-3, 1 SV, 26 G, 40.0 IP, 6.08 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, 13 BB, 48 K
Although Puk has spent the bulk of the season either on the injured list or in Triple-A, the Athletics promoted him back to the MLB on Aug. 10 and the southpaw has looked strong in four outings since with zero runs allowed in four innings pitched. Overall, Puk has yet to allow a run at the MLB level so far this year while adding another 40 innings of work at Triple-A Las Vegas.
A. J. Puk, Overpowering stuff. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/pvpmsaQPID
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 11, 2021
Brady Singer | RHP | Kansas City Royals | UF 2016-18
2021: 3-8, 20 GS, 91.1 IP, 5.42 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, 40 BB, 94 K
It has been a difficult sophomore season for Singer, who has yet to replicate the same success he experienced as a rookie in 2020. The right-hander spent some time on the injured list from July 20 to Aug. 11, but has yet to find a groove following his return to health. After pitching to a 4.06 ERA in 12 starts as a rookie, Singer is 3-8 with a 5.42 ERA in 20 starts this year.
Kirby Snead | LHP | Triple-A | Buffalo Bisons | Toronto Blue Jays | UF 2014-16
2021 (MLB): 0-0, 6 G, 7.0 IP, 1.29 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 2 BB, 6 K
2021 (Triple-A): 2-0, 4 SV, 29 G, 33.1 IP, 1.89 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 12 BB, 45 K
As a result of a terrific showing at the Triple-A level, Snead was called up by the Blue Jays and made his MLB debut on July 28 at Boston. While becoming the 77th former Gator to reach the majors, Snead induced an inning-ending double play in his debut and has allowed just one run through his first-six big-league appearances.
Lettuce appreciate this debut 👏
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 29, 2021
Welcome to The Show, @KirbySnead! pic.twitter.com/tSGRb81dr8
Mike Zunino | C | Tampa Bay Rays | UF 2010-12
2021: .215/.301/.567, 26 HR, 9 2B, 48 R, 48 RBI, 26 BB (82 G – 247 AB)
Zunino was selected to his first-career All-Star Game this season, representing the Rays as the American League's back-up catcher in the Midsummer Classic. The former Gators catcher made the most of his opportunity, launching a 433-foot home run to right field in his first at-bat and also throwing out the Brewers' Omar Narvaez on the base paths as he attempted to advance on a wild pitch. Having set a new career high in home runs (26), Zunino ranks first among all catchers in slugging percentage (.567), tied for first in on-base-plus-slugging (.868), second in homers, tied for fourth in runs (48) and tied for sixth in RBI (48) while providing a .996 fielding percentage defensively. As of Aug. 18, Zunino has homered in five-consecutive games.
All-Star Florida Man hits ball into the mountains pic.twitter.com/CssrvvMWVF
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) July 14, 2021
Gators in the MiLB
Shaun Anderson | RHP | Triple-A | El Paso Chihuahuas | San Diego Padres | UF 2014-16
2021: 0-0, 11 G, 18.2 IP, 9.16 ERA, 2.14 WHIP, 10 BB, 15 K
2021 (Triple-A): 1-0, 10 G, 13.1 IP, 1.35 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, 5 BB, 16 K
Although there are still over seven weeks remaining in the regular season, Anderson is already with his fourth MLB organization in 2021. After opening the year with the Minnesota Twins, Anderson had brief stints with the Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles prior to be claimed by the Padres. To this point, Anderson owns a 9.16 ERA with 15 strikeouts across 18.2 MLB innings – but he has been far more effective in Triple-A this year.
Taylor Gushue | C | Triple-A | Iowa Cubs | Chicago Cubs | UF 2012-14
2021 (MLB): .000/.000/.000 (2 G – 4 AB
2021 (Triple-A): .237/.292/.397, 7 HR, 10 2B, 34 RBI, 23 R, 16 BB (57 G – 194 AB)
Gushue broke into the big leagues on June 30, as the Cubs promoted him to the MLB and gave him the start behind the plate against the Brewers in Milwaukee. Although he was subsequently demoted on July 8 without notching his first-MLB hit, Gushue nevertheless became the 76th former Gator to debut in the major leagues (Snead later increased that number to 77 with his July 28 debut).
Dalton Guthrie | INF | Triple-A | Lehigh Valley IronPigs | Philadelphia Phillies | UF 2015-17
2021 (Triple-A): .313/.352/.478, 2 HR, 13 2B, 15 R, 13 RBI, 5 BB, 2 SB (31 G – 115 AB)
2021 (Double-A): .219/.296/.344, 3 HR, 2 3B, 3 2B, 14 R, 12 RBI, 12 BB, 2 SB (36 G – 128 AB)
Now in Triple-A, Guthrie is just a quick call away from making his MLB debut following a 36-game cameo in Double-A to open the year. Guthrie's numbers have improved vastly since the June 18-promotion, as his Triple-A OPS of .831 is far superior to his .640 Double-A mark.
Eric Hanhold | RHP | Triple-A | Norfolk Tides | Baltimore Orioles | UF 2013-15
2021: 1-1, 19 G, 20.2 IP, 6.10 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 12 BB, 23 K
Hanhold concluded the 2019 season at the Triple-A level and Baltimore assigned the righty to their top affiliate yet again in 2021.
Brian Johnson | LHP | Triple-A | Salt Lake Bees | Los Angeles Angels | UF 2010-12
2021: 3-4, 8 G (7 GS), 42.2 IP, 5.48 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 11 BB, 32 K
Johnson latched on with the Angels this past June after being released by the Red Sox in August of 2020. The four-year MLB veteran has yet to find much success with the Los Angeles organization, but his track record (4.74 career ERA in 171 MLB innings) should provide him with some leeway as he pushes for a return to the majors.
Jackson Kowar | RHP | Triple-A | Omaha Storm Chasers | Kansas City Royals | UF 2016-18
2021 (MLB): 0-2, 3 G (2 GS), 5.0 IP, 18.00 ERA, 3.20 WHIP, 5 BB, 2 K
2021 (Triple-A): 7-4, 15 G (14 GS), 69.2 IP, 3.75 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 32 BB, 99 K
Preceding Gushue as the 75th Gators player to reach the MLB, Kowar made his big-league debut on June 7 as he received the start against the Los Angeles Angels. Despite being sent down to Triple-A after just three rocky appearances, Kowar has pitched well in the minors in 2021 and remains on track to play a substantial role in Kansas City's next contending team.
Strikeout No. 9️⃣9️⃣ for Jackson Kowar!
— Omaha Storm Chasers (@OMAStormChasers) August 15, 2021
He now leads Triple-A in K's 🔥#ChasersFamily pic.twitter.com/HHGYsv8Hao
Scott Moss | LHP | Triple-A | Columbus Clippers | Cleveland Indians | UF 2014-16
2021: 1-5, 9 G (7 GS), 20.1 IP, 7.08 ERA, 1.72 WHIP, 15 BB, 29 K
Moss has pitched all of 2021 at Triple-A after tossing 18.2 innings at the same level in 2019. That first stint was far more productive, as Moss finished with a 2-1 record, 1.93 ERA and 23 strikeouts.
Buddy Reed | OF | Triple-A | Las Vegas Aviators | Oakland Athletics | UF 2014-16
2021: .322/.429/.492, 1 HR, 1 3B, 5 2B, 16 R, 12 RBI, 10 BB, 2 SB (23 G – 59 AB)
Reed has been limited to just 23 games this season due to a June 15-Aug. 12 injured-list stint, but his .921 OPS at the Triple-A level indicates he is not far off from making his MLB debut with Oakland.
Mike Rivera | C | Triple-A | Columbus Clippers | Cleveland Indians | UF 2015-17
2021 (Triple-A): .208/.269/.250, 1 2B, 3 R, 2 BB (9 G – 24 AB)
2021 (Double-A): .163/.257/.302, 3 HR, 3 2B, 15 RBI, 11 R, 10 BB (26 G – 86 AB)
It has been a tough season for Rivera offensively, but he did enough behind the plate (.991 fielding percentage, 29% caught stealing) at Double-A to earn a promotion to Triple-A Columbus on July 30. Overall, Rivera boasts a .994 career fielding percentage in the minors and has thrown out 36% of would-be base stealers.
Logan Shore | RHP | Triple-A | Toledo Mud Hens | Detroit Tigers | UF 2014-16
2021: 3-2, 8 G (7 GS), 33.2 IP, 3.74 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 16 BB, 28 K
Due to a stint on the injured list spanning from June 10 to Aug. 5, Shore has only accumulated 33.2 innings in his first taste of Triple-A action this year. With a 3.76 ERA across 332.1 career innings in the minors, Shore is positioned to reach the MLB in late 2021 or during the 2022 campaign.
Logan Shore was PERFECT in his first start off the IL. 🔥
— Toledo Mud Hens (@MudHens) August 6, 2021
4.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 58 pitches pic.twitter.com/r8iIj8qYRx
Danny Young | LHP | Triple-A | Columbus Clippers | Cleveland Indians | UF 2013-15
2021: 2-2, 27 G, 36 IP, 5.25 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 15 BB, 46 K
Young has spent all of the 2021 campaign at Triple-A Columbus after splitting the 2019 season across Double-A and Triple-A.
Michael Byrne | RHP | Double-A | Chattanooga Lookouts | Cincinnati Reds | UF 2016-18
2021: 2-4, 2 SV, 25 G, 38.1 IP, 3.52 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 17 BB, 27 K
Byrne has pitched all of the 2021 season at Double-A Chattanooga after spending the 2018-19 campaigns at the High-A level.
Alex Faedo | RHP | Double-A | Erie Seawolves | Detroit Tigers | UF 2015-17
2019 (Double-A): 6-7, 22 GS, 115.1 IP, 3.90 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 25 BB, 134 K
Faedo is out for the entire 2021 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in December of 2020.
Mark Kolozsvary | C | Double-A | Chattanooga Lookouts | Cincinnati Reds | UF 2015-17
2021: .233/.346/.414, 4 HR, 12 2B, 30 R, 22 RBI, 19 BB (37 G – 133 AB)
Even though Kolozsvary is sporting a .760 OPS in his first Double-A season, the highlight of the year for the former Gators backstop was undoubtedly representing Team USA at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo. After batting .417 with two home runs to help the United States qualify for the Olympics, Kolozsvary caught all 54 innings for the Stars and Stripes in Tokyo to power Team USA to a silver-medal finish. The Olympic showing improved Kolozsvary's standing in the Reds organization, as he is now Cincinnati's 28th-ranked prospect according to MLB.com.
ALL TIED UP.
— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) August 2, 2021
It's an RBI single for @USABaseball to draw even at two. #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/5v4sfQLwcA
Nelson Maldonado | OF | Double-A | Tennessee Smokies | Chicago Cubs | UF 2016-19
2021: .301/.374/.460, 6 HR, 2 3B, 14 2B, 36 R, 33 RBI, 23 BB, 1 SB (62 G – 226 AB)
Competing in his first-full professional season, Maldonado wields a strong .834 OPS as a mainstay in the Tennessee Smokies' outfield. With the Cubs having recently pivoted to a rebuilding stage, there will likely be a surplus of opportunities for Maldonado at Triple-A and in the MLB over the next few seasons.
Nelson Maldonado goes deep for a 3 run homerun in the 2nd! #CubTogether pic.twitter.com/BuhLtBmCsN
— Caleb Webb (@calebgwebb) July 10, 2021
Frank Rubio | RHP | Double-A | Richmond Flying Squirrels | San Francisco Giants | UF 2014-17
2021: 4-3, 28 G, 30.2 IP, 4.11 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 6 BB, 26 K
Rubio has pitched the entirety of the 2021 season for Richmond, marking the third-consecutive MiLB season in which the right-hander has logged innings at the Double-A level.
JJ Schwarz | C | Double-A | Midland RockHounds | Oakland Athletics | UF 2015-18
2021: .251/.343/.369, 4 HR, 1 3B, 7 2B, 27 RBI, 20 R, 25 BB (51 G – 179 AB)
Facing Double-A pitching for the first time in his pro career, Schwarz got off to a slow start in 2021 but has since raised his OPS to a .727 mark on the year.
Wil Dalton | OF | High-A | Greenville Drive | Boston Red Sox | UF 2018-19
2021 (Double-A): .240/.296/.400, 4 2B, 3 RBI, 3 R (8 G – 25 AB)
2021 (High-A): .176/.268/.336, 4 HR, 1 3B, 6 2B, 20 RBI, 19 R, 16 BB, 1 SB (35 G – 125 AB)
2021 (Low-A): .265/.354/.449, 4 HR, 6 2B, 17 RBI, 14 R, 13 BB, 4 SB (31 G – 98 AB)
Dalton has seen action at three-different levels of the minors already in 2021, experiencing the most success at Low-A Salem. As it stands today, Dalton is assigned to High-A Greenville, but also spent a brief period at Double-A Portland from July 29 to Aug. 11.
Tyler Dyson | RHP | High-A | Wilmington Blue Rocks | Washington Nationals | UF 2017-19
2021: 1-2, 7 G (3 GS), 26 IP, 2.77 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 15 BB, 26 K
Currently on a rehab assignment in the Florida Complex League, Dyson is on track to return to High-A Wilmington and resume what has been a successful season in the near future.
Deacon Liput | SS | High-A | Great Lakes Loons | Los Angeles Dodgers | UF 2016-18
2021: .221/.276/.367, 10 HR, 2 3B, 7 2B, 33 R, 31 RBI, 19 BB, 12 SB (78 G – 281 AB)
Liput has been at the High-A level for all of the past two MiLB seasons, sporting a .643 OPS through 78 games this year.
Brady McConnell | SS | Low-A | Columbia Fireflies | Kansas City Royals | UF 2018-19
2021: .196/.289/.355, 3 HR, 1 3B, 6 2B, 17 RBI, 12 R, 14 BB, 3 SB (30 G – 107 AB)
After registering a .688 OPS in rookie-level baseball back in 2019, McConnell has played all of 2021 at Low-A Columbia where he owns a .644 OPS across 107 at-bats. He is currently on the 60-day injured list.
Brady Smith | C | Low-A | Down East Wood Ducks | Texas Rangers | UF 2018-20
2021 (High-A): .200/.273/.200, 2 R, 1 BB (5 G – 10 AB)
2021 (Low-A): .179/.351/.214, 2 R, 1 BB (5 G – 10 AB)
Smith signed with Texas as an undrafted free agent in June of 2020 and has split the 2021 season between High-A Hickory and Low-A Down East.
Jacob Young | OF | Low-A | Fredricksburg Nationals | Washington Nationals | UF 2019-21
2021: .000/.000/.000 (1 G – 4 AB)
Young made his professional debut on Aug. 17 at the Low-A level, starting in right field and making three putouts on the defensive end.
Nathan Hickey | C | Rookie | FCL Red Sox | Boston Red Sox | UF 2020-21
2021: .111/.200/.111, 1 R (3 G – 9 AB)
Similarly to Young, Hickey recently made his pro debut on Aug. 12 and subsequently collected his first pro hit with a single on Aug. 17.
Additional Gators in the MiLB (Unassigned) | |||
---|---|---|---|
Player | Position | Team | UF |
Franco Aleman | RHP | Cleveland | 2021 |
Jack Leftwich | RHP | Cleveland | 2018-21 |
Tommy Mace | RHP | Cleveland | 2018-21 |
Christian Scott | RHP | New York Mets | 2019-21 |
Aleman, Leftwich, Mace and Scott all await their first MiLB assignments with their new organizations.
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