From the Southland to the Show: July Update
FRISCO, Texas – A total of 63 Southland Conference baseball alumni are currently playing with MLB organizations in 2021. Below is an update on all active players. Statistics are through July 6, 2021.
MLB
Jonathan Davis (Central Arkansas) – Toronto Blue Jays
In his fourth season with the Blue Jays, the three-time All-Southland (2011-13) selection has appeared in 46 games for the big-league squad. Davis has scored 16 runs and drawn 11 walks. He drew a pair of walks and scored a pair of runs in an 18-4 win over the Red Sox on June 13. Davis has a flawless fielding percentage in 42 games in center field with 45 putouts and an assist.
Hunter Dozier (Stephen F. Austin) – Kansas City Royals
In his fourth season as a utility man for the Royals, the 2013 Southland Player & Hitter of the Year is tied for second on the team with two triples and ranks fourth with 14 doubles. Dozier opened the month of July with a 5-for-13 (.385) stretch over four games with a pair of doubles, including a three-run two-bagger to put the team on the board in a 6-3 win over the Twins.
Paul Goldschmidt (Texas State) – St. Louis Cardinals
Tied with Wade Miley as the longest-tenured Southland alumni in the majors, the two-time Southland Hitter of the Year (2008-09) is second on the team in runs (44), RBI (46) and walks (31), and ranks third in hits (84), home runs (12), OBP (.326) and OPS (.744). In his 11
th season, Goldschmidt ranks third among active players in career on-base percentage (.388), only behind Mike Trout and Joey Votto.
Chi Chi Gonzalez (Oral Roberts) – Colorado Rockies
In his third season with the Rockies, the 2013 Southland Pitcher of the Year is 2-5 with a 5.52 ERA in 16 games, including 12 starts. Gonzalez allowed just two earned runs over seven innings in the team’s loss to the Cardinals on July 2, marking his third quality start of the year. Gonzalez is 8-21 with a 5.25 ERA in five seasons in the bigs.
Kyle Keller (Southeastern Louisiana) – Pittsburgh Pirates
In his first season with the Pirates, Keller owns a 6.75 ERA in five appearances out of the bullpen with 10 strikeouts through 5.1 innings. He has struck out the side, opposite just one walk, in each of his two appearances in July. After surrendering three walks and two earned runs in his first appearance of the year, Keller has eight strikeouts, one walk and just two earned runs in his last four outings.
Wade Miley (Southeastern Louisiana) – Cincinnati Reds
Tied with Paul Goldschmidt as the longest-tenured Southland alumni in the majors, the 2008 Southland strikeouts leader (119) leads the Reds’ starters in ERA (3.06) and WHIP (1.15) and ranks second among the group in opponent batting average (.232). On May 7, Miley tossed the first no-hitter by a Red since 2013, striking out eight over nine frames in a 3-0 win over Cleveland.
Ryan O’Hearn (Sam Houston) – Kansas City Royals
In his fourth season with the Royals, the 2014 Second-Team All-Southland honoree is hitting .229 with 13 RBI, six home runs and 13 runs scored in 33 games. O’Hearn posted a .324/.324/.568 slash line in June, closing the month out with an 8-for-20 (.400) stretch. He drove in seven runs and hit three home runs, including one each in back-to-back road games against the Yankees.
Jace Peterson (McNeese) – Milwaukee Brewers
In his second season with the Brewers, the two-time First-Team All-Southland (2010-11) honoree ranks third on the squad in on-base percentage (.381) and owns a .258/.381/.441 slash line. Since June 23, Peterson is hitting 14-for-34 (.412) with 10 RBI, 10 runs, nine walks and five doubles over 12 games. In a three-game set against the Cubs on June 28-30, he went 6-for-10 with five RBI and four runs.
Jordan Romano (Oral Roberts) – Toronto Blue Jays
In his third season with the Blue Jays, the 2014 Southland Relief Pitcher of the Year has been a vital resource out of the bullpen with four wins and six saves on the year across 31 appearances, which ranks second on the team. Romano has struck out 38 batters over 30.2 innings. From May 20-July 3, he pitched 17 innings without an earned run, punching out 23 batters and walking just nine.
Caleb Smith (Sam Houston) – Arizona Diamondbacks
In his first full season with the Diamondbacks after a trade last August, the two-time Second Team All-Southland (2012-13) pick is second on the team in strikeouts (80) and ranks third in opponent batting average (.207). After succeeding out of the bullpen in May, Smith returned to the rotation for the month of June, posting a 2.87 ERA with 35 strikeouts and a .179 opponent batting average across six starts.
Ryan Tepera (Sam Houston) – Chicago Cubs
In his second season with the Cubs, the former Bearkat has made the second-most appearances (37) on the team with 41 strikeouts over 37.2 innings. On June 24, Tepera had a helping hand in a combined no-hit effort of the Dodgers with one inning of relief for starter Zach Davies. From May 1-June 24, Tepera boasted a 0.34 ERA with 30 strikeouts and just four walks over 26.2 innings.
Jose Trevino (Oral Roberts) – Texas Rangers
In his fourth season with the Rangers, the two-time All-Southland (2013-14) honoree has settled in as the team’s primary catcher with 53 games behind the plate. Trevino is hitting .230 with 17 RBI and 14 runs. In an 8-3 win over the A’s on June 21, he drove in a season-high three RBI on a sixth-inning home run. Trevino was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right forearm contusion on July 1.
Will Vest (Stephen F. Austin) – Seattle Mariners
In his first major-league season, the 2017 Third-Team All-Southland pick has made 32 appearances for the Mariners, which ranks third on the team. Vest is 1-0 with 27 strikeouts through 35 innings. He has punched out eight batters over 5.2 innings in his last four outings, including a season-high three K’s in two innings of relief against the Yankees on July 6.
Triple-A
Drew Avans (Southeastern Louisiana) – Oklahoma City Dodgers
In his third season with the Dodgers organization, the two-time All-Southland (2017-18) honoree is reaching base at a .409 clip with 17 walks, 15 runs, eight RBI and six stolen bases at the Triple-A level.
Tyler Eppler (Sam Houston) – Rochester Red Wings
In his first season with the Nationals’ Triple-A affiliate, the 2014 Second-Team All-Southland selection is 1-5 with a 7.41 ERA. Eppler tossed six scoreless innings with six strikeouts versus Syracuse on July 3.
Cameron Gann (Stephen F. Austin) – Reno Aces
In his seventh season with the Diamondbacks organization, Gann is 2-1 with a 5.56 ERA and 23 strikeouts over 22.2 innings in 18 games out of the bullpen for Arizona’s Triple-A team.
Josh Green (Southeastern Louisiana) – Reno Aces
The Diamondbacks’ No. 20 prospect, Green is 6-1 with a 5.00 ERA in 10 starts for Arizona’s Triple-A squad. He allowed just one earned run over 7.2 innings to pick up the win against Tacoma on July 2.
Louis Head (Texas State) – Durham Bulls
In his first season with the Rays organization, Head has made seven appearances over three stints for the major league team and owns a 1.65 ERA in 14 games for Tampa Bay’s Triple-A affiliate.
Nick Heath (Northwestern State) – Reno Aces
In his first season with the Diamondbacks organization, the two-time Southland stolen bases leader (2015-16) paces the Triple-A team with seven steals and has a .297/.386/.446 slash line.
Bryce Johnson (Sam Houston) – Sacramento River Cats
In his fifth season with the Giants organization, the two-time Southland hits leader (2016-17) leads the club’s Triple-A squad in runs (43), walks (24) and steals (14), and is slashing .285/.370/.400.
Reeves Martin (New Orleans) – Tacoma Rainiers
In his third season with the Mariners organization, the 2019 Southland Relief Pitcher of the Year has pitched 6.2 innings over five appearances for Seattle’s Triple-A team.
Mason Melotakis (Northwestern State) – Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
The second-highest drafted Demon in program history had been a free agent since 2018 until he was signed by the Marlins and subsequently assigned to Miami’s Triple-A affiliate on June 11.
Robbie Podorsky (McNeese) – El Paso Chihuahuas
In his fifth season with the Padres organization, the 2017 Southland steals leader (39) owns a slash line of .304/.360/.435 in eight games for San Diego’s Triple-A squad.
Tate Scioneaux (Southeastern Louisiana) – Albuquerque Isotopes
In his first full season with the Rockies’ organization, the 2014 Southland Tournament MVP has a 4.50 ERA and 26 strikeouts over 24 innings in 20 appearances for Colorado’s Double-A and Triple-A teams.
Ty Tice (Central Arkansas) – Gwinnett Stripers
After a June 4 trade to the Braves, Tice was optioned to the club’s Triple-A team on June 24 and has struck out seven in eight innings in eight appearances.
Double-A
Austin Briggs (McNeese) – Midland RockHounds
In his fourth season with the A’s organization, Briggs is 1-0 with 17 strikeouts over 21 innings in 17 relief appearances for Oakland’s Double-A team.
Jameson Fisher (Southeastern Louisiana) – Birmingham Barons
The only three-time all-tournament pick in Southland history, Fisher is in his sixth season with the White Sox organization. He is batting .245 with 16 RBI, 17 runs and 12 walks for Chicago’s Double-A squad.
David Fry (Northwestern State) – Biloxi Shuckers
In his fourth season with the Brewers system, the four-time All-Southland (2015-18) selection ranks second on Milwaukee’s Double-A affiliate in slugging (.436) with 12 extra-base hits in 33 games.
Collin Kober (McNeese) – Arkansas Travelers
In his fifth season with the Mariners organization, the two-time All-Southland (2015-16) honoree has a 2.41 ERA, three holds and a save in 16 appearances out of the bullpen for Seattle’s Double-A squad.
Aaron Hernandez (Texas A&M-Corpus Christi) – Rocket City Trash Pandas
The Angels’ No. 22 prospect and the highest-drafted player out of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Hernandez is 3-4 with 45 strikeouts over 34.1 innings in nine games for Los Angeles’ High-A and Double-A teams.
Nick Mikolajchak (Sam Houston) – Akron RubberDucks
Mikolajchak, who finished his career ranked eighth in Southland history with 22 career saves, has six saves and 35 strikeouts across 24 innings in 17 appearances for Cleveland’s Double-A team.
Adam Oller (Northwestern State) – Binghamton Rumble Ponies
In his first season with the Mets organization, the three-time All-Southland (2014-16) pick is 2-3 with a 5.52 ERA in 10 starts for New York’s Double-A affiliate. He has struck out 53 batters in 45.2 innings.
Eric Orze (New Orleans) – Binghamton Rumble Ponies
A fifth-round pick by the Mets in the 2020 MLB Draft, Orze has struck out six batters over 3.2 innings in two games since being promoted to New York’s Double-A team.
Addison Russ (Houston Baptist) – Somerset Patriots
In his first season with the Yankees organization following a trade last August, Russ has yet to allow an earned run with seven strikeouts in 5.2 innings across five appearances for New York’s Double-A squad.
Mac Sceroler (Southeastern Louisiana) – Chattanooga Lookouts
In his first season with the Orioles organization, Sceroler is 1-0 with eight strikeouts and just one walk in five innings of relief for Baltimore’s Double-A team.
Cayne Ueckert (McNeese) – Tennessee Smokies
In his second season with the Cubs organization, Ueckert is 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA, three saves and 23 strikeouts in 16 appearances since being promoted to Chicago’s Double-A squad on May 11.
Bryan Warzek (New Orleans) – Tulsa Drillers
In his fourth season with the Dodgers organization, the two-time All-Southland (2017-18) selection is 3-1 with a 3.33 ERA and 35 strikeouts over 27 innings in 16 games for Los Angeles’ Double-A affiliate.
Hayden Wesneski (Sam Houston) – Somerset Patriots
The Yankees’ No. 30 prospect and two-time All-Southland (2018-19) pick is 2-3 with a 2.81 ERA in 10 starts at the Double-A and High-A levels. Wesneski has 64 strikeouts and just 14 walks in 51.1 innings.
High A
Aidan Anderson (McNeese) – Jersey Shore BlueClaws
In his third season with the Phillies organization, the 2019 Southland Tournament MVP has a save, a hold and 10 strikeouts through 12.1 innings in eight games for Philadelphia’s High-A team.
Grant Anderson (McNeese) – Hickory Crawdads
In his second season with the Rangers’ High-A affiliate, Anderson has struck out 35 batters over 27.1 innings in 15 appearances.
Jared Biddy (Southeastern Louisiana) – Spokane Indians
The 2019 Third Team All-Southland honoree owns a 1.64 ERA with 20 strikeouts over 22 innings in 12 appearances for the Rockies’ High-A affiliate.
Jason Blanchard (Lamar) – Fort Wayne TinCaps
In his third season with the Padres organization, the 2019 Third-Team All-Southland honoree was assigned to San Diego’s High-A team on May 4.
Tanner Driskill (Lamar) – Wilmington Blue Rocks
In his fourth season with the Nationals organization, Driskill has pitched 8.2 innings in five relief appearances for Washington’s High-A squad.
Cody Grosse (Southeastern Louisiana) – Everett AquaSox
In his third season with the Mariners organization, the 2018 Second Team All-Southland pick is reaching base at a .368 clip with 18 walks, 17 runs and 12 RBI in 30 games for Seattle’s High-A team.
William Hancock (Central Arkansas) – Quad Cities River Bandits
In his fourth season with the Royals organization, the 2018 First-Team All-Southland pick has 16 walks, 14 runs and 13 RBI in 32 games for Kansas City’s High-A squad.
Hunter Hearn (Sam Houston) – Jersey Shore BlueClaws
In his third season with the Phillies organization, the two-time All-Southland (2018-19) honoree has 12 walks, seven runs, five RBI and four doubles in 35 games for the Phillies’ Double-A and High-A teams.
Bryan King (McNeese) – South Bend Cubs
In his third season with the Cubs organization, King owns a 4.91 ERA with 14 strikeouts over 11 innings in seven appearances for Chicago’s High-A team.
Bernie Martinez (UIW) – Everett AquaSox
In his third season with the Mariners organization, the 2019 Southland wins leader (nine) is 2-0 with a 1.84 ERA in eight appearances for Seattle’s High-A affiliate. Opponents are hitting just .176 off him.
Austin Reich (Northwestern State) – Eugene Emeralds
In his third season with the Giants organization, Reich is 3-0 with a 1.73 ERA and 47 strikeouts through 26 innings in 16 appearances for San Francisco’s High-A affiliate.
Shane Selman (McNeese) – Lansing Lugnuts
In his second season with the A’s organization, the 2017 Southland Hitter of the Year is slashing .242/.344/.427 and leads Oakland’s High-A squad in home runs (7) and triples (2).
Shawn Semple (New Orleans) – Hudson Valley Renegades
In his fifth season with the Yankees organization, the 2017 First-Team All-Southland honoree is 3-0 with a 1.88 ERA in four starts for New York’s High-A team. He has 32 strikeouts and eight walks in 24 innings.
Bryce Tassin (Southeastern Louisiana) – West Michigan Whitecaps
In his third season with the Tigers organization, Tassin owns a 3.18 ERA in 11.1 innings pitched over 10 relief appearances for Detroit’s High-A squad.
Luis Trevino (Abilene Christian) – Bowling Green Hot Rods
In his third season with the Rays organization, the 2019 Southland Player of the Year owns a .294/.368/.490 slash line with nine RBI and seven doubles for Tampa Bay’s High-A team.
Low A
Jordan Cannon (Sam Houston) – Delmarva Shorebirds
In his third season with the Orioles organization, the 2019 Second-Team All-Southland selection is hitting .223 with 20 runs, 14 RBI and 12 walks in 31 games for Baltimore’s Low-A affiliate.
J.C. Correa (Lamar) – Fayetteville Woodpeckers
The 2019 Second-Team All-Southland honoree and brother of Carlos Correa ranks second in the Carolina League with 15 doubles and is slashing .294/.379/.439 with team highs in runs (34) and hits (53).
Austin Faith (Lamar) – St. Lucie Mets
In his first season with the Mets organization, Faith is 2-3 with 28 strikeouts over 21.1 innings in 11 appearances for New York’s Low-A squad.
Logan Hofmann (Northwestern State) – Bradenton Marauders
A fifth-round pick by the Pirates in the 2020 MLB Draft, Hofmann is 3-1 with a 2.53 ERA and 46 strikeouts over 32 innings in 11 appearances for Pittsburgh’s Low-A team.
Nate Jones (Northwestern State) – St. Lucie Mets
In his third season with the Mets organization, the 2019 Second Team All-Southland selection was assigned to New York’s Low-A squad on May 4.
Trayson Kubo (Stephen F. Austin) – Stockton Ports
In his third season with the A’s organization, Kubo has struck out 10 batters in 11.1 innings across five appearances for Oakland’s Low-A squad.
Gavin Stone (Central Arkansas) – Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
A fifth-round pick by the Dodgers in the 2020 MLB Draft, Stone owns a 3.76 ERA with 51 strikeouts over 38.1 innings in 11 appearances for Los Angeles’ Low-A affiliate.
Rookie
Kwan Adkins (Northwestern State) – ACL Giants Orange
In his fourth season with the Giants organization, the 2018 Third-Team All-Southland selection owns a .267/.389/.600 slash line through five games for San Franciso’s Rookie League squad.
Kyle Gruller (Houston Baptist) – FCL Astros
The 2019 Third-Team All-Southland pick was assigned to the Houston Astros’ Rookie League affiliate on June 28.
Hunter Speer (Nicholls) – ACL White Sox
Speer was signed by the White Sox and assigned to Chicago’s Rookie League squad on July 5. He has a 4.50 ERA with 10 strikeouts over eight innings at the Double-A and High-A levels this season