Like in the first month of the 2019 MLB/MiLB season, former Louisville Cardinals are continuing to make their presence known throughout professional baseball. This month was especially noteworthy, as one former Cardinal finally completed his long journey through the farm system and made it to The Show.

With catcher Austin Barnes headed to the 10-day injured list, the Los Angeles Dodgers finally decided it was time to call up their #5 overall prospect: catcher, and Cardinal Forever, Will Smith. With his May 28thdebut, Smith became the 18thformer Cardinal to make it to the MLB level, and the first former UofL catcher. Even with as big of a stage as the big leagues can be, especially in L.A. he did not waiver. Walking up to the plate to the tune of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”, he ripped a base hit into left field in his first at-bat, marking only the third time that a former UofL player collected his first MLB hit in his first at-bat (B.J. Rosenberg, Cody Ege). He finished his MLB debut going 2-4 with a double.

The month of May also marked a huge milestone for arguably the greatest Louisville Baseball player of all time. Less than two years after the Tampa Bay Rays drafted him at No. 4 overall, the team decided to call up LHP/DH Brendan McKay to their triple-A affiliate, the Durham Bulls. Only six days after Louisville took on Clemson at Durham Bulls Athletic Park in the ACC Baseball Championship, McKay made his AAA debut on the same mound. He tossed 4 strikeouts over 5.0 innings pitched and allowed no runs to, ironically, the Louisville Bats.

Smith and McKay were not the only Cards to make headlines in this past month. Thanks to a 4 HR, 7 RBI week on a .385 average, outfielder Josh Stowers made MLB Pipeline’s Team of the Week for the fourth week of May. Also making the Team of the Week in May was the Tampa Bay Rays’ #12 overall prospect Nick Solak, doing so just the week before. The newfound teammate of Brendan McKay posted a slash line of .435/.481/.826 with 10 RBI, increasing his total to 23 through the month of May.

The following stats and info are accurate as of May 31st, 2019

Sam Bordner

Position: RHP
Years at UofL: 2016-18
Organization: Miami Marlins
Team (Level): Not Assigned Team Yet 
2019 Season Stats:

No 2019 stats accumulated yet due to recovery from surgery

Nick Burdi

Position: RHP
Years at UofL: 2012-14
Organization: Pittsburgh Pirates
Team (Level): Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB)
2019 Season Stats (MLB):

W-L GP-GS IP K-BB H ER ERA WHIP
2-1 11-0 8.2 17-3 11 9 9.35 1.62

More Nick Burdi stats

2019 Transaction History:

  • May 11, 2019: Pittsburgh Pirates transferred RHP Nick Burdi from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day injured list. Right bicep/elbow pain.
  • April 23, 2019: Pittsburgh Pirates placed RHP Nick Burdi on the 10-day injured list. Right bicep/elbow pain.

Zack Burdi

Position: RHP
Years at UofL: 2014-16
Organization: Chicago White Sox
Team (Level): Birmingham Barons (AA)
2019 Season Stats (A):

W-L GP-GS IP K-BB H ER ERA WHIP
1-3 13-0 17.0 24-10 23 15 7.94 1.94

More Zack Burdi stats

2019 Transaction History:

  • April 30, 2019: RHP Zack Burdi assigned to Birmingham Barons (AA) from Kannapolis Intimidators (A).
  • April 22, 2019: RHP Zack Burdi assigned to Kannapolis Intimidators (A) from Charlotte Knights (AAA).
  • April 4, 2019: Charlotte Knights (AAA) placed RHP Zack Burdi on the 7-day injured list.

Austin Conway

Position: RHP
Years at UofL: 2018 (JUCO)
Organization: Chicago White Sox
Team (Level): Kannapolis Intimidators (A)
2019 Season Stats (A-Adv):

W-L GP-GS IP K-BB H ER ERA WHIP
0-0 3-0 3.0 3-5 6 6 18.00 3.67

2019 Season Stats (A):

W-L GP-GS IP K-BB H ER ERA WHIP
0-0 6-0 8.0 15-3 3 0 0.00 0.75

More Austin Conway stats

2019 Transaction History:

  • May 17, 2019: Kannapolis Intimidators (A) placed RHP Austin Conway on the 7-day injured list retroactive to May 16, 2019
  • May 13, 2019: RHP Austin Conway assigned to Kannapolis Intimidators (A) from Winston-Salem Dash (A-Adv).
  • April 30, 2019: RHP Austin Conway assigned to Winston-Salem Dash (A-Adv) from Kannapolis Intimidators (A).
  • April 13, 2019: RHP Austin Conway assigned to Kannapolis Intimidators (A) from Great Falls Voyagers (R).

Adam Duvall

Position: Left Fielder
Years at UofL: 2009-10 (JUCO)
Organization: Atlanta Braves
Team (Level): Gwinnett Stripers (AAA)
2019 Season Stats (AAA):

G/AB HR RBI BB K AVG OBP SLG
46/173 15 38 22 34 .266 .358 .607

More Adam Duvall stats

2019 Transaction History:

  • March 24, 2019: Atlanta Braves (MLB) optioned LF Adam Duvall to Gwinnett Stripers (AAA).

Drew Ellis

Position: Third Baseman
Years at UofL: 2015-17
Organization: Arizona Diamondbacks
Team (Level): Jackson Generals (AA)
2019 Season Stats (AA):

G/AB HR RBI BB K AVG OBP SLG
46/148 3 22 21 42 .277 .366 .412

More Drew Ellis stats

2019 Transaction History:

  • April 1, 2019: 3B Drew Ellis assigned to Jackson Generals (AA) from Visalia Rawhide (A-Adv).

Adam Engel

Position: Center Fielder
Years at UofL: 2011-13
Organization: Chicago White Sox
Team (Level): Charlotte Knights (AAA)
2019 Season Stats (MLB):

G/AB HR RBI BB K AVG OBP SLG
26/52 1 4 4 20 .212 .281 .346

2019 Season Stats (AAA):

G/AB HR RBI BB K AVG OBP SLG
21/79 4 10 3 22 .215 .272 .456

More Adam Engel stats

2019 Transaction History:

  • May 6, 2019: Chicago White Sox optioned CF Adam Engel to Charlotte Knights (AAA).

Colby Fitch

Position: Catcher
Years at UofL: 2015-17
Organization: Philadelphia Phillies
Team (Level): Clearwater Threshers (A-Adv)
2019 Season Stats (A-Adv):

G/AB HR RBI BB K AVG OBP SLG
23/74 0 8 13 16 .243 .376 .311

More Colby Fitch stats

2019 Transaction History:

  • April 1, 2019: C Colby Fitch assigned to Clearwater Threshers (A-Adv) from Lakewood BlueClaws (A).

Kyle Funkhouser

Position: RHP
Years at UofL: 2013-16
Organization: Detroit Tigers
Team (Level): Toledo Mud Hens (AAA)
2019 Season Stats (AAA):

W-L GP-GS IP K-BB H ER ERA WHIP
0-3 6-6 17.2 25-18 15 15 7.64 1.87

More Kyle Funkhouser stats

2019 Transaction History:

  • May 4, 2019: Toledo Mud Hens (AAA) placed RHP Kyle Funkhouser on the 7-day injured list retroactive to May 2, 2019.
  • January 22, 2019: Detroit Tigers (MLB) invited non-roster RHP Kyle Funkhouser to spring training.

Chad Green

Position: RHP
Years at UofL: 2011-13
Organization: New York Yankees
Team (Level): Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (AAA)
2019 Season Stats (MLB):

W-L GP-GS IP K-BB H ER ERA WHIP
0-2 17-3 15.1 17-5 24 18 10.57 1.89

2019 Season Stats (AAA):

W-L GP-GS IP K-BB H ER ERA WHIP
0-0 3-3 7.1 14-2 5 2 2.45 0.95

More Chad Green stats

2019 Transaction History:

  • May 12, 2019: New York Yankees recalled RHP Chad Green from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (AAA)
  • April 24, 2019: New York Yankees optioned RHP Chad Green to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (AAA).

Devin Hairston

Position: Shortstop
Years at UofL: 2015-17
Organization: Milwaukee Brewers
Team (Level): Carolina Mudcats (A-Adv)
2019 Season Stats (A-Adv):

G/AB HR RBI BB K AVG OBP SLG
48/159 0 11 16 52 .189 .266 .220

More Devin Hairston stats

2019 Transaction History:

  • N/A

Lincoln Henzman

Position: RHP
Years at UofL: 2015-17
Organization: Chicago White Sox
Team (Level): Winston-Salem Dash (A-Adv)
2019 Season Stats (A-Adv):

W-L GP-GS IP K-BB H ER ERA WHIP
3-2 9-9 41.0 18-10 46 21 4.61 1.37

More Lincoln Henzman stats

2019 Transaction History:

  • April 20, 2019: Winston-Salem Dash (A-Adv) activated RHP Lincoln Henzman from the 7-day injured list.
  • April 6, 2019: Winston-Salem Dash (A-Adv) placed RHP Lincoln Henzman on the 7-day injured list retroactive to April 5, 2019.

Liam Jenkins

Position: RHP
Years at UofL: 2016-18
Organization: Cleveland Indians
Team (Level): AZL Indians 1 (Rookie)
2019 Season Stats:

No 2019 season stats accumulated.

More Liam Jenkins stats

2019 Transaction History:

  • N/A

Grant Kay

Position: Third Baseman
Years at UofL: 2014 (JUCO)
Organization: Tampa Bay Rays
Team (Level): Montgomery Biscuits (AA)
2019 Season Stats:

No 2019 stats accumulated due to time on disabled list.

More Grant Kay stats

2019 Transaction History:

  • April 1, 2019: Montgomery Biscuits (AA) placed 3B Grant Kay on the 7-day injured list.

Dean Kiekhefer

Position: LHP
Years at UofL: 2008-10
Organization: Oakland Athletics
Team (Level): Las Vegas Aviators (AAA)
2019 Season Stats (AAA):

W-L GP-GS IP K-BB H ER ERA WHIP
0-1 2-0 0.2 0-1 4 4 54.00 7.50

More Dean Kiekhefer stats

2019 Transaction History:

  • April 10, 2019: Las Vegas Aviators (AAA) placed LHP Dean Kiekhefer on the 7-day injured list.
  • January 24, 2019: LHP Dean Kiekhefer assigned to Las Vegas Aviators (AAA).
  • January 24, 2019: Oakland Athletics (MLB) signed free agent LHP Dean Kiekhefer to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.

Matt Koch

Position: RHP
Years at UofL: 2010-12
Organization: Arizona Diamondbacks
Team (Level): Reno Aces (AAA)
2019 Season Stats (MLB):

W-L GP-GS IP K-BB H ER ERA WHIP
0-0 9-0 20.2 9-4 29 21 9.15 1.60

2019 Season Stats (AAA):

W-L GP-GS IP K-BB H ER ERA WHIP
0-1 4-3 13.1 9-4 22 12 8.10 1.95

More Matt Koch stats

2019 Transaction History:

  • May 3, 2019: Arizona Diamondbacks sent RHP Matt Koch outright to Reno Aces (AAA).
  • April 28, 2019: Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB) designated RHP Matt Koch for assignment.

Devin Mann

Position: Second Baseman
Years at UofL: 2016-18
Organization: Los Angeles Dodgers
Team (Level): Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (A-Adv)
2019 Season Stats (A-Adv):

G/AB HR RBI BB K AVG OBP SLG
49/182 7 33 21 54 .269 .338 .456

More Devin Mann stats

2019 Transaction History:

  • April 1, 2019: 2B Devin Mann assigned to Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (A-Adv) from Great Lakes Loons (A).

Kade McClure

Position: RHP
Years at UofL: 2015-17
Organization: Chicago White Sox
Team (Level): Kannapolis Intimidators (A)
2019 Season Stats (A):

W-L GP-GS IP K-BB H ER ERA WHIP
2-3 10-10 55.1 50-12 56 19 3.09 1.23

More Kade McClure stats

2019 Transaction History:

  • N/A

Kyle McGrath

Position: LHP
Years at UofL: 2012-14
Organization: San Diego Padres
Team (Level): Amarillo Sod Poodles (AA)
2019 Season Stats (AAA):

W-L GP-GS IP K-BB H ER ERA WHIP
2-1 10-2 22.1 15-8 27 14 5.64 1.57

2019 Season Stats (AA):

W-L GP-GS IP K-BB H ER ERA WHIP
1-0 4-0 7.1 5-1 4 0 0.00 0.68

More Kyle McGrath stats

2019 Transaction History:

  • May 8, 2019: LHP Kyle McGrath assigned to El Paso Chihuahuas (AAA) from Amarillo Sod Poodles (AA).
  • April 22, 2019: LHP Kyle McGrath assigned to Amarillo Sod Poodles (AA) from El Paso Chihuahuas (AAA).
  • January 24, 2019: San Diego Padres invited non-roster LHP Kyle McGrath to spring training.

Brendan McKay

Position: First Baseman
Years at UofL: 2015-17
Organization: Tampa Bay Rays
Team (Level): Durham Bulls (AAA)
2019 Season Stats (AAA, Hitting):

G/AB HR RBI BB K AVG OBP SLG
3/11 1 2 1 4 .182 .250 .545

2019 Season Stats (AAA, Pitching):

W-L GP-GS IP K-BB H ER ERA WHIP
1-0 1-1 5.0 4-0 3 0 0.00 0.60

2019 Season Stats (AA, Hitting):

G/AB HR RBI BB K AVG OBP SLG
23/78 0 8 7 27 .167 .256 .192

2019 Season Stats (AA, Pitching):

W-L GP-GS IP K-BB H ER ERA WHIP
3-0 8-7 41.2 62-9 25 6 1.30 0.82

More Brendan McKay stats

2019 Transaction History:

  • May 26, 2019: LHP Brendan McKay assigned to Durham Bulls (AAA) Montgomery Biscuits (AA).
  • April 1, 2019: LHP Brendan McKay assigned to Montgomery Biscuits (AA) from Charlotte Stone Crabs (A-Adv).

Corey Ray

Position: Center Fielder
Years at UofL: 2014-16
Organization: Milwaukee Brewers
Team (Level): San Antonio Missions (AAA)
2019 Season Stats (AAA):

G/AB HR RBI BB K AVG OBP SLG
25/101 3 8 10 49 .178 .259 .287

More Corey Ray stats

2019 Transaction History:

  • May 23, 2019: San Antonio Missions (AAA) placed CF Corey Ray on the 7-day injured list.
  • May 7, 2019: San Antonio Missions (AAA) activated CF Corey Ray from the temporarily inactive list.
  • May 4, 2019: San Antonio Missions (AAA) placed CF Corey Ray on the temporarily inactive list.
  • May 3, 2019: San Antonio Missions (AAA) activated CF Corey Ray from the 7-day injured list.
  • April 17, 2019: San Antonio Missions (AAA) placed CF Corey Ray on the 7-day injured list.
  • April 1, 2019: CF Corey Ray assigned to San Antonio Missions (AAA) from Biloxi Shuckers (AA).
  • February 4, 2019: Milwaukee Brewers (MLB) invited non-roster CF Corey Ray to spring training.

Josh Rogers

Position: LHP
Years at UofL: 2014-15
Organization: Baltimore Orioles
Team (Level): Norfolk Tides (AAA)
2019 Season Stats (MLB):

W-L GP-GS IP K-BB H ER ERA WHIP
0-0 1-0 3.2 1-1 4 5 12.27 1.36

2019 Season Stats (AAA):

W-L GP-GS IP K-BB H ER ERA WHIP
2-5 9-9 44.0 28-7 70 46 9.41 1.75

More Josh Rogers stats

2019 Transaction History:

  • April 11, 2019: Baltimore Orioles (MLB) optioned LHP Josh Rogers to Norfolk Tides (AAA).
  • April 10, 2019: Baltimore Orioles (MLB) recalled LHP Josh Rogers from Norfolk Tides (AAA).
  • March 25, 2019: Baltimore Orioles (MLB) optioned LHP Josh Rogers to Norfolk Tides (AAA).

Derek Self

Position:  RHP
Years at UofL: 2009-12
Organization: Washington Nationals
Team (Level): Fresno Grizzlies (AAA)
2019 Season Stats (AAA):

W-L GP-GS IP K-BB H ER ERA WHIP
2-1 19-0 33.0 25-5 30 12 3.27 1.06

More Derek Self stats

2019 Transaction History:

  • April 2, 2019: RHP Derek Self assigned to Fresno Grizzlies (AAA) from Harrisburg Senators (AA).

Will Smith

Position: Catcher
Years at UofL: 2014-16
Organization: Los Angeles Dodgers
Team (Level): Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB)
2019 Season Stats (MLB):

G/AB HR RBI BB K AVG OBP SLG
3/11 0 0 0 3 .273 .273 .364

2019 Season Stats (AAA):

G/AB HR RBI BB K AVG OBP SLG
38/138 8 28 25 35 .290 .404 .551

More Will Smith stats

2019 Transaction History:

  • May 27, 2019: Los Angeles Dodgers selected the contract of C Will Smith from Oklahoma City Dodgers (AAA).
  • February 11, 2019: Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB) invited non-roster C Will Smith to spring training.

Nick Solak

Position: Second Baseman
Years at UofL: 2014-16
Organization: Tampa Bay Rays
Team (Level): Durham Bulls (AAA)
2019 Season Stats (AAA):

G/AB HR RBI BB K AVG OBP SLG
49/169 7 23 24 50 .272 .364 .462

More Nick Solak stats

2019 Transaction History:

  • January 31, 2019: Tampa Bay Rays (MLB) invited non-roster 2B Nick Solak to spring training.

Josh Stowers

Position: Outfielder
Years at UofL: 2016-18
Organization: New York Yankees
Team (Level): Charleston RiverDogs (A)
2019 Season Stats (A):

G/AB HR RBI BB K AVG OBP SLG
41/162 5 16 20 55 .278 .366 .451

More Josh Stowers stats

2019 Transaction History:

  • May 2, 2019: Charleston RiverDogs (A) activated OF Josh Stowers from the 7-day injured list.
  • April 24, 2019: Charleston RiverDogs (A) placed OF Josh Stowers on the 7-day injured list.
  • April 3, 2019: OF Josh Stowers assigned to Charleston RiverDogs (A).
  • January 21, 2019: Seattle Mariners (MLB) traded OF Josh Stowers to New York Yankees (MLB) for 2B Shed Long.

Cole Sturgeon

Position: Center Fielder
Years at UofL: 2011-14
Organization: Boston Red Sox
Team (Level): Pawtucket Red Sox (AAA)
2019 Season Stats (AAA):

G/AB HR RBI BB K AVG OBP SLG
26/90 1 13 7 19 .256 .306 .33

More Cole Sturgeon stats

2019 Transaction History:

  • January 10, 2019: Boston Red Sox (MLB) invited non-roster OF Cole Sturgeon to spring training.

Riley Thompson

Position: RHP
Years at UofL: 2016-18
Organization: Chicago Cubs
Team (Level): South Bend Cubs (A)
2019 Season Stats (A):

W-L GP-GS IP K-BB H ER ERA WHIP
3-3 9-9 44.0 45-11 40 12 2.45 1.16

More Riley Thompson stats

2019 Transaction History:

  • April 3, 2019: RHP Riley Thompson assigned to South Bend Cubs (A) from Eugene Emeralds (SS).

Blake Tiberi

Position: Third Baseman
Years at UofL: 2014-16
Organization: New York Mets
Team (Level): St. Lucie Mets (A-Adv.)
2019 Season Stats (A-Adv):

G/AB HR RBI BB K AVG OBP SLG
48/178 0 16 20 27 .270 .343 .343

More Blake Tiberi stats

2019 Transaction History:

  • N/A

Adam Wolf

Position: LHP
Years at UofL: 2016-18
Organization: Detroit Tigers
Team (Level): West Michigan Whitecaps (A)
2018 Season Stats (A):

W-L GP-GS IP K-BB H ER ERA WHIP
2-6 9-9 41.2 42-15 57 33 7.13 1.73

More Adam Wolf stats

2019 Transaction History:

  • March 28, 2019: LHP Adam Wolf assigned to West Michigan Whitecaps (A) from Connecticut Tigers (SS).

 

Cards In The Majors, Organized By Level

Accurate as of May 31st, 2019

Major League Baseball

  • Nick Burdi
  • Will Smith

Triple A

  • Adam Duvall
  • Adam Engel
  • Kyle Funkhouser
  • Chad Green
  • Dean Kiekhefer
  • Matt Koch
  • Kyle McGrath
  • Brendan McKay
  • Corey Ray
  • Josh Rogers
  • Derek Self
  • Cole Sturgeon
  • Nick Solak

Double A

  • Zack Burdi
  • Drew Ellis
  • Grant Kay

Class A Advanced

  • Colby Fitch
  • Devin Hairston
  • Lincoln Henzman
  • Devin Mann
  • Blake Tiberi

Class A

  • Austin Conway
  • Kade McClure
  • Josh Stowers
  • Riley Thompson
  • Adam Wolf

Rookie

  • Liam Jenkins

Not Assigned Team Yet

  • Sam Bordner

Released Before Season

  • Drew Harrington (Released 3/23/19)

Elected For Free Agency

  • Jeff Arnold (Elected 11/2/18)
  • Chris Dominguez (Elected (11/2/18)
The following two tabs change content below.

TCZ Comments

comments