The second month of the 2018 MLB/MiLB season is in the books, and former Louisville players continue to leave their marks around the league.

Brendan McKay and Nick Solak, the #3 and #11 prospects in the Tampa Bay organization were just a couple former Cards to have a successful start to 2018. Just a month and a half into the season, McKay was promoted to Class A-Advanced after batting .254/.484/333 and carrying an OPS of .817 with the Class A Bowling Green Hot Rods. As good as those numbers are, Nick Solak’s were even better. The third year player drove 7 home runs and 33 RBI, as well as batted an incredible .315/.425/.503.

Pitching in the New York Yankees organization, both Josh Rogers and Chad Green have been absolute menaces to opposing batters. Rogers, who recently pitched in Louisville on May 29th while playing for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (AAA), has made 10 quality starts, registering a 2.48 ERA over 61.2 innings pitched. He could be soon to join fellow former Card Chad Green in the Bronx, who has been a solid pitcher out of the pen for the Yankees. In 21 appearances, he has surrendered only 7 runs while posting a strikeout to walk ratio of 34-5.

A couple other noteworthy performances have been that of Cole Sturgeon and Lincoln Henzman. Sturgeon, who was batting an incredible .365/.421/.579 with 6 homers was rewarded with a promotion to the Red Sox’s triple AAA affiliate Pawtucket Red Sox. 2nd year player Lincoln Henzman has made a surprisingly seamless transition to starting pitcher after having a great career at Louisville as a closer. The 2017 Stopper of the Year has made 9 starts so far in 2018, pitching for 48.2 innings and 39 strikeouts to only 5 walks to keep his ERA under 3 at 2.96.

Unfortunately, the 2018 Major League journeys of former Cards was not all good news. Recently, former starting pitcher Kade McClure announced that his season was coming to a close to allow for season-ending knee surgery. Kyle McGrath, who had made his way up to the big stage for San Diego, was designated for assignment just a few days ago, and fellow former pitcher Jared Ruxer was released by the Kansas City Royals organization on May 23rd.

Stats and info are accurate as of May 31st, 2018

Jeff Arnold

Position: Catcher
Years at UofL: 2007-10
Organization: San Francisco Giants
Team (Level): Richmond Flying Squirrels (AA)
2018 Season Stats:

G/AB HR RBI BB SO AVG OBP SLG
 27/89  1  8  10  36  .169  .253  .247

More Jeff Arnold stats

Nick Burdi

Position: RHP
Years at UofL: 2012-14
Organization: Pittsburgh Pirates
Team (Level): Altoona Curve (AA)
2018 Season Stats:

No 2018 stats accumulated due to recovery from Tommy John surgery

More Nick Burdi stats

Zack Burdi

Position: RHP
Years at UofL: 2014-16
Organization: Chicago White Sox
Team (Level): Charlotte Knights (AAA)
2018 Season Stats:

No 2018 stats accumulated due to time on disabled list

More Zack Burdi stats

Chris Dominguez

Position: First Baseman
Years at UofL: 2006-09
Organization: Washington Nationals
Team (Level): Syracuse Chiefs (AAA)
2018 Season Stats:

G/AB HR RBI BB SO AVG OBP SLG
 15/54  1  8  6  15  .185  .250  .333

More Chris Dominguez stats

Adam Duvall

Position: Left Fielder
Years at UofL: 2009-10 (JUCO)
Organization: Cincinnati Reds
Team (Level): Cincinnati Reds (MLB)
2018 Season Stats:

G/AB HR RBI BB SO AVG OBP SLG
 56/177  10  32  21  54  .181  .270  .401

More Adam Duvall stats

Drew Ellis

Position: Third Baseman
Years at UofL: 2015-17
Organization: Arizona Diamondbacks
Team (Level): Visalia Rawhide (A-Adv)
2018 Season Stats:

G/AB HR RBI BB SO AVG OBP SLG
 47/168  6  32  24  32  .256  .354 .452

More Drew Ellis stats

Adam Engel

Position: Center Fielder
Years at UofL: 2011-13
Organization: Chicago White Sox
Team (Level): Chicago White Sox (MLB)
2018 Season Stats:

G/AB HR RBI BB SO AVG OBP SLG
 48/137  1  10  12  40  .212  .278  .285

More Adam Engel stats

Colby Fitch

Position: Catcher
Years at UofL: 2015-17
Organization: Philadelphia Phillies
Team (Level): Lakewood BlueClaws (A)
2018 Season Stats:

G/AB HR RBI BB SO AVG OBP SLG
 26/91  2  14  11  23  .264  .358  .440

More Colby Fitch stats

Kyle Funkhouser

Position: RHP
Years at UofL: 2013-16
Organization: Detroit Tigers
Team (Level): Erie SeaWolves (AA)
2018 Season Stats:

W-L G-GS IP BB-SO H ER ERA WHIP
 0-3  10-10  52.0  27-49  53  27  4.67  1.54

More Kyle Funkhouser stats

Chad Green

Position: RHP
Years at UofL: 2011-13
Organization: New York Yankees
Team (Level): New York Yankees (MLB)
2018 Season Stats:

W-L G-GS IP BB-SO H ER ERA WHIP
 3-0  21-0  26.0  5-34  21  7  2.42  1.00

More Chad Green stats

Devin Hairston

Position: Second Baseman/Shortstop
Years at UofL: 2015-17
Organization: Milwaukee Brewers
Team (Level): Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (A)
2018 Season Stats:

G/AB HR RBI BB SO AVG OBP SLG
 29/96  0  10  20  31  .240  .376  .281

More Devin Hairston stats

Drew Harrington

Position: LHP
Years at UofL: 2014-16
Organization: Atlanta Braves
Team (Level): Rome Braves (A)
2018 Season Stats:

W-L G-GS IP BB-SO H ER ERA WHIP
 3-2  11-5  33.2  9-25  45  21  5.61  1.60

More Drew Harrington stats

Lincoln Henzman

Position: RHP
Years at UofL: 2015-17
Organization: Chicago White Sox
Team (Level): Kannapolis Intimidators (A)
2018 Season Stats:

W-L G-GS IP BB-SO H ER ERA WHIP
 3-3  9-9  48.2  5-39  50  16  2.96  1.13

More Lincoln Henzman stats

Grant Kay

Position: Third Baseman
Years at UofL: 2014 (JUCO)
Organization: Tampa Bay Rays
Team (Level): Montgomery Biscuits (AA)
2018 Season Stats:

No 2018 stats accumulated due to time on disabled list

More Grant Kay stats

Matt Koch

Position: RHP
Years at UofL: 2010-12
Organization: Arizona Diamondbacks
Team (Level): Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB)
2018 Season Stats (MLB):

W-L G-GS IP BB-SO H ER ERA WHIP
 3-3  4.31  48.0  13-35  48  23  4.31  1.27

More Matt Koch stats

Kade McClure

Position: RHP
Years at UofL: 2015-17
Organization: Chicago White Sox
Team (Level): Kannapolis Intimidators (A)
2018 Season Stats:

W-L G-GS IP BB-SO H ER ERA WHIP
 3-1  8-8  41.2  14-42  43  14  3.02  1.37

Placed on season-ending DL on May 14th due to knee surgery

More Kade McClure stats

Kyle McGrath

Position: LHP
Years at UofL: 2012-14
Organization: San Diego Padres
Team (Level): Designated For Assignment
2018 Season Stats (MLB):

W-L G-GS IP BB-SO H ER ERA WHIP
 0-0  0-4  20.0  3-4  18  10  4.50  1.35

Designated for assignment on May 27th

More Kyle McGrath stats

Brendan McKay

Position: First Baseman
Years at UofL: 2015-17
Organization: Tampa Bay Rays
Team (Level): Charlotte Stone Crabs (A-Adv)
2018 Season Stats:

G/AB HR RBI BB SO AVG OBP SLG
 29/93  1  19  30  21  .226  .419  .290

More Brendan McKay stats

Corey Ray

Position: Center Fielder
Years at UofL: 2014-16
Organization: Milwaukee Brewers
Team (Level): Biloxi Shuckers (AA)
2018 Season Stats:

G/AB HR RBI BB SO AVG OBP SLG
 52/210  8  24  28  56  .262  .354  .486

More Corey Ray stats

Josh Rogers

Position: LHP
Years at UofL: 2014-15
Organization: New York Yankees
Team (Level): Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (AAA)
2018 Season Stats:

W-L G-GS IP BB-SO H ER ERA WHIP
 5-3  10-10  61.2  16-54  54  17  2.48  1.14

More Josh Rogers stats

Jared Ruxer

Position: RHP
Years at UofL: 2012-14
Organization: Kansas City Royals
Team (Level): Released
2018 Season Stats:

W-L G-GS IP BB-SO H ER ERA WHIP
 1-2  11-0  20.0  8-14  21  14  6.30  1.45

Released on May 23rd

More Jared Ruxer stats

Derek Self

Position:  RHP
Years at UofL: 2009-12
Organization: Washington Nationals
Team (Level): Harrisburg Senators (AA)
2018 Season Stats:

W-L G-GS IP BB-SO H ER ERA WHIP
 1-1  16-0  18.2  3-17  17  9  4.34  1.07

More Derek Self stats

Will Smith

Position: Catcher
Years at UofL: 2014-16
Organization: Los Angeles Dodgers
Team (Level): Tulsa Drillers (AA)
2018 Season Stats:

G/AB HR RBI BB SO AVG OBP SLG
 25/94  4  13  10  22  .255  .333  .447

More Will Smith stats

Nick Solak

Position: Second Baseman
Years at UofL: 2014-16
Organization: Tampa Bay Rays
Team (Level): Montgomery Biscuits (AA)
2018 Season Stats:

G/AB HR RBI BB SO AVG OBP SLG
 49/181  7  33  31  45  .315  .425  .503

More Nick Solak stats

Cole Sturgeon

Position: Center Fielder
Years at UofL: 2011-14
Organization: Boston Red Sox
Team (Level): Pawtucket Red Sox (AAA)
2018 Season Stats:

G/AB HR RBI BB SO AVG OBP SLG
 46/179  6  23  18  37  .324  .387  .503

More Cole Sturgeon stats

Logan Taylor

Position: Center Fielder
Years at UofL: 2014-17
Organization: Chicago White Sox
Team (Level): Great Falls Voyagers (R)
2018 Season Stats:

No 2018 stats accumulated (Rookie ball starts in June)

More Logan Taylor stats

Jeff Thompson

Position: RHP
Years at UofL: 2011-13
Organization: Detroit Tigers
Team (Level): Lakeland Flying Tigers (A-Adv)
2018 Season Stats:

W-L G-GS IP BB-SO H ER ERA WHIP
 1-1  17-0  19.1  16-19  28  14  6.52  2.28

More Jeff Thompson stats

Blake Tiberi

Position: Third Baseman
Years at UofL: 2014-16
Organization: New York Mets
Team (Level): Columbia Fireflies (A)
2018 Season Stats:

G/AB HR RBI BB SO AVG OBP SLG
 46/163  1  15  34  41  .288  .413  .362

More Blake Tiberi stats

 

Cards In The Majors, Organized By Level

Accurate as of May 31st, 2018

Major League Baseball

  • Adam Duvall
  • Adam Engel
  • Chad Green
  • Matt Koch

Triple A

  • Zack Burdi
  • Chris Dominguez
  • Josh Rogers
  • Cole Sturgeon

Double A

  • Jeff Arnold
  • Nick Burdi
  • Kyle Funkhouser
  • Grant Kay
  • Corey Ray
  • Derek Self
  • Will Smith
  • Nick Solak

Class A Advanced

  • Drew Ellis
  • Brendan McKay
  • Jeff Thompson

Class A

  • Colby Fitch
  • Devin Hairston
  • Drew Harrington
  • Lincoln Henzman
  • Kade McClure
  • Blake Tiberi

Rookie

  • Logan Taylor

Designated For Assignment

  • Kyle McGrath

Released During 2018 Season

  • Joe Filomeno
  • Dean Kiekhefer
  • Jared Ruxer
The following two tabs change content below.

Matt McGavic

TCZ Comments

comments