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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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.
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.
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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)
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