The first month of another glorious season of Major League Baseball has come and gone, and former Louisville Cardinals are making their mark across all level of professional baseball. As of April 31st, 27 UofL alumni are on MiLB rosters, with Nick Burdi, Adam Engel and Matt Koch on MLB rosters. Chad Green & Josh Rogers have also made it to The Show in the first month of the 2019 but are currently down in Triple-A.

Out of all the former hitters to come through the UofL, Adam Duvall is probably having the hottest season out of all of them. With the Gwinnett Stripers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, the former UofL outfielder is posting a slash line of .309/.393/.701 for an OPS of 1.094. Towards the end of the month of April, he went on a 5 game stretch where he homered in every single game, bringing his total to 8 through the first month. Also tearing it up at the AAA level is former UofL catcher Will Smith with the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate Oklahoma City Dodgers. While not hitting quite as many homers as Duvall, his respectable .270 batting average and .921 OPS over 18 games is promising. Depending on how Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes performs, Smith could be expecting a call-up sooner rather than later.

Blake Tiberi & Josh Stowers might not be hitting for a ton of power as of late, but they are still doing a great job of getting on base. With the Class A-Advanced St. Lucie Mets, Tiberi is hitting .295 with 12 walks to only 9 strikeouts. With 8 doubles to boot, the power should eventually come together to increase his .397 slugging percentage. While he was traded to New York from Seattle, Josh Stowers has still found a way to produce. Even though he has only 2 RBI through his first 18 games, he is still batting .313 on the season with the Class A Charleston RiverDogs. For comparison’s sake, he batted .260 all of last season with the Mariners’ respective Class A affiliate. When he comes back from the disabled list, Stowers should be able to get right back to work.

On the pitching side of things, Derek Self & Riley Thompson stand out on completely opposite ends of the Minor League Baseball farm system. With the Fresno Grizzlies, the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, Self has seen some moderate success. His ERA of 3.38 over 16.0 innings pitched could be improved just a tad, but his strikeout to walk ratio of 14-1 in 8 relief appearances is impressive. Towards the bottom of the farm, Thompson is experiencing some very early success. In 4 starts with the Class A South Bend Cubs, he has an ERA of 1.42 over 19.0 inning pitched, with a strikeout to walk ratio of 16-5. At this rate, Thompson could very quickly work his way up the farm system.

Brendan McKay, the #3 prospect in the Tampa Bay Ray organization, is slowly finding his fit as a professional player. While struggling a bit at the plate so far in 2019, he more than makes up for it from the mound. In 4 starts with the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits, he has an ERA of just 2.41 with a whopping 33 strikeouts. He is holding opposing batters to just .188, and tossed 11 strikeouts over 4.2 innings in his season debut. It’s only a matter of time before McKay makes it to Tropicana Field.

On a more somber note, former closer Nick Burdi went down with an arm injury on April 22nd and was immediately reeling in pain. The worst was feared as he has a history of Tommy John surgery, however he learned afterwards that he suffered no structural damage and surgery remains unlikely. He has sought a second opinion and is seeking a third opinion to confirm the prognosis.

The following stats and info are accurate as of April 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:

  • 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
1-1 3-0 3.0 6-1 4 3 9.00 1.67

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): Winston-Salem Dash (A-Adv)
2019 Season Stats (A-Adv):

W-L GP-GS IP K-BB H ER ERA WHIP
0-0 1-0 0.0 0-3 1 1 INF. INF.

2019 Season Stats (A):

W-L GP-GS IP K-BB H ER ERA WHIP
0-0 5-0 6.0 13-3 2 0 0.00 0.83

More Austin Conway stats

2019 Transaction History:

  • 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
26/97 8 21 12 17 .309 .393 .701

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
59/19 0 5 9 21 .237 .348 .305

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): Chicago White Sox (MLB)
2019 Season Stats (MLB):

G/AB HR RBI BB K AVG OBP SLG
21/41 1 3 3 17 .171 .227 .293

More Adam Engel stats

2019 Transaction History:

  • N/A

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
12/39 0 3 7 10 .179 .313 .231

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:

  • 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 10-0 7.2 7-14 15 14 16.43 2.48

2019 Season Stats (AAA):

W-L GP-GS IP K-BB H ER ERA WHIP
0-0 1-1 2.0 5-1 0 0 0.00 0.50

More Chad Green stats

2019 Transaction History:

  • April 24, 2019: New York Yankees (MLB) 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
23/72 0 2 7 21 .139 .225 .153

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
1-0 4-4 12.0 4-2 14 5 3.75 1.33

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): Designated For Assignment
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

More Matt Koch stats

2019 Transaction History:

  • 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
24/87 4 17 13 32 .241 .333 .437

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
1-0 4-4 18.2 15-6 23 9 4.34 1.55

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
1-0 4-0 6.0 3-2 4 1 1.50 1.00

2019 Season Stats (AA):

W-L GP-GS IP K-BB H ER ERA WHIP
1-0 2-0 5.2 3-1 4 0 0.00 0.88

More Kyle McGrath stats

2019 Transaction History:

  • April 22, 2019: LHP Kyle McGrath assigned to Amarillo Sod Poodles (AA) from El Paso Chihuahuas (AAA).
  • January 24, 2019: San Diego Padres (MLB) 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): Montgomery Biscuits (AA)
2019 Season Stats (AA, Hitting):

G/AB HR RBI BB K AVG OBP SLG
13/45 0 6 4 16 .200 .275 .222

2019 Season Stats (AA, Pitching):

W-L GP-GS IP K-BB H ER ERA WHIP
0-0 4-4 18.2 33-4 12 5 2.41 0.86

More Brendan McKay stats

2019 Transaction History:

  • 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
12/47 0 1 4 24 .170 .250 .170

More Corey Ray stats

2019 Transaction History:

  • 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 0-1 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
2-1 5-5 26.2 18-4 36 20 6.75 1.50

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
1-0 8-0 16.0 14-2 12 6 3.38 0.81

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): Oklahoma City Dodgers (AAA)
2019 Season Stats (AAA):

G/AB HR RBI BB K AVG OBP SLG
18/63 3 13 13 20 .270 .397 .524

More Will Smith stats

2019 Transaction History:

  • 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
22/75 2 8 11 23 .240 .348 .373

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
18/67 0 2 10 16 .313 .403 .791

More Josh Stowers stats

2019 Transaction History:

  • 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
12/40 1 2 4 7 .275 .341 .400

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
2-0 4-4 19.0 16-5 17 3 1.42 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
21/78 0 10 12 9 .295 .385 .397

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
1-2 4-4 16.0 19-2 29 17 9.56 1.94

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 April 31st, 2019

Major League Baseball

  • Nick Burdi
  • Adam Engel
  • Matt Koch (DFA)

Triple A

  • Adam Duvall
  • Kyle Funkhouser
  • Chad Green
  • Dean Kiekhefer
  • Corey Ray
  • Josh Rogers
  • Derek Self
  • Cole Sturgeon
  • Will Smith
  • Nick Solak

Double A

  • Zack Burdi
  • Drew Ellis
  • Grant Kay
  • Kyle McGrath
  • Brendan McKay

Class A Advanced

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

Class A

  • 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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