Kansas State Baseball In The Pros: July 17

Throughout the hottest months of the year, JOS will be tracking K-State’s own professional “boys of summer.” As they attempt to earn a promotion to the major leagues. we will the progress of each toward their ultimate goal of making it to the major leagues. Hit the jump for the latest installment.

The format of these posts has changed. I will now be summarizing how the Cats at each minor league level (as well as the majors once a Cat is promoted) are performing, followed by the capsules KStateSports.com provides each Monday. I think this will be a more “readable” format than the previous one.

MAJORS (1)

As there is only one Wildcat playing in the Majors right now, I’ll let KStateSports website capsule basically speak for itself. Suffice to say, Torres has been pitching very well as of late. Congratulations to Carlos on his recent promotion to the Colorado Rockies.

"Carlos Torres (MLB: Colorado): Torres tossed two scoreless innings on Sunday in his only outing of the week for the Colorado Rockies… The right-hander was the first reliever out of the bullpen and did not allow a run over the sixth and seventh innings, working around two walks and striking out one… A 15th-round pick of the White Sox in 2004, Torres has pitched in seven games for the Rockies, holding a 2.89 ERA after allowing three earned runs on five hits with seven walks and six strikeouts in 9.1 innings… He now has three-straight scoreless outings, which spans 3.1 innings… Colorado is fifth in the National League West Division at 34-54… Torres has pitched in 14 games for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Triple A) with 13 starts, holding a 5-4 record and a 3.98 ERA. Torres’ page on MLB.com"

TRIPLE A (1)

Similarly, K-State only has one representative at the Triple A level. Goedert’s situation is quite a bit different than that of Torres. First, as a position player, it seems there is generally less “up-and-down” movement between the majors and minors. And while Goedert has been hitting fairly well at Columbus (see statistics below), he is a recently-promoted late-20-something prospect, who’s not currently on the 40-man roster. What this means is that barring a catastrophic series of injuries at the maj

"Jared Goedert (Triple A: Columbus/Cleveland): Goedert began the second half of the season with the Columbus Clippers of the International League by tallying a hit in all three games… A ninth-round pick by Cleveland in 2006, Goedert singled in all three games at Indianapolis and plated runs on Thursday and Saturday… In 46 games at the Triple A level, Goedert is hitting .287 with 10 doubles, eight home runs and 34 RBI… He began 2012 playing for Double A Akron, hitting .395 (49-for-124) with 10 doubles, one triple, five homers and 17 RBI in 35 games… Columbus is second in the International League West Division at 47-48. Goedert’s page on MiLB.com"

DOUBLE A (3)

It’s at the Double A level that we find the player who is perhaps K-State’s hottest prospect. Evan Marshall, fresh off a Southern League all-star appearance, earned his fifth win of the season for the Mobile BayBears, moving his record to 5-1. His most impressive stats though are his 1.39 ERA (only 5 earned runs in 32 1/3 innings of work) and 16 saves. While he will not see the majors for the Arizona Diamondbacks this season (he also lacks one of the coveted spots on the 40-man roster), it’s quite possible he could jump to Triple A, should he keep pitching well. And with as well as he’s currently pitching, it’s very possible that he could be a major leaguer in the near future.

Both of KSU’s other Double A alums are struggling to various degrees. Justin Bloxom is having a difficult time acclimating in the 24 games since his promotion. Meanwhile, Nate Tenbrink broke out of a slump with a 3-hit day on Sunday. This brought his average in the 16 games since his return from off-season injury to .241, for a Jackson Generals club that won the first-half North Division title, and is sitting at 14-9 in the second-half division race.

"Evan Marshall (Double A: Mobile/Arizona): Marshall pitched twice last week and earned his fifth win of the year for the Mobile BayBears of the Double A Southern League… A fourth-round selection by Arizona in 2011, the right-hander tossed a scoreless inning at Pensacola on Monday before two shutout innings against Huntsville on Wednesday to pick up the victory… Marshall, who was named Arizona’s Minor League Pitcher of the Month for June, is 5-1 with a 1.39 ERA and 16 saves, which ranks him second in the Southern League… Marshall has allowed just five earned runs on 30 hits in 32.1 innings with six walks and 19 strikeouts… Mobile, which won the first-half south division title, is in third place during the second half at 11-13, while the BayBears are 51-43 overall. Marshall’s page on MiLB.comJustin Bloxom (Double A: Harrisburg/Washington): Bloxom saw time in six games last week for the Harrisburg Senators of the Double A Eastern League… A 2009 draft pick by Washington, Bloxom singled against Richmond on Thursday and went hitless until Sunday when he doubled and scored against the Flying Squirrels… In 24 games at the Double A level, Bloxom is hitting .198 (17-for-86) with three doubles, four home runs and 12 RBI… Bloxom was hitting .259 with 13 doubles, 12 homers and 34 RBI for High A Potomac before being promoted… His 12 homers for the P-Nats are still tied for fifth in the Carolina League, while he is eighth in slugging percentage (.478)… Harrisburg is second in the Eastern League Western Division at 49-45 record, six games behind Akron. Bloxom’s page on MiLB.comNate Tenbrink (Double A: Jackson/Seattle): A three-hit game on Wednesday highlighted Tenbrink’s week for the Jackson Generals of the Double A Southern League… A seventh-round pick by the Seattle Mariners in 2008, Tenbrink doubled three times, drove in a run and plated three runs against Mississippi on Wednesday, a game after he doubled at Montgomery… The third baseman is hitting .241 (13-for-54) with five doubles, two home runs and eight RBI in 16 games in Double A… He started his season late due to off-season surgery and played in one game for the AZL Mariners on a rehab assignment, going 4-for-4 with a triple and two RBI… The Generals, who captured the first-half north division title, lead the north division during the second half with a 14-9 record and are 56-37 overall. Tenbrink’s page on MiLB.com"

HIGH A (2)

Carter Jurica made a rather conspicuous return from the disabled list for the San Francisco Giants High A squad in San Jose. He had two 5-hit games, to go along with a 3-hit game as well. This brought his average over the 64 games of the current season to .275, with 16 extra-base hits (including 3 home runs). A.J. Morris, meanwhile is pitching well for the Chicago Cubs’ Double A-affiliate Datona Cubs. His current record is 4-2, with an ERA of 2.67, working in relief, with a solid strikeout-to-walk ration of 2.8-1.

"Carter Jurica (High A: San Jose/San Francisco): Jurica now has five two-hit games since returning from the disabled list after he collected three last week for the San Jose Giants of the High A California League… A third-round selection by San Francisco in 2010, Jurica singled at Modesto on Wednesday before three-straight two-hit games against the Nuts on Thursday and Friday and against Visalia on Saturday… He doubled and tripled on Thursday, doubled on Friday and hit his third home run of the season on Saturday, a solo shot against the Rawhide… In 64 games this season, Jurica is hitting .275 with 10 doubles, three triples, three home runs and 31 RBI… The Giants are in fourth place with a 10-14 second-half record and are 48-46 overall. Jurica’s page on MiLB.comA.J. Morris (High A: Daytona/Chicago NL): Morris threw in two games last week as he combined for 3.2 scoreless innings for the Daytona Cubs of the High A Florida State League… A fourth-round draft choice of Washington in 2009, Morris worked around a hit and two walks with two strikeouts in 1.2 innings against Palm Beach on Thursday… He came back with two scoreless innings on Sunday against Charlotte with two more strikeouts… In 27 games this season, Morris holds a 4-2 record and a 2.67 ERA, allowing 10 earned runs on 22 hits in 33.2 innings to go along with 10 walks and 28 strikeouts… The Cubs are in fifth place in the north division with an 11-13 second-half record, but are just three games out of first place… Daytona is 41-51 overall in 2012. Morris’ page on MiLB.com"

LOW A (4)

The Low A classification is where we find the most K-Staters. Allen, Hunter, King, and Martini all find themselves plying their professional baseball trade. Allen and Hunter are pitching for Dayton (Cincinnati Reds) and Clinton (Seattle Mariners) respectively, while King and Martini are positions players in the organizations of the Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals.

On the pitching side of things, Allen has a solid 6-3 record, but his ERA has now crept up to 4.04. His Dayton Dragons team currently sits in 8th in the second-half standings, but trails first place by only three games. Meanwhile, Hunter’s Clinton LumberKings team is tied for first in the second-half standings of the Western Division (Midwest League) at 13-10. While Hunter has an 0-5 record, he has actually pitched fairly well, compiling a 3.19 ERA. King and Martini are both struggling at the plate. King is hitting only .233 for West Michigan, after starting his season late due to injury, while Martini is hitting .244 over 88 games with Quad Cities.

"James Allen (Low A: Dayton/Cincinnati): A reliever turned starter, Allen started his third career game on Saturday for the Dayton Dragons of the Low A Midwest League… A seventh-round pick by Cincinnati in 2011, Allen took a no decision after allowing five runs on eight hits with a walk and four strikeouts in 4.1 innings against Burlington… The Dragons battled back for a 7-6 win over the Bees… In 25 games, Allen holds a 6-3 record and a 4.04 ERA, allowing 29 earned runs on 61 hits in 64.2 innings to go along with 24 walks and 53 strikeouts… The Dragons are in eighth place in the eastern division during the second half at 9-14 – but are just three games out of a tie for third – and are 39-54 overall. Allen’s page on MiLB.comKyle Hunter (Low A: Clinton/Seattle): Hunter totaled six strikeouts in two relief outings last week for the Clinton LumberKings of the Low A Midwest League… A 31st-round draft pick last year by Seattle, Hunter allowed a run in four innings out of the bullpen on Friday against West Michigan, walking just one and striking out five… He came back with a scoreless inning with one strikeout on Sunday against South Bend… Hunter is 0-5 on the season despite a low 3.19 ERA in 25 games, allowing 17 earned runs in 48 innings with only six walks and 41 strikeouts… The LumberKings are tied for first in the western division during the second half at 13-10 and are 36-55 overall. Hunter’s page on MiLB.comJason King (Low A: West Michigan/Detroit): A fourth-round pick by Detroit last season, King remains on the disabled list for the West Michigan Whitecaps of the Low A Midwest League… King, who was placed on the DL following a game on June 26, is hitting .233 with 10 doubles, three home runs and 16 RBI in 45 games after starting his season late due to an injury… The Whitecaps are tied for third in the eastern division with 12-11 record during the second half and are 48-45 overall. King’s page on MiLB.comNick Martini (Low A: Quad Cities/St. Louis): Martini, a seventh-round selection of St. Louis last year, saw time in five games last week for the Quad Cities River Bandits of the Low A Midwest League… He singled on both Wednesday and Thursday at Lancaster, driving in two runs during the second game… He then walked twice and scored a pair of runs on Sunday at Great Lakes… Martini is hitting .244 in 88 games with 11 doubles, two triples, two home runs and 35 RBI… Martini leads the Midwest League with 63 runs scored and tied for first in walks with 56… Quad Cities is tied for third in the western division during the second half with a 12-11 mark and sits just a game out of a tie for first. Martini’s page on MiLB.com"

CLASS A SHORT SEASON (1)

Klein is the K-State’s only 2012 draftee not playing rookie ball. He’s keeping his head above water, with a .246 average, including 4 home runs, 4 doubles, and 13 RBI over 29 games for the Toronto Blue Jays’ affiliate in Vancouver.

"Dan Klein (Class A Short-Season: Vancouver/Toronto): A 28th-round pick by Toronto this year, Klein played in three games and came away with two multi-hit contests last week for the Vancouver Canadians of the Class A Short-Season Northwest League… The catcher had just two at-bats on Monday at Everett, going 0-for-1 with a walk… He then went 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI at Boise on Thursday before a 2-for-4 game with a double, another home run and two more RBI on Friday… Klein is hitting .246 (14-for-57) in 17 games with four doubles, four home runs and 13 RBI… His four homers are tied for fourth in the Northwest League… Vancouver is in third place in the west division with a 17-12 mark. Klein’s page on MiLB.com"

ROOKIE LEAGUE (3)

The Rookie League level is where we find the rest of our 2012 draft class. Bahramzadeh and Brown are both struggling, Bahramzadeh for the Oakland Athletics’ Rookie League affiliate AZL Athletics, and Brown for the White Sox Rookie League club in Bristol. Bahramzadeh is 1-0, but has only compiled a 6.57 ERA in 5 games spent pitching in relief. Brown is hitting only .179 over 13 games, with one double and 2 RBI.

"Kayvon Bahramzadeh (Rookie Arizona League: AZL Athletics/Oakland): Bahramzadeh, a 24th-round selection this year by Oakland, started one game last week for the AZL Athletics of the Rookie Arizona League… The right-hander, who worked three innings in each of his last two games, only went 2.1 innings after allowing five runs on six hits with two walks and three strikeouts against the AZL Diamondbacks on Friday… Bahramzadeh is 1-0 with a 6.57 ERA in five games, allowing nine runs on 13 hits with three walks and 17 strikeouts in 12.1 innings… His 17 strikeouts are second among pitchers in the Arizona League that have thrown 15 innings or less… The AZL A’s are in second place in the east division at 14-5 record, just a half game behind the AZL Cubs. Bahramzadeh’s page on MiLB.comJake Brown (Rookie: Bristol/Chicago AL): Brown, a 30th-round selection in this year’s draft by the Chicago White Sox, singled in two of his four games last week for the Bristol White Sox of the Rookie Appalachian League… The shortstop went 1-for-4 and scored a run at Greeneville on Monday and also singled in four at-bats against Johnson City on Friday… In 13 games as a professional, Brown is 7-for-39 (.179) with a double and two RBI… The White Sox are fourth in the west division with a 6-18 mark. Brown’s page on MiLB.comWade Hinkle (Rookie: Orem/Los Angeles AL): A 27th-round selection by the Los Angeles Angels in this year’s draft, Hinkle recorded a pair of extra-base hits in his five games last week for the Orem Owlz of the Rookie Pioneer League… The first baseman began his week on fire as he went 1-for-4 with a double, drove in four runs and scored three times in a 20-6 victory over Idaho Falls on Monday… He capped his week by going 2-for-3 with a double and three more runs scored on Sunday at Missoula… Hinkle is hitting .307 (27-for-88) with five doubles, six home runs and 25 RBI in his first 26 games as a professional… Hinkle leads the Pioneer League in RBI, ranks second in home runs, runs scored (24) and walks (20), fourth in on-base percentage (.462), fifth in OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage; 1.030), sixth in total bases (50) and eighth in slugging percentage (.568)… Orem is fourth in the south division at 12-15 but sits one game out of second place. Hinkle’s page on MiLB.com"