Opening Day For Minor League #ProHogs
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – With the 2018 Major League Baseball season already a week old, it’s now time for the minor league systems to get their seasons rolling as well. Several former Razorbacks litter various farm clubs across the country and are coming off impressive years with their clubs. Many of those players carried over that strong play into spring training this year and, as a result, we’ve seen several ProHogs receive promotions within their respective organizations. Let’s take a look at the Hogs who made the jump this offseason.
D.J. Baxendale – Triple-A Rochester Red Wings (Twins) – D.J. Baxendale was promoted to Triple-A Rochester at the tail end of 2016 and was able to resume with the Redwings at the start of the 2017 season. Last August, Baxendale was re-assigned to Double-A Chattanooga where he finished the final month of the season and compiled a 1.27 ERA over six appearances with just three earned runs allowed in 21.1 innings. A big reason for Baxendale’s move down was to help Chattanooga’s chance at a Southern League championship, which it won. Baxendale is back with Triple-A Rochester to start 2018, a club where he was used primarily out of the bullpen and struck out 40 batters in 40.1 innings.
Bobby Wernes – Double-A Hartford Yard Goats (Rockies) – After a red-hot start in Single-A (short) Boise, Bobby Wernes was quickly promoted to Single-A (full) Asheville four games into the 2017 season. Over his next 66 games, Wernes slashed .294/.376/.448 with 30 extra base hits. In one year, he increased his average by .075, his on-base percentage by .081, and his slugging by .186. That production earned him a spot with Double-A Hartford to start the 2018 campaign.
Zach Jackson – Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Blue Jays) – In his first two professional seasons, Zach Jackson has quickly climbed the minor league ladder, advancing through four different clubs. At each level, he’s lowered his ERA, his opponents’ batting average, and increased his strikeout total. In 27 games with Single-A (advanced) Dunedin, Jackson held a 2.03 ERA with 43 strikeouts and was 4-for-4 in save opportunities. His consistent improvement against tougher competition earned him a spot with Double-A New Hampshire to start 2018.
Cannon Chadwick – Single-A (Full) Columbia Fireflies (Mets) – In his first year as a pro, Cannon Chadwick appeared in 18 games with the Brooklyn Cyclones. His 1.33 ERA was the lowest on the team and his 40 strikeouts were second among all Cyclones pitcher and first among relievers. His successful first year earned him a promotion to Single-A (full) Columbia where he will begin 2018.
Chad Spanberger – Single-A (Full) Asheville Tourists (Rockies) – Chad Spanberger showed up in Grand Junction and picked up right where he left off from his final season at Baum Stadium. After hitting 20 home runs with the Hogs in the spring, Spanberger hit 19 more with Grand Junction over the summer. He slashed .294/.368/.617 with over half of his hits going for extra bases. As the Rockies’ No. 25 prospect, Spanberger will begin 2018 with Single-A (full) Asheville.
James Teague – Single-A (Advanced) Frederick Keys (Orioles) – The 37th round draft pick out of Bartlesville, Oklahoma has come a long way in a short time since being drafted in 2016. After finishing his first year as a pro in Single-A (short) Aberdeen, Teague’s numbers earned him a spot with Single-A (full) Delmarva at the beginning of 2017. After a rocky start, Teague was sent back to Aberdeen where he was nearly untouchable. In his 16 appearances with Aberdeen, he compiled a 1.02 ERA, tallied 29 strikeouts, and earned eight saves. Such production earned him an invitation to the Orioles main spring training where he struck out seven, walked one, allowed no earned runs, and earned three saves in eight appearances. Teague will start 2018 in Single-A (advanced) Frederick.
Trevor Stephan – Single-A (Advanced) Tampa Tarpons (Yankees) – After signing with the New York Yankees last summer, Trevor Stephan began his pro career at the rookie level with the GCL Yankees. After facing six batters over two perfect innings, Stephan was quickly on the move as he was promoted to Single-A (short) Staten Island. In 10 games with Staten Island, Stephan generated 1.39 ERA and held opponents to just a .177 batting average. Trevor is currently the No. 15 prospect for his respective club and will begin the 2018 season with A (advanced) Tampa as its Opening Day starter.
Other Hogs in the Minors
Triple-A – Barrett Astin (LOU), Jalen Beeks (PAW), Brett Eibner (RR), Matt Reynolds (SYR), Ryne Stanek (DUR)
Double-A – Dominic Ficociello (ERIE), Andy Wilkins (CHATT)
Single-A (Adv) – Trey Killian (LAN), Jacob Morris (WIN-SA)
Single-A – Michael Bernal (AUG), Clark Eagan (WV)
Rookie – Josh Alberius (GCL Marlins), Dominic Taccolini (AZL Padres), Doug Willey (OREM)
