ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – The All-Star Game has come and gone for the MLB, as teams turn their attention to the playoffs. With the addition of JJ Montgomery to a roster, the Knights now have 19 players on professional rosters.
Rylan Thomas wasted little time taking over the cleanup spot for the Greenville Reds in the Appalachian League. Over the last two weeks, the first baseman launched four home runs and drove in 10 RBI in 12 games. Thomas is hitting .240 with an on-base percentage of .447, 27 walks, 18 RBI and seven home runs in just 25 games.
Darnell Sweeney has continued to be a consistent bat for the Buffalo Bisons after his recent call-up to the Toronto Blue Jays. He went 11-for-45 (.244) during the last two weeks with five runs scored. Sweeney is hitting .234 this year with a .305 on-base percentage and 26 runs driven in.
Drew Butera earned a trio of starts in the last week. On July 22, he recorded an inside-the-park home run on a shallow liner that made it past the outstretched arm of the Milwaukee Brewers' centerfielder to bring in three runs. Butera has driven in 13 runs in 40 games for the Royals this season.
Fellow Kansas City teammate Eric Skoglund returned to the mound after suffering an elbow injury to start his rehab stint in the minors. The towering lefty made his lone start for the AZL Royals in the Arizona League on July 18, in which he tossed three shutout innings with a pair of strikeouts. A week later, Skoglund threw for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals in Double-A, striking out two with one run against in four innings of work.
Thad Ward made a trio of starts for the Lowell Spinners in the Single-A New York-Penn League since the last update. In all three starts, Ward struck out two batters and took a no-decision. He has a 2.63 ERA through five starts, increasing his work load in each outing, with 11 strikeouts in 13 2/3 innings.
MLB
• Chase Bradford (Seattle) – Made two appearances over the last two weeks for three innings of work with a trio of punchouts. Had a 5-0 record on the year with a 2.75 ERA in 39 1/3 innings pitched with 30 strikeouts.
• Dan Winkler (Atlanta) – Threw four innings over four appearances in the last two weeks, recording a trio of punchouts with two runs against. Holds a 3.07 ERA in 44 appearances with one save and 50 strikeouts this season.
• Ben Lively (Philadelphia) – Per a report by The Morning Call a shoulder injury likely spelled the end of his season.
TRIPLE-A
• Beau Taylor (Nashville Sounds, Oakland) – Recorded a pair of multi-hit games over 11 games in the last two weeks. Hitting .262 on the year with 28 RBI and 13 extra-base hits.
• Dylan Moore (Colorado Springs Sky Sox, Milwaukee) – After his Triple-A All-Star Game appearance, struggled at the plate with four hits in last 11 games. Has a .297 clip at the plate with 42 RBI, eight homers and 18 stolen bases in 87 games this season.
• James Vasquez (Pericos de Puebla, Mexico) – After his trade to Puebla on May 1, played in 29 games with a .253 clip at the plate and nine RBI with his new club.
DOUBLE-A
• Jason Bahr (Downward East Mud Ducks, Texas) – Dropped first two decisions with new ball club after being traded on July 8. Fanned four in both outings, but gave up a trio of runs and exited before five complete innings both times. Has a 2.71 ERA and 111 strikeouts in 93 innings pitched in 2018.
SINGLE-A ADVANCED
• Andrew Deramo (Lansing Lugnuts, Toronto) – Made three appearances in the last two weeks with seven strikeouts over four innings. Has a 2-3 record on the year in 15 appearances with one start.
SINGLE-A SHORT
• Jordan Scheftz (Mahoning Valley Scrappers, Cleveland) – Has only given up one earned run in last six appearances. Recorded 16 strikeouts and a 4.11 ERA in 15 1/3 innings of work for the Scrappers this summer.
• J.J. Montgomery (Aberdeen Ironbirds, Baltimore) – Played in two games for the Ironbirds. Struck out three in first appearance over one inning, but gave up a trio of runs in second outing.
• Eric Hepple (Boise Hawks, Colorado) – Featured in four games over the last two weeks, striking out three during six innings of work. Has a 3.68 ERA on the year and 15 strikeouts in 14 2/3 innings.
ROOKIE
• Andy Rohloff (AZL Giants, San Francisco) – Chipped ERA down to 3.86 through 10 games this season. Has 11 strikeouts over 11 2/3 innings with just a trio of walks.
• Cre Finfrock (Bluefield Blue Jays, Toronto) – Fanned 10 batters in last three appearances. Has a 2-1 record on the season with a 5.19 ERA and 20 punchouts in 17 1/3 innings of action.
• Bryce Tucker (San Francisco Giants) - Due to an injury, will not make an appearance this season.
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