ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – UCF Baseball added four new players to the #BuiltByUCF ranks over the last few weeks with three draft picks and one free agent signee. The quartet will join 17 Knights across the professional ranks.
Here’s a look at how the last few weeks have gone for the Black and Gold.
Thad Ward is one of the hottest pitching prospects in baseball this season with the Greenville Drive of the South Atlantic League. The righty has a 1.99 ERA, good for second in the league, through 13 starts with a 5-2 record. Ward has a blistering 10.8 strikeouts per nine innings from a league-best 87 punches in 72 1/3 innings of work. The 2018 selection turned in 32 2/3 innings without an earned run allowed. Ward was selected to the 2019 South Atlantic League All-Star Game on June 18.
Jason Bahr’s ERA continues to shrink this year for the Down East Wood Ducks of the Carolina League. The northpaw has a 1.71 ERA through 11 starts with a 6-1 record. He has fanned 58 batters in 58 innings and allowed just 11 earned runs. Bahr was named to the Carolina League All-Star Game for June 18 as the league leader in ERA.
Dylan Moore has found his footing in 46 games for the Seattle Mariners this season. The 2015 draft pick has 20 base knocks and nine RBI with a pair of homers. The utility man has three multi-hit games this season and recorded his first career multi-RBI game at Minnesota on June 13.
For a complete list of Knights in the pros, check out the #BuiltByUCF page.
MLB
• Beau Taylor, Oakland Athletics – Called up to the Athletics on June 8. Appeared in three games with two hits and one walk in The Show. Hitting .297 with 20 RBI and five homers this season for the Las Vegas Aviators in Triple-A.
• Chasen Bradford, Seattle Mariners – Recalled to Seattle on May 31 and placed on 10-day injured list on June 3. Has 11 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings this season with the Mariners.
• Eric Skoglund, Kansas City Royals – Less than 10 games away from being activated.
TRIPLE-A
• Dan Winkler, Gwinnett Stripers, Atlanta – Spent three months in the Majors before being optioned down on June 15. Has 22 punchouts in 21 2/3 innings this season 27 appearances with a 3-1 record.
• Drew Butera, Albuquerque Isotopes, Colorado – After a month with the Rockies, went back to the Isotopes on May 6. Hitting .282 with 10 RBI and two home runs in 25 games this season.
• Darnell Sweeney, Indianapolis Indians, Pittsburgh – Signed a minor league contract with the Pirates and went 2-for-3 with a double in first game with the Indians.
A
• Cre Finfrock, Lansing Lugnuts, Toronto – Has a 2.63 ERA through 12 appearances with a perfect 5-for-5 mark in save opportunities, including 17 strikeouts in 13 2/3 frames.
LOW-A
• Bryce Tucker, Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, San Francisco - Made his professional debut last week, striking out three in one inning to earn his first career win.
• Andy Rohloff, Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, San Francisco – Struck out one batter in one inning of action in season debut.
• Jordan Scheftz, Mahoning Valley Scrappers – Fanned one over 1 2/3 innings in season debut to earn a win.
• JJ Montgomery, Aberdeen IronBirds, Baltimore – Assigned after an injury kept him in extended spring training.
• Garrett Westberg, Everett AquaSox, Seattle – Will make professional debut in the Northwest League.
• Jordan Spicer, Boise Hawks, Colorado – Assigned to the same team that Eric Hepple played for in 2018.
ROOKIE
• Rylan Thomas, Greeneville Reds, Cincinnati - Will make his season debut in Greenville after staying in extended spring training after an injury.
• Chris Williams, Missoula Ospreys, Arizona - Was assigned after signing his free agent contract.
• Eric Hepple, Asheville Tourists, Colorado – Made first appearance after moving to extended spring training for Grand Junction on June 15.
• Tyler Osik, AZL White Sox, Chicago – Sent to the Arizona League to start career.
GET THE APP
Never miss any UCF Knights news from your favorite team by downloading the free UCF Knights app right to your iOS or Android phone! The app provides personalized information for men's and women's teams, scores, schedules, loyalty programs and even breaking news.
FOLLOW THE KNIGHTS
Follow UCF Baseball on social media on Facebook (/UCF.Baseball), Twitter (UCF_Baseball) and Instagram (UCF.Baseball).