ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – As the MLB hits the All-Star Break, the UCF baseball team has alumni scattered across the various levels of professional baseball. Here’s a look at how the Knights have fared over the last few weeks.
Beau Taylor made the most of his time in The Show with the Oakland Athletics. The catcher appeared in eight games and belted his first two career home runs. Since his return to the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators, Taylor is hitting .388 with seven RBI over five games. He has a .309 clip with Las Vegas this season with 27 RBI and seven home runs in 43 outings.
Thad Ward continued his upward trajectory after moving up to the Salem Red Sox in the Carolina League. The righty has a 1.65 ERA through three starts with 19 punchouts in 16 1/3 innings. In addition to 16 starts with the Greenville Drive, Ward has a 1.93 ERA and a strikeout per nine inning tally of 10.7.
Cre Finfrock has been the backbone of the Lansing Lugnuts’ bullpen. The 2018 draftee has 10 saves on the year, good for second in the Midwest League. The northpaw has fanned 29 batters over 20 1/3 innings this season with a 3.10 ERA.
For updated statistics, visit the #BuiltByUCF page.
MLB
Chasen Bradford, Seattle – Remains sidelined on the 60-day injury list.
Dylan Moore, Seattle – Belted four home runs on the year with 11 RBI and six stolen bases in his rookie year.
TRIPLE-A
Drew Butera, Albuquerque Isotopes, Colorado – Hit .293 in Triple-A with 18 RBI and five home runs this season.
Ben Lively, Reno Aces, Arizona – Recently picked up off waivers. Made two appearances for new club.
Eric Skoglund, Omaha Storm Chasers – After making rehab starts, open 2019 season in Triple-A with a 1-1 record over four starts.
Darnell Sweeney, Indianapolis Indians, Pittsburgh – After signing with the Pirates organization, hit .276 through first 17 games with nine RBI and a pair of stolen bases.
Dan Winkler, Gwinnett Stripers, Atlanta – Made 11 appearances this season in Triple-A out of the bullpen with a pair of saves. Fanned 14 through 11 innings of work.
DOUBLE-A
Jason Bahr, Frisco Roughriders, Texas – Following promotion two weeks ago, made three starts with 19 strikeouts over 16 2/3 innings. Has a 2.53 ERA on the year through 14 starts.
SINGLE-A
Rylan Thomas, Dayton Dragons, Cincinnati – Recently moved up to Class A after rehabbing an injury.
SHORT-A
Bryce Tucker, Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, San Francisco – Made six appearances with two saves and one win in first year of professional ball. Opponents are hitting just .095 off the lefty.
Jordan Spicer, Boise Hawks, Colorado – Did not allow a run in first two starts with a strikeout per nine innings mark of 12.
Garrett Westberg, Everett AquaSox, Seattle – Appeared in seven games with one win. Struck out 10 in nine innings of action.
Jordan Scheftz, Mahoning Valley Scrappers, Cleveland – Tossed 3 1/3 innings this summer.
Andy Rohloff, Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, San Francisco – Fanned eight batters through 7 1/3 innings out of the bullpen this season with a 2.45 ERA.
ROOKIE
JJ Montgomery, GCL Orioles, Baltimore – After rehabbing from injury, made three appearances with one start for a 1.93 ERA and seven strikeouts.
Matthew Mika, AZL Brewers Gold, Milwaukee – Added to Milwaukee’s rookie team after signing as a free agent. Went 1-for-4 with a run scored in professional debut.
Tyler Osik, AZL White Sox, Chicago White Sox – Drove in five runs over first 12 games behind a .279 clip at the plate.
Chris Williams, Missoula Osprey, Arizona – Came out of the bullpen six times to strike out eight batters in 8 1/3 innings.
Eric Hepple, Grand Junction Rockies, Colorado – Dropped ERA down to 2.25 over 11 relief outings with 15 strikeouts.