University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols in the Pros Update (8/16)
August 16, 2010 | Baseball
Aug. 16, 2010
With another school year about to get started, former Vols playing at the professional level are just now moving towards the tail-ends of their schedules. There has been a lot of news about former UT players in recent weeks with a memorable MLB debut, a one-hitter and a high-profile return from the DL. Below is the fifth installment of how the Orange and White is faring at the next level - complete with links to video highlights.
MAJOR LEAGUES
J.P. Arencibia - C, Toronto Blue Jays - Stats
Called up by the Toronto Blue Jays on August 5, J.P. Arencibia posted one of the most memorable Major League debuts in history, going 4-for-5 with a pair of home runs, including one on the first pitch of his first at-bat. He also had a single and a double, finishing a triple away from the cycle, in addition to scoring three runs and knocking in three more. He is just the 26th player in MLB history to homer on the first pitch of their first big league at-bat and only the fourth player since 1900 to hit two longballs in their debut. The Miami, Fla., native finished the game as the only player in the modern era (since 1900) with four hits and two home runs in his Major League debut. The four hits also tied the record for the most in a nine-inning debut.
Historic debut | First career homer | J.P. on his big day | Throws out a runner
Julio Borbon - OF, Texas Rangers - Stats
In his first full year in the big leagues, Julio Borbon has helped the Texas Rangers fashion an 8.5 game lead in the American League West. The speedy centerfielder has played some terrific defense and has proven to be a dangerous weapon at the bottom of a powerful lineup. Borbon has played in 96 games this season, hitting .270 with 42 runs scored, three home runs and 27 RBIs. He has been an asset on the basepaths as well where he has 10 stolen bases on the year.
Great catch | RBI bunt single | Another RBI single
R.A. Dickey - SP, New York Mets - Stats
Easily one of the best stories in the Major Leagues this season, R.A. Dickey has become one of the top pitchers on the New York Mets' staff. The 35-year old knuckleballer is 8-5 with a terrific 2.43 ERA in 17 starts this year. His best performance came just three days ago (Aug. 13) when he held the Philadelphia Phillies to just one hit as he picked up his second career complete-game shutout. In 111.0 innings on the mound, Dickey has accumulated 71 strikeouts with just 30 walks and has a total of 13 quality starts.
Unusual career path | Tosses a one-hitter | Dickey on his one-hitter | Diving stop | Another dazzling start
Chase Headley - 3B, San Diego Padres - Stats
As the San Diego Padres start to pull away with the National League West, Chase Headley has started to pick his game up to another level as well. During a recent three-game series with division-foe San Francisco, Headley had two hits in all three contests, giving him a batting average of .500 (6-for-12) for the series to go along with four RBIs and three runs scored. For the season, Headley is hitting .275 with eight longballs, 25 doubles, 46 RBIs and 14 stolen bases, in addition to playing stellar defense at the hot corner.
RBI single | Run-scoring double | RBI triple | Leaping grab | Three-run shot | Barehanded play
Todd Helton - 1B, Colorado Rockies - Stats
Since returning from a nearly month-long stay on the disabled list, Todd Helton has hit safely in seven of nine contests and has doubled his home-run total for the season with a pair of roundtrippers. During that stretch, he has hit .300 (9-for-30) with six walks, six runs scored and six RBIs. For the year, Helton is hitting .252 with four longballs, 12 doubles and 21 RBIs in 78 games.
Solo homer | Foul catch | Two-run jack | RBI single | Leaning catch
Luke Hochevar - SP, Kansas City Royals - Stats
On the disabled list with a right elbow sprain since June 16, Luke Hochevar has begun throwing from a mound once again and is expected to return to the Kansas City rotation for the final month the season. Prior to his injury, Hochevar was 5-4 for the Royals with a 4.96 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 78.0 innings, spanning 13 starts.
Mike Lincoln - RP, Cincinnati Reds - Stats
Mike Lincoln is also currently on the disabled list, having been placed there on June 2 with a strained muscle in his right side. In 19 appearances out of the bullpen for the Cincinnati Reds this season, he is 1-0 with a 7.32 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 19.2 innings of work.
Augie Ojeda - UTIL, Arizona Diamondbacks - Stats
An important role player off the bench for the Arizona Diamondbacks this season, Augie Ojeda has seen action in 46 contests, playing errorless-ball at third base, second base and shortstop. Overall, he is hitting .169 with four RBIs and six walks in 65 at-bats.
MINOR LEAGUES
Scot Drucker - RP, Toledo MudHens (AAA - Detroit Tigers) - Stats | Blog
A versatile member of the Toledo MudHens pitching staff, Scot Drucker has seen action on the mound in 37 games this season, including four starts, for the Detroit Tigers' Triple-A squad. The 6-1 righty is 4-5 on the year with a 5.69 ERA. In 74.1 innings of work, Drucker has 59 strike outs while walking just 26 walks.
James Adkins - RP, Chattanooga Lookouts (AA - Los Angeles Dodgers) - Stats
Following a brief call-up to Triple-A Albuquerque, James Adkins is back with the Chattanooga Lookouts for the second time this season. The Nashville native has been spectacular over the past few weeks, holding opponents scoreless in eight of his last nine outings. Except for one rough stint during the middle of that stretch in which he was touched for five runs, Adkins has allowed just three hits since July 20. Including his time with the Isotopes, Adkins is 2-2 with a 6.59 ERA in 36 relief appearances this season.
Deunte Heath - RP, Birmingham Barons (AA - Chicago White Sox) - Stats
Deunte Heath has proven to be a significant addition to the Birmingham Barons' bullpen this season, tallying a 2-4 record, a 3.72 ERA and a save in 32 appearances. He has allowed just two runs in his last 5.2 innings, spanning six stints on the mound. For the season, Heath is averaging 12.91 strikeouts per nine innings and opponents are hitting just .241 off of him..
Ty'Relle Harris - RP, Myrtle Beach Pelicans (High A - Atlanta Braves) - Stats
Following successful stints with the Rome Braves and Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Ty'Relle Harris was promoted to the Atlanta Braves' Double-A squad. He made a lasting impression in his first appearance in a Mississippi Braves uniform, combining with Julio Teheran to throw a no-hitter on Aug. 2. He tossed 3.1 hitless innings, striking out six and earning the save in his Southern League debut. He allowed just two baserunners and struck out the final four batters he faced, including fanning the side in the ninth to complete the no-hitter. With his time at Rome, Myrtle Beach and Mississippi all factored in, Harris is 1-2 this season with a 2.90 ERA in 30 appearances. Opponents are hitting just .210 off of him and he has 60 strikeouts in 49.2 innings, good for an average of 10.87 per nine innings.
Kentrail Davis - OF. Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Low A - Milwaukee Brewers) - Stats
Sometimes all it takes is a slight change of scenery. That seems especially true in Kentrail Davis' case. Since trading in the heat and humidity of Brevard County in Florida for the cooler temperatures of Appleton, Wis., Davis is hitting at a blistering .347 clip with 18 doubles, three triples, two home runs and 29 RBIs in 44 games. He has also been much more selective at the plate with more walks (20) than strikeouts (19). He is currently in the midst of an eight-game hitting streak, during which he is batting .405 (15-for-37)..
Nick Hernandez - SP, GCL Phillies (Short Season - Philadelphia Phillies) - Stats
Following a dominant start to the 2010 campaign with the Lakewood Blue Claws, Nick Hernandez suffered a temporary setback when he missed nearly two months due to shoulder weakness. The 6-4 southpaw returned to the mound for a pair of appearances with the GCL Phillies but has since returned to the disabled list. With the Blue Claws, Hernandez kicked off his second season in professional baseball by going 3-1 with a 1.61 ERA in his first eight starts. During that time he had 52 strikeouts and just eight walks in 56.0 innings and was holding opponents to a miniscule .192 batting average.
Danny Wiltz - SP (Chicago White Sox) - Blog
After posting a 4-2 record and 4.25 ERA in 19 appearances last summer, Danny Wiltz will miss the entire 2010 campaign as he recovers from a knee injury. He had surgery on March 10 to repair tears in his ACL and lateral meniscus.
Cody Hawn - 1B, Helena Brewers (Short Season - Milwaukee Brewers) - Stats
One of the top hitters for UT the last two seasons, Cody Hawn has started his professional career on the same note as he leads the Pioneer League in both home runs (9) and RBIs (45). He also ranks third with 98 total bases and is hitting .276 with 16 doubles though his first 49 games with the Helena Brewers.
Stephen McCray - SP, Great Falls Voyagers (Short Season - Chicago White Sox) - Stats
Also in the Pioneer League is right-handed pitcher Stephen McCray. After starting his professional career with 11 relief appearances, he has returned to the starting role in which he thrived during his senior season at Tennessee. McCray has made three starts, his best of which came on Aug. 8 when he held Cody Hawn and the Helena Brewers hitless for six innings. He needed just 61 pitches to get through those six frames, striking out six, including Hawn once. As a starter, he is 2-0 with an ERA of 2.40. Including his time in the bullpen, he is 4-2 with a 2.87 ERA in a total of 37.2 innings of work this season.
P.J. Polk - OF, Connecticut Tigers (Short Season - Detroit Tigers) - Stats
After putting his blend of power and speed on display as a junior at Tennessee, P.J. Polk has carried that over in his first season at the professional level. The Detroit Tigers' 13th-round selection this year, he was recently named a New York-Penn League Mid-Season All-Star. Through his first 47 games with the Class-A Short-Season Connecticut Tigers, Polk is hitting .257 with a team-high 28 runs scored, nine doubles and two home runs. He has also wreaked havoc on the basepaths, sliding in successfully on 20-of-23 stolen base attempts.
Steve Crnkovich - SP, GCL Tigers (Short Season - Detroit Tigers) - Stats
Steve Crnkovich was recently named the Detroit Tigers Pitcher of the Month for July just weeks after signing a free-agent deal with the club following his senior season in Knoxville. Since joining the organization on June 23, Crnkovich has been nearly unhittable, posting a 5-3 record with a sparkling 1.62 ERA in nine professional appearances, including eight starts. In 44.1 innings of work, the Downer's Grove, Ill., native has amassed 50 strikeouts to just seven walks and has allowed only 25 hits and eight earned runs. Opponents are hitting a measly .164 off of the side-arming righty.
Blake Forsythe - C, Brooklyn Cyclones (Short Season - New York Mets) - Stats
Blake Forsythe has settled in as the everyday starting catcher for the Brooklyn Cyclones in the New York-Penn League since being promoted after a three-day stint in the Gulf Coast League. In 19 games with the Cyclones, the Memphis, Tenn., native is hitting .246 with one home run and four RBIs. He already has a pair of three-hit games to his credit and is hitting .667 (6-for-9) against left-handed pitching.
Bryan Morgado - RP, Williamsport Crosscutters (Short Season - Philadelphia Phillies) - Stats
The Philadelphia Phillies' fourth-round pick this year, Bryan Morgado has struggled with his command since joining the Williamsport Crosscutters. He is 1-1 with a 9.90 ERA in 10.0 innings of work with 12 strikeouts and 16 walks. His last appearance provided some promise of a quick turnaround though, as he worked a perfect inning against the Tri-City ValleyCats on Aug. 10.
Aaron Tullo - RP, Orem Owlz (Short Season - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim) - Stats
Aaron Tullo is off to a quick start to his professional career after signing a free-agent contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in early August. He has been assigned to the Orem Owlz in the Pioneer League where his is 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA in two relief appearances. In his 3.1 innings of work so far, Tullo has allowed just one run on two hits, while striking out five and walking two.
