Crawdads Alumni Report October 13
Sunday, October 13
HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY:
BIRTHDAYS:
Steve Lerud ('05-'06, C) turns 29. The native of Reno, NV was the Pirates third round pick in 2003 out of Galena High School in Reno. He batted only .088 in 25 games before his season ended with an injured wrist. Lerud returned for a full season in 2006. Overall in 142 games, Lerud batted .214 with 30 doubles, two triples, 14 homers and 70 RBI. He is sixth in a season with 146 strikeouts in 2006. Lerud played with the Pirates AA team at Altoona in 2008-2009 before his release. Since then, he has suited up for the Orioles at AA- Bowie (2010-2011) and AAA- Norfolk (2010). He joined the Phillies in 2012 and spent much of the season with AA- Reading and AAA- Lehigh Valley. Lerud made his debut with Philadelphia on 8/30/12 and spent a brief part of this season with the Phils.
Cliff Smith ('05, P) turns 34. The native of Portland, ME was signed as a free agent by the Pirates out of Lancaster in the independent Atlantic League. He made nine relief appearances and sported an 8.68 ERA in 9.1 innings. Smith allowed nine runs on 16 hits with six strikeouts and two walks. He left pro ball after that season as a player and is currently the head coach at Elizabethtown College (PA), where he has been since 2007.
MAJOR LEAGUES
AMERICAN LEAGUE:
Mike Rojas ('95, Manager/ Bullpen Coach- Detroit): Detroit 1 Boston 0. Detroit leads the best-of-seven series 1-0.
OFFSEASON LEAGUES:
MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE:
Culiacan 3 Mazatlan 1: Humberto Cota ('99, C/ Culiacan) 1-4, 2B, RBI K
VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE:
Lara 8 La Guira 2: Arlett Mavare ('12, P/ La Guira) 1/3 IP, 1 H; Luis Sardinas ('12, SS/ La Guira) 0-4, BB, CS.
Caracas 8 Aragua 9: Jonel Pacheco ('07, OF/ Aragua) 1-4, K
Zulia 12 Magallanes 8: Rougned Odor ('12, 2B/ Magallanes) 2-3, BB; Tomas Telis ('11, C/ Magallanes) 1-1, RBI.
Margarita 6 Anzoategui 8: Jose Castillo ('00, SS/ Anzoategui) 2-3, 2B, 3B, 2 R, BB, RBI.
Saturday, October 12
HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY:
Luis Sardinas ('12, SS/ La Guira) went 4-for-6 with a double, scored a run and knocked in four for La Guira in its 10-4 win over Anzoategui in the Venezuelan Winter League.
BIRTHDAYS:
Nick Tepesch ('11, P) turns 25. The native of Blue Springs, MO was the Rangers 14th round pick in 2010 out of the University of Missouri. He went 7-5 in 29 games (23 starts) with two complete games and a 4.03 ERA. In 138.1 innings Tepesch struck out 118, walked 33 and allowed 70 runs (62 earned) on 147 hits. He started the 2012 season at high A-Myrtle Beach, which was highlighted by a combined no-hitter on May 19 against Wilimington. That helped earn him a promotion to AA- Frisco where he finished the season, which included a nod as the Texas League pitcher of the week in late August. Tepesch had a stellar spring this season, which led to his promotion with the Rangers on 4/9/13. He also spent time this year at AAA-Round Rock.
OFFSEASON LEAGUES:
ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE:
Mesa 7 Surprise 3: Will Lamb ('11-'12, P/ Surprise) 2.2 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, loss (0-1); Jorge Alfaro ('12-'13, C/ Surprise) 0-3, BB, K; Ryan Rua ('13, 2B/ Surprise) 0-4/ Bill Richardson ('10-'12, Manager/ Mesa) (3-0-1)
VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE:
La Guira 10 Anzoategui 4: Jose Castillo ('00, SS/ Anzoategui) 1-4.
Magallanes 6 Lara 4: Rougned Odor ('12, 2B/ Magallanes) 0-4, 2 K/ Romulo Sanchez ('05-'06, P/ Lara) 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 K, HR, loss (0-1).
Margarita 7 Caracas 9: Ronald Uviedo ('07-'08, P/ Caracas) 2/3 IP, 2 H, 1 R.
Zulia 3 Aragua 4: Teodoro Martinez, ('11, OF/ Aragua) 0-4, K
Friday, October 11
BIRTHDAYS:
Shane Youman ('03, P) turns 34. The native of New Iberia, LA was the Pirates 43rd round pick in 2001 out of New Iberia High School. He pitched in 40 games (one start) for Hickory and went 6-3 with 12 saves and a 4.65 ERA. In 50.1 innings, he struck out 58, walked 35 and allowed 31 runs (26 earned) on 51 hits. Youman worked up through the Pirates chain and made his debut with Pittsburgh on 9/10/06 and spent parts of two seasons with the big league club. The Phillies claimed him on waivers during the 2007 offseason and he pitched for them at AA- Reading briefly in 2008. It turned out to be his last stint in affiliated baseball. Since then, Youman has pitched in the independent Atlantic League at Lancaster (2008), Bridgeport (2009), York (2009-2010), Newark (2010) and Long Island (2011). He signed to pitch in Taiwan in 2011 and has pitched in Korea (Lotte Giants) the past two seasons.
MAJOR LEAGUES
AMERICAN LEAGUE:
Mike Rojas ('95, Manager/ Bullpen Coach- Detroit): Detroit 3 Oakland 0. The Tigers won the best-of-five series 3-2.
OFFSEASON LEAGUES:
ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE:
Surprise 0 Glendale 11: Nick McBride ('11-'12, P/ Surprise) 2.3 IP, 2 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 1 K; Jorge Alfaro ('12-'13, C/ Surprise) 0-4.
Bill Richardson ('10-'12, Manager/ Mesa): Mesa (2-0-1) 8 Salt River 1.
VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE:
Aragua Magallanes: Mark Hamburger ('09, P/ Aragua) 2 IP, 1 BB, 1 K; Teodoro Martinez, ('11, OF/ Argua) 0-0, R; Jonel Pacheco ('07, OF/ Aragua) 0-3, K/ Rougned Odor ('12, 2B/ Magallanes) 1-4, SB, RBI, K.
La Guira 11 Anzoategui 12: Hector Nelo ('10, P/ La Guira) 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 K; Luis Sardinas ('12, SS/ La Guira) 2-5, 2B, R, SB / Jose Castillo ('00, SS/ Anzoategui) 0-5, 2 K.
Zulia 4 Lara 3: Romulo Sanchez ('05-'06, P/ Lara) 1/3 IP, 1 BB, 1 K.
Thursday, October 10
HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY:
Matt West ('09-'10, 3B/ Surprise) made his first appearance on the mound in a game since undergoing elbow ligament replacement surgery. West struck out one during a perfect sixth inning for Surprise in the 9-5 win over Peoria.
BIRTHDAYS:
Ryan Bores ('13, P) turns 23. The native of Strongsville, OH was the Rangers 27th round pick in 2012 out of Kent St. University. He pitched in 24 games this season (6 starts) and went 3-2 with a save and a 4.61 ERA. In 68.1 innings, Bores struck out 34, walked 20 and allowed 36 runs (35 earned) on 78 hits.
Diogenes Diaz ('99, C) turns 35. The native of Villa Mella, D.R. was signed by the Pirates as an international free agent in 1995. He batted .205 in 13 games with two doubles and one RBI. Diaz was then released by the Pirates.
Andrew McCutchen ('06, OF) turns 27. The native of Ft. Meade, FL was the Pirates first round pick in 2005 out of Ft. Meade High School. In 114 games, he batted .289 with 20 doubles, four triples, 14 homers and 62 RBI. The SAL all-star also stole 22 bases and scored 77 runs. McCutchen was named the Pirates top prospect in 2007-2008 and played in the Futures Game and the Triple A All-Star game in 2008. McCutchen made his debut with the Pirates on 6/4/09 and was named the NL rookie of the year by Baseball America. He has been named to the NL all-star game the past three seasons and won the Silver Slugger and Gold Glove awards in 2012.
TRANSACTIONS:
Pete Mackanin ('01, Manager) was hired by the Philadelphia Phillies to be the team's third base coach for the 2014 season. He was fired from his bench coach position by the team after the 2012 season.
MAJOR LEAGUES
NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES:
Pittsburgh 1 St. Louis 6: Andrew McCutchen ('06, OF/ Pittsburgh) 0-4, K; Jordy Mercer ('08, SS/ Pittsburgh) 1-1; Neil Walker ('05, C/ Pittsburgh) 0-3, BB, K; Tony Watson ('07, P/ Pittsburgh) 1 IP; Bryan Morris ('08, P/ Pittsburgh) did not pitch; Jeff Branson ('05-'06, assistant hitting coach/ Pittsburgh)
OFFSEASON LEAGUES:
ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE:
Surprise 9 Peoria 5: Ryan Rua ('13, 2B/ Surprise) 1-4, RBI, K.
Bill Richardson ('10-'12, Manager/ Mesa): Glendale 1 Mesa 13 (1-0-1).
Wednesday, October 9
HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY:
Jorge Alfaro ('12-'13, C/ Surprise) kicked off his Arizona Fall League season with a 2-for-3 game, which included a double to go with a sacrifice fly and a run scored, to help Surprise to a 7-6 win over Peoria.
BIRTHDAYS:
Mike Bumatay ('00-'01, P) turns 34. The native of Clovis, CA was the Pirates 21st round draft pick in 1998 out of Clovis High School. In parts of two seasons, Bumatay went 4-0 in 31 games (one start) with eight saves and a 2.26 ERA. He struck out 63 and walked 20 over 51.2 innings with 17 runs (13 earned) allowed on 40 hits. Bumatay pitched two seasons (2001-02) with the Pirates at high A-Lynchburg before moving to the Colorado Rockies chain in 2003. He reached the AAA level at Colorado Springs in 2004, then joined the Tigers in 2005 as a free agent, splitting time at AA-Erie and AAA- Toledo. Bumatay pitched in the Red Sox chain in 2006, then with the Reds organization in 2007 before ending his career that same year with Midland (AA-Oakland).
Ben Levesque ('01, P) turns 34. The native of Cary, NC was the 13th round pick by the Pirates in 1998 out of Cary High School. He pitched in 16 games out of the bullpen and posted a 1-2 record with a 9.33 ERA. In 18.1 innings, Levesque struck out eight, walked 15 and allowed 20 runs (19 earned) on 23 hits. He was released after the season.
David Moore ('95, P) turns 39. The native of Orlando, FL was the White Sox 34th round pick in 1993 out of Dr. Phillips High School. He pitched in 20 games for Hickory out of the bullpen going 1-0 with a 6.18 ERA. In 27.2 innings, Moore struck out 15, walked seven and allowed 20 runs (19 earned) on 41 hits. He finished up his pro career at Bristol (rookie) before his release.
MAJOR LEAGUES
AMERICAN LEAGUE:
Mike Rojas ('95, Manager/ Bullpen Coach- Detroit): Oakland 6 Detroit 8. The Athletics and Tigers are tied in their best-of-five series 2-2.
OFFSEASON LEAGUES:
ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE:
Peoria 6 Surprise 7: Ryan Rua ('13, 2B/ Surprise) 1-3, BB, R, K.
Bill Richardson ('10-'12, Manager/ Mesa) Mesa (0-0-1) 8 Glendale 8 (11 innings).
Tuesday, October 8
BIRTHDAYS:
Chuck Antczak ('95-'97, C) turns 40. The native of Sarasota, FL signed with the White Sox as a non-drafted free agent in 1995 out of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (FL). Antczak batted .211 in 16 games over three seasons with three RBI. He played at high A-Winston-Salem in 1997 before the White Sox released him and then joined Greenville in the independent Texas-Louisiana League in 1998. His final season in 1999 was spent in the Phillies organization at high A- Clearwater and AA Reading. Antczak is the head coach at Riverview High School in Sarasota.
Cody Eppley ('09, P) turns 28. The native of Wellsville, PA was the Rangers' 43rd round pick in 2008 out of Virginia Commonwealth University. The side-winding reliever was 1-3 in 37 games with six saves and a 2.93 ERA. In 67.2 innings, Eppley struck out 76, walked six and allowed 31 runs (22 earned) on 65. His walk-per-nine inning ratio of 0.80 is the Crawdads best mark for pitchers with 50 or more innings. Eppley moved from high A-Bakersfield to AAA-Round Rock in 2010 before he made his major league debut with Texas on 4/23/11. The Yankees claimed Eppley off waivers to start the 2012 season and he became a key reliever for New York's playoff run. However, he struggled at the start of the 2013 season and was demoted to AAA-Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre before he was released. The Minnesota Twins picked him up and assigned him to AAA- Rochester before his release in August.
Robbie Erlin ('10, P) turns 23. The native of Scotts Valley, CA as the third round pick of the Rangers in 2009 out of Scotts Valley High School. In 28 games for Hickory (17 starts), Erlin went 6-3 with a 2.12 ERA and one save. He struck out 125 batters, walked only 17 and allowed 37 runs (27 earned) on 89 hits over 114.2 innings. The SAL all-star became the first Crawdads pitcher to win the league's ERA title, which is also the second best in team history among qualifying pitchers (112+ innings). Erlin holds the club mark in WHIP at 0.92 and is third in strikeouts-per-nine innings ratio (9.81). He started the 2011 season at high A-Myrtle Beach, progressed to AA- Frisco before a trade sent him to the San Diego Padres chain, where he played with AA- San Antonio. Erlin returned to the Missions for all of 2012, then started this season at AAA- Tucson before he debuted with San Diego on 4/30/13. Erlin split the rest of the season between Tucson and the Padres.
Matt Foust ('08, P) turns 29. The native of Stilwell, KS was the Pirates sixth round pick in 2007 out of the University of Nebraska. He appeared in two games (one start) for Hickory and went 0-2 with a 15.43 ERA. In 4.2 innings, Foust struck out two, walked eight and allowed eight runs on six hits. Foust finished out 2008 at short-season State College before the Pirates released him. He has been an assistant coach at Pembroke Hill High School and made a brief return in 2012 to pitch for Kansas City in the independent American Association.
Jeff Inglin ('96, OF) turns 38. The native of Petaluma, CA was the 16th round pick of the White Sox in 1996 out of the University of Southern California. He batted .361 with 10 extra base hits in a 22-game stint in 1996 before returning with a big year in 1997. Overall in 157 games, Inglin batted .338 with 40 doubles, eight triples, 18 homers and 117 RBI. Inglin set Crawdads single-season marks in at bats (536), runs scored (100), and hits (179). He is second in singles (123), tied for second in doubles (34), third in total bases (273), tied for third in games played (135), fourth in RBI (102), fifth in batting average (.334). Inglin also hit in a club-record 24 straight games. He went on to spend parts of three seasons (1998-2000) at AA- Birmingham, mixed in with four seasons (1999-2002) at AAA- Charlotte. He then made AA stops at Reading (Philadelphia) in 2003, Carolina (Florida) in 2004 and Bowie in 2005. Inglin last played at Surprise in the independent Golden League to close out 2005.
Kyle Pearson ('05-'07, P) turns 29. The native of Panama City, FL was the fourth round pick of the Pirates in 2003 out of Mosley High School. Pearson went 6-17 in 64 games (24 starts) with six saves and a 5.42 ERA. In 202.2 innings, Pearson struck out 118, walked 64, and allowed 141 runs (122 earned) on 249 hits. He was named to the SAL all-star game in 2007 and was named the game's most outstanding pitcher. Pearson is tied for the most losses, second in homers allowed (25), third in hits allowed (249), runs allowed (141) and earned runs allowed (122). He is also eighth in games pitched. Pearson pitched at high A-Lynchburg and AA-Altoona in 2008 before a trade sent him to the Detroit Tigers system. He pitched at their high A- team at Lakeland before he was released.
MAJOR LEAGUES
AMERICAN LEAGUE:
Mike Rojas ('95, Manager/ Bullpen Coach- Detroit) Oakland 6 Detroit 3. The Athletics lead the best-of-five series 2-1.
NATIONAL LEAGUE:
St. Louis 2 Pittsburgh 1: Andrew McCutchen ('06, OF/ Pittsburgh) 0-4, K; Jordy Mercer ('08, SS/ Pittsburgh) 0-2, K; Neil Walker ('05, C/ Pittsburgh) 0-3, BB, K; Jeff Branson ('05-'06, assistant hitting coach/ Pittsburgh)
Roger McDowell ('98, assistant coach/ pitching coach-Atlanta): Atlanta 3 LA Dodgers 4. The Dodgers won the best-of-five series 3-1.
Monday, October 7
HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY:
Andrew McCutchen ('06, OF/ Pittsburgh) reached base all four times during the Pirates 5-3 win over St. Louis. He walked and scored in the first and sixth innings, singled in the third and doubled in the eighth.
BIRTHDAYS:
Elio Borges ('98, 3B) turns 36. The native of Miami, FL was the 52nd round of the White Sox in 1997 out of Miami Senior High School. Borges batted .212 in 22 games with three doubles and seven RBI. He was released after the season.
Jim Dixon ('94-'95, '97, P) turns 41. Born in Anchorage, AK, he was the White Sox 24th round pick in 1993 out of New Mexico St. University. Overall in parts of three seasons, Dixon went 10-8 in 75 games (10 starts) with 12 saves and a 3.13 ERA. He struck out 151, walked 51 and allowed 93 runs (60 earned) on 174 hits over 172.2 innings. Dixon is third overall in games pitched and his 1.93 ERA in 1995 is the fifth-best for a season (50+ IP). He spent parts of three seasons with high A teams at Prince William and Winston-Salem. Dixon was released after the 1997 season.
Scott Patton ('93-'94, OF) turns 40. The native of Mission Viejo, CA was the White Sox fourth round pick in 1992 out of Capistrano Valley High School (CA). In 49 games, Patton batted .212 with four doubles, one homer and 17 RBI. He was released during the season and went on to play two years at Saddleback College (CA), where he was a junior college All-American in 1995, and two years at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas.
Ronald Uviedo ('07-'08, P) turns 27. The native of Calabozo, Venezuela was signed as a free agent in 2006 out of the Mariners organization. He pitched in three games at the end of the 2007 season, and then returned for part of 2008. Overall, Uviedo went 4-1 with five saves in 36 games and a 3.25 ERA. In 74.2 innings, he struck out 83, walked 17 and allowed 34 runs (27 earned) on 73 hits. Uviedo made it to AA-Altoona in 2010 before a trade sent him to the Toronto Blue Jays system. He split the next three seasons at AA-New Hampshire and AAA-Las Vegas before leaving as a free agent. Uviedo pitched this year at Camden (Atlantic-Ind.) and Southern Illinois (Frontier-Ind.).
MAJOR LEAGUES
NATIONAL LEAGUE:
St. Louis 3 Pittsburgh 5: Jordy Mercer ('08, SS/ Pittsburgh); Neil Walker ('05, C/ Pittsburgh) 0-4; Tony Watson ('07, P/ Pittsburgh) 1 IP, 1 H; Jeff Branson ('05-'06, assistant hitting coach/ Pittsburgh) Pittsburgh leads the best-of-five series 2-1.
Roger McDowell ('98, assistant coach/ pitching coach-Atlanta): Atlanta 6 LA Dodgers 13. Los Angeles leads the best-of-five series 2-1.