Two More Former Snappers Get Called Up
OAKLAND, Calif and MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.- The Snappers had a couple former players get called up to the show as right-handed pitcher Raul Alcantara made a start for the Oakland Athletics on Monday against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Also, James Beresford was promoted to the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday after playing over 1,000 games in the Minor Leagues.
Alcantara made 13 starts for the Snappers in 2013, going 7-1 with a solid 2.44 ERA. He pitched 77 1/3 innings, surrendering 84 hits, and 21 earned runs while punching out 58 in a Snappers uniform.
Alcantara opened the 2016 season with Double-A Midland. Alcantara was 5-6, posting a 4.80 ERA in 90 innings of work. He surrendered 100 hits, 27 bases on balls and 48 earned runs while recording 73 strikeouts. On July 20th, Alcantara was promoted to Triple-A Nashville. At Triple-A, Alcantara dominated the Pacific Coast League as he went 4-0 with a sparkling 1.18 ERA while holding opposing batters to a .229 average. In 45 2/3 frames, he surrendered just 38 hits and six earned runs while punching out 32. That level of performance was rewarded as Alcantara got the call to the majors on September 5th.
Alcantara didn't have much time to settle in at the pro level as he was immediately given the ball on Labor Day Monday. His start didn't go as he had hoped as the Angels hit him hard. The final line was three innings, five hits, one walk, and five earned runs while punching out none.
Beresford played with the Snappers in 2009 and 2010. He anchored the middle of Beloit's infield as he started a combined 190 games at shortstop and 36 games at second base during his two-year stint in Beloit. In 2009 he hit .289 while having a .342 on base percentage and had 38 RBIs. The next year Beresford hit .297 while having a .349 on base percentage, one homer, and 59 RBIs.
Beresford opened the 2013 season at Double-A New Britain. The stint was brief as he torched opposing pitchers to an average of .316, .373 on base percentage, and 19 RBIs in 45 games for New Britain. Beresford was promoted to Triple-A Rochester on November 17, 2014. In 2015 Beresford hit an impressive .307 with one long ball and 50 RBIs. This season he hit .269 and had a team-high 125 hits in 122 games for the Red Wings before getting the promotion to the Minnesota Twins. After 1070 games in the minors, Beresford was part of the September call-ups for Minnesota.
Alcantara is the 196th and Beresford is the 197th former Beloit players to make it the Big Leagues.
The Beloit Snappers are a member of the Midwest League and are a fourth year Class-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. Stay tuned to the team website and social media for all up to date information. For ticket information, contact the Snappers' offices at 608-362-2272 or visit our website atwww.snappersbaseball.com.
Written by: Derek Hoesly