Diamond 'Dogs in the Pros: Summer Update

Photo by: Mountain West/Clarkson Creative

Diamond 'Dogs in the Pros: Summer Update

7/12/2017 11:00:00 AM | Baseball

With the Bulldogs drafted in the 2017 MLB Draft beginning their professional careers and major league baseball reaching its All-Star Break this week, let's take a look at how the 27 former Bulldogs in major/minor league baseball in 2017 are performing thus far this season.

By: Travis Blanshan / Assistant Director of Communications

FRESNO, Calif. - With the Bulldogs drafted in the 2017 MLB Draft beginning their professional careers and major league baseball reaching its All-Star Break this week, let's take a look at how the 27 former Bulldogs in major/minor league baseball in 2017 are performing thus far this season.

With the selections of eight Bulldogs in this past June's amateur draft, tied for the third-most ever in a single draft in program history, head coach Mike Batesole has now had 74 players drafted since becoming head coach of the Bulldogs in 2003.

Here is a quick rundown of how all the former 'Dogs are performing this year in both the majors/minors this season.

MLB
Doug Fister, Pitcher, Boston Red Sox, ninth year in MLB, first with Red Sox
After starting the season with the Salt Lake Bees, the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels, Fister was signed by the Boston Red Sox on June 23 and proceeded to make his first start against the Angels two days later tossing six innings allowing seven hits, three runs and notched six strikeouts. He has since started two more games throwing five innings with five strikeouts at Toronto (June 30) and tossed 3.2 innings at Texas on July 5 picking up three strikeouts.

Fister, a Bulldog in 2005-06, has appeared in the major leagues with the Mariners, Tigers, Nationals & Astros, and has a 77-78 overall record with a 3.63 ERA along with 861 strikeouts in 1,280.2 innings.

Matt Garza, Pitcher, Milwaukee Brewers, 12^th year in MLB, fourth with Brewers
Garza, a Bulldog from 2003-05 who was a first-round selection of the Minnesota Twins in 2005, is the longest-tenured professional Bulldog as he is now in his 12th season, including his fourth with the Brewers. After starting the season on the disabled list, the Selma native made his season debut on April 24 against the Cincinnati Reds and through 13 starts this season he is 4-4 record with a 3.98 ERA.

In 72.1 innings of work, Garza has posted 51 strikeouts while allowing only 19 walks. He has picked up wins against Atlanta (April 30) tossing a season-high seven strikeouts along with the New York Mets (May 12), at St. Louis (June 14) and at home against Baltimore on July 5. He has thrown six-plus innings in six contests, including a season-best seven innings at Pittsburgh (May 6) limiting the Pirates to one run while striking out four. In his most recent outing against the Orioles, he went 6.1 innings without allowing a run and only five hits while striking out four.

Justin Haley, Pitcher, Minnesota Twins, first year in MLB/Twins
The most recent Bulldog to make his major league debut, Haley tossed a scoreless inning of relief against Kansas City on April 5 in his first MLB action. The Sacramento native, who was a sixth-round selection of the Boston Red Sox in 2012, has totaled 10 appearances for the Twins tossing 18.0 innings with a 6.00 ERA and has notched 14 strikeouts.

Haley picked up his first career save on April 13 in an 11-5 win over Detroit throwing 3.1 innings while allowing four hits, one run and struck out six. Last appearing for the Twins on May 28, Haley was placed on the 10-day disabled list the following day with right shoulder soreness and since June 26 has made four rehab appearances. In his most recent outing on Sunday at Triple-A Rochester, Haley hurled four innings allowing only one run in a 8-2 win over the Syracuse Chiefs (Nationals AAA).

Aaron Judge, Outfielder, New York Yankees, second year in MLB/Yankees (official a Rookie in 2017 since had less than 130 AB's in 2016)
The first former Bulldog voted to the MLB All-Star Game since Bobby Jones in 1997, Judge has put up eye-popping numbers in his official rookie season. Most recently named the American League Rookie of the Month along with the being named the AL Player of the Month in June, Judge currently leads the major leagues with 30 home runs, on-base percentage (.448) & slugging percentage (.691).

Helping the Yankees get off to a 45-41 start to the season, Judge leads the American League with 61 walks while ranking second in runs (76), RBIs (66), is third in batting average (.329) and is ninth in hits (99). Judge has 29 multi-hit games, 22 multi-run games and 18 multi-RBI games on the season. In a 14-3 win over Baltimore on June 11, the Linden, Calif., native went a perfect 4-for-4 with a double, two home runs, drove in three RBIs and scored four runs.

Judge won the MLB Home Run Derby in Miami on Monday followed by making his All-Star game debut on Tuesday as he became the first Bulldog since Bobby Jones in 1997 to play in the Midsummer Classic. His exciting week will conclude this evening in Los Angeles where he is an ESPY nominee for the Best Breakthrough Athlete of 2017.

Tanner Scheppers, Pitcher, Texas Rangers, sixth year in MLB/Rangers
After starting the season on the disabled list, Scheppers made five appearances with the Rangers in late June before recently being sent down to Triple-A Round Rock on July 2. During his stint with the Rangers, Scheppers tossed four innings allowing five hits, three runs while striking out five.

The former first-round selection of the Rangers in 2009, Scheppers has appeared in 18 games for Triple-A Round Rock making his lone start of the season in his most recent outing, July 8, where tossed 3.1 innings in a 10-9 win over the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Brewers AAA). In 17 relief appearances, he has tossed 23.2 innings allowing only 11 earned runs while striking out 16. He picked up his lone save of the season on June 2 in a 6-3 win over New Orleans (Marlins AAA) in a seven-inning rain-shortened game.

Justin Wilson, Pitcher, Detroit Tigers, sixth year in MLB, second with Tigers
Wilson, a teammate of Scheppers on the 2008 National Championship team, has appeared in 36 games out of the bullpen for the Tigers this season tossing 34.1 innings while allowing only 19 hits and nine earned runs. The Anaheim native has a 3.77-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio with 49 strikeouts while allowing only 13 walks on the season. He is 3-3 on the season with a 2.36 ERA and has picked up wins over Boston (April 10), Chicago White Sox (June 4) and Tampa Bay (June 15).

In addition, Wilson has converted 10 of 11 save opportunities on the season, including five in his seven most recent outings picking up saves at San Diego (June 25), vs. Kansas City (June 27), vs. Cleveland (July 1) vs. San Francisco (July 4) and at Cleveland (July 9). He currently is tied for 13th in the AL in saves and is tied for 29th in appearances (36).

Minors
AAA Level
Jordan Luplow, Outfielder, Indianapolis Indians (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Recently promoted to Triple-A Indianapolis on June 30, Luplow put together a great start to the season at Double-A Altoona appearing in 73 games for the Curve tallying 73 hits, including 31 for extra-base hits. A third-round selection in 2014, the Clovis native accounted for 15 doubles, 16 home runs, 37 RBIs and 45 runs scored as he earned a spot in the Eastern League All-Star Game in Manchester, N.H. on July 12, but will not play in tonight's game since he has been promoted.

Luplow tallied 20 multi-hit games for the Curve, including posting a 3-for-5 performance with an RBI and a run against the Erie SeaWolves (Tigers AA) on April 26. In nine games since his promotion to the Indians, Luplow is hitting .294 from the plate with 10 hits in 34 at-bats with a double, three home runs, eight runs scored and eight RBIs, including a 3-for-5 outing with a three-run home run and scored four runs in a 21-1 win over Columbus (Indians AAA) on July 6.

Justin Miller, Pitcher, Salt Lake Bees (Los Angeles Angels)
After spending the past two seasons with the Colorado Rockies, Miller elected to become a free agent last winter signing a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels. Invited to spring training by the Angels, Miller was assigned to Triple-A Salt Lake where he has made 37 appearances the season. A Bulldog in 2008, Miller has tossed 45.0 innings for the Bees this season striking out 37 batters while only allowing eight walks.

The Bakersfield native is currently 5-1 on the season with a 5.60 ERA and has converted nine of 11 save opportunities. Miller, who has nine multi-strikeout games this season, tossed a season-high 2.1 innings and 51 pitches on May 23 against El Paso (Padres AAA) and struck out a season-best four.

Danny Muno, Infielder, Tacoma Rainers (Seattle Mariners)
A major league spring training invitee to the Detroit Tigers, Muno was released by the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens on March 28 before signing a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners on May 11. Assigned to Triple-A Tacoma, Muno has appeared in 43 games for the Rainers hitting .307 from the dish totaling 43 hits, 18 RBIs and 24 runs.

A Bulldog from 2008-11, Muno has tallied 13 extra-base knocks on the season with eight doubles and five home runs. He has 10 multi-hit games on the season, including a perfect 4-for-4 performance against the Fresno Grizzles (Astros AAA) on May 24 scoring a run and stealing a base. He wrapped up the first half of the Triple-A season on Sunday against the Sacramento River Cats (Giants AAA) with a pair of hits, including a two-run home run in a 12-0 win.

AA Level
Trent Woodward, Utility, Corpus Christi Hooks (Houston Astros)
A 20th-round selection of the Houston Astros in 2014, Woodward has seen action in 35 games for the Hooks this season hitting .256 from the plate with 30 hits, including five doubles and two home runs. The San Dimas native has compiled six multi-hit games on the season, including a 3-for-5 outing with a pair of doubles, an RBI and two runs scored in an 11-3 win over the Midland RockHounds (Athletics AA). On July 5, Woodward was placed on the 7-day disabled list for the Texas League club.

Austin Wynns, Catcher, Bowie Baysox (Baltimore Orioles)
A 10th-round selection of the Baltimore Orioles in 2013, Wynns has found a home with the Double-A Bowie Baysox this season after bouncing between three levels in 2016. In 68 games with the Baysox, Wynns is hitting .294 from the dish with 70 hits, including 20 for extra-bases. The San Diego native has 14 doubles, one triple and five home runs while adding 30 RBIs and 32 runs scored.

Wynns has accumulated 21 multi-hit games on the season and had a season-high three base knocks on April 17 in a 3-2 win over Richmond (Giants AA) where he launched a three-run home run to drive in the Baysox's three runs in the game.

A Advanced Level
Jimmy Lambert, Pitcher, Winston-Salem Dash (Chicago White Sox)
Another former 'Dog to recently receive a promotion, Lambert moved from Class A Kannapolis to A Advanced Winston-Salem on June 22 after becoming a South Atlantic League All-Star with the Intimidators. The 2016 Mountain West Co-Pitcher of the Year got off to a great start to the season in Kannapolis posting a 7-2 record with a 2.19 ERA in 12 starts allowing only 18 earned runs in 74.0 innings.

Since being promoted to the Dash, a member of the Carolina League, the San Dimas native has made four starts and is 2-1 with a 4.64 ERA in 21.1 innings. He worked a season-high eight innings on April 20 allowing four hits, one earned run and struck out four in a 6-2 win over Hickory (Rangers A) and notched a season-best seven strikeouts on June 1 in a 3-2 win over Greensboro (Marlins A). In his debut in Winston-Salem on June 24, Lambert tossed six hitless innings striking out three in a 4-2 win over Buies Creek (Astros A Adv.).

Chris Mariscal, Infielder, Modesto Nuts (Seattle Mariners)
Voted a California League All-Star, Mariscal played in the CAL All-Star Game hosted in Visalia on June 20 finishing 0-for-2. Helping the Nuts to the California League North Division First Half title with a 39-31 record, the Fresno native is hitting .311 from the dish on the season with 89 hits in 76 games. A 14th-round selection of the Seattle Mariners in 2014, the 2013 Second-Team All-MW selection has totaled 12 doubles, five triples and four home runs while driving in 42 runs and scoring 46 runs.

Mariscal has tallied 23 multi-hit games on the season, including a season-high three hits in eight contests. With at least one hit in 11 of his last 14 games, Mariscal had his latest three-hit outing on July 9 going 3-for-3 with a double, triple, stolen base, two runs scored and a pair of walks against San Jose (Giants A Adv.).

Taylor Ward, Catcher, Inland Empire 66ers (Los Angeles Angles)
After spending the first month of the season on the disabled list, Ward made his season debut with the 66ers on May 3 and has appeared in 48 games hitting .242 from the plate. The 2015 first-round selection has 45 hits, including 10 doubles, one triple and five home runs while driving in 25 RBIs and scoring 26 runs. Ward has tallied 10 multi-hit games, including a season-best four hits with an RBI and two runs scored in a 14-7 win over Lancaster (Rockies A Adv.) on June 27.

A Level
Manny Argomaniz, Catcher, Staten Island Yankees (New York Yankees)
An undrafted free agent in 2015, Argomaniz signed with the New York Yankees and after playing in 25 games with the rookie league Pulaski Yankees in 2016, the Montclair, Calif., native is with the Staten Island Yankees this season. After making his season debut in Short-Season Class A Staten Island on June 22, he has appeared in eight games and is hitting .400 from the plate with seven hits in 15 at-bats and has scored five runs.

Dylan Lee, Greensboro Grasshoppers (Miami Marlins)
After being a 10th-round selection in 2016, Lee has moved into a starting pitching role with Single-A Greensboro this season making 16 starts on the mound. The Dinuba native, who spent 2015-16 at Fresno State, is 3-9 with a 5.14 ERA tossing 82.1 innings while striking out 59. Lee tossed a season-best seven innings against Hickory on May 13 helping the Grasshoppers defeat the Crawdads 14-2. He held Hickory without a run and to only seven hits while striking out a pair.

Garrett Mundell, Pitcher, Charleston RiverDogs (New York Yankees)
A 23rd-round selection of the New York Yankees in 2015, Mundell has appeared in 25 games in relief this season at Single-A Charleston. Currently tied for second in the South Atlantic League in saves with 10, Mundell is 0-4 with a 2.76 ERA notching 42 strikeouts in 29.1 innings of work. The Lake Forest, Calif., native has only allowed seven walks and nine earned runs while holding opponents to a .193 average from the plate.

In his second appearance of the season on April 13, he struck out six of the seven batters he faced in a 14-8 win over Rome (Braves A). He has picked up saves in five of his last seven outings since June 17 as the RiverDogs currently lead the SAL Southern Division Second Half standings.

Jake Shull, Pitcher, West Michigan Whitecaps (Detroit Tigers)
An 11th-round selection of the Detroit Tigers in 2015, Shull started off the season with the A Advanced Lakeland Flying Tigers making five relief appearances on the mound working eight innings striking out three before moving down to Single-A West Michigan on May 17. In 10 appearances with the Whitecaps, the Tracy, Calif., native is 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA allowing only seven earned runs in 21.0 innings of work while striking out 13.

Shull has worked a season-high three innings twice while with the Whitecaps and has notched a season-best three strikeouts twice as well. Eight of his 10 appearances while in Grand Rapids, Mich., have seen him work two or more innings and he has strikeouts in seven of those eight outings.

2017 MLB Draft Selections
Jared Akins, Outfielder, GCL Twins (R)
The outfielder, who was selected with the first pick of the 13th round, has started his career with the Gulf Coast Twins after playing one season at Fresno State. In seven games of action, the Glendale, Calif., native has started five in left field, one in right field and came on to pinch-run in another stealing a base. Akins has scored four runs, drawn four walks and stolen a pair of bases.

Aaron Arruda, Infielder, Vermont Lake Monsters (SS) (Oakland Athletics)
A 12th-round selection, Arruda was assigned to Short-Season Class A Vermont where he made his debut with the Lake Monsters on June 26. In 11 games with the team located in Burlington, the Clovis native is hitting .200 with eight hits and is tied for fifth in the New York-Penn League with five doubles. The two-time First-Team All-MW selection has scored five runs and driven in a pair of RBIs while reaching base in seven games.

Ryan Dobson, Outfielder, AZL Diamondbacks (R)
A 30th-round selection of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Dobson has appeared in 11 games in rookie ball with the Arizona League D'Backs and is hitting .349 from the dish. He is currently tied for the team lead in hits with 15, including a pair of doubles, four RBIs and seven runs scored. The Culver City, Calif., native leads the team with five stolen bases and he has had a pair of three-hit performances in wins on June 26 against the AZL Angels and July 7 against the AZL Reds.

Austin Guibor, Outfielder, GCL Nationals (R)
A fellow 30th-round selection, Guibor was assigned to the Gulf Coast League (GCL) Nationals on July 5 and has started four games so far on the young season getting a pair of starts in left field, one in right field and one at designated hitter. He is hitting .231 from the plate with three hits in 13 at-bats with a triple and has scored five runs. In a 9-1 win over the GCL Astros on July 10, the Campbell, Calif., native smacked a triple, drew a walk and scored a pair of runs.

Jesse Medrano, Infielder, GCL Pirates (R)
After becoming the final 'Dog to sign his contract on June 27, the 31st-round selection of the Pittsburgh Pirates was assigned to the GCL Pirates and made his debut on June 30 in a pinch-hitting role against the GCL Tigers West. The Concord, Calif., native got his first start the following day picking up his first career hit with a double and came around to score a run.

Rickey Ramirez, Pitcher, Elizabethton Twins (R)
The fifth 'Dog selected in the top 15 rounds, Ramirez is in rookie ball with the Elizabethton Twins. In three relief appearances on the mound, the Marysville, Calif., native has tossed four innings allowing four hits, four earned runs while striking out three. In his professional debut on June 30 against the Kingsport Mets (Mets R), Ramirez allowed a pair of hits and struck out two in a 12-10 win.

Fred Schlichtholz, Pitcher, Tri-City Dust Devils (SS) (San Diego Padres)
Selected by his hometown San Diego Padres two picks after Akins, Schlichtholz was assigned to Short-Season Class A Tri-City where he has appeared in three games for the Dust Devils located in Pasco, Wash. In five innings of work, he is yet to allow a run and has only given up three hits and struck out five. Schlichtholz was the winning pitcher on July 2 against Salem-Keizer (Giants SS) and Eugene (Cubs SS) on July 6.

Jake Stone, Outfielder, GCL Rays (R)
Despite not being selected in the 2017 MLB Draft, Stone signed a free agent contract with the Rays on June 21 and was assigned to the GCL Rays on June 26 making his professional debut with a 2-for-4 performance with a single, double and walk against the GCL Red Sox. He is currently hitting .179 from the plate with seven hits and has scored a run in 11 games.

Ricky Tyler Thomas, Pitcher, Chicago Cubs
The highest drafted Bulldog from the 2017 MLB Draft, Thomas signed with the Cubs on June 22 and assigned to Short-Season Class A Eugene Emeralds on July 12. A two-time First-Team All- Mountain West selection, Thomas became the 17th player under Batesole to be selected in the first seven rounds of the draft and is the 11th player in program history selected by the Cubs franchise.

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