University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols in the Pros Update
May 27, 2010 | Baseball
May 27, 2010
As postseason play begins at the collegiate level, professional teams are just starting to hit the meat of their schedules. A total of eight former Vols are currently on MLB rosters, while numerous others are honing their craft in the minors waiting for that coveted call-up. UTSports.com will periodically be providing updates on "Vols in the Pros." Below is the second installment of how the Orange and White is faring on the next level - complete with links to video highlights.
MAJOR LEAGUES
Julio Borbon - OF, Texas Rangers - Stats
The starting centerfielder for the AL West-leading Texas Rangers, Julio Borbon is hitting .229 in 41 games with 11 RBIs and 19 runs scored. The speedster has also swiped six bases in eight attempts and has a pair of triples. Although he got off to a rough start this season, Borbon has shown signs that he is starting to turn it around at the plate, hitting .285 during the month of May.
Borbon with an RBI single | Borbon's perfect bunt | Borbon comes through in extra innings | Interview with Julio Borbon
R.A. Dickey - SP, New York Mets - Stats
After dominating at the AAA level, R.A. Dickey was called up to join the New York Mets' rotation on May 19. While pitching with the Buffalo Bisons in the International League, Dickey amassed a 4-2 record in eight starts with a stellar 2.23 ERA. He tossed a pair of complete games, including one in which he retired 27 straight batters after allowing a single to leadoff the game. Dickey's fluttering knuckleball has been just as successful in the big leagues where he has allowed just two runs in two six-inning starts. He is currently 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA and is scheduled to make his next start on Sunday in Milwaukee.
Dickey's scoreless start | Dickey's diving grab
Fredi Gonzalez - Mgr., Florida Marlins
A former graduate assistant coach for Tennessee from 1988-89, Fredi Gonzalez is in the middle of his fourth season as the manager of the Florida Marlins. The all-time winningest manager in club history, he currently has his squad three games back of the Philadelphia Phillies for first place in the National League East with a record of 24-23.
Gonzalez celebrates his birthday abroad
Chase Headley - 3B, San Diego Padres - Stats
The National League West-leading San Diego Padres have been one of the biggest surprises of the season so far and Chase Headley has been a big part of the team's success. With a club-best 51 hits on the year, he is hitting .277 with seven doubles, three home runs, 18 RBIs and nine stolen bases in 10 attempts. As impressive as he has been at the plate, Headley has been equally as valuable in the field at third base, where he has become a regular on defensive highlight reels.
Headley starts a double play | Headley makes a diving stop | Headley hits a solo home run | Headley scores on a wild pitch | Headley robs Felipe Lopez
Todd Helton - 1B, Colorado Rockies - Stats
In his 14th season with the Colorado Rockies, Todd Helton continues to do what he does best: get on base. A lifetime .327 hitter, Helton has seen his average drop a bit to .275 this year, but his on-base percentage continues to rank among National League leaders as it stands at .392 through his first 40 games. Much of that comes from his ability to draw walks as he has earned 28 free passes in 2010, compared to just 24 strikeouts.
Helton hits a home run at Wrigley | Helton with some nice defense | Helton with a diving stop | Helton with an RBI single
Luke Hochevar - SP, Kansas City Royals - Stats
A former No. 1 overall pick, Luke Hochevar is beginning to develop the front-of-the rotation starter the Kansas City Royals have always imagined him being. He currently leads the team with five wins and has been especially dominant over his last two starts. Against Cleveland on May 20, Hochevar twirled a complete-game gem, allowing just three runs on four hits while striking out seven. He followed that up with an equally dominant performance against Texas six days later, shutting down the potent Ranger offense for eight innings, yielding two runs on six hits with four strikeouts and no walks.
Hochevar's strong start against Texas | Hochevar's complete game gem vs. Cleveland | Hochevar with six strong against the White Sox | Hochevar strikes out seven Twins
Mike Lincoln - RP, Cincinnati Reds - Stats
Mike Lincoln has been a key member of the Cincinnati Reds' bullpen this season, appearing in 16 games with a 1-0 record and 5.87 ERA. After allowing three runs in his first two stints on the mound this year, Lincoln held opposing teams off the board in 11 of his next 12 appearances, including eight straight scoreless performances from April 24-May 14.
Augie Ojeda - UTIL, Arizona Diamondbacks - Stats
Augie Ojeda has filled the utility infielder role for the Arizona Diamondbacks this season, seeing action in a total of 18 games, including time at second base, shortstop and third base. He is currently hitting .150 through 20 at-bats with a pair of RBIs and a walk.
Ojeda with an RBI single | Ojeda flashes the leather
MINOR LEAGUES
J.P. Arencibia - C, Las Vegas 51s (AAA - Toronto Blue Jays) - Stats
A first-round pick by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2007, J.P. Arencibia is currently in his second year at Triple-AAA with the Las Vegas 51s. Through his first 37 games, he is hitting .238 with seven doubles, six home runs and 22 RBIs.
Chris Burke - SS, Louisville Bats (AAA - Cincinnati Reds) - Stats
After six seasons in the big leagues, Chris Burke suffered a broken finger during spring training this year and is currently working his way back to form with the Cincinnati Reds' Triple-AAA affiliate Louisville Bats. He has played in 39 games and is hitting .223 with three doubles, three triples, one home run and 11 RBIs. Burke has also been a threat on the basepaths, stealing 11 bases in 14 attempts.
Scot Drucker - RP, Toledo MudHens (AAA - Detroit Tigers) - Stats | Blog
A 6-1 right-handed reliever, Scot Drucker has pitched extremely well for the Toledo MudHens this season. In 13 appearances out of the bullpen, he has a 2-2 record, one save and a 2.70 ERA. The Miami, Fla., native has allowed just nine earned runs in 30.0 innings of work and has been especially deadly on right-handed hitters, holding them to a .196 batting average.
James Adkins - RP, Chattanooga Lookouts (AA - Los Angeles Dodgers) - Stats
A 6-6 southpaw from Nashville, James Adkins is currently playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers Double-A affiliate in Chattanooga. As a member of the Lookouts' bullpen, he is 0-1 with a 6.48 ERA in 14 games. He has been much better over his last 10 outings though, as he as a 2.79 ERA and is holding opposing hitters to a .222 batting average during that span.
Deunte Heath - RP, Birmingham Barons (AA - Chicago White Sox) - Stats
In his first season with the Chicago White Sox organization, Deunte Heath has pitched in five games for the Birmingham Barons, where he is averaging over 11 strikeouts per nine innings and has a 6.23 ERA.
Kentrail Davis - OF. Brevard County Manatees (High A - Milwaukee Brewers) - Stats
After being drafted in the supplemental first round last year, Kentrail Davis has made his professional debut with the Brevard County Manatees. Despite having battled a number of injuries, he has played in 29 games, batting .231 with a pair of doubles, four triples and 16 RBIs. He also has eight stolen bases in nine attempts and an on-base percentage of .381 having drawn 17 walks.
Ty'Relle Harris - RP, Myrtle Beach Pelicans (High A - Atlanta Braves) - Stats
Ty'Relle Harris opened the 2010 campaign in Low-A with the Rome Braves, but quickly earned a promotion after picking up four saves and posting a 2.53 in nine appearances. He has since moved up to the High-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans where he is 0-1 with a 5.59 ERA in six games and 9.2 innings of work. He is still striking hitters out at a high rate, averaging 13.97 punchouts per nine innings, including seven in four innings against Winston-Salem on May 19.
Sean Watson - RP, Lynchburg Hillcats (High A - Cincinnati Reds) - Stats
After a rough start to the season with the Carolina Mudcats, Sean Watson has started to return to form with the Lynchburg Hillcats in the Carolina League where he is yet to yield an earned run in three appearances.
Nick Hernandez - SP, Lakewood Blue Claws (Low A - Philadelphia Phillies) - Stats
A 6-4 lefty, Nick Hernandez has been absolutely dominant with the Lakewood Blue Claws thus far this season, putting together a record of 3-1 with a miniscule 1.61 ERA through his first eight starts. He is currently averaging seven innings per outing, having worked a total of 56.0 frames with 52 strikeouts and just eight walks. Opponents are hitting just .192 off of him, including a nearly unbelievable .075 mark by left-handed hitters. He was named the South-Atlantic League Pitcher of the Week on April 19 after shutting Greensboro out for eight innings, allowing just three hits while striking out nine and walking none. He was brilliant against the Grasshoppers again in his last start, this time giving up just one hit, a solo home run, in eight more frames with eight strikeouts and just one walk.
