University of Tennessee Athletics
Pros Update: 16 VFLs Begin 2016 Season
April 19, 2016 | Baseball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Sixteen former Volunteers have officially begun their 2016 professional campaigns this month, with four VFLs currently in the Major Leagues, two in Triple A, four in Double A, four in Class A-Advanced and three in Class A.
VFL Zack Godley begins this season in Mobile (Diamondbacks Double A) while 2015 draftees Christin Stewart and A.J. Simcox continue to play together in Lakeland (Tigers Class A-Advanced). Stewart has hit four home runs over his first 12 games with the Tigers.
Major Leagues
R.A. Dickey – SP, Blue Jays
Season: 1-2, 6.75 ERA, 3 G, 14.2 IP, 20 H, 14 R, 11 ER, 8 BB, 15 K
The veteran knuckleballer has started three games for the Blue Jays in 2016, going 1-2 in those first three starts with 15 strikeouts in 14.2 innings of work.
Yan Gomes –C, Indians
Season: .242, 9 G, 8 H, 3 R, 2 2B, 1 HR, 5 RBI
In his first nine games of the 2016 season, Yan Gomes has knocked three extra-base hits and driven in five RBI for the Indians as Cleveland’s everyday starting catcher.
Chase Headley –3B, Yankees
Season: .154, 9 G, 4 H, 2 R, 0 HR, 2 RBI
Chase Headley enters his second full season with the Yankees looking to build on a strong 2015 campaign. Headley already has three stolen bases this season after not recording a single steal in 156 games last season.
Luke Hochevar – RP, Kansas City Royals
Season: 1-0, 3.60 ERA, 6 G, 5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K
Following a stellar 2015 season that culminated in a World Series title, Luke Hochevar is again off to a strong start with the Royals. Hochevar has fanned seven batters over 5.0 innings in six appearances from the bullpen.
MINOR LEAGUES
J.P. Arencibia – C, Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA - Philadelphia Phillies)
Season: .200, 4 G, 3 H, 0 R, 1 RBI
J.P. Arencibia makes the move from the Tampa Bay Rays to the Philadelphia Phillies organization for the 2016 season. Beginning the year in Triple A Lehigh Valley, Arencibia has a hit in three of his first four games of the year.
Julio Borbon – CF, Bowie Baysox (AA - Baltimore Orioles)
Season: .231, 10 G, 9 H, 5 R, 1 HR, 4 RBI
Julio Borbon re-signed with the Baltimore Orioles organization during the offseason and begins the season as the starting center fielder for the Double A Bowie Baysox. Borbon went 3-for-4 with a home run on April 11 vs. the Erie Seawolves.
Matt Duffy –3B, LF, Fresno Grizzlies (AAA - Houston Astros)
Season: (MLB) .000, 3 G, 0 H, 0 R, 0 RBI
Season: (Minors) .130, 6 G, 3 H, 1 R, 2 RBI
After making the Opening Day roster and playing three games with the Houston Astros, Matt Duffy was optioned to Triple A Fresno on April 12. Duffy has started a few games in left field for the Grizzlies while sharing time at his usual third base position.
Zack Godley – SP, Mobile BayBears (AA - Arizona Diamondbacks)
Season: 1-1, 1.54 ERA, 2 G, 11.2 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 9 K
Following a strong performance with his Major League Diamondbacks last season, Zack Godley starts the 2016 season in Double A Mobile. In his first start, Godley threw a dominant 6.1 scoreless innings, allowing just three hits.
Andrew Lee – SP, Hagerstown Suns (A - Washington Nationals)
Season: 1-0, 1.80 ERA, 3 G, 15.0 IP, 14 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 5 BB, 12 K
Coming off of an impressive 2015 pro debut, Andrew Lee threw 5.0 scoreless innings in his first start this year, striking out five batters for the Hagerstown Suns. He followed it up with two more strong starts, allowing just three runs and striking out seven batters.
Will Maddox – 2B, West Michigan Whitecaps (A - Detroit Tigers)
Season: .276, 7 G, 8 H, 3 R, 3 2B, 2 RBI
Will Maddox got off to a hot start in 2015, hitting .395 through his first 13 games before an injury forced him to the Disabled List for the remainder of the season. To begin the 2016 season, Maddox has doubled three times and made the ESPN SportsCenter Top 10 on April 12 for a leaping snag at second base.
Khayyan Norfork – 3B, Potomac Nationals (A-Advanced - Washington Nationals)
Season: .407, 8 G, 11 H, 5 R, 5 2B, 0 HR, 7 RBI
To start the 2016 campaign, Khayyan Norfork has been outstanding, hitting .407 with five doubles in his first eight games with the Potomac Nationals.
Zach Osborne – SS, Hartford Yard Goats (AA – Colorado Rockies)
Season: .278, 4 G, 5 H, 1 R, 2 RBI
In his first four games this season at Double A Hartford, Zach Osborne has recorded two multi-hit games and driven in two runs.
Drake Owenby – P, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (A - Milwaukee Brewers)
Season: 1-0, 1.13 ERA, 2 G, 8.0 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
Drake Owenby made his first appearance with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on April 11, coming out of the bullpen to pitch 2.0 innings without allowing a hit. He got his first start of the season on April 16 and earned the win vs. Peoria.
A.J. Simcox – SS, Lakeland Flying Tigers (A-Advanced - Detroit Tigers)
Season: .244, 11 G, 10 H, 4 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 1 RBI
A.J. Simcox had a strong showing in 2015, hitting .400 after being called up to Detroit’s Class A West Michigan. Simcox begins the 2016 season as the everyday shortstop in Class A-Advanced Lakeland, where he plays alongside fellow VFL Christin Stewart. Simcox has recorded 10 hits in his first 11 games including a 3-for-5 performance vs. Jupiter on April 12.
Drew Steckenrider – RP, Jupiter Hammerheads (A-Advanced - Miami Marlins)
Season: 0-0, 1 SV, 0.00 ERA, 4 G, 7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 12 K
In his first four appearances this year, Drew Steckenrider has tossed 7.0 scoreless innings in relief for the Jupiter Hammerheads. Steckenrider struck out six and picked up the save after 2.0 innings vs. Lakeland on April 11.
Christin Stewart – OF, Lakeland Flying Tigers (A-Advanced - Detroit Tigers)
Season: .224, 12 G, 11 H, 6 R, 3 2B, 4 HR, 10 RBI
After hitting 10 home runs in the minor leagues in 2015, Christin Stewart already has four long-balls to begin the 2016 season. Stewart hit home runs in back-to-back games on April 11 and April 12.
For the most up-to-date information on Tennessee Baseball, visit UTSports.com/Baseball and follow @Vol_Baseball on Twitter.
