University of Tennessee Athletics
VFLs on 2017 MLB Opening Day Rosters
April 05, 2017 | Baseball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn -- As Major League Baseball teams announced their 2017 Opening Day rosters this week, five former Tennessee Volunteers look to begin their 2017 campaigns on MLB rosters.
Major League veterans and VFLs R.A. Dickey (Atlanta), Yan Gomes (Cleveland) and Chase Headley (New York-AL) will make their 2017 debuts on active rosters, while Zack Godley (Arizona) and Drew Steckenrider (Miami) have been named members of their respective team's 40-man rosters to start the season.
Sixty-eight baseball players formerly from Southeastern Conference institutions were on 2017 Major League Baseball Opening Day active rosters. Every SEC institution was represented, with each team boasting at least two former SEC players on MLB active rosters.
MAJOR LEAGUES
R.A. Dickey -- SP, Atlanta Braves
2016: 10-15, 4.46 ERA, 30G/29GS, 169.2 IP, 169 H, 97 R, 84 ER, 63 BB, 126 SO
After four seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays, VFL and knuckleball pitcher R.A. Dickey signed a one-year free agent contract with the Atlanta Braves in Nov. 2016. Over six Spring Training games, including five starts, Dickey went 0-4 with a 5.48 ERA over 23.0 innings pitched. Dickey and the Braves open their 2017 with an eight-game road trip before hosting the San Diego Padres for Opening Day at brand new SunTrust Park in Atlanta, Ga.
Yan Gomes -- C, Cleveland Indians
2016: .167, 74 G, 251 AB, 22 R, 42 H, 11 2B, 9 HR, 34 RBI
Yan Gomes hit .370 over 18 Spring Training games, including six doubles, three homers and seven RBI. In 2016, Gomes battled injuries after being hit by a pitch and suffering a shoulder separation. Over 74 total games last year, the catcher hit .167 with nine homers for the Indians. Cleveland began 2017 with three games at the Texas Rangers before the club heads to Arizona for a weekend set (April 7-9). The Indians host their 2017 home opener on Tuesday, April 11 vs. the Chicago White Sox.
Chase Headley -- 3B, New York Yankees
2016: .253, 140 G, 467 AB, 58 R, 118 H, 18 2B, 14 HR, 51 RBI
Over 20 games during Spring Training, former Tennessee All-American Chase Headley hit .200 with three doubles and two home runs. Last year, the Yankees' third baseman logged 140 games in his third season with the club, knocking 14 homers with 51 RBI. New York opens its 2017 season on the road at Tampa Bay (April 2-5) and Baltimore (April 7-9) before its home opener on April 10 vs. the Rays.
MLB 40-MAN ROSTERS
Zack Godley -- RP/SP, Arizona Diamondbacks
2016: 5-4, 6.39 ERA, 27G/9GS, 74.2 IP, 86 H, 54 R, 53 ER, 25 BB, 60 SO
Zack Godley remains on Arizona's 40-man roster to begin the 2017 season, having pitched in six games for the D-backs during Spring Training. During those six appearances, the VFL went 0-1 with a 5.87 ERA, including eight strikeouts in 7.2 innings pitched. Over 27 games with the big league club in 2016, including nine starts, Godley posted a 5-4 record with 60 strikeouts in 74.2 innings of work. Godley has been assigned to Arizona's Triple A Reno to begin the 2017 season.
Drew Steckenrider -- RP, Miami Marlins
2016: 1-1, 2.08 ERA, 14 SV, 40G, 52.0 IP, 25 H, 14 R, 12 ER, 19 BB, 71 SO
VFL Drew Steckenrider posted an incredible 2016 campaign over three stops with Miami's Class A-Advanced Jupiter, Double A Jacksonville and Triple A New Orleans. In 40 combined relief appearances, Steckenrider went 1-1 with 14 saves and a 2.08 ERA over 52.0 innings with 71 strikeouts. The right-hander was named a 2016 MiLB.com Organization All-Star for Miami and looks to begin his 2017 season with the Triple A New Orleans Baby Cakes.
