University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols in the Pros: Coming Out of the Break
July 14, 2023 | Baseball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – With the second half of the season just about to get underway, former Tennessee Volunteers across pro baseball are getting ramped up to begin action on Friday following the 2023 All-Star Break.
Currently, four VFLs are in the Big Leagues with six prospects appearing on their respective team's top prospect list, according to MLB.com.
See what your favorite former Vols are up to with the second Vols in the Pros update of the season.
Vols in the MLB
Garrett Crochet – LHP, Chicago White Sox
Rehab Assignment with Triple-A Charlotte
Season: 10 App, 0-1, 3.60 ERA, 10 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 11 BB, 9 K, 2.10 WHIP, .256 BAA
Returned from Tommy John Surgery in May and played for a month before going on the IL once more. In the month of June, Crochet fired 3.2 innings of relief in four outings, allowing just one unearned run and striking out five. He entered the All-Star break on a rehab assignment in Triple-A Charlotte.
Yan Gomes – C, Chicago Cubs
Season: 56 G, 183 AB, 26 R, 48 H, 76 TB, 4 2B, 8 HR, 29 RBI, 9 BB, 39 K, 1 SB, .262 AVG, .303 OBP, .415 SLG
Has been the Cubs primary catcher and has been a critical component of their offense, ranking fifth on the team in home runs. Gomes had plenty of memorable moments in the first half of the season as he played in his 1,000th career big league game on May 31 against Tampa Bay, collected a pair of knocks in the first game of the London Series and delivered a pinch-hit, game-tying hit at New York to help fuel a 7-4 come-from-behind victory for Chicago.
Ben Joyce – RHP, Los Angeles Angels
15-Day Injured List
Season: 5 App, 1-0, 4.50 ERA, 1 HLD, 4.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 5 K, 2.25 WHIP, .313 BAA
Made his major league debut on May 29 at the Chicago White Sox, striking out a pair of hitters in an inning of work. Joyce earned his first big-league win on June 7 against the Chicago Cubs after a scoreless outing on the hill.
Nick Senzel – CF, Cincinnati Reds
Season: 62 G, 202 AB, 28 R, 48 H, 8 2B, 7 HR, 33 RBI, 21 BB, 49 K, 4 SB, 1 CS, .238 AVG, .310 OBP, .381 SLG
Has been a crucial part of Cincinnati's rise in the NL Central during the first half of the season, playing around the field in a variety of positions. Senzel entered the All-Star break on a high note, having a fantastic game at Washington on July 6 where he made a game-saving catch, then proceeded to blast a go-ahead homer in extra innings. Senzel was named NL Player of the Week on April 30.
Vols in the MiLB
Jordan Beck – OF, Hartford Yard Goats (Double-A COL)
Season: 76 G, 295 AB, 62 R, 86 H, 167 TB, 19 2B, 1 3B, 20 HR, 72 RBI, 43 BB, 71 K, 11 SB, 3 CS, .292 AVG, .378 OBP, .566 SLG
Has been tearing it up with High-A Spokane, earning Northwest League Player of the Month honors for June and Northwest League Player of the Week acclaim twice during May. Beck currently leads the league in runs scored (62), hits (86), home runs (20) and RBIs (72). He currently ranks No. 10 on the Rockies' prospect rankings.
Beck was called up to Double-A Hartford on Friday.
Chad Dallas – RHP, New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Double-A TOR)
Season: 13 App, 13 GS, 5-1, 3.16 ERA, 68.1 IP, 41 H, 27 R, 24 ER, 33 BB, 82 K, 1.08 WHIP, .169 BAA
Incredible to start the 2023 season and earned a promotion from High-A Vancouver to Double-A New Hampshire on May 16. Since moving up, Dallas has made eight starts and posted a 3.89 ERA with a 3-1 record. He has amassed 41.2 innings and has punched out 45 batters in the Eastern League. Dallas has picked up a pair of weekly awards this season, earning Northwest League Pitcher of the Week honors on May 7 and taking home Eastern League Pitcher of the Week acclaim on May 21.
Zach Daniels – OF, Corpus Christi Hooks (Double-A HOU)
Season: 36 G, 131 AB, 18 R, 35 H, 60 TB, 10 2B, 5 HR, 21 RBI, 10 BB, 51 K, 8 SB, 2 CS, .267 AVG, .319 OBP, .458 SLG
Missed nearly two months on the IL but returned to action with Corpus Christi on June 6. In the month of June, Daniels hit 23-of-71 (.324) with 14 runs scored, six doubles, five homers and 16 RBIs. He also put together an eight-game hitting streak from June 13 to June 23 where he went 13-for-32 (.406). Daniels currently ranks as the Astros' No. 30 prospect.
Max Ferguson – 2B, Worcester Red Sox (Triple-A BOS)
Season: 60 G, 223 AB, 36 R, 49 H, 69 TB, 11 2B, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 34 BB, 76 K, 23 SB, 4 CS .220 AVG, .324 OBP, .309 SLG
Started the season with High-A Greenville before earning a promotion to Triple-A Worcester on June 23. Ferguson is just one stolen base away for 100 in his young minor league career. The speedster has swiped 23 bags thus far in 2023. He picked up his first career Triple-A hit on June 30 at Buffalo, a ninth-inning double.Â
Drew Gilbert – OF, Corpus Christi Hooks (Double-A HOU)
Season: 67 G, 250 AB, 48 R, 67 H, 110 TB, 14 2B, 1 3B, 9 HR, 30 RBI, 40 BB, 55 K, 9 SB, 2 CS, .268 AVG, .374 OBP, .440 SLG
Turned heads in his first full professional season, earning a promotion from High-A Asheville to Double-A Corpus Christi on May 9. He was also selected to play in the MLB All-Star Futures Game in Seattle on July 8 and went 1-for-2 in the game, singling in his last at-bat. Currently, Gilbert ranks as Houston's top prospect and is the No. 72 overall prospect in baseball according to MLB.com.
Sean Hunley – RHP, Montgomery Biscuits (Double-A TB)
Season: 16 App, 15 GS, 2-4, 4.48 ERA, 66.1 IP, 61 H, 26 R, 33 ER, 15 BB, 67 K, 1.15 WHIP, .250 BAA
Has been tearing it up in Double-A Montgomery, posting a 1.80 ERA in 50 innings with the Biscuits. Hunley was briefly called up to Triple-A Durham for a month before returning to Montgomery on June 16. For the season in Double-A, Hunley has an opponent batting average of .183 and a WHIP of 0.76.
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Cortland Lawson – SS, Fredericksburg Nationals (Single-A WAS)
Season: 42 G, 146 AB, 23 R, 39 H, 53 TB, 6 2B, 4 3B, 19 RBI, 20 BB, 57 K, 8 SB, 2 CS, .267 AVG, .370 OBP, .363 SLG
Tore it up during the month of May, batting .308 with a .429 OBP and a .442 slugging percentage. The shortstop collected a hit in 10 of his 15 games during the month. Lawson entered the All-Star break with a pair of multi-hit efforts in the Nationals' final series against Delmarva.
Jackson Leath – RHP, Down East Wood Ducks (Single-A TEX)
Season: 20 App, 2-2, 2 HLD, 3.04 ERA, 23.2 IP, 20 H, 12 R, 8 ER, 13 BB, 25 K, 1.31 WHIP, .220 BAA
A solid bullpen arm for Down East, Leath has continued to improve as the season has gone along. The right-hander went into the All-Star break with momentum, logging a victory in a 2.1 inning appearance on July 6 against Kannapolis, conceding just one hit and no runs while striking out three in the game.
Trey Lipscomb – 3B, Wilmington Blue Rocks (High-A WAS)
Season: 74 G, 287 AB, 30 R, 78 H, 121 TB, 19 2B, 8 HR, 41 RBI, 19 BB, 60 K, 7 SB, 3 CS, .272 AVG, .323 OBP, .422 SLG
Since starting the season in High-A Wilmington, Lipscomb was promoted to Double-A Harrisburg and has flourished at the elevated level, posting a .313 batting average and four homers in 25 games played with the Senators. Lipscomb was elevated on June 9 after accumulating 18 extra-base hits with the Blue Rocks to start the year. Currently, Lipscomb ranks No. 18 in the Nationals system.
Andre Lipcius – 2B, Toledo Mud Hens (Triple-A DET)
Season: 79 G, 293 AB, 39 R, 75 H, 110 TB, 15 2B, 1 3B, 6 HR, 37 RBI, 40 BB, 60 K , 1 SB, 1 CS, .289 AVG, .353 OBP, .489 SLG
Currently a member of the Tigers' 40-man roster, Lipcius has continued to produce at the Triple-A level. For his career, the infielder has a .272 average with nine homers and 61 RBIs in 125 games in Triple-A. He entered the All-Star break on the 7-day injured list, but is in the mix for a second-half call-up by the Tigers, ranking as the No. 20 prospect in the organization and an estimated call-up date of 2023 by MLB.com.
Will Mabrey – LHP, Amarillo Sod Poodles (Double-A ARI)
Season: 27 App, 3-1, 2.88 ERA, 2 HLD, 2 SV, 40.2 IP, 33 H, 14 R, 13 ER, 12 BB, 44 K, 1.11 WHIP, .226 BAA
Quickly earned a promotion from Single-A Visalia to High-A Hillsboro, getting the call on May 4. Since advancing, the southpaw has appeared in 18 games with a 2.33 ERA. He has logged a couple of saves and has just a 0.89 WHIP. He has excelled in giving the Hops length out of the bullpen, throwing more than an inning in 9-of-10 starts since the beginning of June. Mabrey was promoted once again from High-A Hillsboro to Double-A Amarillo on July 13.
Mark McLaughlin – RHP, ACL White Sox (Rookie CWS)
Season: 10 App, 6 GS, 1-5, 12.96 ERA, 25.0 IP, 51 H, 44 R, 36 ER, 21 BB, 27 K, 2.88 WHIP, .411 BAA
Has assumed a starting role at the Arizona Complex League.
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Jorel Ortega – SS, Cedar Rapids Kernels (High-A MIN)
Season: 75 G, 291 AB, 55 R, 78 H, 131 TB, 26 2B, 3 3B, 7 HR, 46 RBI, 43 BB, 79 K, 18 SB, 6 CS, .268 AVG, .370 OBP, .450 SLG
Has posted incredible power numbers, hitting 36-of-78 hits on the season for extra-bases. Ortega was promoted from Single-A Fort Myers to High-A Cedar Rapids on June 20 and, on the season, has a .820 OPS (2021 minor-league average was .742).
Connor Pavolony – C, Bowie Baysox (Double-A BAL)
Season: 14 G, 43 AB, 5 R, 3 H, 3 TB, 1 RBI, 10 BB, 21 K, .070 AVG, .259 OBP, .070 SLG
Did not play from April 15 to June 26, but returned to the Baysox right before the All-Star break and reached base in both of his teams before the pause.
Jake Rucker – 3B, Wichita Wind Surge (Double-A MIN)
Season: 72 G, 253 AB, 30 R, 56 H, 84 TB, 11 2B, 1 3B, 5 HR, 37 RBI, 31 BB, 94 K, 8 SB, 5 CS, .221 AVG, .315 OBP, .332 SLG
Has played in 72 games for Wichita in 2023 and has 16 extra-base hits in those games. Rucker got off to a strong start, posting a .267 average in the month of April while logging a .744 OPS in that time.
Andrew Schultz – RHP, Reading Fightin Phils (Double-A PHI)
Season: 24 App, 0-3, 1 HLD, 7.36 ERA, 25.2 IP, 26 H, 23 R, 21 ER, 22 BB, 27 K, 1.83 WHIP, .268 BAA
Logged 25.2 innings of work thus far with Reading and tossed scoreless outings each of his last four times out before the break. Since June 28, Schultz has allowed just two hits and punched out three over four innings of work.
Alerick Soularie – OF, Wichita Wind Surge (Double-A MIN)
Season: 41 G, 109 AB, 23 R, 29 H, 49 TB, 2 2B, 6 HR, 20 RBI, 20 BB, 37 K, 10 SB, 3 CS, .266 AVG, .400 OBP, .450 SLG
Despite battling injuries during May, Soularie has been a strong contributor at the plate for Wichita, posting a .400 on-base percentage and a .450 slugging percentage. Five of his home runs during the season have come since the start of June and he put two of those homers out in his final four games before the All-Star break.
Liam Spence – SS, Tennessee Smokies (Double-A CHC)
Season: 22 G, 64 AB, 11 R, 12 H, 16 TB, 1 2B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 11 BB, 23 K, 2 SB, .188 AVG, .307 OBP, .250 SLG
Started the season in South Bend before earning a promotion to Double-A Tennessee, located just 20 minutes from Knoxville in Kodak. Spence propelled himself to the next level with a five-game hitting streak beginning on April 29 and ending May 11.
Garrett Stallings – RHP, Norfolk Tides (Triple-A BAL)
Season: 16 App, 10 GS, 4-3, 4.33 ERA, 70.2 IP, 62 H, 35 R, 34 ER, 24 BB, 71 K, 1.22 WHIP, .236 BAA
Kicked off the year in Double-A before getting the call to go to Triple-A Norfolk on June 24. Since advancing, the right-hander has made three starts and has a 3.12 ERA across 17.1 innings. His WHIP currently stands at 1.10 and he has 18 strikeouts to his credit.
Drew Steckenrider – RHP, Las Vegas Aviators (Triple-A OAK)
Restricted List
Remains on the restricted list with Las Vegas.
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Seth Stephenson – OF, Lakeland Flying Tigers (Single-A DET)
Season: 69 G, 238 AB, 45 R, 55 H, 79 TB, 9 2B, 6 3B, 1 HR, 20 RBI, 27 BB, 68 K, 35 SB, 8 CS, .231 AVG, .353 OBP, .332 SLG
Been the primary center fielder for Single-A Lakeland while playing some right field. Stephenson has been a force on the base paths all season, swiping 35 bags at an 81.4 percent clip. In eight games during the month of July, Stephenson went 7-for-21 (.333) with 14 runs scored and four batted in. He homered in the final game before the All-Star break, belting a solo shot to center in the seventh inning in a 5-2 victory over St. Lucie.
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Blade Tidwell – RHP, Brooklyn Cyclones (High-A NYM)
Season: 14 App, 14 GS, 5-3, 3.48 ERA, 64.2 IP, 44 H, 29 R, 25 ER, 38 BB, 97 K, 1.27 WHIP, .192 BAA
Has been a force in Brooklyn's rotation this season, logging 64.2 innings thus far in 2023 and starting 14 games. Tidwell has not given up more than two runs in his last nine appearances, dating back to May 10. He currently is riding four consecutive quality starts, accumulating 26.0 innings with 16 hits and 4 runs allowed in that time, he also has 37 strikeouts in those four games. Tidwell currently ranks as the Mets' No. 5 prospect.
Chase Wallace – RHP, Columbia Fireflies (Single-A KC)
Season: 13 App, 2-1, 2.50 ERA, 18.0 IP, 15 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 6 BB, 21 K, 1.17 WHIP, .221 BAA
Has been a solid contributor to Columbia's bullpen and started the year hot, firing scoreless outing in eight of his first nine games. He also entered the All-Star break on a strong run, allowing just one run over his final 5.1 innings of work.
