Deacons in Professional Baseball
10/19/2011 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Oct. 19, 2011
By Currie McFayden, WakeForestSports.com
Game 1 of the World Series tonight between the Texas Rangers and the St. Louis Cardinals marks the final matchup of 2011 season. Leading up to the Fall Classic, several former Wake Forest baseball players displayed their skills throughout the professional ranks.
Two Demon Deacons, Dave Bush and Mike MacDougal, saw action in the majors in 2011 with the Texas Rangers and the Los Angeles Dodgers, respectively. Eight others played extensively at various minor league levels within their organizations' farm systems.
An infusion of young talent like Steven Brooks, Allan Dykstra and Mike Murray in recent years has the Deacs rising to a new prominence in the world of baseball. With the current talent on Wake's roster, there is no doubt that some of their former teammates will be joining them shortly, especially after gaining recognition during their trip to the ACC Baseball Championship last spring for the first time since 2008.
Here is a player-by-player look at how the former Deacons fared in 2011.
2B Matt Antonelli, Syracuse Chiefs (AAA)
The second baseman enjoyed a very solid season after being promoted from the Double-A Harrisburg Senators after only four games. His .297 batting average over 300 plate appearances was the fifth-highest on the team and he averaged just over one hit per game (89 in his 86 AAA games). Antonelli also tallied eight homers and 30 RBIs for the season. Perhaps his most impressive stat, however, was his .393 on-base percentage, the fourth-highest in the entire International League and likely one of the reasons he was selected as a mid-season All-Star in July. Picked 17th overall in the 2006 MLB Draft, the Wake Forest product appeared in 21 games for the Padres in 2008 and is now among the top prospects in the Washington Nationals farm system.
OF Steven Brooks, Burlington Royals (Rookie League)
Fresh off of leading Wake Forest back to the ACC Tournament in the spring, Brooks joined the Burlington Royals, the rookie league affiliate of the Kansas City Royals in the Appalachian League. In 21 games with the team, the young outfielder showcased a .288 batting average and played error-free baseball while splitting time in both left and right field. He also owned the highest on-base percentage on the team at .382, a mark that was just above his college average. Brooks remains a very young talent that should continue to move up through the system in the coming years.
LHP Garrett Bullock, Tri-City ValleyCats (A)
After spending three games with the Lexington Legends of the South Atlantic League to begin the season, Bullock was shipped within the Houston Astros farm system to the Tri-City ValleyCats, a member of the New York-Pennsylvania Short-Season League. The Deacon graduate made 22 appearances in relief for the team and recorded 30 strikeouts with a 2.51 ERA. At only 25 years of age, Bullock will likely continue to get valuable experience in the minor leagues next season after being signed as an undrafted free agent in July 2009.
RHP Dave Bush, Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA)
Bush has bounced around a bit in 2011 after beginning the season primarily as a relief pitcher for the Texas Rangers. In 17 games at the major league level, he had an ERA of 5.79 in 37.1 innings before being designated for assignment on July 1. He then joined the Triple-A Iowa Cubs on July 15 and made five starts for the club before requesting his release. The Cubs granted his wish, and Bush was quickly signed to a minor-league deal by the Philadelphia Phillies before reporting to Lehigh Valley of the International League. In four starts for the IronPigs, his ERA dropped drastically to 3.91 as he registered 16 strikeouts in 23 innings. Just four seasons removed from winning 12 games with the Brewers in 2007, the 55th overall pick in 2002 could easily provide depth for the Phillies' fantastic pitching lineup if necessary.
1B Allan Dykstra, Binghamton Mets (AA)
In his first year at the Double-A level, Dykstra enjoyed his highest level of success to date in the minor leagues. He led the team and was seventh in the Eastern League with 77 RBIs and his 19 homers were the second-most for the Mets and tied for sixth-most in the league. Both of those represent new career-highs for the first baseman following his fourth season in the minors. In addition, Dykstra also recorded new personal-bests in hits (104), slugging percentage (.474) and batting average (.267) when considering only his three full seasons. After his fantastic performance this season, it would not be a surprise for the former first-round pick to be promoted to a Triple-A club within the New York Mets system when baseball resumes in April.
RHP Josh Ellis, Mobile Bay Bears (AA)
Ellis spent the first month of the season with the Bears before a brief call-up to the Triple-A Reno Aces in late May. After three appearances in relief, he rejoined Mobile in mid-June for the remainder of the season. Both teams are affiliates of the Arizona Diamondbacks. In his 18 games, Ellis was credited with a 2-2 record while allowing 26 hits and only a single home run over 24 innings. The 27-year old also recorded his first hit and RBI in 10 career at-bats. In five minor league seasons, he owns a career ERA of 4.06 and a 15-12 record, both solid marks for a relief pitcher.
RHP Mike MacDougal, Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB)
In his 11th season in the MLB and first with the Dodgers, MacDougal has enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career. His 2.11 ERA is the second-lowest that the 34-year old has recorded, topped only by the 1.55 that he posted in 2006. As a relief pitcher, he has helped to preserve the leads established by starters like Cy Young candidate Clayton Kershaw. MacDougal also has a 3-1 record in 2011, his first multi-win season since 2007. His 40 strikeouts are also the most in a season since he struck out 72 in 2005. Finally, his 55.1 innings of action are the third-most in his career after 70.1 in 2005 and 64 in 2003. While the Dodgers (80-78) have certainly not had their best season this year, they appear poised to post a winning record for the fifth time in six seasons.
C Mike Murray, Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (A)
Wake Forest's lone catcher in the minor leagues, Murray took a big step forward in his second season in the minor leagues. Playing in the Northwestern Short-Season League, he was the second-best hitter for the Volcanoes behind teammate Joseph Panik. His batting average (.326), hits (79) and RBIs (48) were the second-highest marks for the team in each category. Murray also displayed his power-hitting ability in several games throughout the season, sending six homers out of the park. Based on the excellent progress that he showed in 2011, Murray could easily move up within the San Francisco Giants farm system next year.
RHP Phil Negus, Kannapolis Intimidators (A)
Despite being the youngest Wake Forest pitcher in the minors, the 23-year old Negus performed very well for the South Atlantic League's Intimidators, whose stadium is just over an hour away from Winston-Salem. He appeared in 32 games with 12 starts and collected a 4-1 record for the year in his most extensive action to date in the minor leagues. His ERA of 3.14 represents a solid mark for a developing pitcher, and his 82 strikeouts in 91.2 innings were the third-most on the team. Negus also recorded three saves in 2011, a new career-high. The former Deacon has the tools to fit any pitching role; starter, reliever or closer; and that will serve him well as he continues to develop in the Chicago White Sox organization.
LHP Eric Niesen, St. Lucie Mets (A)
Niesen began his season with the Double-A Binghamton Mets, but was shifted to St. Lucie, the New York Mets affiliate in the Florida State League, in June. In his 24 appearances with the Mets, he earned his first career save and compiled a 3.00 ERA, which tied for the lowest of his five-year minor league career. Niesen posted a 3-3 record with St. Lucie and gave up just six homers for the season in 51 total appearances, tied for his second-lowest mark ever. The 26-year old, who was selected in the third round of the MLB Draft in 2007, should continue his development in the minors in 2012.
