Deacs in the Pros: Aug. 9
8/9/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeBaseball)
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Following the 2016 Major League Baseball Draft, there are now currently 12 Demon Deacons playing baseball in the Major and Minor League ranks. Take a look at the latest update on their 2016 seasons.
MLB
Mac Williamson - San Francisco Giants: Williamson was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to a shoulder strain suffered on August 1. He has already returned to taking swings off a tee. At the big league level, he's hitting .245 with six homers and 15 RBIs in 98 at bats, and he's hitting .308 over his last 10 games.
Tim Cooney - St. Louis Cardinals: Cooney was diagnosed with a Bennett lesion and was expected to undergo a season-ending shoulder scope. He didn't allow a run in two spring training outings, and posted a 1-0 record and 3.16 ERA in the big leagues last year.
AAA
Michael Dimock - El Paso Chihuahuas (Padres): Though he has struggled in recent outings, Dimock still has impressive peripheral stats, holding a 1-1 record, 45-to-12 strikeout-to-walk ratio and 1.14 WHIP to go along with a 4.75 ERA in 36.0 innings. He is listed as the probable starter for the Chihuahuas tonight, which would mark his first start in 169 pro outings.
Brian Holmes - Fresno Grizzlies (Astros): Following a successful rehab stint in the GCL, Holmes was promoted to AAA for the first time in his career last week. A Texas League all-star, Holmes has a 4-3 record and 3.79 ERA, along with a 58-to-16 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 59.1 innings over three minor league levels.
AA
Pat Blair - Montgomery Biscuits (Rays): Blair earned a call-up to AA after starting the year in A ball. He has hits in six of his last seven games, including his first AA home run on July 27. Overall this year, hes hitting .173 with four homers and seven stolen bases.
A
Connor Kaden - Augusta GreenJackets (Giants): Kaden has been a consistent performer for the GreenJackets, currently holding a 6-3 record and 3.97 ERA out of the bullpen. Over his last seven outings, Kaden has surrendered just three earned runs in 16.1 innings (1.65 ERA), striking out 17 while walking just three in that span.
Short-Season A
Will Craig - West Virginia Black Bears (Pirates): Craig has settled into pro ball after a slow start, and is currently riding a 16-game hitting streak. Over his past 21 games, he's hitting .342 with eight doubles, raising his average from .159 to .255 over that span.
Nate Mondou - Vermont Lake Monsters (Athletics): Mondou has been named a New York-Penn League all-star thanks to his hot start with Vermont. He had reached base in 29 straight games before that streak was snapped on Monday. With the Lake Monsters, he's hitting .348 with seven doubles, 20 RBIs, 15 walks and five stolen bases.
Matt Pirro - Auburn Doubledays (Nationals): Pirro was recently called up to the Auburn Doubledays in his home state after starting the summer in the GCL. He earned the win on Aug. 6, tossing a scoreless inning in relief. So far in 2016, Pirro has a 3-2 record and 5.51 ERA, allowing less than a hit per inning.
Rookie Ball
Aaron Fossas - AZL Reds: Fossas is pitching the best he has all year. Over his past nine outings, he has surrendered just one earned run over 9.1 innings for a 0.96 ERA. He has struck out 13, walked two and given up just four hits in that span. Overall, Fossas has a 1-0 record, 3.77 ERA and two saves, and opponents are hitting .173 against him.
Garrett Kelly - GCL Twins: Kelly continues to show off his impressive stuff, as he has 22 strikeouts in 16.0 innings of work. He has a 2.25 ERA over his last six outings, allowing two earned runs in 8.0 frames. Overall, he's 0-2 with a 5.06 ERA and two saves.
Joe Napolitano - Kingsport Mets: Napolitano graduated from Wake Forest in 2015 and spent a year at St. John's as a graduate transfer, where he went 3-1 with a 1.93 ERA in 25 relief outings after transitioning to pitching during the second half of his final season in Winston-Salem. He was recently moved from the Gulf Coast League to the Appalachian League, and he hasn't allowed an earned run over his last six outings (7.2 innings). Overall this year, Napolitano is 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA and one save.
