Mormon Baseball

I don’t normally begin my write-up talking about a minor league player, but this week the stellar pitching of Taylor Cole with the Vancouver Canadians (A short season) kind of demanded front billing. Cole came close to baseball’s ultimate performance, a pitching performance over 7 2/3rds innings marred only by a teammate’s error. Still, Cole was pitching a no-hitter for his 6th win of the season when he was pulled from the game against the Yakima Bears. The Northwest league’s regular season has ended, Cole finishes the year with a stunning (and league-leading) 0.81 era. He will likely pitch in the Canadians’ post-season games, which start today.

With all the minor leagues finishing their seasons this week, and beginning playoffs and championship series, I will post tomorrow a list of which Mormon players may play in the post-season. In addition to Cole, just a few Mormon players in the minors had notable weeks. Among pitchers, Tyson Brummett apparently let his hair down too soon. With the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs (AAA International League) out of playoff contention, Brummett pitched poorly for 2 innings on August 27th, giving up a run, and then gave up 5 more over 4 innings on August 31st. Still, Brummett ends the season with a 3.20 era, the best season yet in his 6-year-long minor league career.

Among position players in the minors, the standouts are Mitch Maier and Stephen Parker, both of whom finish the season hot. Maier hit .364 last week, following .375 the previous week, and raised his batting average in the minors for the season to .301. With the Omaha Storm Chasers (AAA Pacific Coast League) in the post season, Maier will likely play past their last regular season game today, assuming he doesn’t get called back to the majors this week due to the expanded rosters. Parker, meanwhile, hit .412 last week, after hitting .375 the week before. His Sacramento River Cats (also in the AAA Pacific Coast League) are also in the playoffs and, like Maier, his season could be extended until as late as the AAA championship game on September 18th, as long as his team keeps winning.

In the major leagues, meanwhile, teenage phenom Bryce Harper has broken out of his August slump with a vengeance this past week, hitting three home runs (including two in one game), scoring six times and batting in eight. He hit .346 for the week as the nationals continue their dominance of the National League (with the exception of the Reds). There seems little doubt that in addition to making the all-star game his rookie season, Harper will also play in the post-season. What a charmed life!

Among pitchers the stand-outs were Jeremy Guthrie, atoning perhaps for a disastrous performance the previous week. Guthrie gave up just one run in 7 1/3rd innings, for a win and a 1.23 era while striking out three and not giving up a single walk. His performance was bettered by Josh Johnson, who also was coming off a poor performance the previous week. Johnson gave up one run in 8 innings for a 1.13 era and a win, striking out 4 and walking two. However, Guthrie’s struggles in the first half of the season are born out in their YTD eras: Gutrie is at 5.48 while Johnson is at 3.86.

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Current Roster Players:

• Darwin Barney—second base—Chicago Cubs
  6 for 24 (.250), 3 runs, 1 rbi, 0 hr, 2 bb, 0 sb, 2 so.
  YTD: .258, 59 runs, 38 rbi, 6 hr, 25 bb, 6 sb, 48 so in 446 at bats.
• John Buck — starting catcher — Miami Marlins
  1 for 7 (.143), 0 runs, 1 rbi, 0 hr, 0 bb, 0 sb, 2 so
  YTD: .197, 25 runs, 34 rbi, 10 hr, 46 bb, 0 sb, 90 so in 305 at bats.
• Jacoby Ellsbury — starting outfielder — Boston Red Sox
  6 for 24 (.250), 5 runs, 1 rbi, 1 hr, 0 bb, 2 sb, 1 so
  YTD: .267, 34 runs, 16 rbi, 2 hr, 14 bb, 11 sb, 27 so in 221 at bats.
• Kyle Farnsworth — closer — Tampa Bay Rays
  0-0, era 0.00, 0 hit, 0 er, 2 k, 1 bb, in 3.0 innings
  YTD: 1-3, era 2.70, 10 hits, 6 er, 19 k, 10 bb in 20.0 innings
• Jeremy Guthrie — starting pitcher (right handed) — Kansas City Royals
  1-0, 1.23 era, 10 hits, 1 er, 0 bb, and 3 k in 7.1 innings
  YTD: 6-12, era 5.48 170 hits, 85 er, 41 bb and 80 k in 139.2 innings
• Roy Halladay— starting pitcher (right handed) — Philadelphia Phillies
  0-0, era 7.71, 7 hits, 4 er, 4 bb, 3 k in 4.2 innings
  YTD: 8-7, era 4.02, 123 hits, 58 er, 24 bb, 104 k in 130.0 innings.
• Bryce Harper — left field — Washington Nationals
  9 for 26 (.346), 6 runs, 8 rbi, 3 hr, 2 bb, 0 sb, 4 so
  YTD: .254, 73 runs, 45 rbi, 15 hr, 45 bb, 13 sb, 98 so in 429 at bats.
• Elliot Johnson — infielder — Tampa Bay Rays
  1 for 9 (.111), 1 runs, 1 rbi, 1 hr, 0 bb, 0 sb, 2 so
  YTD: .246, 28 runs, 31 rbi, 5 hr, 24 bb, 17 sb, 79 so in 281 at bats.
• Josh Johnson — starting pitcher (right handed) – Miami Marlins
  0-0, 1.13 era, 3 hits, 1 er, 4 k, 2 bb in 8.0 innings.
  YTD: 7-11, 3.86 era, 163 hits, 71 er, 140 k, 51 bb in 165.1 innings.
• Matt Lindstrom — right handed bullpen pitcher – Arizona Diamondbacks
  0-0, 9.00 era, 3 hit, 2 er, 2 k, 0 bb in 2.0 innings
  YTD: 1-0, 3.05 era, 38 hits, 13 er, 32 k, 12 bb in 38.1 innings.
• Brandon Lyon — right handed bullpen pitcher — Toronto Blue Jays
  0-0, 3.00 era, 2 hits, 1 er, 2 k, 0 bb in 3.0 innings
  YTD: 1-2, 2.92 era, 46 hits, 17 er, 59 k, 13 bb in 52.1 innings.
• Clayton Mortensen — right handed bullpen pitcher —Boston Red Sox
  Reassigned
  0-0, 0.00 era, 2 hits, 0 er, 1 k, 0 bb, 0 hr in 0.1 innings
  YTD: 1-1, 2.25 era, 24 hits, 8 er, 26 k, 12 bb, 4 hr in 32.0 innings
• Adam Rosales — 2B — Oakland A’s
  3 for 10 (.300) 2 run, 1 rbi, 0 hr, 0 bb, 0 sb, 3 so
  YTD: .229, 8 run, 8 rbi, 11 bb, 0 sb, 15 k in 70 at bats.

Minor League Players who may make the majors:

• Tyson Brummett — right handed closer — Philadelphia Phillies organization (currently with the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs of the International League – AAA)
  0-2, 9.00 era, 12 h, 6 er, 0 hr, 6 so, 3 bb in 6.0 innings.
  YTD: 5-6, 2 sv, 3.20 era, 74 h, 32 er, 4 hr, 83 k, 29 bb in 90.0 innings.
• Taylor Cole — right handed starting pitcher — Toronto Blue Jays organization (currently with the Vancouver Canadians of the Northwest League – A)
  1-0, 0.00 era, 0 h, 0 er, 0 hr, 6 so, 0 bb in 7.2 innings
  YTD: 6-0, 0.81 era, 36 h, 6 er, 0 hr, 57 k, 17 bb in 66.1 innings
• Derek Cone — right handed starting pitcher — Los Angeles Dodgers organization (currently with the Ogden Raptors of the Pioneer League – Rookie)
  0-0, 21.60 era, 1 hits, 4 er, 0 hr, 1 k, 5 bb in 1.2 innings
  YTD: 1-1, 9.34 era, 42 hits, 37 er, 6 hr, 24 k, 32 bb in 35.2 innings
• Brandon Duckworth — right handed bullpen pitcher — released from Boston Red Sox organization (was with the Pawtucket Red Sox of the International League – AAA)
  Released
  YTD: 9-2, 3.17 era, 110 h, 39 er, 12 hr, 93 k, 35 bb in 110.2 innings
• Willie Mays Eyre — pitcher — Texas Rangers organization (currently with the Round Rock Express of the Pacific Coast League – AAA)
  1-0, 0.00 era, 0 hits, 0 er, 0 hr, 5 k, 0 bb in 4.0 innings
  YTD: 2-5, 5.74 era, 62 h, 37 er, 4 hr, 52 k, 23 bb in 58.0 innings
• Jeff Gelalich — outfielder — Cincinnati Reds organization (currently with the Billings Mustangs of the Pioneer League – rookie)
  0 for 16 (.000), 1 run, 0 rbi, 0 hr, 2 bb, 1 sb, 8 k
  YTD: .228, 24 run, 8 rbi, 2 hr, 14 bb, 4 sb, 41 k in 123 at bats
• Austin Hall — right handed pitcher — Milwaukee Brewers organization (currently with the AZL Brewers of the Arizona Leauge – Rookie)
  Did not pitch
  YTD: 2-2, 4.41 era, 38 h, 16 er, 3 hr, 31 so, 13 bb in 32.2 innings
  
• Bryan Harper — bull-pen pitcher — Washington Nationals organization (currently with the Auburn Doubledays of the New York-Penn League – A short-season)
  0-1, 11.57 era, 4 h, 3 er, 0 hr, 4 k, 0 bb in 2.1 innings
  YTD: 0-1, 11.25 era, 32 hits, 20 er, 1 hr, 20 k, 11 bb in 16.0 innings
• Blaine Howell —left handed bullpen pitcher — Cincinnati Reds organization (currently with the Bakersfield Blaze of the California League – A+)
  1-0, 0.00 era, 0 h, 0 er, 0 hr, 1 k, 3 bb in 2.1 innings
  YTD: 1-2, 5.20 era, 45 h, 21 er, 3 hr, 26 k, 20 bb in 36.1 innings
• Kyle Hurst — right handed bullpen pitcher — Los Angeles Angels organization (Inland Empire 66ers of the California League – A+)
  Released
  YTD: 1-1, 7.84 era, 28 h, 18, er, 3 hr, 18 k, 13 bb in 20.2 innings
• Cale Iorg — Shortstop — Detroit Tigers organization (currently with the Toledo Mud Hens of the International League – AAA)
  2 for 10 (.200), 1 run, 0 rbi, 0 hr, 2 bb, 1 sb, 4 k
  YTD: .155, 15 run, 7 rbi, 1 hr, 7 bb, 3 sb, 49 k in 155 at bats
• Marcus Littlewood — Shortstop — Seattle Mariners organization (currently with the Everett WA AquaSox of the Northwest League – A)
  2 for 15 (.133), 2 run, 1 rbi, 0 hr, 3 bb, 1 sb, 5 k
  YTD: .262, 36 runs, 37 rbi, 9 hr, 44 bb, 2 sb, 72 k in 214 at bats
• Mitch Maier —  outfielder — Kansas City Royals organization (currently with the Omaha Storm Chasers of the Pacific Coast League – AAA)
  8 for 22 (.364), 3 runs, 3 rbi, 0 hr, 2 bb, 0 sb, 3 so
  YTD: .301, 24 runs, 16 rbi, 4 hr, 20 bb, 2 sb, 28 so in 123 at bats
  MLB YTD: .172, 8 runs, 7 rbi, 2 hr, 8 bb, 2 sb, 24 so in 64 at bats.
• Taylor Mangum — right-handed relief pitcher — Milwaukee Brewers organization (currently with the Helena Brewers of the Pioneer League – Rookie)
  0-0, 0.00 era, 0 hits, 0 er, 0 hr, 1 k, 1 bb in 2.0 innings
  YTD: 1-2, 3.91 era, 24 hits, 10 er, 1 hr, 21 k, 12 bb  in 23.0 innings
• Clayton Mortensen — right handed bullpen pitcher —Boston Red Sox organization (currently with the Portland Sea Dogs of the Eastern League – AA)
  0-0, 18.00 era, 3 hits, 2 er, 0 k, 1 bb, 0 hr in 1.0 innings
  YTD: 5-3, 2.33 era, 24 hits, 10 er, 36 k, 16 bb, 3 hr in 38.2 innings
  MLB YTD: 1-1, 2.25 era, 24 hits, 8 er, 26 k, 12 bb, 4 hr in 32.0 innings
• Matthew Neil — right handed starting pitcher — Miami Marlins organization (currently with the Jacksonville Suns of the Southern League – AA)
  0-0, 2.45 era, 5 h, 1 er, 1 hr, 4 k, 1 bb in 3.2 innings.
  YTD: 8-7, 3.90 era, 145 h, 59 er, 14 hr, 94 k, 28 bb in 136.0 innings
• Stephen Parker — 3rd base — Oakland A’s organization (currently with the Sacramento River Cats of the Pacific Coast League – AAA)
  7 for 17 (.412), 2 run, 4 rbi, 0 hr, 1 bb, 0 sb, 4 k
  YTD: .256, 42 run, 45 rbi, 7 hr, 32 bb, 5 sb, 92 k in 324 at bats
• Lance Pendleton — pitcher — Tampa Bay Ray’s organization (currently with the Durham Bulls of the International League – AAA)
  0-1, 4.50 era, 5 h, 3 er, 1 hr, 7 k, 1 bb in 6.0 innings.
  YTD: 8-6, 4.60 era, 133 h, 64 er, 14 hr, 100 k, 54 bb in 125.1 innings
  
• Chris Shelton — first base — New York Mets organization (status unknown, was with the Buffalo NY Bisons of the International League – AAA)
  Doesn’t appear to be active, even though MiLB.com reports that he is. Hasn’t played since 2010.
• Jordan Whatcott —right handed bullpen pitcher — Philadelphia Phillies organization (currently with Reading Phillies of the Eastern League – AA)
  0-0, 0.00 era, 3 h, 0 er, 0 hr, 2 k, 1 bb in 1.2 innings
  YTD: 3-3, 3.78 era, 86 h, 35 er, 6 hr, 62 k, 34 bb in 83.1  innings

Foreign Leagues:

• Mitch Talbot — starting pitcher (right handed) — Samsung Lions (Korea)
  1-0, 2.57 era, 5 h, 2 er, 1 hr, 5 k, 1 bb in 7.0 innings
  YTD: 12-2, 3.56 era, 112 h, 47 er, 5 hr, 57 k, 41 bb in 118.2 innings

Players who may be Mormon:

• Rick Anton – pitcher – LA Dodgers organization
• Tyler Hanks — pitcher — Washington Nationals organization
• Kam Mickolio — pitcher — Arizona Diamondbacks organization (apparently not Mormon, but I don’t have evidence either way)
• Brad Thompson — pitcher — Houston Astros organization
• Other remote possibilities: Jay Brossman, Brian Budrow, Tyler Chism, Dallas Christison, Stephen Fife, Steve Hirschfeld, Zachary Jones, Ryan Khoury, Cole Miles, A. J. Murray, Jordan Taylor Pratt, Tanner Robles, Braeden Schlehuber, Justin Smith, Matt Spring

Non-Mormons who may be confused for Mormons

• Matt Carson — non-Mormon who went to BYU
• Derek Christensen
• Egan Smith —
• Jordan Smith —