When July comes around each year there are little things in the collegiate sports world to keep a columnist busy. This usually means vacation time. Sans the Running of the Bulls this past weekend in Pamplona, Spain, I had little idea what I would write about this week.
I experienced the thrill of Running with the Bulls on July 7, 2002 at 7:00 a.m. Don’t remember much of it, but it was all it was definitely worth staying up all night slugging Sangria Wine in order to participate.
Anyway, back to baseball and the point of this week’s column. Many former Diamond Rebs are making noise in the minor and major leagues of professional baseball this summer. In baseball, so many players come through the confines of Swayze Filed that is hard to keep up with them once their professional career begins.
The following is an attempt to enable you, the reader, a minute amount of knowledge on where these former Rebel athletes are currently playing.
The Big Show
David Dellucci highlights the list of our own in this category. The former Ole Miss outfielder is currently playing for the Cleveland Indians. His numbers are not quite up to par with that of one Pedro Cerrano, but I am sure Jaboo will spread some luck on Delucci before the season is over. As of July 6, Deluccis was batting .234 with four homeruns and 20 RBI.
On the mound, Ryan Bukvich has seen action for the Chicago White Sox. So far this season, Bukvich has appeared in 16 games and holds a record of 1-0. An ERA of 4.36 to go along with six strikeouts complete the stats for him.
Former Rebel Bobby Kielty has been called up for Oakland a few times this year and in nine games has produced three RBI and four hits.
The Little Show
There are many Rebels in minor leagues trying to showcase their talent and make the next step in their professional career.
Player Team Class
Justin Brashear Diamondbacks A
Chris Coghlan Marlins A
Zack Cozart Reds A
Stephen Head Indians A
Justin Henry Tigers A
Brian Pettway Blue Jays A
Alex Presley Nationals A
Seth Smith Rockies AAA
T. Baumgardner Astros A
T.J. Beam Yankees Reserve
Anthony Cupps Diamondbacks A
Eric Fowler Blue Jays AA
Mark Holliman Cubs AA
Justin Huisman Independent League
Mathew Maloney Phillies AA
J.R. Pickens Independent League
Chris Thompson Independent League
Jeremy Zick Independent League
Matt Ceriani Independent League
Making the most of his opportunity in the minors is Seth Smith. The Jackson, Mississippi native gave Rebel fans many memories during his stint at Ole Miss and has quickly climbed the difficult minor league ladder into the AAA Colorado Rockies Organization.
Smith is currently starting in leftfield for the Colorado Springs squad and boasts a batting average of .306 through 77 games this season. Add the stats 15 home runs, 57 RBI and 16 doubles to his resume and it won’t be long before Smith is in the majors.
Eric Fowler, Mark Holliman, and Mathew Maloney take the mound for their respective AA ball clubs. Fowler, a product of the Blue Jays is 1-1 on the season with an ERA of 6.23. Holliman is with the Cubs AA club and is currently holding a record of 7-6 in 16 starts this year. He holds a respectable 2.64 ERA and has fanned 60 batters in 99 innings of action.
Maloney rounds out the AAers with a 7-6 record as well. The Phillies product has a 4.04 ERA and has struck out 88 batters in 100 innings of play.
The fact remains that making it to the big show in baseball is a very difficult goal to accomplish. We at The Local Voice wish these former Rebel greats much success in their quest to achieve their goals. The chance is slim. Sorry guys, I aint going to pump any sunshine. It is what it is.
Carver out.
