From the Southland to the Show: September Update

League lays claim to 66 professional baseball players, including 12 major leaguers

FRISCO, Texas – A total of 66 Southland Conference baseball alumni are currently playing with MLB organizations in 2021. Below is an update on all active players. Statistics are through Sept. 7, 2021.

MLB

Hunter Dozier (Stephen F. Austin) – Kansas City Royals

In his fourth season as a utility man for the Royals, the 2013 Southland Player & Hitter of the Year ranks second on the team in doubles (21) and triples (4) and third in walks (38). Dozier is hitting .201 on the year with 43 runs, 39 RBI and 10 home runs. In a four-game series against the Astros on Aug. 16-19, he was 4-for-13 (.308) at the plate with two home runs, four runs and three RBI.

Paul Goldschmidt (Texas State) – St. Louis Cardinals

Tied with Wade Miley as the longest-tenured Southland alumni in the majors, the two-time Southland Hitter of the Year (2008-09) leads the team and ranks fifth in the National League with 148 hits. Goldschmidt also leads the team in walks (55) and on-base percentage (.355). In his 11^th season, he ranks third among active players in career OBP (.389), only behind Mike Trout and Joey Votto.

Chi Chi Gonzalez (Oral Roberts) – Colorado Rockies

In his third season with the Rockies, the 2013 Southland Pitcher of the Year is 3-7 with a 6.50 ERA in 23 games, including 18 starts. Gonzalez allowed just two earned runs over seven innings in the team’s loss to the Cardinals on July 2, marking his third quality start of the year. Gonzalez is 9-23 with a 5.65 ERA in five seasons in the bigs.

Louis Head (Texas State) – Tampa Bay Rays

In his first season with the Rays organization, Head is 1-0 with a 2.93 ERA and 26 strikeouts over 27.2 innings in 21 appearances. He also owns a .196 opponent batting average and a 1.01 WHIP. After being optioned to the team’s Triple-A affiliate on Aug. 26, Head was recalled on Sept. 7 and threw two scoreless innings with a strikeout in a win over the Red Sox.

Kyle Keller (Southeastern) – Pittsburgh Pirates

In his first season with the Pirates, Keller owns a 6.84 ERA in 24 appearances out of the bullpen with 26 strikeouts through 25 innings. He has kept opponents off the board and allowed just one hit over 3.2 innings in his last three outings, including two no-hit innings against the Cardinals on Aug. 28. Opposing batters are hitting .223 off the former Lion.

Wade Miley (Southeastern) – Cincinnati Reds

Tied with Paul Goldschmidt as the longest-tenured Southland alumni in the majors, the 2008 Southland strikeouts leader (119) leads the team in wins (12) and ERA (2.89). In the month of August, Miley went 3-0 with a 2.05 ERA and 24 strikeouts over 30.2 innings. He recorded three quality starts, pitching seven scoreless innings in wins over the Pirates, Cubs and Marlins.

Ryan O’Hearn (Sam Houston) – Kansas City Royals

In his fourth season with the Royals, the 2014 Second-Team All-Southland honoree is hitting .222 with 28 RBI, nine home runs and 21 runs scored in 73 games. In August, he hit .246 at the plate with nine RBI and five runs. O’Hearn drove in a pair of runs with an RBI double and a run-scoring single in a 7-6 win over the Astros on Aug. 16.

Jace Peterson (McNeese) – Milwaukee Brewers

In his second season with the Brewers, the two-time First-Team All-Southland (2010-11) honoree owns a .272/.387/.408 slash line with 30 RBI, 33 runs and 17 extra-base hits. Peterson flourished at the plate in August, hitting .353 with a .966 OPS, seven RBI and nine runs scored. He posted five multi-hit games, including a 5-for-5 effort with four RBI and three runs in a 17-4 win over the Cubs on Aug. 12.

Jordan Romano (Oral Roberts) – Toronto Blue Jays

In his third season with the Blue Jays, the 2014 Southland Relief Pitcher of the Year has seven wins and 15 saves on the year across 53 appearances, which ranks second on the team. Romano has struck out 71 batters over 53 innings. He has converted each of his last 15 save opportunities. From Aug. 7-Sept. 1, Romano was 2-0 with six saves, no runs allowed, 19 strikeouts and two walks over 11.2 innings.

Caleb Smith (Sam Houston) – Arizona Diamondbacks

In his first full season with the Diamondbacks after a trade last August, the two-time Second Team All-Southland (2012-13) pick has four wins with a 5.06 ERA over 39 appearances and ranks second on the team with 117 strikeouts. Since Aug. 12, Smith is 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA and 16 strikeouts across 18 innings out of the bullpen.

Ryan Tepera (Sam Houston) – Chicago White Sox

The former Bearkat had made a team-high 43 appearances with 50 strikeouts over 43.1 innings for the Cubs before he was traded across town to the White Sox on July 30. Tepera owns a 1.88 ERA with 20 strikeouts over 14.1 innings in 18 appearances for his new club. He struck out 17 with just three walks and recorded a 0.77 ERA in 11.2 innings in August.

Jose Trevino (Oral Roberts) – Texas Rangers

In his fourth season with the Rangers, the two-time All-Southland (2013-14) honoree has caught 74 games this season and is hitting .234 with 24 RBI and 18 runs. Trevino has three multi-hit outings in his last four games with three doubles, three RBI and three runs scored. Behind the plate, he has a .991 fielding percentage with seven runners caught stealing.

Triple-A

Drew Avans (Southeastern) – Oklahoma City Dodgers

In his third season with the Dodgers organization, the two-time All-Southland (2017-18) honoree leads the team in triples (3) and stolen bases (14) and ranks second with 36 walks.

Jonathan Davis (Central Arkansas) – Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders

The three-time All-Southland honoree and 2017 Freshman of the Year was claimed off waivers by the Yankees on Aug. 3 and has eight RBI and nine runs scored in 11 games for New York’s Triple-A squad.

David Fry (Northwestern State) – Nashville Sounds

The four-time All-Southland (2015-18) selection was promoted to Milwaukee’s Triple-A affiliate on Sept. 1 after leading the Double-A squad in doubles (15), home runs (11), OBP (.341) and slugging (.447).

Josh Green (Southeastern) – Reno Aces

A 14^th round pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, Green is 7-4 with a 7.77 ERA in 21 appearances for Arizona’s Triple-A squad. He has struck out 57 batters through 88 innings.

Nick Heath (Northwestern State) – Reno Aces

In his first season with the Diamondbacks organization, the two-time Southland stolen bases leader (2015-16) paces the Triple-A team with 16 steals and has a .269/.350/.462 slash line.

Bryce Johnson (Sam Houston) – Sacramento River Cats

In his fifth season with the Giants organization, the two-time Southland hits leader (2016-17) leads the club’s Triple-A squad in runs (61), walks (44) and steals (25), and is slashing .280/.372/.428.

Mason Melotakis (Northwestern State) – Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

The second-highest drafted Demon in program history was assigned to Miami’s Triple-A affiliate on June 11 and is 3-1 with a 4.56 ERA and two saves in 15 relief appearances.

Adam Oller (Northwestern State) – Syracuse Mets

In his first season with the Mets organization, the three-time All-Southland (2014-16) pick is 3-0 with a 0.39 ERA and 27 strikeouts over 23 innings in four starts since being promoted to the Triple-A club.

Eric Orze (New Orleans) – Syracuse Mets

The Mets’ No. 25 prospect, Orze owns a 3.68 ERA and has struck out nine over 7.1 innings in seven appearances since being elevated to New York’s Triple-A affiliate.

Robbie Podorsky (McNeese) – El Paso Chihuahuas

In his fifth season with the Padres organization, the 2017 Southland steals leader (39) owns a slash line of .275/.310/.438 in 27 games for San Diego’s Triple-A squad.

Tate Scioneaux (Southeastern) – Albuquerque Isotopes

In his first full season with the Rockies’ organization, the 2014 Southland Tournament MVP has a 4.82 ERA and 49 strikeouts over 46.2 innings in 39 appearances for Colorado’s Double-A and Triple-A teams.

Ty Tice (Central Arkansas) – Reno Aces

Tice was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Diamondbacks and subsequently assigned to the team’s Triple-A affiliate on July 21. He has five strikeouts over 4.1 innings in six appearances.

Will Vest (Stephen F. Austin) – Toledo Mud Hens

The 2017 Third-Team All-Southland pick was signed by the Tigers on July 17 and he was assigned to the team’s Triple-A affiliate on July 20. Vest is 1-1 with a 3.94 ERA and 19 strikeouts through 16 innings.

Double-A

Grant Anderson (McNeese) – Frisco RoughRiders

In his second season with the Rangers organization, Anderson is 2-1 with three holds in 17 appearances since being promoted to Texas’ Double-A squad.

Austin Briggs (McNeese) – Midland RockHounds

In his fourth season with the A’s organization, Briggs is 3-1 with 38 strikeouts over 51 innings in 37 relief appearances for Oakland’s Double-A team.

Jameson Fisher (Southeastern) – Birmingham Barons

The only three-time all-tournament pick in Southland history, Fisher is in his sixth season with the White Sox organization. He leads the Double-A squad in batting average (.289) and OBP (.360).

Collin Kober (McNeese) – Arkansas Travelers

In his fifth season with the Mariners organization, the two-time All-Southland (2015-16) honoree is 3-0 with a 1.57 ERA and eight holds in 28 appearances out of the bullpen for Seattle’s Double-A squad.

Aaron Hernandez (Texas A&M-Corpus Christi) – Rocket City Trash Pandas

The highest-drafted player out of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Hernandez is 4-6 with 78 strikeouts over 63 innings in 15 starts for the club’s Double-A team.

Bryan King (McNeese) – Tennessee Smokies

In his third season with the Cubs organization, King was promoted to the club’s Double-A affiliate on Sept. 2 and struck out three across two innings in his first appearance.

Nick Mikolajchak (Sam Houston) – Akron RubberDucks

Mikolajchak, who finished his career ranked eighth in Southland history with 22 career saves, has eight saves and 49 strikeouts across 34.2 innings in 27 appearances for Cleveland’s Double-A team.

Addison Russ (HBU) – Somerset Patriots

In his first season with the Yankees organization following a trade last August, Russ is 3-2 with a 2.20 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 28.2 innings across 23 appearances for New York’s Double-A squad.

Shawn Semple (New Orleans) – Somerset Patriots

In his fifth season with the Yankees organization, the 2017 First-Team All-Southland honoree is 6-3 with a 3.76 ERA and 74 strikeouts across 64.2 innings in 15 appearances for New York’s Double-A squad.

Mac Sceroler (Southeastern) – Chattanooga Lookouts

Sceroler was added to the team’s Development List on Aug. 24 after he was 1-4 with an 8.42 ERA and 38 strikeouts through 36.1 innings in 10 appearances for Cincinnati’s Double-A squad.

Cayne Ueckert (McNeese) – Tennessee Smokies

In his second season with the Cubs organization, Ueckert is 1-1 with a 1.45 ERA, eight saves and 37 strikeouts in 26 appearances since being promoted to Chicago’s Double-A squad on May 11.

Hayden Wesneski (Sam Houston) – Somerset Patriots

The Yankees’ No. 15 prospect is 7-5 with a 3.59 ERA in 20 starts at the Double-A and High-A levels. Since Aug. 4, Wesneski is 5-0 with a 2.35 ERA and 40 strikeouts and just nine walks through 34.1 innings

High A

Kwan Adkins (Northwestern State) – Eugene Emeralds

In his fourth season with the Giants organization, the 2018 Third-Team All-Southland selection is hitting .206 with seven runs and two RBI in 15 games since being promoted to San Francisco’s High-A squad.

Aidan Anderson (McNeese) – Jersey Shore BlueClaws

In his third season with the Phillies organization, the 2019 Southland Tournament MVP has five saves, three holds and 34 strikeouts through 39.1 innings in 23 games for Philadelphia’s High-A team.

Kyle Backhus (Sam Houston) – Hillsboro Hops

The former Bearkat reached a free-agent deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 14 and is 2-0 with a 4.71 ERA and 20 strikeouts over 21 innings in six starts for Arizona’s High-A and Low-A affiliates.

Jared Biddy (Southeastern) – Spokane Indians

The 2019 Third Team All-Southland honoree is 1-1 with a 3.43 ERA, 44 strikeouts and just six walks through 42 innings in 23 appearances for the Rockies’ High-A team.

Jason Blanchard (Lamar) – Fort Wayne TinCaps

In his third season with the Padres organization, the 2019 Third-Team All-Southland honoree was assigned to San Diego’s High-A team on May 4. Blanchard is currently on the 60-day injured list.

J.C. Correa (Lamar) – Asheville Tourists

The 2019 Second-Team All-Southland honoree and brother of Carlos Correa is slashing .336/.357/.490 in 37 games since being promoted to Houston’s High-A team on July 19.

Cody Grosse (Southeastern) – Everett AquaSox

In his third season with the Mariners organization, the 2018 Second Team All-Southland pick is reaching base at a .338 clip with 39 walks, 36 runs and 23 RBI in 72 games for Seattle’s High-A team.

Kyle Gruller (HBU) – Asheville Tourists

The 2019 Third-Team All-Southland pick owns a 3.85 ERA with eight strikeouts over seven innings in three starts since being promoted to the Houston Astros’ High-A affiliate on Aug. 3.

William Hancock (Central Arkansas) – Quad Cities River Bandits

In his fourth season with the Royals organization, the 2018 First-Team All-Southland pick has 23 walks, 28 runs and 32 RBI for Kansas City’s High-A squad.

Bernie Martinez (UIW) – Everett AquaSox

In his third season with the Mariners organization, the 2019 Southland wins leader (nine) is 3-2 with 38 strikeouts across 42.2 innings in 13 appearances for Seattle’s High-A affiliate.

Austin Reich (Northwestern State) – Eugene Emeralds

In his third season with the Giants organization, Reich owns a 1.71 ERA with 45 strikeouts across 31.2 innings for San Francisco’s High-A affiliate. He threw an immaculate inning against Everett on Sept. 7.

Jack Rogers (Sam Houston) – Dayton Dragons

A two-time All-Southland selection and ninth-round selection in the 2021 MLB Draft, Rogers is hitting .233 with eight runs, six RBI and three home runs since being called up to Cincinnati’s High-A club.

Shane Selman (McNeese) – Lansing Lugnuts

In his second season with the A’s organization, the 2017 Southland Hitter of the Year is slashing .269/.372/.838 and leads Oakland’s High-A squad with 11 home runs.

Gavin Stone (Central Arkansas) – Great Lakes Loons

The Dodgers’ No. 28 prospect, Stone has struck out 30 batters, opposite just three walks, in four starts since being promoted to Los Angeles’ High-A squad on Aug. 17.

Bryce Tassin (Southeastern) – West Michigan Whitecaps

In his third season with the Tigers organization, Tassin is 4-5 with a 2.44 ERA, six saves and four holds in 44.1 innings pitched over 30 relief appearances for Detroit’s High-A squad.

Luis Trevino (Abilene Christian) – Bowling Green Hot Rods

In his third season with the Rays organization, the 2019 Southland Player of the Year owns a .284/.361/.431 slash line with 14 RBI and 13 doubles for Tampa Bay’s High-A team.

Low A

Jordan Cannon (Sam Houston) – Delmarva Shorebirds

In his third season with the Orioles organization, the 2019 Second-Team All-Southland selection is hitting .223 with 20 runs, 14 RBI and 12 walks in 31 games for Baltimore’s Low-A affiliate.

Colton Cowser (Sam Houston) – Delmarva Shorebirds

The Orioles’ No. 5 prospect and highest-drafted player out of the Southland (fifth overall) is slashing .323/.476/.435 since being elevated to Baltimore’s Low-A team on Aug. 17.

Austin Faith (Lamar) – St. Lucie Mets

In his first season with the Mets organization, Faith is 3-4 with 54 strikeouts over 40.1 innings in 23 appearances for New York’s Low-A squad.

Logan Hofmann (Northwestern State) – Bradenton Marauders

A fifth-round pick by the Pirates in the 2020 MLB Draft, Hofmann is 5-3 with a 3.47 ERA and 92 strikeouts over 72.2 innings in 20 appearances for Pittsburgh’s Low-A team.

Nate Jones (Northwestern State) – St. Lucie Mets

In his third season with the Mets organization, the 2019 Second Team All-Southland selection was assigned to New York’s Low-A squad on May 4. Jones is currently on the 60-day injured list.

Hunter Speer (Nicholls) – Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Speer was signed by the White Sox on July 5 and has struck out 28 batters over 25.1 innings in 25 appearances at the Rookie, Low-A, High-A and Double-A levels.

Rookie

Will Dion (McNeese) – ACL Indians

The 2021 Southland strikeout leader (121) has punched out 13 batters with just two walks in six innings for the Indians’ Rookie League team.

Trayson Kubo (Stephen F. Austin) – ACL Athletics

In his third season with the A’s organization, Kubo struck out 18 batters in 19.1 innings across nine appearances for Oakland’s Low-A squad before being assigned to the Rookie League team on Sept. 7.

Alex Palmer (Stephen F. Austin) – FCL Astros

In his second season with the Astros’ Rookie affiliate, the 2019 Southland Newcomer of the Year is 1-1 with a 1.13 ERA and 38 strikeouts across 24 innings in seven appearances.

Other

Noah Cameron (Central Arkansas) – Kansas City Royals

The 2019 Second Team All-Southland honoree was drafted in the seventh round of the 2021 MLB Draft and signed by the Kansas City Royals.

Levi David (Northwestern State) – New York Mets

The 2021 Third-Team All-Southland pick was drafted in the ninth round of the 2021 MLB Draft and signed by the New York Mets.

Gaige Howard (New Orleans) – Los Angeles Dodgers

The 2019 Third-Team All-Southland honoree reached a free-agent deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 26.

Will Warren (Southeastern) – New York Yankees

A 2021 First-Team All-Southland nod, Warren was drafted in the eighth round of the 2021 MLB Draft and signed by the New York Yankees.