In this edition of Tigers in the Pros we look at how the former Clemson players did in August in professional baseball.
MLB
Brad Miller, SS, Seattle Mariners
Season: 119 GP, .246/.323/.388, 9 HR, 36 RBI, 37 R, 12-14 SB, 42 BB, 89 K, 1.5 WAR
August: 22 GP, .281/.361/.406, HR, 3 RBI, 9 R, 2-3 SB, 7 BB, 17 K
August was Miller’s best month of the season in terms of his slash line. The productivity wasn’t great, but the Mariners have become fond of Miller’s ability to do the little things on offense. The apparatus around him hasn’t been great, but Miller continues to do his job well on the West Coast.
Kyle Parker, OF, Colorado Rockies
Season: 25 GP, .185/.243/.323, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 5 R, 5 BB, 19 K, -0.7 WAR
AAA: 93 GP, .280/.326/.431, 9 HR, 58 RBI, 53 R, 6-10 SB, 24 BB, 102 K
Parker ended August with seven straight hitless games, as 17 consecutive at-bats without a hit dropped his batting average by a whopping 65 points. Parker has gotten plenty of playing time as the fourth outfielder in Colorado, and he will probably continue to do so given the future planning going on with the Rockies.
Ben Paulsen, 1B/OF, Colorado Rockies
Season: 90 GP, .283/.333/.485, 10 HR, 44 RBI, 36 R, 20 BB, 77 K, 1.1 WAR
August: 27 GP, .278/.309/.489, 3 HR, 17 RBI, 12 R, 4 BB, 33 K
AAA: 36 GP, .256/.340/.424, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 19 R, 1-1 SB, 15 BB, 34 K
The power numbers have surged a bit for Paulsen in August, as the first baseman has now driven in 27 runs over the past two months. He’s starting to swing more often—and whiffing more often, too—but in spite of his impatience, Paulsen has found favor with the Rockies’ staff and should be in the lineup basically every day moving forward.
Tony Sipp, LHP, Houston Astros
Season: 50 GP, 46.1 IP, 2-4, 9 HD, 2.14 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9, 9.7 K/9, 1.3 WAR
August: 9 GP, 9.2 IP, 0-0, 2 HD, 0.00 ERA, 1.24 WHIP
It hasn’t been simply a dominant month for Sipp. It goes well beyond that, as the lefty specialist hasn’t given up a run—earned or otherwise—since July 5th, a streak that spans 17 appearances. The Astros have grown increasingly confident in his abilities, utilizing him to get more than three outs three different times in the month. As the Astros pursue the postseason, the veteran Sipp will become an increasingly popular reliever called from the bullpen.
*1B/3B Jeff Baker was released by the Miami Marlins on July 31st.
AAA
Jason Berken, RHP, Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Philadelphia Phillies)
Season: 26 GP (13 GS), 109 IP, 5-8, 3.96 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9, 6.1 K/9
August: 5 GP (GS), 13.1 IP, 5.40 ERA, 1.65 WHIP
It seems the veteran Berken is now a spot starter and long reliever for the IronPigs. His lone start of August came in the second game of a doubleheader, and he pitched an average of more than two innings per appearance out of the bullpen. Berken hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2012, and his fortunes don’t appear to be changing any time soon.
Tyler Colvin, OF, Charlotte Knights (Chicago White Sox)
Season: 86 GP, .228/.267/.339, 4 HR, 25 RBI, 26 R, 0-1 SB, 15 BB, 88 K
August: 24 GP, .240/.288/.267, 4 RBI, 4 R, 0-1 SB, 4 BB, 25 K
After a dismal July, Colvin’s slash line ticked up in August. Based on his past experience in the postseason, it was feasible to see a contender pick him up for the stretch run. Sadly for the outfielder, no one bit, presumably because of a severe power outage that has sent his slugging percentages spiraling.
Chris Dwyer, LHP, Omaha Storm Chasers (Kansas City Royals)
Season: 31 GP (8 GS), 81 IP, 2-2, 3.89 ERA, 1.69 WHIP, 5.8 BB/9, 6.6 K/9
August: 6 GP (6 GS), 30 IP, 0-0, 3.00 ERA, 1.53 WHIP
The Royals traded away several minor league pitchers around the Trade Deadline, and Dwyer has stepped up when opportunities have presented themselves. August was, by far, his best month. It seems unlikely Dwyer will be called up this season, but he might have worked his way into a role with the Royals in 2016 with this late-season surge.
Mike Freeman, UTIL, Reno Aces (Arizona Diamondbacks)
Season: 109 GP, .319/.375/.429, 3 HR, 36 RBI, 77 R, 9-9 SB, 34 BB, 50 K
August: 27 GP, .320/.376/.430, 6 RBI, 24 R, 3-3 SB, 9 BB, 13 K
A-: 3 GP, .200/.273/.300, R, BB, 2 K
As a high-average on-base machine, Freeman has really busted out this season. His ratios are splendid, even if the power hasn’t come very often. For some reason, the Diamondbacks don’t seem eager to reward Freeman’s performance with a call-up, preferring some prospects with higher upsides in a young middle infield rotation.
Will Lamb, LHP, Round Rock Express (Texas Rangers)
Season: 44 GP, 51.2 IP, 3-3, 4.53 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 4.4 BB/9, 7.7 K/9
August: 9 GP, 11 IP, 1-1, 8.18 ERA, 1.91 WHIP
AA: 22 GP, 26 IP, 1-1, 3.12 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 3.8 BB/9, 8.3 K/9
It’s tough to have consistent success in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. This fact isn’t lost on Lamb, who has had a rough go of things in recent days. His numbers for the year aren’t horrific, however, and he closed August with a pair of clean appearances. Perhaps that’s an omen of good things to come.
Richie Shaffer, 1B, Durham Bulls (Tampa Bay Rays)
Season: 69 GP, .270/.355/.582, 19 HR, 45 RBI, 1-2 SB, 42 R, 31 BB, 74 K
August: 24 GP, .288/.372/.550, 5 HR, 16 RBI, 17 R, 10 BB, 25 K
MLB: 8 GP, .263/.391/.579, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 5 R, 3 BB, 10 K, 0.2 WAR
AA: 39 P, .262/.362/.470, 7 HR, 27 RBI, 22 R, 3-3 SB, 23 BB, 49 K
Shaffer’s bounce-around season in pro baseball continued in August. He spent a couple of weeks in Tampa—his first big league action—and had some positive moments before being sent back down to Durham. He remains a critical piece of the Rays’ future, assuming he continues to swing a hot bat as he has this season.
AA
Dominic Leone, RHP, Mobile BayBears (Arizona Diamondbacks)
Season: 27 GP, 37 IP, 2-3, 4.86 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 4.1 BB/9, 8.8 K/9
August: 5 GP, 7 IP, 0-0, 1.29 ERA, 1.71 WHIP
MLB: 13 GP, 15 IP, 0-5, 8.40 ERA, 1.87 WHIP, 5.4 BB/9, 5.4 K/9
AAA: 8 GP, 9.1 IP, 1-1, 7.71 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, 4.8 BB/9, 7.7 K/9
Leone was pitching well in Mobile until an injury forced him out of action on August 16th. It seems a fitting end to what has been an up-and-down year in and out of three different levels within two different organizations.
Marquez Smith, 1B, Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Cincinnati Reds)
Season: 119 GP, .272/.371/.415, 8 HR, 45 RBI, 52 R, 6-11 SB, 58 BB, 89 K
August: 28 GP, .274/.412/.411, HR, 10 RBI, 13 R, 2-3 SB, 23 BB, 19 K
On one hand, Smith is playing very well as the everyday first baseman for Pensacola. His August was tremendous, particularly where plate discipline is concerned. On the other hand, he’s a 30-year-old AA player in an organization that sports an MVP-caliber player at his position. Credit Smith for continuing to produce.
*C Phil Pohl was released from the New Britain Rock Cats by the Colorado Rockies on July 22nd.
A+
Jay Baum, 3B, Bakersfield Blaze (Seattle Mariners)
Season: 98 GP, .215/.285/.295, 2 HR, 27 RBI, 37 R, 13-19 SB, 34 BB, 94 K
August: 21 GP, .244/.294/.385, HR, 8 RBI, 11 R, 4-6 SB, 6 BB, 23 K
If Baum were playing exceptional defense, his light offensive output would be easier to handle. He has posted back-to-back decent months at the plate, but his game still has to round out if he wants to matriculate any further up the Mariners’ food chain.
Spencer Kieboom, C, Potomac Nationals (Washington Nationals)
Season: 71 GP, .248/.344/.346, 2 HR, 26 RBI, 30 R, 1-2 SB, 36 BB, 30 K
August: N/A
Kieboom has been on the minor league disabled list since late July, meaning he’ll likely be shut down for the remainder of the year. His season has been decent, but the meteoric rise the Nationals wanted when they drafted him hasn’t materialized. Kieboom will face a critical season in 2016.
A
Garrett Boulware, C, Dayton Dragons (Cincinnati Reds)
Season: 75 GP, .250/.330/.319, 4 HR, 27 RBI, 24 R, 1-2 SB, 19 BB, 39 K
August: 15 GP, .218/.283/.218, 3 RBI, 7 R, 4 BB, 9 K
Boulware pulled off a rare feat in August, as each one of his 12 hits in the month were singles. That’s not necessarily a badge of honor for a catcher, but Boulware did hit safely in seven of his last eight games to close August, a sign that maybe his summer slump is subsiding.
Matt Campbell, RHP, Great Lakes Loons (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Season: 20 GP, 33.1 IP, 1-0, SV, 1.89 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 3.8 BB/9, 8.1 K/9
August: 8 GP, 11 IP, 1-0, SV, 2.45 ERA, 1.00 WHIP
Campbell allowed three runs in his first appearance of August, then he posted clean innings for the remainder of the month. In his seven other appearances, he allowed only six baserunners in ten innings of work. It has been a very impressive stretch for the late-inning reliever, who earned his first win of the year on August 9th and his first save on August 15th.
Zack Erwin, LHP, Kannapolis Intimidators (Chicago White Sox)
Season: 14 GP (6 GS), 2-2, 1.21 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 1.7 BB/9, 6.3 K/9
August: 7 GP (3 GS), 0-2, 1.42 ERA, 0.90 WHIP
RK: 8 GP (4 GS), 2-0, 0.84 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 1.3 BB/9, 6.3 K/9
Erwin was so good in rookie ball, the White Sox called him up to Kannapolis merely six weeks into his pro career. His numbers speak for themselves, as the lefty has dazzled at both levels of the minor leagues, both as a starter and as a late-inning reliever.
Scott Firth, RHP, Asheville Tourists (Colorado Rockies)
Season: 20 GP, 24.2 IP, 0-1, 4.01 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 3.6 BB/9, 7.3 K/9
August: N/A
The injury that derailed Firth’s season earlier in the summer has yet to subside. It seems patently obvious that his 2015 campaign has prematurely come to a close.
Daniel Gossett, RHP, Beloit Snappers (Oakland Athletics)
Season: 26 GP (26 GS), 139.2 IP, 5-12, 4.77 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 3.3 BB/9, 6.9 K/9
August: 6 GP (6 GS), 33 IP, 1-2, 4.64 ERA, 1.27 WHIP
Gossett continues to struggle through his first full professional season. However, there may be signs that he could be figuring things out along the way. In his final two appearances of August, Gossett allowed only two unearned runs in 13 innings of work. Before that, his numbers ballooned considerably, so he’ll need more solid outings to normalize his stat line.
Brody Koerner, RHP, Charleston Riverdogs (New York Yankees)
Season: 19 GP, 24.2 IP, 1-1, 8 SV, 1.46 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9, 8.0 K/9
August: 9 GP, 9.2 IP, 0-1, 5 SV, 1.86 ERA, 1.14 WHIP
RK: 13 GP, 18 IP, 1-0, 5 SV, 1.00 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9, 9.0 K/9
Koerner has been filthy as a low-level closer in the Yankees’ organization. He is striking out about a batter per inning, and he has also proven capable of picking up more than three outs in a save situation—always a nice feather in the cap of a young closer attempting to rise through the ranks.
Steve Wilkerson, 2B/SS, Delmarva Shorebirds (Baltimore Orioles)
Season: 85 GP, .289/.382/.365, HR, 24 RBI, 57 R, 10-15 SB, 43 BB, 75 K
August: 10 GP, .216/.341/.243, 2 RBI, 5 R, 0-1 SB, 5 BB, 9 K
An injury cost Wilkerson about three weeks’ worth of work in early August, and he wasn’t the same when he returned. Power notwithstanding, the middle infielder has enjoyed a fine season after struggling mightily a year ago. He is one of the best prospects the Orioles’ depleted farm system has at the lower levels.
A-
Matthew Crownover, LHP, Auburn Doubledays (Washington Nationals)
Season: 12 GP (10 GS), 46.2 IP, 1-4, 3.66 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 1.5 BB/9, 6.2 K/9
August: 5 GP (5 GS), 24.1 IP, 1-0, 2.22 ERA, 0.82 WHIP
Crownover has really started to settle in with Auburn, especially over his past three starts. He has gone five innings in each of them—it appears that is the limit the Nationals have put on him—allowing only one run in those 15 innings combined. Crownover won his first game as a pro on August 27th after five shutout innings.
Steven Duggar, OF, Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (San Francisco Giants)
Season: 54 GP, .284/.380/.358, HR, 26 RBI, 38 R, 6-8 SB, 32 BB, 51 K
August: 26 GP, .272/.375/.350, 7 RBI, 16 R, 2-2 SB, 16 BB, 19 K
Duggar has predictably begun his professional career much like he ended his collegiate career. He is a patient hitter who gets on base, can navigate the bases a bit, and lacks prodigious power. It has been a good start for the outfielder thus far.