Texas Tech University Athletics
Red Raiders in the Major Leagues: Week 7 Update
August 06, 2012 | Baseball
Doran moved back up to Double-A Corpus Christi this past week
Aug. 6, 2012
LUBBOCK, Texas - The Texas Tech baseball program started the 2012 Major League Baseball season with several former players on MLB rosters and on Minor League Baseball teams trying to reach the big leagues.
Currently, there are 26 former Texas Tech players who are playing with an MLB organization as a player. Throughout the remainder of the 2012 MLB season, Texas Tech athletics communications will provide weekly updates on former Red Raiders competing at the major league and minor league level.
Dallas Braden (LHP - Starting Pitcher - Oakland Athletics)
- Braden, who missed the majority of the 2011 season following shoulder surgery, suffered a setback to his return to pitching for the Athletics with a left shoulder injury at the end of March that has resulted in Braden being placed on the 60-day disabled list. Braden is expected to join the team this season. He has not pitched in a game since April 16, 2011. Braden pitched one season for Tech in 2004 and was drafted in 2004 in the 24th round by the Oakland Athletics.
Jeff Karstens (RHP - Starting Pitcher - Pittsburgh Pirates)
- Karstens earned the win in Pittsburgh's victory at Chicago last Wednesday while pitching five innings with four strikeouts while allowing just one earned run on three hits. Karstens is 4-2 this season with a 3.70 ERA in 10 starts with 56 innings pitched, 42 strikeouts and 13 walks allowed. Karstens pitched one season at Tech in 2003 and was drafted in 2003 in the 19th round by the New York Yankees.
Josh Tomlin (RHP - Starting Pitcher - Cleveland Indians)
- Tomlin has been moved to the bullpen and most recently made a one-inning appearance on Sunday allowing one hit and two walks with a strikeout. He is 5-8 this season with 19 appearances (16 starts) with a 5.75 ERA and 54 strikeouts with 23 walks. Tomlin pitched one season at Tech in 2006 and was drafted in 2006 in the 19th round by the Cleveland Indians.
Josh Bard (C - Los Angeles Dodgers - Triple-A - Albuquerque Isotopes)
- Bard played in two games last week while going 0-for-3 with a walk. He is batting .288 (34-for-118) this season with 12 runs, four walks, five home runs and 25 RBI. Bard was a three-time All-America catcher at Texas Tech for three seasons, 1997-1999, and was drafted in 1999 in the third round by the Colorado Rockies.
Colt Hynes (LHP - Relief Pitcher - San Diego Padres - Triple-A - Tucson Padres)
- Hynes made two starts last week while earning a no decision going 6.2 innings with one strikeout and one run allowed on July 31 and then getting the win allowing five runs in six innings with four strikeouts. Hynes is 6-8 this season with a 5.84 ERA in 26 appearances (18 starts) with 109.1 innings, 65 strikeouts and 26 walks allowed. Hynes pitched two seasons at Tech, 2006-07, and was drafted in 2007 in the 31st round by the San Diego Padres.
Roger Kieschnick (RF - San Francisco Giants - Triple-A - Fresno Grizzlies)
- Kieschnick has been on the disabled list since the end of May after crashing into the outfield wall and suffering a shoulder injury. He started off the season on fire batting .319 (65-for-204) in 51 games with 12 doubles, four triples and 14 home runs with 37 RBI. In fact, during the 10 games before his injury, Kieschnick had four multi-hit games and four home runs, including a 4-for-5 performance with two homers and six RBI on May 23. Kieschnick was a three-year starter for Tech, 2006-08, and was drafted in 2008 in the third round by the San Francisco Giants.
Zach Stewart (RHP - Starting Pitcher - Boston Red Sox - Triple-A - Pawtucket Red Sox)
- Stewart dominated in his most recent start (July 31) with eight strikeouts in five innings while allowing just one run on four hits in the win. Stewart is 2-2 with Pawtucket this year with a 3.76 ERA in seven starts. He has pitched 38.1 innings with 27 strikeouts and nine walks allowed. Stewart pitched one season at Tech in 2008 and was drafted in 2008 in the third round by the Cincinnati Reds.
Chad Bettis (RHP - Starting Pitcher - Colorado Rockies - Double-A - Tulsa Drillers)
- Bettis has not made an appearance this season while rehabbing a shoulder injury suffered in spring training. Bettis was named the California League Pitcher of the Year in 2011 while earning California League Mid and Postseason All-Star recognition. MLB.com named Bettis the organization's No. 3 prospect entering the season. Bettis pitched three years at Tech, 2008-10, and was drafted in 2010 in the second round by the Colorado Rockies.
AJ Ramos (RHP - Relief Pitcher - Miami Marlins - Double-A - Jacksonville Suns)
- Ramos made three scoreless relief outings last week with one save in three innings pitched. He tallied four strikeouts and allowed just one hit. During his last 10 appearances Ramos has allowed just two earned runs with a 1.69 ERA in 10.2 innings since July 13. He is 3-1 this season with 0.82 ERA in 45 appearances with 16 saves, 66 strikeouts and 18 walks allowed in 54.2 innings pitched. Ramos pitched four years at Tech, 2006-09, and was drafted in 2009 in the 21st round by the Florida Marlins.
James Leverton (LHP - Relief Pitcher - Miami Marlins - Double-A - Jacksonville Suns)
- Leverton pitched seven innings last week in two outings - one start - with seven strikeouts and four walks allowed while earning the win in his most recent appearance on Aug. 4. Leverton is 4-2 this season with a 3.59 ERA in 24 appearances (5 starts) with one save, 52.2 innings, 56 strikeouts and 17 walks allowed. Leverton pitched three years at Tech, 2006-08, and was drafted in 2008 in the 8th round by the Chicago Cubs.
Bobby Doran (RHP - Starting Pitcher - Houston Astros - Single-A (Advanced) - Corpus Christi Hooks)
- Doran, after being named a California League All-Star in the first half of the season, was promoted to Double-A Corpus Christi on June 22 and went 3-1 in Double-A this year. After moving back down to Class-A advanced (Lancaster), Doran went back up to Double-A where he pitched on Saturday going 6.1 innings allowing six runs on 11 hits with two strikeouts and three walks. Doran is 11-5 this season with a 4.13 ERA in 22 starts with 130.2 innings pitched, 87 strikeouts and 36 walks allowed. Doran pitched one season at Tech in 2010 and was drafted in 2010 in the third round by the Houston Astros.
Jay Johnson (LHP - Philadelphia Phillies - Double-A (Advanced) - Reading Phillies)
- Johnson pitched in a pair of games - both relief - last week with 1.1 innings and one strikeout while not allowing a run. Johnson hasn't allowed a run in his last three outings. He is 1-1 this season with a 2.45 ERA in 24 appearances with 25.2 innings, 31 strikeouts and 15 walks allowed. Johnson pitched one year at Tech in 2010 and was drafted in 2010 in the 26th round by the Toronto Blue Jays.
Nathan Karns (RHP - Washington Nationals - Single-A (Advanced) - Potomac Nationals)
- Karns, who has twice been named the Carolina Pitcher of the Week this season, has won eight consecutive decisions and was solid again this past week going five shutout-innings allowing only three hits with six strikeouts. Karns is 11-2 this year with a 1.83 ERA in 22 appearances (16 starts) with two complete games, two saves, 108 innings, 135 strikeouts and 42 walks allowed. Karns pitched two years at Tech, 2008-09, and was drafted in 2009 in the 12th round by the Washington Nationals.
Daniel Coulombe (LHP - Relief Pitcher - Los Angeles Dodgers - Single-A - Great Lakes Loons)
- Coulombe was promoted to Class A Great Lakes after making three appearances at the Rookie-League level. Coulombe has averaged 13.7 strikeouts/nine innings this season with 23 strikeouts in just 15.1 innings pitched. Coulombe struck out two batters in his only appearance last week (Aug. 4) pitching 0.2 innings. He is 0-0 with a 3.52 ERA in 14 appearances this year with 15.1 innings, 14 hits allowed, 23 strikeouts and eight walks allowed. Coulombe pitched two years at Tech, 2011-12, and was drafted in 2012 in the 25th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Zach Fowler (LHP - Baltimore Orioles - Single-A - Delmarva Shorebirds)
- Fowler has bounced around this season from Class A Advanced Fredrick all the way to Triple-A Norfolk. Fowler is 1-1 this season with a 3.21 ERA in 22 appearances with two saves and 47.2 innings pitched with 45 strikeouts and 16 walks. He most recently pitched for Frederick (Aug. 5) where he allowed one walk in 0.1 innings of work. Fowler pitched one year at Tech in 2011 and was drafted in 2011 in the 34th round by the Baltimore Orioles.
Robbie Kilcrease (LHP - Pittsburgh Pirates - Single-A - West Virginia Power)
- Kilcrease made three scoreless appearances last week while allowing just two walks and striking out a batter. He hasn't allowed an earned run since July 25. Over his last 10 outings, Kilcrease is 1-0 with a 0.71 ERA in 12.2 innings with 10 strikeouts and three walks allowed. This season Kilcrease is 1-2 with a 3.15 ERA in 35 appearances with three saves, 54.1 innings and 54 strikeouts with 22 walks allowed. Kilcrease pitched three years at Tech, 2008-09, 2011, and signed as a free agent in 2011 with the Pirates.
Jeremy Mayo (C - Washington Nationals - Single-A - Hagerstown Suns)
- Mayo is batting .196 (9-for-46) with five runs, four doubles and two RBI in 18 games played. Mayo played three years at Tech, 2008-2010, and was drafted in 2010 in the 31st round by the Washington Nationals.
Kelby Tomlinson (SS - San Francisco Giants - Single-A - Augusta GreenJackets)
- Tomlinson has hit safely in his past three games going 4-for-11. He is batting .229 (84-for-367) this season with 49 runs, six doubles, four triples, one home run and 32 RBI with 30-of-38 stolen bases. Tomlinson ranks eighth in the league with 30 stolen bases. Tomlinson played one year at Tech in 2011 and was drafted in 2011 in the 12th round by the San Francisco Giants.
Duke von Schamann (RHP - Starting Pitcher - Los Angeles Dodgers - Single-A - Great Lakes Loons)
- von Schamann went 0-2 last week in a pair of starts while allowing seven earned runs in 11 innings of work with five strikeouts and three walks allowed. He is 3-3 this season with a 2.76 ERA in 10 appearances (8 starts) with 49 innings pitched, 23 strikeouts and eight walks allowed. von Schamann pitched two years at Tech, 2011-12, and was drafted in 2012 in the 14th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Barrett Barnes (CF - Pittsburgh Pirates - Short-Season-A - State College Spikes)
- Barnes went on the disabled list and didn't play in a game last week. Barnes has hit safely in six of his last seven games while notching a pair of multi-hit games last week. His top performance of the week came on Friday going 2-for-3 with two runs, a double, homer and three RBI with two walks. Barnes is batting .293 (36-for-123) with 16 runs, six doubles, five home runs, 24 RBI and 16 walks with 10-of-14 stolen bases. Barnes played three years at Tech, 2010-12, and was drafted in 2012 in the supplemental first round by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Shane Broyles (RHP - Colorado Rockies - Short-Season-A - Tri-City Dust Devils)
- Broyles made one start last week going 4.2 innings with five strikeouts in a loss on Aug. 3. He is 3-2 this season with a 3.12 ERA in eight appearances (6 starts) with 36 strikeouts and just seven walks allowed. Broyles pitched one year at Tech in 2012 and was drafted in 2012 in the 14th round by the Colorado Rockies.
Jamodrick McGruder (2B/LF/CF - Seattle Mariners - Short-Season-A - Everett AquaSox)
- McGruder has back-to-back multi-hit games to enter the week after going 3-for-5 on Saturday and 2-for-5 with a triple on Sunday. He is batting .254 (43-for-169) this year with eight doubles, one triple, 10 RBI and leads the league with 20-of-25 stolen bases in 43 games. McGruder played three years at Tech, 2010-12, and was drafted in 2012 in the ninth round by the Seattle Mariners.
John Neely (RHP - Relief Pitcher - Houston Astros - Short-Season-A - Tri-City ValleyCats)
- Neely hasn't allowed an earned run since July 19 and has allowed just one earned run since July 8. He made only one appearance last week - a scoreless 1.0 inning outing where he tallied one strikeout on Friday. He is 0-0 with a 2.49 ERA in 11 appearances this season with 21.2 innings pitched, 15 strikeouts and six walks allowed. Neely pitched three years at Tech, 2010-12, and was drafted in 2012 in the 30th round by the Houston Astros.
Rusty Shellhorn (LHP - Starting Pitcher - Seattle Mariners - Short-Season-A - Everett AquaSox)
- Shellhorn made one appearance last week in a five-inning loss on Thursday with six strikeouts and just one walk. He is 2-2 this season with a 2.58 ERA in eight appearances and seven starts with 38.1 innings, 45 strikeouts and eight walks allowed. Shellhorn pitched one year at Tech in 2012 and was drafted in the 31st round by the Seattle Mariners.
Bo Altobelli (C - Minnesota Twins - Rookie League - Elizabethton Twins)
- Altobelli played in just one game last week going 0-for-2 with a run scored and a walk. Altobelli is batting .136 (6-for-44) with five runs, two doubles, five RBI and three walks in 12 games played. Altobelli played three years at Tech, 2010-12, and was drafted in 2012 in the 21st round by the Minnesota Twins.
Reid Redman (2B - Tampa Bay Rays - Rookie League - Princeton Rays)
- Redman has hit safely in eight of his last 10 games while batting .280 (42-for-150) with 31 runs, 10 doubles, two triples, two home runs and 20 RBI this season. Redman was a part of one of the longest games played in quite some time as he helped the Princeton Rays defeat the Pulaski Mariners 12-9 in 23 innings on August 3. The game actually started the day before but was suspended after 17 innings of play. Redman scored a run and drove in a run during Princeton's four-inning top of the 23rd inning which helped give the Rays the win. Both teams combined for 35 base hits while neither team scored a run between the 10th and 22nd inning. Redman went 1-for-6 in the contest. The game lasted seven hours and 48 minutes overall. Redman played two years at Tech, 2011-12, and was drafted in 2012 in the 23rd round by the Tampa Bay Rays.
