Texas Tech University Athletics
Red Raiders in the Major Leagues: Week 7 Update
August 07, 2013 | Baseball
Bettis was one of three Red Raiders to make an MLB debut during an 18-day stretch
Aug. 7, 2013
LUBBOCK, Texas - The Texas Tech baseball program started the 2013 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 2013 MLB season, Texas Tech athletics communications will provide weekly updates on former Red Raiders competing at the major league and minor league level.
Chad Bettis (RHP - Starting Pitcher - Colorado Rockies)
Bettis became the 27th Texas Tech player to make it to and play in the big leagues last Thursday when he made his MLB debut in a start at Atlanta. Bettis suffered the loss in his debut allowing five runs on six hits in five innings with a strikeout and five walks. He became the seventh Tech pitcher to debut in the show as a starting pitcher and is the seventh youngest Red Raider to make his MLB debut. Bettis will make his second MLB start in the series opener at the New York Mets tonight at 6:10 p.m. CT. Bettis pitched three seasons at Tech, 2008-2010 and was drafted in 2010 in the second round by the Colorado Rockies.
Colt Hynes (LHP - Relief Pitcher - San Diego Padres)
Hynes made four appearances last week where he didn't allow an earned run with four strikeouts and two walks allowed. He is 0-0 with a 4.91 ERA in eight outings with the Padres this season after also pitching in Double-A and Triple-A. Hynes has pitched 7.1 innings with six strikeouts and two walks allowed. Hynes pitched two seasons at Tech, 2006-07, and was drafted in 2007 in the 31st round by the San Diego Padres.
Jeff Karstens (RHP - Starting Pitcher - Pittsburgh Pirates)
Karstens underwent right shoulder rotator cuff and labrum surgery in June and is expected to miss 10-12 weeks of action. The 2013 season will mark Karsten's eighth as a big leaguer while owning 26 career wins and a 4.44 career ERA in 138 appearances and 92 starts. Karstens pitched one season at Tech in 2003 and was drafted in 2003 in the 19th round by the New York Yankees.
Roger Kieschnick (OF -San Francisco Giants)
Kieschnick became the 26th Texas Tech player to make his MLB debut last week as he started in left field and batted seventh during the Giants' 9-2 win over the Phillies while Kieschnick went 2-for-5 with two RBI. His first two big-league at-bats were RBI singles - and since has recorded at least one hit in four of five games. Kieschnick is batting .353 (6-for-17) with a run and three RBI. Kieschnick was a three-year starter for Tech, 2006-08, and was drafted in 2008 in the third round by the San Francisco Giants.
AJ Ramos (RHP - Relief Pitcher - Miami Marlins)
Ramos hasn't allowed an earned run in 18 of his last 19 outings (since June 15) while emerging as one of the top rookie relief pitchers in baseball. Since July 13, Ramos has posted 10 appearances with a 0.75 ERA in 12.0 innings with 16 strikeouts and six walks allowed. Ramos is 3-4 this season with a 3.09 ERA in 46 outings with 58.1 innings pitched, 61 strikeouts and 27 walks allowed. Ramos pitched four years at Tech, 2006-09, and was drafted in 2009 in the 21st round by the Florida Marlins.
Josh Tomlin (RHP - Starting Pitcher - Cleveland Indians)
Tomlin had successful Tommy John surgery on his right pitching elbow in August of 2012 and was placed on the team's 60-day disabled list on February 15. He has been throwing off the mound in rehab work, but is expected to miss most of if not all of the 2013 season for the Tribe. Tomlin pitched one season at Tech in 2006 and was drafted in 2006 in the 19th round by the Cleveland Indians.
Bobby Doran (RHP - Starting Pitcher - Houston Astros - Triple-A - Oklahoma City RedHawks)
Doran got the call up to Triple-A last week after making three spot starts with Oklahoma City throughout the season. He made one start last week for the RedHawks allowing four runs on eight hits in a no decision with three strikeouts and two walks allowed. Doran is 8-2 this minor league season with a 3.48 ERA in 26 outings (16 starts) with two saves, 108.2 innings pitched and 74 strikeouts with 28 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 - Relief Pitcher - Philadelphia Phillies - Triple-A - Lehigh Valley IronPigs)
Johnson made a pair of relief outings last week while pitching 1.1 innings with a strikeout while allowing two runs and four walks without giving up a base hit. He is 2-3 this season in both Double-A and Triple-A with a 3.56 ERA in 44 outings with three saves, 43.0 innings, 53 strikeouts and 36 walks allowed. Johnson pitched one year at Tech in 2010 and was drafted in 2010 in the 26th round by the Toronto Blue Jays.
James Leverton (LHP -Relief Pitcher - Miami Marlins - Triple-A - New Orleans Zephyrs)
Since receiving a promotion to Triple-A, Leverton has been impressive in 23 outings with a 3-1 record, 2.43 ERA and 40.2 innings pitched with just 23 hits allowed and 38 strikeouts with 13 walks. Last week he made three appearances with four strikeouts in 5.2 innings pitched allowing three runs on three this. This season - in both Double-A and Triple-A, Leverton is 4-2 with a 3.56 ERA in 34 outings with 60.2 innings pitched, 57 strikeouts and 15 walks allowed. Leverton pitched three years at Tech, 2006-08, and was drafted in 2008 in the 8th round by the Chicago Cubs.
Dustin Richardson (LHP - Starting/Relief Pitcher - Los Angeles Angels - Triple-A - Salt Lake Bees)
Richardson made just one outings last week - a start going 5.2 innings allowing four runs on four hits with seven strikeouts and two walks allowed. He is 4-2 this season with a 5.88 ERA in 12 outings (7 starts) with 41.1 innings, 35 strikeouts and 25 walks allowed. Richardson pitched two seasons at Tech, 2005-06, and was drafted in 2006 in the fifth round by the Boston Red Sox.
Zach Stewart (RHP - Starting Pitcher - Chicago White Sox - Triple-A - Charlotte Knights)
Stewart took the loss in his only outings last week during a four-inning start allowing seven runs on 10 hits with two strikeouts and two walks allowed. He is 5-12 this season with a 5.12 ERA in 22 starts with 128.1 innings pitched, 95 strikeouts and 28 walks allowed. Stewart pitched one season at Tech in 2008 and was drafted in 2008 in the third round by the Cincinnati Reds.
Nathan Karns (RHP - Starting Pitcher - Washington Nationals - Double-A - Harrisburg Senators)
Karns became the 24th Red Raider to make his MLB debut earlier this season (May 28) but has since been sent back down to Double-A Harrisburg. Karns was dominated during his lone start last week when he struck out 11 batters in eight innings while suffering the loss allowing three runs on five hits. Karns has struck out seven or more batters in five straight starts and has 29 strikeouts over his last three starts. Karns is 7-5 this season in the minor leagues with a 3.41 ERA in 18 starts with two complete games, 100.1 innings pitched, 121 strikeouts and allowed 40 walks. Karns pitched two years at Tech, 2008-09, and was drafted in 2009 in the 12th round by the Washington Nationals.
Kelby Tomlinson (SS -San Francisco Giants - Double-A - Richmond Flying Squirrels)
Tomlinson tallied two hits last week while now batting .121 (4-for-33) in 10 games at the Double-A level. This season, in all minor league levels, Tomlinson is batting .251 (49-for-195) with 23 runs, eight doubles, one triple, one home run, 18 RBI and 19 walks with seven 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 - Los Angeles Dodgers - Double-A - Chattanooga Lookouts)
von Schamann led Class A with eight wins before being promoted to Double-A in the middle of June. von Schamann took the loss last week in his only start allowing eight runs on 11 hits in 3.2 innings with four strikeouts. He is 10-6 on the season - in both Single-A and Double-A - with a 4.45 ERA in 21 starts with 115.1 innings pitched, 91 strikeouts and 31 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.
Daniel Coulombe (LHP - Relief Pitcher - Los Angeles Dodgers - Class A Advanced - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes)
Coulombe made three outings last week - two were scoreless - while pitching 3.2 innings with four strikeouts allowing two runs on two hits and issuing three walks. Coulombe has 64 strikeouts this season with 55 innings pitched with a 2-2 record and 4.58 ERA in 45 outings. 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 - Relief Pitcher - Baltimore Orioles - Class A Advanced - Frederick Keys)
Fowler allowed just one run in two outings last week while pitching 3.1 innings with two strikeouts and allowing one walk and five hits. Fowler is 3-4 this season with a 2.68 ERA in 30 outings with two saves, 57.0 innings pitched with 43 strikeouts and 20 walks allowed. Fowler pitched one year at Tech in 2011 and was drafted in 2011 in the 34th round by the Baltimore Orioles.
Robbie Kilcrease (LHP - Relief Pitcher - Pittsburgh Pirates - Class A Advanced - Bradenton Marauders)
Kilcrease remains one of the top middle relievers in Class-A Advanced in the Florida State League with a 1.35 ERA. He is 4-1 in 32 outings with seven saves, 53.1 innings pitched and 36 strikeouts with 18 walks allowed. Last week he made only one outing with two innings pitched without allowing a run with one strikeout. Kilcrease pitched three years at Tech, 2008-09, 2011, and signed as a free agent in 2011 with the Pirates.
Bo Altobelli (C - Minnesota Twins - Single-A - Cedar Rapids Kernals)
Altobelli was promoted last week to Class-A Cedar Rapids and went 1-for-3 in his Single-A debut on Sunday. Overall this season, Altobelli is batting .304 (7-for-23) with a double and two walks. Altobelli played three years at Tech, 2010-12, and was drafted in 2012 in the 21st round by the Minnesota Twins.
Barrett Barnes (OF -Pittsburgh Pirates - Single-A - West Virginia Power)
Following a doubleheader on July 23, Barnes was placed on the disabled list injuring his right hamstring, the same hamstring that limited Barnes' action earlier this season. He is currently batting .268 (49-for-183) with 26 runs, nine doubles, five home runs, 24 RBI and 17 walks with 10 stolen bases in 46 games this season. Barnes played three years at Tech, 2010-12, and was drafted in 2012 in the first round by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Jamodrick McGruder (LF - Seattle Mariners - Single-A - Clinton LumberKings)
McGruder started the month of August hot going 6-for-10 with three runs scored an RBI and two stolen bases during his first two games of the month. Overall, in Short-Season A and Class-A, McGruder is batting .267 (27-for-101) with 22 runs, two doubles, three triples, a home run and eight RBI with 10 stolen bases. McGruder played three years at Tech, 2010-2012, and was drafted in 2012 in the ninth round by the Seattle Mariners.
Rusty Shellhorn (LHP - Relief Pitcher - Seattle Mariners - Single-A - Clinton LumberKings)
Shellhorn suffered a season-ending knee injury during his last outing on June 7 as he tore the ACL in his right knee while covering first base. He finishes the season 0-1 with a 5.48 ERA in 11 appearances - 4 starts - with 21.1 innings, 15 strikeouts and 14 walks allowed while opponents batted .326 against him. Shellhorn pitched one year at Tech in 2012 and was drafted in 2012 in the 31st round by the Seattle Mariners.
Andre Wheeler (LHP - Relief Pitcher - Chicago White Sox - Single-A - Kannapolis Intimidators)
Wheeler made his second appearance in Class-A last week allowing two runs on three hits with four strikeouts in two innings of work. He is now 0-1 with a 4.24 ERA in both Short-Season A and Class-A with two saves, 17.0 innings pitched, 25 strikeouts and five walks allowed. Wheeler pitched three years at Tech, 2011-13, and was drafted in 2013 in the 15th round by the Chicago White Sox.
Shane Broyles (RHP - Starting Pitcher - Colorado Rockies - Short-Season A - Tri-City Dusters)
Broyles has been impressive since being moved to Tri-City in Short-Season A following his start of the season at Class-A Asheville. Broyles picked up a pair of wins last week in two relief outings with six strikeouts in three innings without allowing a run or base hit. In 10 Short-Season A outings, Broyles is 5-0 with a 0.89 ERA with 20.1 innings pitched with 34 strikeouts and eight walks allowed. Broyles pitched one year at Tech in 2012 and was drafted in 2012 in the 14th round by the Colorado Rockies.
Trey Masek (RHP - Starting Pitcher - Chicago Cubs - Short-Season A - Boise Hawks)
Masek made one relief outing last week pitching two innings without allowing an earned run with five strikeouts and allowing two hits. In Short-Season A this season, Masek is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in seven outings - all relief - with 12.0 innings pitched, 14 strikeouts and six walks allowed. Masek pitched three years at Tech, 2011-13, and was drafted in 2013 in the fifth round by the Chicago Cubs.
Jerad McCrummen (RHP - Relief Pitcher - Colorado Rockies - Short-Season A - Tri-City Dust Devils)
McCrummen made three outings last week - all out of the bullpen - with three innings pitched with three strikeouts and allowed three runs on four hits. He is 2-1 this season with a 2.37 ERA in 16 outings with one save, 19.0 innings pitched with 15 strikeouts and four walks allowed. McCrummen pitched three years at Tech, 2011-2013, and was drafted in 2013 in the 23rd round by the Colorado Rockies.
Reid Redman (RHP - Florida Marlins - Short-Season A - Batavia Muckdogs)
Redman has made the switch from position player to pitcher while joining the Miami Marlins following spring training and is now a reliever in the organization. Redman made a pair of scoreless outings last week pitching three innings allowing one hit with six strikeouts and one walk allowed. Redman has made seven consecutive scoreless relief outings and has struck out multiple batters in four of his last nine outings. On the season, Redman is 1-1 with a 1.13 ERA in 11 appearances with 16.0 innings pitched with 16 strikeouts and three walks allowed. Redman played two years at Tech, 2011-12, and was drafted in 2012 in the 23rd round by the Tampa Bay Rays.
