Frogs in the Pros: August 6-12, 2015

Here's a look at how the 7 MLB Frogs fared the week of August 6-12, 2015:

**A note from RustyFrog...

Today happens to be the birthday of my all-time favorite baseball Hall-of-Famer, so I have to give a huge shoutout to... my dad, Art Mory!  Back in 1973, my dad played in the Babe Ruth Little League World Series, in the 13-15 year old division.  He was named "Most Outstanding Player" (even though his team lost the series), which apparently earns you a spot in Cooperstown at the National Baseball Hall of Fame.  He is recovering from a very gnarly partial knee replacement at the moment, so here's my Frogs o' War birthday salute to my dad, from his #1 Fan.  This one is for you...

Jake Arrieta (P/Chicago Cubs) - The Cubs met the Giants on August 9, and Arrieta played another great game.  He hit a triple in the bottom of the 2^nd and scored on the following play.  He allowed 4 hits but the Giants couldn't get home on Arrieta's watch.  He struck out 6 and walked 2.  The Cubs won 2-0, making for his 4^th shutout in the last 10 games he started.  Arrieta's ERA is currently 2.38 with a .99 WHIP.  You can see more stats from his 2015 season here.

Matt Carpenter (3B/St. Louis Cardinals) - Break out some Alicia Keys tunes for this update, because this boy is on fire.  On August 6, The Cardinals played the Reds in Cincinnati.  Carpenter hit a double and scored in the top of the 5^th.  The Cardinals won 3-0.  On August 7 against the Brewers, Carpenter hit a double and scored in the top of the 5^th (again), and doubled in the top of the 7^th.  Cardinals won 6-0.  On August 8, the Cardinals faced the Brewers again.  Carpenter was the lead-off batter and hit a homer in the top of the 1^st.  Cardinals won 3-0.  On August 9, the Cardinals faced the Brewers a third time and Carpenter hit a 3-run homer in the top of the 7^th.  The Brewers still managed to pull off the 5-4 win with runs in the 8^th.  Carpenter didn't have much luck against the Pirates on August 11 and 12^th.  He got on a base a few times but couldn't get home.  On August 13^th, he managed to score in the bottom of the 1^st after being walked.  He scored again in the bottom of the 7^th after bunting to get on base and advancing on a wild pitch.  The Cardinals lost 10-5.  Carpenter's AVG is currently .269.  For more stats from Carpenter's 2015 season, click here.

Andrew Cashner (P/San Diego Padres) - Cashner and the Padres met the Phillies on August 9^th at home.  He managed to get on base in the bottom of the 3^rd but couldn't make it home.  He got on base in the bottom of the 5^th after an error by Philadelphia third baseman, Maikel Franco, but couldn't score.  He pitched 6.1 innings and allowed 8 hits and 3 runs, including a homerun by Odubel Herrera.  He struck out 4 and didn't walk anyone, but the Padres still lost 5-3.  His ERA is currently 4.09 with a 1.35 WHIP.  For more of Cashner's stats, click here.

Taylor Featherston (3B/Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim) - The Angels played the Orioles at home on August 9^th.  Featherston managed to get on base but couldn't make it into scoring position.  The Angels won 5-4 in extra innings.  On August 12 against the White Sox, Featherston was a pinch runner and managed to score in the top of the 9^th.  The Angels lost 3-2 in 13 innings.  Featherston's AVG is currently .126.  You can see more of his season here.

Brandon Finnegan (P/Cincinnati Reds) -  On August 6^th, Reds GM Walt Jocketty made it clear that Finnegan will be starting with the Louisville Triple-A team throughout August.  Finnegan will likely join the Reds in September.  While we're always happy to see Finny starting any kind of baseball game, this deal sits a little sour with me. By keeping him in the minors, it appears the Reds are preventing him from being a "Super Two" player and salary-arbitration-eligible.  That's a fancy way of saying that they don't really have to pay him what he's worth and he can't fight it because he hasn't played enough games this season.  Keeping him in the minors insures that.  Come on, Cincinnati, I'm losing more respect for you by the minute.  If you want to read more about this whole salary arbitration thing, you can do so here.  But fair warning:  you'll probably just end up pissed off and wanting to shoot blood from your eyes at the Cincy GM.

For stats on Finnegan's minor league season, check out the recap below.

Bryan Holaday (C/Detriot Tigers) - The Tigers moved Holaday to their Triple-A team in Toledo on July 3^rd.  Check out stats on his Triple-A season below.  You can find his MLB stats here.

Chad Huffman (Outfielder/Chiba Lotte Marines) -  Huffman continues to stay on the insanely huge Lotte roster.  We're still waiting patiently for his chance to show Japan what Frogs are made of (and I'm sure he will).  His AVG currently sits at .260.  You can continue to follow his season here and here.

And now here's a look at the 25 Frogs currently competing in Minor League Baseball:
(Click on a player's name for full stats. Click on a team name for full team information.)

Jason Coats – OF/Charlotte Knights (Chicago White Sox AAA) - Seasons at TCU: 2009-2013. Seasons in Pro Baseball: 2013-Present. Jason Coats continues to swing a hot bat in Charlotte. The power-hitting outfielder has combined to go 9-30 with five doubles and a home run during a seven-game span from August 6-12. Coats has registered at least one hit in 13 of his lasts 16 starts, including six of his last seven. Coats is batting .271 on the season. The Knights are currently six games out of first place in the South Division of the International League with about three weeks left in the regular season.

Brandon Finnegan – P/Louisville Bats (Cincinnati Reds AAA) - Seasons at TCU: 2012-2014. Seasons in Pro Baseball: 2014-Present. Brandon Finnegan has made just one start for the Louisville Bats since our last report. On August 9, Finnegan struggled with the Durham Bulls, as he allowed seven earned runs on six hits, including a home run, in 3.2 innings of work. He also struck out five and walked one. His AAA ERA on the year has ballooned up to 7.83. With Louisville 11.5 games out of a playoff spot, it will be interesting to see if Finnegan gets called up to Cincinnati’s big league club once MLB rosters expand on September 1.

Bryan Holaday – C/Toledo Mud Hens (Detroit Tigers AAA) - Seasons at TCU: 2008-2010. Seasons in Pro Baseball: 2010- Present. Bryan Holaday’s struggles at the plate have continued into August. In three starts since August 6, Holaday hit just 1-13 with four strikeouts. It appears that his hitting slump is costing him some starts in Toledo. On the year, Holaday is batting just .187 and his on-base percentage is as season-low .245. Holaday is going to have a tough time rejoining the Tigers in Detroit unless he can swing his way out of his recent hitting slump.

Matt Purke – P/Harrisburg Senators (Washington Nationals AA) - Seasons at TCU: 2010-2011. Seasons in Pro Baseball: 2011-Present. Matt Purke has made two starts since our last report. On August 6, against the Akron RubberDucks, Purke went 4.0 innings, allowing three earned runs on six hits while striking out four and walking none. On August 12, he again gave up three earned runs on six hits, striking out two and walking none in 5.0 innings against the Reading Fightin Phils. The Senators find themselves 10.5 games out of a playoff spot with just three weeks remaining on the season.

Kyle Winkler – P/Arkansas Travelers (Los Angeles Angels AA) - Seasons at TCU: 2009-2011. Seasons in Pro Baseball: 2011 –Present. Since August 6, Kyle Winkler has made two relief appearances for the Travelers. In a combined 2.1 innings of work, he has allowed no runs and just two hits while walking one and striking out one. Purke’s ERA on the year is down to 2.76, while his WHIP is just 1.09. The Travelers are locked in a tight playoff race with the Springfield Cardinals. Arkansas sits just one game out of first place in the North Division of the Texas League with three weeks remaining.

Jantzen Witte – 1B/Portland Sea Dogs (Boston Red Sox AA) - Seasons at TCU: 2009-2013. Seasons in Pro Baseball: 2013-Present. Jantzen Witte remains on the Sea Dogs’ Disabled List. The first baseman hasn’t made an appearance since July 16 after suffering an undisclosed injury. In 85 games with the Sea Dogs this season, Witte is batting .283 with 89 hits and 48 RBI.

Stefan Crichton – P/Frederick Keys (Baltimore Orioles A-Advanced) - Seasons at TCU: 2011-2013. Seasons in Pro Baseball: 2013- Present. Stefan Crichton was promoted to the Baltimore Orioles’ A-Advanced team earlier this week. He made one final appearance before leaving Delmarva on August 7. In that outing, he allowed four earned runs on four hits with a walk and a strikeout in 1.2 innings of work. After arriving in Frederick, Crichton allowed just two hits and no runs while striking out three in an August 12 relief appearance. The righty figures to be another strong arm out of the bullpen as the Keys make a final playoff push. The team currently sits just 4.0 games out of first place in the Northern Division of the Carolina League.

Kevin Cron – 1B/Visalia Rawhide (Arizona Diamondbacks A-Advanced) - Seasons at TCU: 2012-2014. Seasons in Pro Baseball: 2014-Present. Kevin Cron has hit 9-29 in six starts since our last update. In that span, he has a double, three homers, seven RBI, and has accounted for 19 total bases. Against the Inland Empire 66ers on August 9, Cron went 3-5 at the plate and was a triple away from the cycle. He accounted for three RBI and scored two runs in that contest. On the year, he is batting .270 with a slugging percentage of .499. The Rawhide need Cron’s bat to stay warm, as they currently hold a two game lead for first place in the North Division of the California League.

Paul Hendrix – SS/Lynchburg Hillcats (Cleveland Indians A-Advanced) - Seasons at TCU: 2013. Seasons in Pro Baseball: 2013-Present. Paul Hendrix put together a solid week at the plate following our last update. In six starts since August 6, he has combined to hit 9-26 with three doubles and three RBI. Hendrix racked up three hits in five at-bats against the Potomac Nationals on August 6. The Hillcats are currently in first place in the Northern Division of the Carolina League. Stefan Crichton’s Frederick Keys are four games back.

Jordan Kipper – P/Inland Empire 66ers (Los Angles Angels A-Advanced) - Seasons at TCU: 2014. Seasons in Pro Baseball: 2014-Present. Since last week’s update, Jordan Kipper has made two starts for the Inland Empire 66ers. On August 6, he struggled against the Visalia Rawhide. In 2.2 innings of work, Kipper was tagged for seven earned runs on nine hits while walking one and striking out two. Two of Kipper’s seven earned runs in the contest were via a Kevin Cron home run, as Kipper’s former teammate at TCU went deep in the third inning. Kipper bounced back on August 12, allowing only two earned runs on three hits while striking out two and walking three in 5.0 innings of work against the Lancaster JetHawks. The 66ers find themselves just two games out of a playoff spot with three weeks left in the season.

Trevor Seidenberger – P/Brevard County Manatees (Milwaukee Brewers A-Advanced) - Seasons at TCU: 2013. Seasons in Pro Baseball: 2013-Present. Trevor Seidenberger made just one appearance since August 6. On Monday night, he pitched 2.0 innings of scoreless baseball, giving up three hits, walking one, and striking out three. On the season, Seidenberger is 0-0 with a 2.45 ERA out of the Manatees’ bullpen. Brevard County is currently in the precarious position of sitting nine games out of first place in the North Division of the Florida State League.

Tejay Antone – P/Dayton Dragons (Cincinnati Reds A-Full Season) - Seasons at TCU: 2013. Seasons in Pro Baseball: 2014-Present. Since our last update, Antone has made only one start for the Dragons. Against Riley Ferrell’s Quad Cities River Bandits on August 9, Antone pitched a gem, allowing one unearned run on six hits while striking out three and walking two in 7.0 innings of work. The win lowered Antone’s ERA to 2.93 on the season. The Dragons are 9.0 games out of first place in the Western Division of the Midwest League.

Riley Ferrell – P/Quad Cities River Bandits (Houston Astros A-Full Season) - Seasons at TCU: 2013-2015. Seasons in Pro Baseball: 2015-Present. Riley Ferrell was placed on the River Bandits’ Disabled List after an August 1 relief appearance. In 15.0 total innings this season, he has allowed two earned runs on seven hits while walking 11 and striking out 15. Along with a 1.20 ERA, Ferrell has one save in two opportunities.

Nick Frey – P/Peoria Chiefs (St. Louis Cardinals A-Full Season) - Seasons at TCU: 2011-2014. Seasons in Pro Baseball: 2014-Present. Nick Frey has only appeared once in relief since our last report. He was a hit away from a perfect inning of work against the Dayton Dragons on August 11. On the year, Frey is 0-0 with a 5.14 ERA. The Chiefs trail the Kane County Cougars by two games for first place in the Western Division of the Midwest League.

Andrew Mitchell – P/Kannapolis Intimidators (Chicago White Sox A-Full Season) - Seasons at TCU: 2011-2013. Seasons in Pro Baseball: 2013-Present. Mitchell is nearing a full year after his last start with Kannapolis. He remains on the team’s disabled list.

Jerrick Suiter – OF/West Virginia Power (Pittsburgh Pirates A-Full Season) - Seasons at TCU: 2012-2014. Seasons in Pro Baseball: 2014-Present. Jerrick Suiter is currently swinging his way through a bit of a hitting slump. In six starts since August 6, he is hitting just 3-26 with two RBI and five strikeouts. Most recently, on August 12, Suiter went 2-4 with an RBI against the Delmarva Shorebirds. His average is still hovering around .300 and currently sits at .302 on the season. Suiter will likely be looking at some playing time in the postseason, as the Power currently have a 5.0 game lead for first place in the Northern Division of the South Atlantic League.

Trey Teakell – P/West Michigan Whitecaps (Detroit Tigers A-Full Season) - Seasons at TCU: 2011-2015. Seasons in Pro Baseball: 2015-Present. Trey Teakell has made two relief appearances since our last update. He has been perfect in 5.0 total innings – no hits, no runs, no walks, and two strikeouts. His ERA on the season currently sits at a miniscule 0.93. The Whitecaps trail Fort Wayne by two games for first place in the Eastern Division of the Midwest League.

Tyler Alexander – P/Connecticut Tigers (Detroit Tigers A-Short Season) - Seasons at TCU: 2014-2015. Seasons in Pro Baseball: 2015-Present. Tyler Alexander is continuing his reign of terror in the New York-Penn League of A-Short Season baseball. The lefty has made one start since our last update, going 3.0 innings and allowing one unearned run on four hits while striking out three. On the season, Alexander has a 0.72 ERA in 25.0 total innings of work. In eight starts, he has given up just two earned runs on 10 hits while striking out 20 and walking four. The Tigers are steadily climbing in the standings and currently find themselves just 2.5 games out of a playoff spot.

Keaton Jones – SS/Connecticut Tigers (Detroit Tigers A-Short Season) - Seasons at TCU: 2012-2015. Seasons in Pro Baseball: 2015-Present. Unlike his aforementioned teammate in Connecticut, Keaton Jones is having a little bit more trouble on the diamond. In two starts since out last update, he has combined to go 1-8 with a double and five strikeouts. Keaton’s slash line on the year has fallen to .178/.196/.311. He is hitting just 3-18 since being demoted to Connecticut from Lakeland.

Preston Morrison – P/Eugene Emeralds (Chicago Cubs A-Short Season) - Seasons at TCU: 2012-2015. Seasons in Pro Baseball: 2015-Present. Preston Morrison picked up his first professional win in an August 10 defeat of the Boise Hawks. In 3.0 innings, he gave up just two hits while walking one and striking out four. His ERA on the year dropped to a miniscule 0.84. The Emeralds are just 0.5 games out of first place in the South Division of the Northwest League.

Alex Young – P/Hillsboro Hops (Arizona Diamondbacks A-Short Season) - Seasons at TCU: 2013-2015. Seasons in Pro Baseball: 2015-Present. Alex Young was promoted from the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Rookie League team to their A-Short Season team last week. His first start for the Hillsboro Hops came on August 6 as he pitched one inning, allowing just one hit. On August 12, he entered the game in the 9^th inning with a 3-2 lead and struck out the side, earning his first professional save. Young has made three appearances this season and has yet to allow a run.

Cody Jones – OF/Idaho Falls Chukars (Kansas City Royals Rookie League) - Seasons at TCU: 2013-2015. Seasons in Pro Baseball: 2015-Present. Cody Jones continues life as one of the Chukars’ everyday outfielders. In six starts since August 6, he combined to hit 6-28 with a double, one RBI, and five strikeouts. He also stole four bases in that span. On the season, CoJo is batting 0.304 with a .389 on-base percentage. The Chukars currently have a one game lead for first place in the North Division of the Pioneer League.

Patrick O'Brien - P/GCL Yankees2 (New York Yankees Rookie League) - Seasons at TCU: 2013. Seasons in Pro Baseball: 2015-Present. Since our last update, Patrick O’Brien has made just one appearance, picking up his first professional win in the process. Against the GCL Braves on August 10, O’Brien pitched 2.0 relief innings and allowed two earned runs on one hit while walking one and striking out two. In five appearances for the GCL Yankees2, O’Brien has a 4.15 ERA.

Scott Atchison – P/Free Agent - Seasons at TCU: 1995-1999. Seasons in Pro Baseball: 1999-Present. Atchison’s days as a professional baseball player could be numbered. He was released from the Minnesota Twins’ AA club following a relief appearance on July 13. The 17-year veteran is currently a free agent.

Josh Elander – OF/Free Agent - Seasons at TCU: 2010-2013. Seasons in Pro Baseball: 2013-Present. Elander is currently a free agent after being released by the Arizona Diamondbacks’ A-Full Season squad in May. The outfielder is a career .273 hitter with 220 hits and 135 RBI.

Stay tuned as the pennant races heat up and we inch closer to postseason baseball!