Jayhawks in the Pros - Spring Training Update
March 23, 2012
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Several former Jayhawks played in major league spring training games this month and look to be in prime position to make an impact in their organizations this year. Heading into the 2012 regular season, there are 15 players that are in major league organizations who played collegiately at the University of Kansas.
Sam Freeman: LHP Sam Freeman pitched in three major league games for the St. Louis Cardinals this spring, allowing three runs in 2 2/3 innings. Freeman, who pitched at Class AA Springfield last year, went 2-2 with a 3.16 ERA with two saves and 59 strikeouts in 68 1/3 innings.
Tom Gorzelanny: LHP Tom Gorzelanny has pitched in three games this spring for the Washington Nationals. Gorzelanny has recorded six strikeouts in five innings on the mound. Last season, Gorzelanny posted a 4-6 record with a 4.03 ERA in 30 appearances for the Nationals with 95 strikeouts in 105 innings.
Robby Price: IF Robby Price played in Tampa Bay’s spring training game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday afternoon in Bradenton, Fla. Price had a sacrifice and also struck out against the Pirates. Price played for the Class A Bowling Green Hot Rods last year, batting .283 with 25 doubles, five triples and six homers in 127 games.
T.J. Walz: RHP T.J. Walz pitched in a major league spring training game for the Oakland Athletics on March 17 against the San Francisco Giants. Walz retired the Giants in order in the eighth inning in his only appearance for the big league A’s this spring. Last season, Walz pitched at two different levels of A-ball and posted a combined record of 4-1 with a 1.99 ERA in 21 relief appearances.
Mike Zagurski: LHP Mike Zagurski has made quite an impression with his new team – the Arizona Diamondbacks – this spring. The former Jayhawk has pitched in six games this spring and posted a 1.50 ERA, allowing one run on three hits with two walks and seven strikeouts in six innings on the mound. Zagurski was traded from the Philadelphia Phillies to the Diamondbacks this offseason.
Other former Jayhawks that are vying for spots in professional organizations include: Brett Bochy (San Francisco), Shaeffer Hall (New York Yankees), Brian Heere (Cleveland), Brandon Macias (Milwaukee), Erik Morrison (Chicago White Sox), Colton Murray (Philadelphia), David Narodowski (Arizona), Cameron Selik (Washington), Paul Smyth (Oakland) and Tony Thompson (Oakland).
