Jayhawks in the Pros Update #3

June 22, 2010

Jayhawks in the Pros Stats Update Get Acrobat Reader

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Throughout the course of the 2010 season, kuathletics.com will provide updates for the 15 former Jayhawks who are currently playing within the ranks of professional baseball.

Jayhawks in MLB:

  • Left-handed pitcher Tom Gorzelanny is in his second season with the Chicago Cubs and has posted a 2-5 record with a 3.48 ERA in nine starts through the first 11 weeks of the season. Gorzelanny has pitched predominantly out of the bullpen lately, allowing just two hits and no runs in four relief outings. He pitched at KU during the 2002 season.

Jayhawks in Class AAA:

  • Third baseman Travis Metcalf has swung a hot bat through the first half of the 2010 season. The former Jayhawk, who played at KU from 2002-04, is batting .312 in his first 63 games with the Colorado Springs Sky Sox – an affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. Metcalf went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored against Las Vegas Monday night. Metcalf has six homers, 37 RBIs and a .516 slugging percentage this season as he looks to get back to the major leagues.
  • Despite putting up sparkling numbers, left-handed pitcher Mike Zagurski has been a tough-luck hurler this season. Zagurski, who played at KU from 2004-05, is 0-2 with a 2.35 ERA in 30 2/3 innings for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs – an affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. In his last 10 outings, Zagurski has not allowed a run, while he has held opponents hitless in his last five appearances. Overall, teams are batting just .195 against him this year, and have struck out 45 times compared to just 13 walks.

Jayhawks in Class AA:

  • Left-handed pitcher Sam Freeman was placed on the disabled list on April 16. Freeman, who pitched at KU in 2008, is currently with the Springfield Cardinals – an affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. Last season, Freeman split time between Springfield and Palm Beach, going 2-2 with a 2.41 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 56 innings.

Jayhawks in Class A:

  • After being released by the New York Yankees’ organization in spring training, catcher Buck Afenir was picked up by the Tri-City ValleyCats – an affiliate of the Houston Astros organization. Afenir, who played at KU from 2006-09, went 1-for-4 with an RBI in his first game with the ValleyCats on Sunday.
  • Left-handed pitcher Travis Blankenship earned a win in his professional debut on Friday, June 18 for the Tri-City ValleyCats – an affiliate of the Houston Astros organization. Blankenship, who played at KU from 2009-10, pitched 1 1/3 perfect innings against the Connecticut Tigers, recording two strikeouts.
  • Left-handed pitcher Nick Czyz has posted a 2-0 record with a 5.34 ERA in 10 appearances for the High Desert Mavericks – an affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. Czyz, who pitched at KU from 2006-08, has pitched out of the bullpen for most of the year, recording 17 strikeouts in 28 2/3 innings.
  • Left-handed pitcher Shaeffer Hall was promoted to the higher Class A level in late May and has responded by going 3-0 with a 1.04 ERA in three starts with the Tampa Yankees – an affiliate of the New York Yankees. Hall, who pitched at KU from 2008-09, tossed 5 2/3 innings on Thursday, June 17, allowing two runs on six hits with a walk and five strikeouts against Clearwater. In 13 games between Charleston and Tampa, Hall has gone 5-2 with a 1.69 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 85 1/3 innings.
  • Outfielder Brian Heere made his professional debut on Saturday, June 19 for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers – a minor league affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. Heere, who played at KU from 2008-10, recorded his first base hit in Tuesday’s game against the Auburn Doubledays.
  • Infielder Erik Morrison is looking to get back on track after a slow start with the Bakersfield Blaze – an affiliate of the Texas Rangers. Morrison, who played at KU from 2005-08, is batting .216 with four homers and 17 RBIs and 16 runs scored.
  • Outfielder David Narodowski is also looking to bounce back from a slow first half with the South Bend Silver Hawks – an affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Narodowski, who played at KU in 2009, is batting .195 with three stolen bases and 14 runs scored in 43 games this season.
  • Infielder Robby Price enjoyed a successful pro debut on Friday, June 18 for the Hudson Valley Renegades – an affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. Price, who played at KU from 2007-10, homered and drove in two runs in the Renegades’ season-opener against Aberdeen.
  • Right-handed pitcher Paul Smyth continues to impress at the Advanced Class A level for the Stockton Ports – an affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. Smyth, who pitched at KU from 2006-09, is 2-2 in with a 1.54 ERA and 10 saves in 26 relief appearances for the Ports. Over his last 10 appearances, Smyth has allowed just one earned run on nine hits with two walks and 15 strikeouts.
  • Infielder Tony Thompson recorded his first professional hits in the last two days for the Vancouver Canadians – an affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. Thompson, who played at KU from 2008-10, started his pro career 0-for-8, but recorded a pair of singles in games Sunday and Monday.
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