Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Pro Raiders make case for September call up
8/31/2017 2:30:00 PM | Baseball
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – As postseason baseball looms, the final deadline for Major League Baseball clubs to expand their rosters approaches. On September 1st, each roster will increase from 25 to 40 for the final call-up of the season. Here's an update on how some Blue Raiders have fared throughout the season, and which Raiders have the best chance to make a big league roster this year.
Bryce Brentz | OF | Pawtucket Red Sox (Boston) | Triple-A
Despite his dominance at the plate for much of the year, Brentz has yet to make the jump from triple-A to the majors for the Red Sox. However, he continues to make his case and Red Sox manager John Farrell is taking notice.
"He's having a big year," Farrell said. "I think he's in one of those spots where he'll force his way to the big leagues. That's kind of where he's at right now."
Brentz has always presented a strong potential for power, which is why the Red Sox drafted him in the first round in 2010. But that potential came to fruition this summer after a change in his stance at the plate, which included an addition of a toe-tap of his front foot, and he hasn't looked back since.
Brentz has been one of the most productive hitters in the International League this season, where he is currently leading the league in home runs (30), third in total bases (228), third in slugging percentage (.581), fourth in RBIs (82), 13th in total hits (116) and 16th in average (.274). Brentz also won the International League home run derby during all-star weekend. It was announced today that Brentz was named to the IL postseason All-Star team.
With September call-ups just around the corner, Brentz is trying to make any lasting impression he can, including a strong showing last week against the Buffalo Bisons when he went 2-for-3 with two home runs and four RBIs, his third multi-home run game this season.
He certainly has the numbers to justify his case to be on the Red Sox 40-man roster.
Zac Curtis | LHP | Arkansas Travelers (Seattle) | Double-A
So far, Zac Curtis remains the only Blue Raider alumnus to make it to the majors in 2017. Curtis went through two brief stints in Seattle in both May and June, when he pitched a total of 4-2/3 innings without giving up an earned run. However, the Seattle front office wanted to see him continue to develop in their farm system and now Curtis currently resides in double-A, where he was named a mid-season all-star for the Arkansas Travelers.
For the Travelers, Curtis has pitched 49-2/3 innings in 40 appearances out of the bullpen with a 3.62 ERA and a 3.11 strikeout-to-walk ratio. As their designated closer, he also leads the team in saves, 13 in 17 opportunities including five of his last six. Among pitchers on the Travelers who thrown at least 35 innings, Curtis is fifth in WHIP with 1.23.
Curtis remains a strong candidate to be called up for the Mariners due to their shaky starting rotation this season. When you consider that he is one of the only major league-caliber left-handed pitchers being considered for a call-up and a recent report that Seattle will rely more on their bullpen down the final stretch with Felix Hernandez headed to the DL, his chances seem favorable for a September call-up.
Matt Blackham | RHP | Columbia Fireflies (New York Mets) | High-A
Despite being used exclusively out of the bullpen, Matt Blackham has been one of the Fireflies best pitchers this season. While Columbia has a team ERA of 3.39, Blackham boasts a 1.48 ERA in his 54-2/3 innings of work this season (second best among Columbia pitchers with at least 50 innings pitched). Blackham is also third on the team in strikeouts (79), while doing so at a much higher rate than his counterparts (13K/9 versus 10.3K/9 and 6.5K/9 respectively).
While he has a 4-2 record, he also is 7-of-9 in save opportunities in the closer role. Blackham's dominance on the mound has compounded in the last two months, where he has not allowed an earned run dating all the way back to June 27th (18 appearances & 24-2/3 innings).
Michael McKenry | C | Durham Bulls (Tampa Bay) | Triple-A
McKenry has appeared in 70 games for the Bulls this season, registering a .337 on-base percentage. In a recent showing of power, McKenry hit a double in three straight games for Durham from Aug. 18-23. He also recorded a streak of reaching base safely in seven straight games dating back to July 17th through August 2nd. During that time, McKenry hit three doubles and also recorded eight walks.
Hunter Adkins | RHP | Durham Bulls (Tampa Bay) | Triple-A
On August 30th Hunter Adkins was rewarded for his strong play through the season, receiving a call-up from double-A Montgomery Biscuits to the Durham Bulls. In his two stints at the double-A level, Hunter Adkins has been utilized as both a bullpen and starting pitcher. He has thrown 58 innings for the Biscuits, with a 2-3 record and two saves. One of Adkins highlights of the season came on July 23rd when he went five innings, striking out five batters and only allowing two earned runs while getting the win. Additionally, in his most recent outing for Montgomery, Adkins threw two hitless innings out of the bullpen in middle relief work.
Ronnie Jebavy | CF | San Jose Giants (San Francisco) |High-A
Jebavy has spent much of this season building upon his success of his 2016 campaign with San Jose that saw him play 127 games in the field. The 2015 draft pick has been a defensive staple in centerfield, making highlight reel plays for the Giants all season. Jebavy has maintained a consistent performance, for the Giants this season, mirroring his contact and power numbers from last year (.247 average in 2016 vs .246 in 2017). As the leadoff hitter for San Jose, Jebavy has been a sparkplug, hitting .253 with 16 runs scored, 10 doubles and two triples.
Heath Slatton | RHP | San Jose Giants (San Francisco) | High-A
Like Jebavy, Slatton has spent most of his time this season with the San Jose Giants. Through this season Slatton has been a utility arm for the Giants throwing a total of 44-1/3 innings. He's made six starts on the mound and also had 14 appearances out of the bullpen, including a couple save opportunities. In his six starts, Slatton is 3-3 with 49 strikeouts and 23 walks. On May 5th Slatton had a career day, throwing five innings and only giving up one run with a career high 10 strikeouts.
Riley Delgado | SS | Rome Braves (Atlanta) | Single-A
Delgado, a ninth round selection for the Braves, hitting .232 through 22 games thus far for Danville. The 260th overall pick had his strongest performance of the season in the Braves doubleheader on August 8th against the Bristol Pirates. He finished the day 4-for-6 scoring one run as Danville split the two games. Delgado recently was promoted to the Rome Braves.
Cody Puckett | LHP | Arizona League Atheltics (Oakland) | Rookie Ball
Puckett is an arm used often out of the bullpen for the Athletics. In his 13 appearances, Puckett has thrown 17 innings striking out 26 batters. In his last six outings, dating back to August 1, Puckett has thrown 7-1/3 innings and only given up one earned run.
Benji Cash | 1B | Burlington Royals (Kansas City) | Rookie Ball
Also playing at the professional level is Benji Cash. A one-year letterman at Middle Tennessee, Cash was an undrafted free agent who signed with the Royals organization in June of 2016. This year Cash has only appeared in 26 games for Burlington, hitting six doubles and two homeruns.
Bryce Brentz | OF | Pawtucket Red Sox (Boston) | Triple-A
#ICYMI: PawSox Outfielder @Bbrentz7 now leads the IL with 30 Home Runs.
— PawSox (@PawSox) August 24, 2017
Yeah, you should come see this guy play ?? https://t.co/NmGWFYDGg4 pic.twitter.com/nEFpsiULk2
Despite his dominance at the plate for much of the year, Brentz has yet to make the jump from triple-A to the majors for the Red Sox. However, he continues to make his case and Red Sox manager John Farrell is taking notice.
"He's having a big year," Farrell said. "I think he's in one of those spots where he'll force his way to the big leagues. That's kind of where he's at right now."
Brentz has always presented a strong potential for power, which is why the Red Sox drafted him in the first round in 2010. But that potential came to fruition this summer after a change in his stance at the plate, which included an addition of a toe-tap of his front foot, and he hasn't looked back since.
Brentz has been one of the most productive hitters in the International League this season, where he is currently leading the league in home runs (30), third in total bases (228), third in slugging percentage (.581), fourth in RBIs (82), 13th in total hits (116) and 16th in average (.274). Brentz also won the International League home run derby during all-star weekend. It was announced today that Brentz was named to the IL postseason All-Star team.
With September call-ups just around the corner, Brentz is trying to make any lasting impression he can, including a strong showing last week against the Buffalo Bisons when he went 2-for-3 with two home runs and four RBIs, his third multi-home run game this season.
He certainly has the numbers to justify his case to be on the Red Sox 40-man roster.
Zac Curtis | LHP | Arkansas Travelers (Seattle) | Double-A
.@Zac_Curtis16 with a 1-2-3 9th to finish it! TRAVS WIN! TRAVS WIN! Bring on the fireworks!!!!
— Arkansas Travelers (@ARTravs) August 26, 2017
FINAL
Tulsa 3
#ARTravs 4
So far, Zac Curtis remains the only Blue Raider alumnus to make it to the majors in 2017. Curtis went through two brief stints in Seattle in both May and June, when he pitched a total of 4-2/3 innings without giving up an earned run. However, the Seattle front office wanted to see him continue to develop in their farm system and now Curtis currently resides in double-A, where he was named a mid-season all-star for the Arkansas Travelers.
For the Travelers, Curtis has pitched 49-2/3 innings in 40 appearances out of the bullpen with a 3.62 ERA and a 3.11 strikeout-to-walk ratio. As their designated closer, he also leads the team in saves, 13 in 17 opportunities including five of his last six. Among pitchers on the Travelers who thrown at least 35 innings, Curtis is fifth in WHIP with 1.23.
Curtis remains a strong candidate to be called up for the Mariners due to their shaky starting rotation this season. When you consider that he is one of the only major league-caliber left-handed pitchers being considered for a call-up and a recent report that Seattle will rely more on their bullpen down the final stretch with Felix Hernandez headed to the DL, his chances seem favorable for a September call-up.
Matt Blackham | RHP | Columbia Fireflies (New York Mets) | High-A
Matt Blackham struck out Ben Johnson during a quick + scoreless 9th pic.twitter.com/AAYrovxCY9
— Astro (@Astromets31) August 30, 2017
Despite being used exclusively out of the bullpen, Matt Blackham has been one of the Fireflies best pitchers this season. While Columbia has a team ERA of 3.39, Blackham boasts a 1.48 ERA in his 54-2/3 innings of work this season (second best among Columbia pitchers with at least 50 innings pitched). Blackham is also third on the team in strikeouts (79), while doing so at a much higher rate than his counterparts (13K/9 versus 10.3K/9 and 6.5K/9 respectively).
While he has a 4-2 record, he also is 7-of-9 in save opportunities in the closer role. Blackham's dominance on the mound has compounded in the last two months, where he has not allowed an earned run dating all the way back to June 27th (18 appearances & 24-2/3 innings).
Michael McKenry | C | Durham Bulls (Tampa Bay) | Triple-A
McKenry has appeared in 70 games for the Bulls this season, registering a .337 on-base percentage. In a recent showing of power, McKenry hit a double in three straight games for Durham from Aug. 18-23. He also recorded a streak of reaching base safely in seven straight games dating back to July 17th through August 2nd. During that time, McKenry hit three doubles and also recorded eight walks.
Hunter Adkins | RHP | Durham Bulls (Tampa Bay) | Triple-A
On August 30th Hunter Adkins was rewarded for his strong play through the season, receiving a call-up from double-A Montgomery Biscuits to the Durham Bulls. In his two stints at the double-A level, Hunter Adkins has been utilized as both a bullpen and starting pitcher. He has thrown 58 innings for the Biscuits, with a 2-3 record and two saves. One of Adkins highlights of the season came on July 23rd when he went five innings, striking out five batters and only allowing two earned runs while getting the win. Additionally, in his most recent outing for Montgomery, Adkins threw two hitless innings out of the bullpen in middle relief work.
Ronnie Jebavy | CF | San Jose Giants (San Francisco) |High-A
Jebavy has spent much of this season building upon his success of his 2016 campaign with San Jose that saw him play 127 games in the field. The 2015 draft pick has been a defensive staple in centerfield, making highlight reel plays for the Giants all season. Jebavy has maintained a consistent performance, for the Giants this season, mirroring his contact and power numbers from last year (.247 average in 2016 vs .246 in 2017). As the leadoff hitter for San Jose, Jebavy has been a sparkplug, hitting .253 with 16 runs scored, 10 doubles and two triples.
Heath Slatton | RHP | San Jose Giants (San Francisco) | High-A
Like Jebavy, Slatton has spent most of his time this season with the San Jose Giants. Through this season Slatton has been a utility arm for the Giants throwing a total of 44-1/3 innings. He's made six starts on the mound and also had 14 appearances out of the bullpen, including a couple save opportunities. In his six starts, Slatton is 3-3 with 49 strikeouts and 23 walks. On May 5th Slatton had a career day, throwing five innings and only giving up one run with a career high 10 strikeouts.
Riley Delgado | SS | Rome Braves (Atlanta) | Single-A
Delgado, a ninth round selection for the Braves, hitting .232 through 22 games thus far for Danville. The 260th overall pick had his strongest performance of the season in the Braves doubleheader on August 8th against the Bristol Pirates. He finished the day 4-for-6 scoring one run as Danville split the two games. Delgado recently was promoted to the Rome Braves.
Cody Puckett | LHP | Arizona League Atheltics (Oakland) | Rookie Ball
Puckett is an arm used often out of the bullpen for the Athletics. In his 13 appearances, Puckett has thrown 17 innings striking out 26 batters. In his last six outings, dating back to August 1, Puckett has thrown 7-1/3 innings and only given up one earned run.
Benji Cash | 1B | Burlington Royals (Kansas City) | Rookie Ball
Also playing at the professional level is Benji Cash. A one-year letterman at Middle Tennessee, Cash was an undrafted free agent who signed with the Royals organization in June of 2016. This year Cash has only appeared in 26 games for Burlington, hitting six doubles and two homeruns.
Players Mentioned
SS
/ Baseball
LHP
/ BaseballFacility tour – Stephen and Denise Smith Student-Athlete Performance Center
Wednesday, July 30
Spring Sports Show hosted by The Boulevard – April 21, 2025: Softball and Baseball
Monday, April 21
🎥 from the 52nd annual Groundhog Day Luncheon! Also, we play baseball this month 🤩
Sunday, February 02
MTSU Baseball 2025 52nd Annual Groundhog Day Luncheon
Friday, January 31
