AUSTRALIANS IN THE MAJORS
Week in Review
Grant Balfour (Glenwood, NSW): After being designated for assignment on 19 April, Balfour was released by the Tampa Bay Rays on 27 April. Reports say that the Chicago Cubs could be interested in signing the veteran reliever, spurred by Grant’s connection to current Chicago and former Tampa skipper Joe Maddon.
Liam Hendriks (Carine, WA): After a strong start to the season and an up-and-down period in the middle of April, Liam closed out the month on a high note with a scoreless outing against the Boston Red Sox. Still working in middle relief out of the Toronto Blue Jays bullpen, Liam has a 4.70 ERA and 10 strikeouts in 7.2 innings pitched.
Though the Blue Jays (10-12, .455) slipped down to last place in the AL East, they remain just three games out of first place.
28 April – One pitch was all it took for Liam to record the third out in the bottom of the eighth inning, inducing a groundout to end the frame and earn his first hold of the season when the Blue Jays beat the Red Sox 11-8.
*Statistics for players are being compiled. Pitchers can be found here and batters here.
AUSTRALIA BASEBALL LEAGUE ALUMNI IN MLB
Didi Gregorius (Canberra Cavalry 2010/11): Gregorius continues to struggle at the plate as he settles in to the New York spotlight, hitting just .206 in 19 games. After working with Yankees third baseman Alex Rodrigiez, Gregorius showed signs of fluid defence, making several great plays. Still, the Yankees (13-9, .591) have won seven of their last ten games and are atop the pedestal of the AL East in first place.
Kevin Kiermaier (Canberra Cavalry 2011/12): Kiermaier has stayed consistent for the Rays through the team’s first 22 contests of the year, maintaining a .293 batting average and continuing to make breathtaking catches in centre field. He recently posted two multi-hit games against the Yankees, and hit a two-run triple that kickstarted the scoring in a 13-inning contest that the Tampa went on to win 3-2. The Rays (12-10, .545) sit tied for second place with the Red Sox, one game behind the first-place Yankees.
Brandon Maurer (Adelaide Bite 2010/11): After tossing a scoreless 1.1 innings against the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers, Maurer struggled in his most recent appearances against the Houston Astros, allowing two runs in 1.2 combined innings. Still, his transition from starter to reliever has been successful so far, with the 24-year-old posting a 1-0 record and 4.50 ERA in 10 innings pitched. The Padres (11-12, .478) sit tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks for third place in the NL West, one game behind the second-place Colorado Rockies and three games back of the first-place Dodgers.
UPCOMING TV SCHEDULE – MLB ON ESPN
All times AEST
|
Sat 2 May |
9:00 am |
ESPN’s Friday Night Baseball |
ESPN |
|
Sat 2 May |
9:00 am |
Washington Nationals v New York Mets |
|
|
Mon 4 May |
9:00 am |
Baseball Tonight: Sunday Night Countdown |
ESPN |
|
Mon 4 May |
9:00 am |
ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball |
ESPN |
|
Tue 5 May |
7:30 am |
Baseball Tonight |
ESPN 2 |
|
Tue 5 May |
9:00 am |
Baseball Tonight |
ESPN |
|
Tue 5 May |
10:00 am |
ESPN’s Monday Night Baseball |
ESPN |
|
Tue 5 May |
2:00 pm |
Baseball Tonight |
ESPN 2 |
|
Wed 6 May |
10:00 am |
ESPN’s Tuesday Night Baseball |
ESPN 2 |
|
Wed 6 May |
2:00 pm |
Baseball Tonight |
ESPN |
|
Thu 7 May |
7:30 am |
Baseball Tonight Presented by Fan Duel |
ESPN 2 |
|
Thu 7 May |
9:00 am |
ESPN’s Wednesday Night Baseball |
ESPN |
|
Thu 7 May |
12:00 pm |
Baseball Tonight |
ESPN |
|
Thu 7 May |
2:00 pm |
Baseball Tonight |
ESPN 2 |
MINOR LEAGUE ROUNDUP
• TRIPLE A: Perth native Matt Kennelly had his best game of the season for the Gwinnett Braves, driving in two runs against the Durham Bulls… After a few rough outings, John Holdzkom earned a win for the Indianapolis Indians as they walked off against the Louisville Bats… James Beresford raised his season batting average back above .300 with a trifecta of multi-hit games for the Rochester Red Wings.
• DOUBLE A: NSW’s Tim Atherton earned a promotion to Double A Midland, after posting a 1.17 ERA and striking out 31 batters in 23 innings pitched for High A Stockton… Perth native Warwick Saupold’s struggles continued for the Erie Seawolves when he earned his first loss of the season by surrendering seven earned runs in 4.2 innings on 26 April.
• HIGH A: Melbourne native Daniel McGrath is 1-1 with a 3.65 ERA in three starts for the Salem Red Sox… Sydneysider Todd Van Steensel has a 1.59 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 11.1 innings pitched for the Fort Myers Miracle.
• LOW A: Sydney’s Zac Shepherd is hitting .282 with eight RBIs in his last 10 games for the West Michigan Whitecaps… Sam Street has 14 strikeouts in 12 innings pitched for the West Virginia Power.
• EXTENDED SPRING TRAINING: After being released by the San Francisco Giants in Spring Training, Melbourne native and former Major Leaguer Travis Blackley is back in affiliated baseball, signing a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins.
COLLEGIATE NEWS
• Young talent is in the air in the American spring, with first-year shortstop and Perth native Robbie Glendinning in full bloom for the North Iowa Community College Trojans. Read more about Robbie here.
• 2010 MLB Academy participant and Darwin native Greg Mosel is 3-1 with a 5.21 ERA in 15 relief appearances for Southeast Missouri State University.
AT A GLANCE
• After earning a promotion to High A Fort Myers, Queenslander Logan Wade’s versatility is making an impression in South Florida.
Former Canberra Cavalry outfielder and current Rays centrefielder Kevin Kiermaier fielded questions from fans in MLB’s Edward Jones Chatting Cage. Watch Kevin talk about everything from his unorthodox pregame routine to his family’s old van here.
To subscribe to receive The Pitch direct to your inbox, click here.
AUSTRALIANS IN THE MAJORS
Week in Review
Grant Balfour (Glenwood, NSW): After being designated for assignment on 19 April, Balfour was released by the Tampa Bay Rays on 27 April. Reports say that the Chicago Cubs could be interested in signing the veteran reliever, spurred by Grant’s connection to current Chicago and former Tampa skipper Joe Maddon.
Liam Hendriks (Carine, WA): After a strong start to the season and an up-and-down period in the middle of April, Liam closed out the month on a high note with a scoreless outing against the Boston Red Sox. Still working in middle relief out of the Toronto Blue Jays bullpen, Liam has a 4.70 ERA and 10 strikeouts in 7.2 innings pitched.
Though the Blue Jays (10-12, .455) slipped down to last place in the AL East, they remain just three games out of first place.
28 April – One pitch was all it took for Liam to record the third out in the bottom of the eighth inning, inducing a groundout to end the frame and earn his first hold of the season when the Blue Jays beat the Red Sox 11-8.
*Statistics for players are being compiled. Pitchers can be found here and batters here.
AUSTRALIA BASEBALL LEAGUE ALUMNI IN MLB
Didi Gregorius (Canberra Cavalry 2010/11): Gregorius continues to struggle at the plate as he settles in to the New York spotlight, hitting just .206 in 19 games. After working with Yankees third baseman Alex Rodrigiez, Gregorius showed signs of fluid defence, making several great plays. Still, the Yankees (13-9, .591) have won seven of their last ten games and are atop the pedestal of the AL East in first place.
Kevin Kiermaier (Canberra Cavalry 2011/12): Kiermaier has stayed consistent for the Rays through the team’s first 22 contests of the year, maintaining a .293 batting average and continuing to make breathtaking catches in centre field. He recently posted two multi-hit games against the Yankees, and hit a two-run triple that kickstarted the scoring in a 13-inning contest that the Tampa went on to win 3-2. The Rays (12-10, .545) sit tied for second place with the Red Sox, one game behind the first-place Yankees.
Brandon Maurer (Adelaide Bite 2010/11): After tossing a scoreless 1.1 innings against the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers, Maurer struggled in his most recent appearances against the Houston Astros, allowing two runs in 1.2 combined innings. Still, his transition from starter to reliever has been successful so far, with the 24-year-old posting a 1-0 record and 4.50 ERA in 10 innings pitched. The Padres (11-12, .478) sit tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks for third place in the NL West, one game behind the second-place Colorado Rockies and three games back of the first-place Dodgers.
UPCOMING TV SCHEDULE – MLB ON ESPN
All times AEST
Sat 2 May
9:00 am
ESPN’s Friday Night Baseball
ESPN
Sat 2 May
9:00 am
Washington Nationals v New York Mets
Mon 4 May
9:00 am
Baseball Tonight: Sunday Night Countdown
ESPN
Mon 4 May
9:00 am
ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball
ESPN
Tue 5 May
7:30 am
Baseball Tonight
ESPN 2
Tue 5 May
9:00 am
Baseball Tonight
ESPN
Tue 5 May
10:00 am
ESPN’s Monday Night Baseball
ESPN
Tue 5 May
2:00 pm
Baseball Tonight
ESPN 2
Wed 6 May
10:00 am
ESPN’s Tuesday Night Baseball
ESPN 2
Wed 6 May
2:00 pm
Baseball Tonight
ESPN
Thu 7 May
7:30 am
Baseball Tonight Presented by Fan Duel
ESPN 2
Thu 7 May
9:00 am
ESPN’s Wednesday Night Baseball
ESPN
Thu 7 May
12:00 pm
Baseball Tonight
ESPN
Thu 7 May
2:00 pm
Baseball Tonight
ESPN 2
MINOR LEAGUE ROUNDUP
• TRIPLE A: Perth native Matt Kennelly had his best game of the season for the Gwinnett Braves, driving in two runs against the Durham Bulls… After a few rough outings, John Holdzkom earned a win for the Indianapolis Indians as they walked off against the Louisville Bats… James Beresford raised his season batting average back above .300 with a trifecta of multi-hit games for the Rochester Red Wings.
• DOUBLE A: NSW’s Tim Atherton earned a promotion to Double A Midland, after posting a 1.17 ERA and striking out 31 batters in 23 innings pitched for High A Stockton… Perth native Warwick Saupold’s struggles continued for the Erie Seawolves when he earned his first loss of the season by surrendering seven earned runs in 4.2 innings on 26 April.
• HIGH A: Melbourne native Daniel McGrath is 1-1 with a 3.65 ERA in three starts for the Salem Red Sox… Sydneysider Todd Van Steensel has a 1.59 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 11.1 innings pitched for the Fort Myers Miracle.
• LOW A: Sydney’s Zac Shepherd is hitting .282 with eight RBIs in his last 10 games for the West Michigan Whitecaps… Sam Street has 14 strikeouts in 12 innings pitched for the West Virginia Power.
• EXTENDED SPRING TRAINING: After being released by the San Francisco Giants in Spring Training, Melbourne native and former Major Leaguer Travis Blackley is back in affiliated baseball, signing a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins.
COLLEGIATE NEWS
• Young talent is in the air in the American spring, with first-year shortstop and Perth native Robbie Glendinning in full bloom for the North Iowa Community College Trojans. Read more about Robbie here.
• 2010 MLB Academy participant and Darwin native Greg Mosel is 3-1 with a 5.21 ERA in 15 relief appearances for Southeast Missouri State University.
AT A GLANCE
• After earning a promotion to High A Fort Myers, Queenslander Logan Wade’s versatility is making an impression in South Florida.
Former Canberra Cavalry outfielder and current Rays centrefielder Kevin Kiermaier fielded questions from fans in MLB’s Edward Jones Chatting Cage. Watch Kevin talk about everything from his unorthodox pregame routine to his family’s old van here.
To subscribe to receive The Pitch direct to your inbox, click here.