Beaver Baseball Alum Report

Beaver baseball season is in full swing (pun most definitely intended) and spring training games have begun for major league clubs, so we thought we’d give you a rundown on some former Beavers in the professional ranks and what to expect from them this season.

Jacoby Ellsbury

Ellsbury returns for his 4th season as a member of the New York Yankees after spending his first 7 seasons as a member of the Red Sox. Ellsbury, who finished second in AL MVP voting in 2011, likely has his best days behind him, but the outfielder is still expected to be a key contributor for the Yankees as they try to return to contention.

Darwin Barney

The former OSU shortstop revitalized his career last season with the Blue Jays, using his athleticism to transform from a middle infielder to a utility man playing all over the diamond. While not an everyday starter Barney’s versatility should get him plenty of playing time in Toronto.

Michael Conforto

After a hot start to his career Conforto struggled in year 2, bouncing between the Mets and their AAA affiliate. The Mets outfield picture is currently crowded, but Conforto has started the spring extremely well making fellow outfielders Jay Bruce and/or Curtis Granderson expendable if the Mets are able to find a willing trade partner.

Josh Osich

Following his time in Corvallis, the 6’2” lefty was drafted in the 6th round of the 2011 draft. Osich made his major league debut in July 2015 and has since carved out a role in the Giants bullpen.

Matt Boyd

Currently battling for a spot in the Tigers starting rotation, Boyd is likely to be the odd man out to start the season, but if he continues to pitch the way he did last season in his stint with the Tigers it wont be long before he is a big league starter.

Andrew Susac

Traded out of Buster Posey’s shadow in San Francisco to the Milwaukee Brewers last season, the former Beaver backstop has a chance to be the primary catcher for the Brew Crew this year.

Cole Gillespie

After a 6 year career in the bigs involving stops in Arizona, San Francisco, Chicago(NL), Seattle, Toronto and Miami the 2006 Pac-10 player of the year signed a contract with the Pericos de Puebla of the Mexican Baseball League for the 2017 season.

Stefen Romero

Last year the outfielder shuttled between the Mariners and their triple-A team in Tacoma. This offseason Romero requested his release from the Mariners to pursue an opportunity to play for the Orix Buffaloes in Japan.

Daniel Robertson

The journeyman outfielder signed a minor league contract with the Indians in November. The contract included an invitation to major league spring training, giving Robertson a shot to be the teams 4th outfielder. The former 33rd round pick has also had stops with the Texas Rangers, Los Angleles Angles of Anaheim and the Seattle Mariners.

Andrew Moore

Many thought the Mariners reached by drafting Moore in the second round of the 2015 MLB Draft, but the former Beav ace has rewarded the organization’s faith by flying through the minors and knocking on the door of the MLB. The Mariners #5 overall prospect is likely destined to start 2017 in triple-A Tacoma, but the organization expects him in Seattle sooner than later.

Tyler Smith

The slick fielding middle infielder split time last season between double-A and triple-A in the Seattle Mariners organization. Smith was invited to big league camp, and will get plenty of opportunity during the spring with the Mariners starting second baseman Robinson Cano and shortstop Jean Segura both leaving camp soon to play in the World Baseball Classic.

Sam Gaviglio

The 6’2” righty out of Ashland spent last season with the Seattle Mariners triple-A affiliate in Tacoma. The expectation is he will again be in Tacoma, but may have a chance to make his big league debut some time during the 2017 season. Gaviglio will pitch for Italy in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

Ben Wetzler

Wetzler, who now goes by Ben Holmes, enters his 3rd full season in the Miami Marlins Organization. Holmes has spent the past two seasons in single A ball, but will have a chance to move up to double-A with a good spring.

Jorge Reyes

After spending a few years in the minor leagues Reyes now pitches for the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican Baseball League. During his time in triple-A El Paso Reyes became a viral sensation after the team convinced fellow teammate Jeff Francoeur that Reyes was deaf, a prank that lasted a month and is the epitome of minor league baseball.

Joey Wong

Follwing an 8 year career in the Colorado Rockies organization the former Sprague High Olympian is a currently free agent. Wong will represent China in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

Kraig Sitton

Pitched in 35 games for triple-A Tacoma of the Mariners organization last year. Signed a minor league deal with the San Francisco Giants in the offseason and is expected to pitch for triple-A Sacramento.

Jeff Hendrix

Has combined to hit .293 in several stops in single-A over the past two seasons while battling injuries. The outfielder will have to stay healthy to navigate a deep Yankee farm system

Jace Fry

The Chicago White Sox prospect missed all of last season as he recovered from his second Tommy John surgery. Fry is healthy and was invited to major league spring training.

Dylan Davis

The power hitting Giants prospect hit 26 home runs last year while playing single-A ball. Davis will likely start the season in single-A, but if he proves last year’s power numbers weren’t a fluke he could make the jump to double-A

Danny Hayes

The first baseman hit 10 home runs in 55 games for the White Sox triple-A affiliate last season. Hayes is currently with the major league team for spring training, but is expected to begin the season in triple-A

Caleb Hamilton

Spent last season playing center field in rookie league ball for the Minnesota Twins organization. Expect to see him spend 2017 at the single-A level

Logan Ice

The #22 overall prospect in the Cleveland organization spent last year at the single-A level. Scouts love his defensive abilities behind the plate, and if he can improve his numbers from the batter’s box he should start to climb the minor league ladder

John Pomeroy

The 6’5” lefty pitched 13 innings of rookie ball after being drafted in the 13th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Likely destined for single-A ball in 2017

Trever Morrison

After being drafted in the 12th round last year the former Beav shortstop spent the season with the Helena Brewers of the rookie ball league. Morrison should begin 2017 in single-A ball

Travis Eckert

Pitched in rookie ball last year after being selected by the Royals in the 7th round of the draft. The righty will likely spend 2017 at the single-A level.

Bonus-Mitch Canham

The former Beaver catcher has moved on from the playing field to the coaching ranks. Last year he led the Clinton Lumberjacks(single-A) to a playoff spot and was named the Seattle Mariners minor league coach of the year. During the off-season Canham was promoted and will manage the Modesto Nuts(advanced-A) in 2017.