Boilers in Pro Ball | Summer League Links
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- Currently leading the league in saves while being a perfect 15-for-15 in opportunities, Purdue baseball alumnus Brad Schreiber has been selected as a Midseason All-Star in the Florida State League.
A Boilermaker from 2010-13, Schreiber is in his second full season of pro ball after signing with the Tampa Bay Rays as a summer free agent in 2013. He was previously drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2009 and Minnesota Twins in 2012.
Schreiber has helped the Charlotte Stone Crabs compile an FSL-best 38-18 record after he worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning June 6 to close out a 7-6 win over the Jupiter Hammerheads (Miami Marlins affiliate). As part of a rehab assignment, 2013 National League Rookie of the Year José Fernández started the game on the mound for Jupiter.
Schreiber has compiled a 1.42 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 25 1/3 innings pitched over 21 appearances for the Stone Crabs this season. He was one of six Charlotte players named to the FSL South Division All-Star Team. The Stone Crabs are 22-5 at home and have already built a 10-game lead in the South Division as of June 7.
The Florida State League All-Star Game is set for Saturday, June 20, and will be hosted by the St. Lucie Mets. In 2013, Schreiber's former Purdue teammates Cameron Perkins (2010-12) and Nick Wittgren (2011-12) were also selected as Midseason All-Stars in the FSL.
Congratulations to six Stone Crab players who were named for the FSL All-Star Game! pic.twitter.com/ds8lU9qcXX
-- Charlotte StoneCrabs (@StoneCrabs) June 8, 2015
Schreiber is one of three former Boilermakers currently serving as the closer for his pro team. After being promoted to the Triple-A level in April, Wittgren recently took over as the New Orleans Zephyrs' closer and has racked up five saves in his last six relief appearances for the Marlins affiliate dating back to May 23. Meanwhile, Andy Loomis (2007-08) has opened the season as the Gary RailCats' closer and recorded five saves in his first six appearances for the American Association team. Dan Sattler (2004-07) is also pitching well in independent ball. In his first season with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League, the right-hander has surrendered just two hits while striking out 17 in 13 innings of relief. Somerset is a league-best 29-13 as of June 7.
After a slow start to the minor league season, Perkins has heated up as of late for the Reading Fightin Phils, the Phillies Double-A affiliate in the Eastern League. He's batting .368 (14-for-38) during a 10-game hitting streak and has gone deep six times in the last 14 games. Perkins recently reemerged among the Phillies' Top 30 prospects at MLBpipeline.com. Wittgren is 18th on the Marlins' list at the same website.
With Maikel Franco graduaing from @Phillies Top 30 Prospects list, OF Cameron Perkins enters: http://t.co/OehukIGrFU pic.twitter.com/W1TDrz3H8g
-- MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) June 5, 2015
Kevin Plawecki (2010-12) continues to be a regular starter at catcher for the New York Mets and has now played in 33 games since being called up April 19. However, Travis d'Arnaud began his rehab assignment June 4 and could replace Plawecki on the Mets' 25-man roster after d'Arnaud returns from injury (broken hand). Numerous Mets pitchers have praised Plawecki for his work behind the plate during his first big-league stint.
Former Boilermakers Dan Black (2007-09) and Josh Lindblom (2007-08) are now both playing in the Korean Baseball Organization. Black was off to a strong start this season at Triple-A with the Charlotte Knights (Chicago White Sox) before being granted his release in late May to pursue the opportunity in Korea. In his first four games for the KT Wiz, Black is 8-for-15 with a double and five RBI. He was batting .324 with 13 extra-base hits and 24 RBI in 34 games for Charlotte before heading to Korea. Meanwhile, Lindblom has been one of the top starting pitchers in the KBO. He's 7-3 with a 3.09 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 81 2/3 innings over 12 starts for the Lotte Giants. As of June 7, he ranks among the top five in the league in wins, strikeouts, ERA and innings.
In summer league ball, Gavin Downs has been Purdue's top performer so far. The rising senior put together his third straight quality start for the Lakeshore Chinooks for the Northwoods League Sunday (June 7). He worked seven innings of one-run ball and has now surrendered just two runs, along with no walks, over 22 innings in his first three starts for a Lakeshore team that also features Kyle Wood.
In the Midwest Collegiate League, Jordan Lewis has already homered twice for the Northwest Indiana Oilmen. Alec Olund (7-for-21, 4 RBI) and Lewis have helped the Oilmen to a 5-1 start while playing each of their first six games on the road.
Jordan Lewis of @PurdueBaseball hit a 2-run hr in the 3rd that helped the @NWIOilmen win 7-4 over @LexSnipes. #MCL pic.twitter.com/RCcZoQOIiZ
-- NWI Oilmen (@NWIOilmen) June 7, 2015
Michael Vilardo homered twice for the Addison Braves Saturday (June 6) in game one of a home-opening doubleheader sweep.
Farther from home, Jack Picchiotti has started eight of the first nine games to help the Peninsula Pilots jump out to a 7-2 start in the Coastal Plain League. On the West Coast, Daniel Sander (7-for-22, 6 walks, 7 RBI)and Harry Shipley have been regulars early on for a Palm Springs Power team that is 6-3 in the SoCal Collegiate League. Justin Gubser (9-for-29, 4 XBH, 9 RBI) is also off to strong start for the Menlo Park Legends, which have won six of their first eight, of the California Collegiate League.
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