June 29, 2007

ATLANTA - Summer baseball is in full swing, for the current and now former Yellow Jackets, as well as the incoming recruits. The following is a glimpse of what the Georgia Tech baseball team has been up to since the season ended:

2007 Yellow Jackets in Pro Baseball
Ten Yellow Jackets were taken in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft, with six already beginning their pro careers.

Danny Payne, a first round supplemental pick by San Diego, began his professional career in Eugene, Ore. with the Eugene Emeralds, and is currently hitting .286 with 14 walks, seven runs scored and one RBI and is a perfect 6-for-6 in stolen bases. He also has a .535 on-base percentage.

Shortstop Michael Fisher, a sixth-round draft pick by Atlanta, is playing for the Danville Braves, where he is hitting .409 with a double, triple, home run and six RBI.

Left-handed pitcher Tim Ladd, a ninth-round selection by Atlanta, is also with the Danville Braves. He has a 2.08 ERA with five strikeouts in two appearances this season, tossing 4.1 innings. He is holding opponents to a .188 average.

Wally Crancer, a 12th round selection by the Orioles, has begun his career with the Aberdeen Ironbirds. He is hitting .188 with a pair of doubles, five RBI and two walks.

Jared Hyatt and Ryan Turner, 33rd round and 45th round selections, respectively, by the Texas Rangers, are both playing for the AZL Rangers. Hyatt owns a 4.91 ERA in two appearances (3.2 IP) while Turner hasn't allowed an earned run in two appearances.

Matt Wieters (1st round, Baltimore), Eddie Burns (16th round, Atlanta), David Duncan (23rd round, Washington) and Luke Murton (40th round, New York Yankees) all remain unsigned.

In the Cape Cod League
Five Yellow Jackets are playing baseball in the Cape, which began in mid-June. Outfielder Curtis Dupart is with the Cotuit Kettlers, pitcher Chris Hicks and outfielder/first baseman Luke Murton are with the Wareham Gatemen, right-hander Eddie Burns is pitching with the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox, and infielder Patrick Long is with the Hyannis Mets.

Eddie Burns - 2-0, 2 Starts, 1.38 ERA, 13 IP, 7 K, 3 BB
Curtis Dupart - .269, 2B, 3B, HR, 6 R, 2 RBI, 4 BB, 3 SB
Chris Hicks - 5 App., 1.29 ERA 7.0 IP, 2 Sv, 4 K, 0 BB
Patrick Long - .195, 5 R, 3 RBI, 4 BB, 1SB
Luke Murton - .118, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB

In the Northwoods League
Nine Yellow Jackets are currently participating in the Northwoods League, including four (pitcher Zach Von Tersch, catcher Jason Haniger, outfielder Chris House and first baseman Tony Plagman) with the Duluth Huskies. Pitcher Andrew Robinson plays for the Alexandria Beetles, pitcher Michael Hutts and infielder Ryan Tinkoff are with the Madison Mallards, infielder Jeff Ussery is with the Green Bay Bullfrogs and pitcher Elliott Ogawa is a member of the Eau Claire Express.

The following are updated stats for the Yellow Jackets, through games of June 28.

Jason Haniger - .197, 5 RBI, 4 2B, 2 SB, .262 SLG
Chris House - .276, 12 R, 4 2B, 12 SB, 6 RBI, .385 OBP
Michael Hutts - 1-2, 4.03 ERA, 6 APP, 4 GS, 22.1 IP, 10 K, .297 OppAvg.
Elliott Ogawa - 1.64 ERA, 3 APP, 2 GS, 11.0 IP, 8K
Tony Plagman - .180, 1 2B, 5 RBI, 7 BB, .320 OBP
Andrew Robinson - 2-1, 3.71 ERA, 6 APP, 5 GS, 26.2 IP, 19 K, .255 OppAvg.
Ryan Tinkoff - .176, 3 H, 5 BB, 2 SB, .400 OBP
Jeff Ussery - .211, 3 RBI, 1 BB, .304 OBP
Zach Von Tersch - 4-1, 1.72 ERA, 5 App, 5 GS, 31.1 IP, 29 K, .202 OppAvg.

Other Summer Assignments
In addition to the Cape Cod and Northwoods Leagues, four other players are participating in summer baseball leagues. Infielder Jason Garofalo and pitcher Will Hirsch are playing for the Covington Lumberjacks in the Valley Baseball League in Virginia, and pitchers Sean Devine and Charlie Blackmon play for the Colleyville Lonestars in the Texas Collegiate League. Blackmon has seen action both on the mound and in the outfield for Colleyville.

Here are the updated stats for the Yellow Jackets playing in the Valley Baseball and Texas Collegiate Leagues:

Charlie Blackmon - 4 APP, 4.2 IP, 5 K, .284 OppAvg; .294, 5 H, 3B, RBI, 3 BB
Sean Devine - 1-0, 3.60 ERA, 4 APP, 2 GS, 15.0 IP, 13 K, .237 OppAvg.
Jason Garofalo - .218, 9 R, 8 RBI, 6 BB, 7 SB
Will Hirsch - 1-1, 3.13 ERA, 4 APP, 4 GS, 23.0 IP, 21 K, .264 OppAvg.

Yellow Jacket Signees
Three members of Georgia Tech's recruiting class were drafted in the 2007 Major League Baseball draft.

Jarrod Parker was taken by the Diamondbacks with the ninth overall pick in the first round; Neil Ramirez was a supplemental round pick by the Rangers; and Derek Dietrich was taken by the Astros in the third round. None have signed professional contracts.

The following incoming freshman are playing this summer:

Zach Brewster - Savannah Chain
Chase Burnette - East Cobb Yankees
Brandon Cumpton - Savannah Chain
Thomas Nichols - Savannah Chain
Jeff Rowland - Savannah Chain
Matt Simonds - East Cobb Cardinals

Alumni in the Major Leagues
Eight former Yellow Jackets are currently on Major League rosters.

Marlon Byrd, OF, Texas Rangers
Kevin Cameron, RHP, San Diego Padres
Nomar Garciaparra, 1B, Los Angeles Dodgers
Micah Owings, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks
Jay Payton, OF, Baltimore Orioles
Mark Teixeira, 1B, Texas Rangers (on 15-day disabled list)
Jason Varitek, C, Boston Red Sox

In the Minor Leagues
Minor League Assignments of former Tech players:

Brandon Boggs, OF, Frisco (AA), Rangers
Wally Crancer, OF, Aberdeen (A), Orioles
Michael Fisher, SS, Danville (A), Braves
Tyler Greene, SS, Springfield (AA), Cardinals (disabled list)
Garrett Groce, OF, Vero Beach (A), Devil Rays
Tim Gustafson, RHP, Rome (A), Braves
Kevin Guyette, RHP, Lancaster (A), Red Sox
Wes Hodges, 3B, Kinston (A), Indians
Jared Hyatt, RHP, AZL Rangers (R), Rangers
Lee Hyde, LHP, Myrtle Beach (A), Braves (disabled list)
Steve Kelly, RHP, Louisville (AAA), Reds
Jeff Kindel, OF, Modesto (A), Rockies
Andrew Kown, RHP, Erie (AA), Tigers
Tim Ladd, LHP, Danville (A), Braves
Richard Lewis, 2B, Omaha (AAA), Royals
Matt Lorenzo, RHP, Hickory (A), Pirates
Andy Mitchell, RHP, Norfolk (AAA), Orioles
Matt Murton, OF, Iowa (AAA), Cubs
Jason Neighborgall, RHP, Extended Spring Training, Diamondbacks
David Newhan, OF, New Orleans (AAA), Mets
Mike Nickeas, C, St. Lucie (A), Mets
Eric Patterson, 2B, Iowa (AAA), Cubs
Danny Payne, OF, Eugene (A), Padres
Jason Perry, OF, Sacramento (AAA), Athletics
Clifton Remole, OF, Rancho Cucamonga (A), Angels
Whit Robbins, OF/IF, Beloit (A), Twins
Jeremy Slayden, OF, Clearwater (A), Phillies
Ryan Turner, LHP, AZL Rangers (R), Rangers
Aaron Walker, LHP, Vero Beach (A), Devil Rays (disabled list)
Blake Wood, RHP, Idaho Falls (A), Royals (disabled list)

Coaching
Former Tech players in the MLB/MiLB coaching ranks:

Darren Bragg, Hitting Coach, Dayton (A), Reds
Riccardo Ingram, Manager, New Britain (AA), Twins