K-State Baseball Summer League Update
A summer update of current and former Wildcats.
A total of 17 former Wildcats are competing at the professional level in 2024 that includes players in the MLB (3), Triple-A (2), Double-A (6), High-A (4), Single-A (2) and in the independent leagues (1), while 20 returning or incoming players are playing in summer leagues across the country.
MLB (3)
Will Brennan – Cleveland Guardians (MLB, Cleveland Guardians) – OF
Brennan is slashing .256/.314/.415 for the Guardians this season with seven doubles, a triple and eight home runs. In his last seven games, Brennan is hitting .391 (9-for-23) with two home runs. On June 20, the Colorado Springs product, belted a pair of homers against the Seattle Mariners to help lead the Guardians to a 6-3 victory. Brennan was selected in the eighth round (No. 250 overall) by Cleveland as the only Wildcat taken in the 2019 MLB Draft.
Nick Martini – Louisville Bats (MLB, Cincinnati Reds) – DH
Martini has driven in 22 runs this season, slashing .208/.259/.346 for the Reds. Nine of Martini’s 27 hits have been for extra-bases including four home runs. He belted a pair of home runs on Opening Day against the Washington Nationals, leading the Reds to an 8-2 win. The K-State alum was a seventh-round selection of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011.
Jordan Wicks – Iowa Cubs (Triple-A, Chicago Cubs) – LHP
The Wildcats’ first-ever first-round draft pick Jordan Wicks boasts a 4.18 ERA (13 ER, 28 IP) for the Cubs this season with a record of 1-2. In six starts and one relief appearance, Wicks has struck out 32 batters, including a season-high seven in 4.2 innings against the Dodgers on April 6. Wicks is currently on the Cubs’ injured list after suffering discomfort in his right oblique. Wicks was selected 21st overall by the Chicago Cubs in the 2021 MLB First-Year Player Draft.
TRIPLE-A (2)
Drew Mount – Louisville Bats (Triple-A, Cincinnati Reds) – OF
Mount is currently with the Louisville Bats, the Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, slashing .143/.143/.143 through four games after returning from a 60-day injured list. Mount was the only Wildcat taken in the 2018 MLB Draft when he was selected in the 16th-round by Cincinnati.
Carson Seymour – Sacramento River Cats (Triple-A, San Francisco Giants) – RHP
On March 7, the Giants Prospects activated Seymour before he was assigned to the Triple-A River Cats later in the month. In 16 starts for Sacramento, Seymour has a record of 3-6 and boasts a 3.99 ERA (30 ER, 67.2 IP) with 61 strikeouts. The Poway, Calif., product logged a season-high six scoreless innings against Reno on June 12, picking up the 17-3 win. Seymour was taken in the sixth round of the 2021 MLB Draft by the New York Mets.
DOUBLE-A (6)
Tyler Eckberg – Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Double-A, Miami Marlins) – RHP
A native of Edina, Minn., Eckberg was promoted to the Marlins Double-A affiliate Pensacola from the High-A Beloit Sky Carp on June 7. For Beloit, Eckberg made 15 relief appearances for a 2.21 ERA (5 ER, 20.1 IP) with a record of 0-2, striking out 23 against seven walks. Since his promotion to Pensacola, he has made four appearances in relief with a 2.16 ERA (2 ER, 8.1 IP) and no record, allowing three hits with six strikeouts. Eckberg signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Miami Marlins following the 2021 MLB Draft, following three seasons at K-State.
Kasey Ford – Corpus Christi Hooks (Double-A, Houston Astros) – RHP
Ford was promoted to the Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks after splitting time with in Single-A and High-A last season. With the Hooks, Ford has made 22 appearances in relief with two saves and a 2-2 record. He boasts an ERA of 5.04 (14 ER, 25 IP) with 25 strikeouts. Ford pitched five seasons at K-State, finishing his career with a 5.41 ERA and signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Houston Astros following the 2021 MLB Draft.
Zach Kokoska – Hartford Yard Goats (Double-A, Colorado Rockies) – 1B/OF
Kokoska a 2021 All-Big 12 Second Team selection, is slashing .208/.296/.432 with 14 doubles and nine homers. He went 3-for-5 with two home runs on April 20 and drove in a season-high four RBI. Kokoska was promoted from the High-A Spokane Indians on April 1. Kokoska played three seasons at K-State where he slashed .363/.430/.595 before he was drafted in the 10th round (290th overall) by the Colorado Rockies in the 2021 MLB Draft.
Connor McCullough – Birmingham Barons (Double-A, Chicago White Sox) – RHP
McCullough was promoted to the White Sox Double-A Affiliate in Birmingham on April 1. With the Barons, he boasts a 3.38 ERA (5 ER, 13.1 IP) with a 3-1 record and one save over four appearances, including one start. McCullough signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Chicago White Sox following the 2022 MLB Draft. On April 30, he was placed on a 7-day injured list before being moved to the full-season injured list on June 18.
Wesley Moore – Reading Fightin Phils (Double-A, Philadelphia Phillies) – LHP
Moore has split time in 2024 on the High-A Jersey Shore BlueClaws and Double-A Reading Fightin Phils. With the BlueClaws, he made nine relief appearances with a 2.61 ERA (3 ER, 10.1 IP), before his promotion to Double-A. Moore made three appearances in relief for Reading until he was placed on a 7-day injured list on May 19. Moore signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Philadelphia Phillies following the 2022 MLB Draft.
Eric Torres – Rocket City Trash Pandas (Double-A, Los Angeles Angels) – LHP
In 17 relief appearances, Torres has a 2-1 record with a 2.01 ERA (5 ER, 22.1 IP) and 36 strikeouts. In his last six outings, Torres is 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA, surrendering just two earned runs over 7.1 innings with 12 punch outs. Torres was a 14th round draft pick in the 2021 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Angels,
HIGH-A (4)
Blake Adams – Spokane Indians (High-A, Colorado Rockies) – RHP
With a record of 5-2 on the year, Adams posts a 2.53 ERA (18 ER, 64 IP) for Spokane in 11 game that includes 10 starts. He has struck out 60 and issued 13 walks with a 1.13 WHIP. He has logged a season-best seven-innings on three occasions, his last coming on June 15 where he fanned a season-high eight. Adams, who was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 13th round (No. 386 overall) in the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft, He pitched one season at K-State in 2022, going 6-6 with a 5.07 ERA and 90 strikeouts.
Nick Goodwin – Vancouver Canadians (High-A, Toronto Blue Jays) – IF
Goodwin, who was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the seventh round (No. 214 overall) in the 2023 MLB Draft, moved to High-A in 2024. A 2023 All-Big 12 selection is hitting .213 with eight doubles, two triples, and eight home runs to slug .384. He has driven in 28 runs over 59 games, compiling a .321 on-base percentage. Goodwin started in all 173 games at short since taking the field in 2021, sending out 33 career blasts which stands fourth in the all-time records.
Dylan Phillips – Tri-City Dust Devils (High-A, Los Angeles Angels) – LHP
A two-way player and the Wildcats all-time career home run leader, Phillips has made 21 relief appearances for the Dust Devils this season, boasting a 3.00 ERA (8 ER, 24 IP) with a record of 0-3. He owns a 4.5 strikeout-to-walk ration with 27 strikeouts, while opponents are hitting .220 against him. Phillips was taken by the Los Angeles Angels in the eighth round (No. 238 overall) in the 2022 Major League Baseball First-Year Draft.
Dominic Johnson – West Michigan Whitecaps (High-A, Detroit Tigers) – OF
Johnson has split time between High-A West Michigan and Single-A Lakeland this season. He was assigned to the West Michigan Whitecaps on April 22. With Lakeland, he slashed .303/.425/.576 with three doubles and two home runs, while with the Whitecaps he is hitting .214 with seven doubles, a triple, and one home run for a .283 slugging percentage. Johnson was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 13th round in the 2022 MLB Draft.
SINGLE-A (2)
German Fajardo – Modesto Nuts (Single-A, Seattle Mariners) – RHP
With the Nuts, Fajardo owns a record of 2-1 with three holds and a 3.53 ERA (14 ER, 35.2 IP) in 18 relief appearances, while striking out 44. He signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Seattle Mariners in 2023. In two seasons as a Wildcat, Fajardo was 8-6 with a 4.98 ERA and struck out a career-high 10 against Wichita State on May 3, 2022.
Christian Ruebeck – Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Single-A, Los Angeles Dodgers)
Ruebeck boasts a 9.36 ERA (26 ER, 25 IP) in 2024 for the Quakes, with a record of 2-2 and one save. He has struck out 36 with opponents hitting .216 against him. He pitched one season for the Wildcats, going 0-1 with a 9.58 ERA while striking out 42 before he signed as an undrafted free agent contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers following the 2022 MLB Draft.
INDEPENDENT (1)
Cameron Thompson – Missoula PaddleHeads (Independent) – IF
Thompson is slashing .286/.412/.439 in the Independent League for Missoula. In 28 games, he has recorded seven doubles, one triple, and two home runs while driving in 16 runs.
SENIORS IN 2024-25
Jacob Frost – Harwich Mariners (Cape Cod League) – LHP
Frost logged four scoreless innings for the Mariners, striking out six in his first summer start.
Cayden Phillips – Bristol State Liners (Appy League) – C
In five games for the Liners, Phillips has produced a slash line of .133/.188/.133 with two hits and two runs scored.
JUNIORS IN 2024-25
Mason Buss – Madison Mallards (Northwoods League) – RHP
Buss owns a record of 2-0 with the Mallards, with three starts on the mound. In five appearances, the right-hander posts a 2.50 ERA, surrendering only five runs (five earned) in 18 innings with 11 strikeouts.
Andrew Evans – Harwich Mariners (Cape Cod League) – RHP
In two appearances for the Mariners, Evans boasts a 8.31 ERA (4 ER, 4.1 IP) with no record.
Kyan Lodice – Bristol State Liners (Appy League) – IF/OF
Lodice is slashing .200/.556/.800 with the Liners with a homer and three runs batted in.
Shintaro Inoue – Purcellville Cannons (Valley league) – IF
Inoue, a transfer from Western Nebraska Community College, is the top slugger for the Cannons this summer. The incoming junior has produced a slash line of .277/.427/.508 with six doubles, three home runs and a team-leading 24 RBI. Inoue belted a grand slam on June 23 against the Front Royal Cardinals.
Ben Rosin – Mankato MoonDogs (Northwoods League) – RHP
With a record of 2-2, Rosin boasts a 1.88 ERA, allowing seven hits in 14.1 innings. The Shoreview, Minn., native has struck out batters in six appearances for the MoonDogs, while surrendering just three earned runs.
Cole Wisenbaker – Harwich Mariners (Cape Cod League) – LHP
Wisenbaker has appeared in one game this summer for the Mariners. The junior, who set a program record with two wins in the NCAA Fayetteville Regional, surrendered three runs (one earned) with two strikeouts in 2.2 innings.
SOPHOMORES IN 2023-24
Adam Arther – Elizabethton River Riders (Appy League) – LHP
Following his first season at K-State as a true freshman, Arther has made four appearances this summer for the River Riders. The Altadena, Calif., product boasts a 1.59 ERA (2 ER, 11.1 IP) and a 0-1 record. Arther has struck out seven batters and issued 11 walks.
Nick English – Bluefield Ridge Runners (Appy League) – OF
In four games with the Runners, English is slashing .375/.444/.438 with six hits and three runs scored. The upcoming sophomore appeared in 58 games for the Wildcats as a true freshman in 2024, including 57 starts in right field and as a designated hitter.
James Guyette – Danville Otterbots (Appy League) – RHP
Guyette, a native of Newbury, Calif., boasts a 9.00 ERA (8 ER, 8 IP) with 12 strikeouts in four appearances.
Caydn Karl – Mankato MoonDogs (Northwoods League) – OF
Karl is hitting .167 for the MoonDogs this season with a .333 on-base percentage and a .167 slugging percentage. He’s driven in three RBI, and stolen a pair of bases.
FRESHMAN IN 2024-25
Micah Dean – Danville Otterbots (Appy League) – UTL
Hailing from Richmond, Texas, Dean is competing in the Appalachian League for the Danville Otterbots alongside two future K-State teammates. In 16 games, Dean is slashing .271/.417/.333 with 13 hits and 11 runs scored. He leads the Otterbots offense with 11 stolen bases.
AJ Evasco – New Britain Bees (Futures League) – IF
Evasco’s .385 average paves the way for the Bees offense, as the incoming freshman has recorded 20 hits in 14 games this summer. The Lincoln, Neb., product is slugging .519 with a .448 on-base percentage and has driven in 15 RBI, which is third on the team.
Gage Ilges – Worcester Bravehearts (Futures League) – RHP/OF
Ilges boasts a 9.00 ERA (2 ER, 2 IP) following a pair or relief appearances for the Bravehearts. An incoming freshman, Ilges faced nine batters over two games and struck out two with one walk.
Matt Lee – Danville Otterbots (Appy League) – RHP
Lee, a native of Pittsfield, Mass., has made two relief appearances for the Otterbots this summer. The returning Wildcat boasts a 16.88 ERA (5 ER, 2.2 IP) with four strikeouts in the Appy League.
Donte Lewis – New Britain Bees (Futures League) – RHP/IF
In nine games for the Bees, Lewis has produced a slash line of .241/.323/.310 with seven hits including a pair of doubles. The incoming freshman from Pearland, Texas, has driven in five RBI and scored six runs this summer. On the mound, Lewis has made two relief appearances with a 2.25 ERA (1 ER, 4 IP), and has struck out five of the 16 batters he has faced, averaging 11.3 strikeouts per nine innings.
Chandler Murray – Westfield Starfires (Futures League) – IF
An incoming freshman from Honolulu, Hawaii, Murray is competing for the Westfield Starfires this summer of the Futures league. The infielder is slashing .227/.320/.364 with five hits, including a home run. He has driven in two runs batted in and score seven runs this summer.
Rohan Putz – Southern Maryland Senators (Cal Ripken League) – OF
Putz is returning for his redshirt freshman season with the Wildcats in 2025 and is playing in the Cal Ripken League this summer alongside future teammate Ty Smolinski. In 10 games, Putz has produced a slash line of .250/.333/.250 with six his and scored three runs for the Senators.
Ty Smolinski – Southern Maryland Senators (Cal Ripken League) – IF
A product of Gretna, Neb., Smolinski is slashing .213/.289/.234 this summer with the Senators, compiling 10 hits with four runs batted in and three stolen bases.
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