K-State Baseball Summer Update
A weekly summer update of current and former Wildcats. (from Kansas State Athletics)
PRO CATS
Nick Martini, NC Dinos (Korean Baseball Organization)
Martini signed a free-agent contract with the NC Dinos of the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) last offseason. In 88 games with the NC Dinos, he has a slash line of .297/.370/.483 with 21 doubles, a triple and 12 homers. He has driven in 54 runs, scored 37 runs and stole seven bases. Martini has reached safely in 18 of his last 21 contests. He went 4-for-5 with a double and two RBI on July 7 against the Hanwha Eagles and had four multi-hit games during an 11-game hitting streak from June 25-July9. Martini spent time over three seasons in the Major Leagues with Oakland, San Diego and Chicago (N.L.). In 112 career games, he had a career slash line of .270/.369/.369 with 14 doubles, four triples, two home runs and 30 RBI. The former All-American outfielder was a seventh-round selection of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011.
Will Brennan, Columbus Clippers (Triple-A, Cleveland Guardians)
After beginning the year with the Akron RubberDucks (Double-A), Brennan was promoted to Triple-A Columbus on May 26. In 49 games with the Clippers, Brennan is slashing .333/.394/.466 with 15 doubles, four home runs and 40 runs batted in. He was named International League Player of the Week on June 13 after producing five multi-hit games and going 16-for-25 (.640) with seven RBI and four steals. Brennan has hit safely in his last seven games, including a 3-for-4 day on July 23 against Toledo. He last homered on July 16 vs. Indianapolis. Brennan was the only Wildcat taken in the 2019 MLB Draft, as he was selected in the eighth round (No. 250 overall) by Cleveland.
Drew Mount, Louisville Bats (Triple-A, Cincinnati Reds)
Mount rose from the Arizona League (Rookie) to Triple-A Louisville last season in his third year with the Cincinnati Reds organization. On September 21 of last season, Mount was placed on the 60-day injured list after just four games with Louisville and is expected to miss the entire 2022 season. With the Bats, he went 1-for-9 with a walk and an RBI before going on the IL. Over three minor-league seasons (203 games), Mount has a slash line of .279/.335/.432 with 38 doubles, six triples, 21 home runs and 120 RBI. Mount was the only Wildcat taken in the 2018 MLB Draft when he was selected in the 16th-round by Cincinnati.
Eric Torres, Rocket City Trash Pandas (Double-A, Los Angeles Angels)
Torres was assigned to Double-A Rocket City this season after spending time with High-A Tri City last season. In 27 relief appearances this year, Torres is 2-2 and has an ERA of 1.57 (6 ER, 34.1 IP) while striking out 55. He has 11 saves in 12 opportunities while registering five holds. He did not allow a run in his first eight outings to begin the season and in each of his last three outings, holding teams scoreless in 21 of 27 games this season. Torres struck out a season-high five hitters over two innings in his last relief appearance on July 28 against Chattanooga. Torres was drafted in the 14th round (411th overall) by the Los Angeles Angels in the 2021 MLB Draft.
Jordan Wicks, Tennessee Smokies (Double-A, Chicago Cubs)
Wicks was promoted to Double-A Tennessee on July 15 after making 16 starts with South Bend Cubs (High-A). In those 16 starts this season, he was 4-3 with a 3.65 ERA (27 ER, 66.2 IP) and 86 strikeouts. Wicks has made two starts with Tennessee, going 0-2 with a 9.00 earned run average (7 ER, 7 IP). In his last start on July 27, he struck out five over four innings. In his last start with South Bend, Wicks struck out a season-high 10 hitters in five innings of work to earn the victory over Peoria on July 12. Wicks was K-State’s highest-ever draft pick after being selected 21st overall by the Chicago Cubs in the 2021 MLB Draft.
Carson Seymour, Brooklyn Cyclones (High-A, New York Mets)
Seymour was promoted to High-A Brooklyn from Low-A St. Lucie on May 23 after going 4-0 with a 1.19 ERA (4 ER, 30.1) and 27 strikeouts in seven outings (four starts). With Brooklyn, he has appeared in 10 games (eight starts) and gone 1-5 with a 3.97 ERA (20 ER, 45.1 IP) and 56 strikeouts. He has reached double-digit strikeouts in each of hist last two starts, posting a season-best 11 punchouts over 6 2/3 innings while allowing just two hits on July 15 against Greensboro. Seymour followed that performance up with 10 strikeouts in six innings in earning the win on July 22 at Jersey Shore. Seymour was drafted in the sixth round (172nd overall) of the 2021 MLB Draft by the New York Mets.
Tyler Eckberg, Beloit Sky Carp (High-A, Miami Marlins)
Eckberg was promoted to High-A Beloit on July 22 after beginning the season with Single-A Jupiter out of Spring Training. He has made three appearances with the Sky Carp and has now given up an earned run in 5 1/3 innings while compiling seven strikeouts against one walk. Eckberg picked up the save in his last outing on July 17, striking out two while surrendering one hit over an inning against Quad Cities. While with Jupiter, he made 21 appearances and posted a 3-1 record to go with a 2.11 ERA (9 ER, 38.1 IP) and 45 strikeouts. He collected six saves in seven opportunities to go with one hold. In total this season, Eckberg is 4-1 with seven saves and a 1.85 ERA (9 ER, 43.2 IP) to go with 52 strikeouts. Eckberg signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Miami Marlins following the 2021 MLB Draft.
Kasey Ford, Fayetteville Woodpeckers (Single-A, Houston Astros)
Ford has made 15 appearances with Fayetteville, going 2-2 with a 6.41 ERA (19 ER, 26.2 IP) and 35 strikeouts. In July, he has eight strikeouts over 8 1/3 innings (four games), striking out two in each appearance. He logged 2 1/3 innings on July 23 against Kannapolis and two scoreless and hitless innings on July 15 against Myrtle Beach. He has struck out a season-high four batters three times this season, the last coming on June 26 against Augusta over two innings (one earned run). Ford made one appearance for High-A Asheville on June 17, logging two innings of relief with two earned runs allowed on two hits and three strikeouts. Ford signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Houston Astros following the 2021 MLB Draft.
Zach Kokoska, Fresno Grizzlies (Single-A, Colorado Rockies)
Kokoska was assigned go Single-A Fresno at the start of the minor-league season and has posted a slash line of .253/.337/.454 in 67 games. He has 12 doubles, two triples, 10 home runs and 30 runs batted in. He has turned in three multi-hit games over his last eight contests, including a 3-for-3 effort with two doubles and a homer on July 26 against Modesto. Kokoska strung together a 12-game hitting streak from June 22-July 6 and reached base in 21 consecutive games (June 16-July 6). He homered in three straight games (June 28-30) and went 4-for-6 with a triple, home run and four RBI on June 28 at Stockton. Kokoska was drafted in the 10th round (290th overall) by the Colorado Rockies in the 2021 MLB Draft.
Brett Lockwood, Daytona Tortugas (Single-A, Cincinnati Reds)
Lockwood is in his second season with the Daytona Tortugas (Single-A). In 15 games in 2022, he has a 1-1 record with a 4.55 ERA (14 ER, 27.2 IP) and 20 strikeouts. He has not allowed an earned run in July, logging 5 1/3 scoreless innings over three outings with four strikeouts and four hits allowed. Lockwood tossed a season-long four shutout innings on July 1 at Palm Beach, striking out four with just two hits allowed. Lockwood spent two seasons at K-State (2019-20) with a 3.22 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 17 relief appearances. He was a nondrafted signee of the Cincinnati Reds following the shortened 2020 MLB Draft.
Cameron Thompson, Missoula Paddleheads (MLB Partner League)
Playing for the Missoula Paddleheads of the Pioneer League (MLB Partner League), Thompson has a slash line of .308/.376/.476 with 16 doubles, two triples, six home runs and 39 RBI in 56 games. He has multiple hits in six of his last 13 game, going 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI in his last contest on July 27 at Glacier Range. Thompson ranks fourth on the Paddleheads in hitting, doubles and RBI. Thompson started every game of his K-State career (2017-21) and left as the all-time leader with 24 starts and 970 at-bats and ranks third in career hits with 278.
WILDCATS IN THE 2022 MLB DRAFT
Dylan Phillips, OF/1B/LHP (Los Angeles Angels)
Phillips was the first Wildcat taken in the 2022 Major League Baseball First-Year Draft, as he was taken by the Los Angeles Angels in the eighth round (No. 238 overall). Phillips is K-State’s career home run leader with 44 career bombs.
Blake Adams, RHP (Colorado Rockies)
Adams was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 13th round (No. 386 overall) in the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft. In one season at K-State, Adams made 13 weekend starts and went 6-6 with 5.07 ERA with a team-leading 90 strikeouts.
Dominic Johnson, OF (Detroit Tigers)
Johnson was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 13th round (No. 387 overall) in the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft. In one season at K-State, Johnson led the Wildcats in all three slash categories (.345/.419/.593) and hits (78), double (20), runs (45) and stolen bases (12).
Connor McCullough, RHP (Chicago White Sox)
McCullough signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Chicago White Sox following the 2022 MLB Draft. In three seasons at K-State, McCullough went 10-9 with a 4.63 ERA and 164 strikeouts in 35 career appearances (33 starts).
Christian Ruebeck, RHP (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Ruebeck signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers following the 2022 MLB Draft. In one season as a Wildcat, Ruebeck appeared in 13 game (four starts) and was 0-1 with a 9.58 ERA and 42 strikeouts.
JUNIORS IN 2022-23
Nick Goodwin, Harwich Mariners (Cape Cod League)
Playing for the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod League, Goodwin was named a Cape Cod League All-Star. He currently has a slash line of .261/.338/.470 over 37 games. He has eight doubles, six home runs and 22 RBI while scoring 25 runs. Goodwin homered in his last game on July 25 against Brewster, also walking, stealing a base and scoring twice. He doubled and drove in a run during a 3-for-4 day on July 19 at Yarmouth-Dennis. He has produced nine multi-hit games this season, including four three-hit efforts. The Mariners are 15-18-6 and in third place in the East Division.
Dom Hughes, Alaska Goldpanners (Alaska League)
In 21 games with the Alaska Goldpanners, Hughes has put together a slash line of .351/.489/.527 with six doubles, two triples, a home run and 17 RBI. He has five straight multi-hit games, going 3-for-4 with a triple and two RBI in his last game on July 24. He doubled twice on July 21 and has driven in a pair of runs in each of his last three games and in four of his last five. The Goldpanners are 26-12 this season.
Orlando Salinas, Jr., Mankato MoonDogs (Northwoods League)
Salinas has a slash line of .230/.299/.331 over 36 games, recording five doubles, three home runs and 26 runs batted in. He has hit safely in his last four games, driving in six runs in that stretch. On July 21 against Minnesota, he went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBI. Salinas has turned in six multi-hit games, with a season-high five hits coming on June 3 against La Crosse. Mankato is 9-9 in the second half of the season (19-15 first half) and in third place in the Great Plains West Division.
SOPHOMORES IN 2022-23
Brady Day, Winnepesaukee Muskrats (New England Collegiate Baseball League)
Day has played in 28 games for Winnepesaukee, posting a slash line of .242/.339/.33 with four doubles, a home run and nine runs batted in. He has hit safely in four of his last six games, doubling and driving in a run during a 9-2 win at Vermont on July 26. He strung together four straight multi-hit games from June 13-17, going 9-for-16 with an RBI and five runs scored in that stretch. On the season, he has drawn 14 walks, stole three bases and scored 14 runs. The Muskrats are 18-22 and in third place in the North Division standings.
Kaelen Culpepper, Bluefield Ridge Runners (Appalachian League)
Culpepper has played in 29 games with the Bluefield Ridge Runners of the Appalachian League. He has a slash line of .299/.457/.439 with nine doubles, two home runs and 20 RBI. He has drawn 27 walks and stole 10 bases while scoring 31 runs. He is second on the Ridge Runners in doubles, walks and stolen bases. The Ridge Runners are 22-23 and in second place in the Appalachian League East Division standings.
Brendan Jones, Elizabethton River Riders (Appalachian League)
In 31 games with the Elizabethton River Riders, Jones has a slash line of .286/.375/.414 with six doubles, a triple and three home runs. He has driven in 20, walked 19 times and stole 14 bases while scoring 29 runs. He leads the team in stolen bases and ranks third in triples and homers. The River Riders are 21-23 and in fourth place of the Appalachian League West Division standings.
Tyson Neighbors, Mankato MoonDogs (Northwoods League)
Neighbors, playing for the Mankato MoonDogs, posted a record of 1-1 with eight saves and a 1.06 ERA (2 ER, 17 IP) in 16 relief outings and was tabbed a Northwoods League All-Star. He has struck out 21 batters, walked eight and owned a 1.00 WHIP. He turned in season highs in both innings (3.0) and strikeouts (3) in a 10-9 victory over Bismarck on June 20. Neighbors surrendered just nine hits on the season and did not allow an earned run in 15 of 16 games. During the Northwoods All-Star Game, he struck out one over 2/3 of an inning. Mankato is 9-9 in the second half of the season (19-15 first half) and in third place in the Great Plains West Division.
Raphael Pelletier, Waterloo Bucks (Northwoods League)
Pelletier is playing for the Waterloo Bucks of the Northwoods League. In 30 games, he turned in a slash line of .231/.344/.279 with five doubles and nine RBI. He hit safely in nine of his last 11 games, including a six-game hitting streak from July 1-13 – a streak that included five straight multi-hit games. Pelletier doubled in two of his last four games, going 2-for-4 with a double on July 16. He drew 13 walks and scored nine times this season. Waterloo is 5-13 in the second half (9-25 first half) and in fourth place in the Great Plains East Division.
Cayden Phillips, Elizabethton River Riders (Appalachian League)
Phillips is playing for the Elizabethton River Riders of the Appalachian League. The River Riders are 21-23 and in fourth place of the Appalachian League West Division standings (no stats available).
Collin Rothermel, Elizabethton Rough Riders (Appalachian League)
Rothermel is playing for the Elizabethton River Riders of the Appalachian League and was named a Appalachian League West All-Star. The River Riders are 21-23 and in fourth place of the Appalachian League West Division standings (no stats available).
FRESHMAN IN 2022-23
Christian Holmes, New Britain Bees (Futures Collegiate Baseball League)
Holmes, with the New Britain Bees of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League, has a slash line of .170/.241/.170 in 19 games. He has drawn four walks and scored 10 runs. Holmes walked twice on July 9 at Norwich and drove in a run and stole a base on July 3 against Worcester. He went 2-for-3 with a run and two stolen bases on June 24 against Worcester. New Britain is 30-24 and in third place in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League standings.
Cadyn Karl, Niagara Power (Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League)
In 35 games with Niagara, Karl has a slash line of .241/.321/.362 with five doubles, six triples and 18 RBI and was named a PGCBL West All-Star. He has produced seven multi-hit games, with a season-high four hits coming on July 4, going 4-for-5 with a double and an RBI in an 8-7 win over Batavia. Karl has hit safely in 10 of his last 14 games, doubling and driving in two on July 24 at Batavia. Niagara is 15-28 and in seventh place of the West Division standings.
Jayden Lobliner, Niagara Power (Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League)
Lobliner is playing for the Niagara Power of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League. In 38 games, he has put together a slash line of .223/.285/.317 with eight doubles, a triple, a home run and 23 runs batted in. He has hit safely in eight of his four games with two doubles in that stretch. He tied his season high with three hits on July 1, going 3-for-4 with an RBI. Niagara is 15-28 and in seventh place of the West Division standings.
Kyan Lodice, Kokomo Jackrabbits (Northwoods League)
Lodice, playing for the Kokomo Jackrabbits of the Northwoods League, recorded a slash line of .214/.389/.345 in 26 games. He registered four doubles, two triples, a home run and seven RBI with 23 walks and 15 runs scored. Lodice produced five multi-hit games this season, going 2-for-3 with a double, home run and three runs scored on June 26 at Madison. Lodice was 2-for-4 with a double and a walk against Fond du Lac on July 7. The Jackrabbits are 5-14 in the second half (10-25 first half) and in sixth place in the Great Lakes East Division.
Carson Queck, Texas Twelve (Five Tool Collegiate League)
Queck is playing for Texas Twelve of the Five Tool Collegiate Baseball League (no stats available).
