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 BBCurtis Dupart - .269, 2B, 3B, HR, 6 R, 2 RBI, 4 BB, 3 SBChris Hicks - 5 App., 1.29 ERA 7.0 IP, 2 Sv, 4 K, 0 BBPatrick Long - .195, 5 R, 3 RBI, 4 BB, 1SBLuke 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 SLGChris House - .276, 12 R, 4 2B, 12 SB, 6 RBI, .385 OBPMichael 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, 8KTony Plagman - .180, 1 2B, 5 RBI, 7 BB, .320 OBPAndrew 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 OBPJeff Ussery - .211, 3 RBI, 1 BB, .304 OBPZach 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 BBSean 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 SBWill 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 ChainChase Burnette - East Cobb YankeesBrandon Cumpton - Savannah ChainThomas Nichols - Savannah ChainJeff Rowland - Savannah ChainMatt Simonds - East Cobb Cardinals
Alumni in the Major Leagues
Eight former Yellow Jackets are currently on Major League rosters.
Marlon Byrd, OF, Texas RangersKevin Cameron, RHP, San Diego PadresNomar Garciaparra, 1B, Los Angeles DodgersMicah Owings, RHP, Arizona DiamondbacksJay Payton, OF, Baltimore OriolesMark 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), RangersWally Crancer, OF, Aberdeen (A), OriolesMichael Fisher, SS, Danville (A), BravesTyler Greene, SS, Springfield (AA), Cardinals (disabled list)Garrett Groce, OF, Vero Beach (A), Devil RaysTim Gustafson, RHP, Rome (A), BravesKevin Guyette, RHP, Lancaster (A), Red SoxWes Hodges, 3B, Kinston (A), IndiansJared Hyatt, RHP, AZL Rangers (R), RangersLee Hyde, LHP, Myrtle Beach (A), Braves (disabled list)Steve Kelly, RHP, Louisville (AAA), RedsJeff Kindel, OF, Modesto (A), RockiesAndrew Kown, RHP, Erie (AA), TigersTim Ladd, LHP, Danville (A), BravesRichard Lewis, 2B, Omaha (AAA), RoyalsMatt Lorenzo, RHP, Hickory (A), PiratesAndy Mitchell, RHP, Norfolk (AAA), OriolesMatt Murton, OF, Iowa (AAA), CubsJason Neighborgall, RHP, Extended Spring Training, DiamondbacksDavid Newhan, OF, New Orleans (AAA), MetsMike Nickeas, C, St. Lucie (A), MetsEric Patterson, 2B, Iowa (AAA), CubsDanny Payne, OF, Eugene (A), PadresJason Perry, OF, Sacramento (AAA), AthleticsClifton Remole, OF, Rancho Cucamonga (A), AngelsWhit Robbins, OF/IF, Beloit (A), TwinsJeremy Slayden, OF, Clearwater (A), PhilliesRyan Turner, LHP, AZL Rangers (R), RangersAaron 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), RedsRiccardo Ingram, Manager, New Britain (AA), Twins
