THE FLATS – Six #ProJackets earned spots on their respective clubs’ Opening Day rosters as the 2019 MLB season began on Thursday, March 28.
Leading all former Yellow Jackets was Derek Dietrich, who signed a new contract with the Cincinnati Reds, only to capitalize on a pinch-hitting at-bat, launching a no-doubter deep for a go-ahead three-run bomb. It was only one at-bat but it sent a message that Dietrich, who had success in Spring ball, is ready for the season.
Derek Dietrich crushes 3-run HR to lift Cincinnati Reds to first Opening Day win since 2016
Welcome to Cincinnati, Derek Dietrich! 💪💪💪#RedsOpeningDay | #BornToBaseball pic.twitter.com/EmMKgoP7Rk
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) March 28, 2019
Daniel Palka had the kind of rookie season that players dream about, being the Chicago White Sox’ home run leader last year. Now with a full offseason under his belt, he’s looking for more and looking to do it in the White Sox organization, even if he doesn’t see as many at-bats this season. Palka got the Opening Day start in right field, but largely because Jon Jay was on the injured list. Palka finished his first game of 2019 0-for-3, but recorded an RBI and drew a walk in the 5-3 loss to the Royals.
Charlie Blackmon began another year with the Colorado Rockies, this time playing in right field. Blackmon is expected to have another fine season, but started the season sluggish with an 0-for-5 outing on Opening Day in the Rockies 6-3 win over the Marlins.
After a hard-fought battle to make the Detroit Tigers bullpen during training camp, Buck Farmer once again found himself on the Tigers’ 25-man roster on Wednesday. Farmer is expected to work in the early to middle innings throughout the season.
Also working hard on the mound this offseason was Luke Bard, who with the Los Angeles Angels, made his ninth appearance in the last year, allowing just one hit over an inning of work, striking out one. In five spring outings, he allowed two hits and one run, with nine strikeouts and no walks. His spring ERA is 1.59; his WHIP, 0.35.
Below is a complete list of Tech #ProJackets playing professionally this season.
MLB | PLAYER | 2019 SEASON STATS |
| Luke Bard #39 / RHP Los Angeles Angels MLB Debut: March 31, 2018 (Angels) MLB Draft: 2012 (Twins), 1st round Status: Active Years at Georgia Tech: 2010-12 High School: Charlotte Christian Hometown: Charlotte, N.C. | GP: 1 IP: 1.0 Record: 0-0 Saves: 0 ERA: 0.00 SO: 1 Opp. Avg: .250 WHIP: 1.000 |
| Charlie Blackmon #19 / OF Colorado Rockies MLB Debut: June 7, 2011 (Rockies) MLB Draft: 2008 (Rockies), 2nd round Status: Active Years at Georgia Tech: 2008 High School: North Gwinnett Hometown: Suwanee, Ga. | GP: 1 Batting Avg: .000 Hits: 0 Home Runs: 0 Triples: 0 Doubles: 0 RBIs: 0 Runs: 0 Stolen Bases: 0 OBP: .000 OPS: .000 SLG: .000 |
| Derek Dietrich #22 / OF Cincinnati Reds MLB Debut: May 8, 2013 (Marlins) MLB Draft: 2010 (Rays), 2nd round Status: Active Years at Georgia Tech: 2008-10 High School: St. Ignatius Hometown: Parma, Ohio | GP: 1 Batting Avg: 1.000 Hits: 1 Home Runs: 1 Triples: 0 Doubles: 0 RBIs: 3 Runs: 1 Stolen Bases: 0 OBP: 1.000 OPS: 5.000 SLG: 4.000 |
 | Buck Farmer #45 / RHP Detroit Tigers MLB Debut: August 13, 2014 (Tigers) MLB Draft: 2013 (Tigers), 5th round Status:Active Years at Georgia Tech:2010-13 High School: Rockdale Hometown: Conyers, Ga. | GP: 0 IP: Record: Saves: ERA: SO: Opp. Avg: WHIP: |
 | Daniel Palka #18 / OF Chicago White Sox MLB Debut: April 25, 2018 (White Sox) MLB Draft: 2013 (Diamondbacks), 3rd round Status: Active Years at Georgia Tech: 2011-13 High School: Greer Hometown: Lyman, S.C. | GP: 1 Batting Avg: .000 Hits: 0 Home Runs: 0 Triples: 0 Doubles: 0 RBIs: 1 Runs: 0 Stolen Bases: 0 OBP: .250 OPS: .250 SLG: .000 |
| Matt Wieters #32 / C St. Louis Cardinals MLB Debut: May 29, 2009 (Orioles) MLB Draft: 2007 (Orioles), 1st round Status: Active Years at Georgia Tech: 2005-07 High School: Stratford Hometown: Goose Creek, S.C. | GP: 0 Batting Avg: Hits: Home Runs: Doubles: RBIs: Runs: Stolen Bases: OBP: OPS: SLG: |
Yellow Jackets in the Minors/Independent Leagues
Joey Bart – Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (Giants) – Class A Short Season
2018 stats: 51 GP, .294 avg., 60 hits, 13 HR, 3 3B, 15 2B, 40 RBIs, 38 runs
Sam Clay – Chattanooga Lookouts (Twins) – Double-A
2018 stats: 34 GP, 1 GS, 2-6, 1 save, 5.88 ERA, 52.0 IP, 61 SO, 1.73 WHIP
Trevor Craport – Delmarva Shorebirds (Orioles) – Class A
2018 stats: 122 GP, .256 avg., 112 hits, 11 HR, 4 3B, 26 2B, 72 RBIs, 68 runs, 4 SB
Brandon Cumpton – Buffalo Bisons (Blue Jays) – Triple-A
MLB 2018 stats: 1 GP, 0-0, 5.40 ERA, 1.2 IP, 2 SO, 3.00 WHIP
Triple-A 2018 stats: 12 GP, 9 GS, 2-5, 1 save, 6.15 ERA, 52.2 IP, 31 SO, 1.46 WHIP
Independent 2018 stats: 11 GP, 11 GS, 4-3, 4.11 ERA, 65.2 IP, 44 SO, 1.31 WHIP
Jake Esch – Sioux Falls Canaries (Independent)
2018 stats: 19 GP, 19 GS, 8-6, 5.14 ERA, 105.0 IP, 76 SO, 1.581 WHIP
Brandon Gold – Lancaster JetHawks (Rockies) – Class A Advanced
2018 stats: 27 GP, 27 GS, 9-9, 5.44 ERA, 154.0 IP, 121 SO, 1.53 WHIP
Matthew Gorst – Pawtucket Red Sox (Red Sox) – Triple-A
2018 stats: 40 GP, 3-4, 9 saves, 1.84 ERA, 68.1 IP, 58 SO, 0.93 WHIP
Matthew Grimes – Bowie Baysox (Orioles) – Double-A
2018 stats: 35 GP, 6 GS, 0-2, 3.77 ERA, 86.0 IP, 65 SO, 1.41 WHIP
Dusty Isaacs – New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Blue Jays) – Double-A
2018 stats: 44 GP, 4-4, 2 saves, 5.10 ERA, 60.0 IP, 64 SO, 1.53 WHIP
Connor Justus – Mobile BayBears (Angels) – Double-A
2018 stats: 124 GP, .220 avg., 93 hits, 6 HR, 2 3B, 17 2B, 47 RBIs, 60 runs, 7 SB
Deck McGuire – Salt Lake Bees (Angels) – Triple-A
Triple-A 2018 stats: 15 GP, 11 GS, 5-3, 4.24 ERA, 57.1 IP, 50 SO, 1.31 WHIP
MLB 2018 stats: 17 GP, 4 GS, 0-2, 6.35 ERA, 34.0 IP, 27 SO, 1.65 WHIP
Arden Pabst – Altoona Curve (Pirates) – Double-A
2018 stats: 66 GP, .264 avg., 61 hits, 10 HR, 2 3B, 14 2B, 36 RBIs, 26 runs, 2 SB
Ryan Peurifoy – West Virginia Power (Pirates) – Class A
2018 stats: 80 GP, .191 avg., 47 hits, 3 HR, 3 3B, 16 2B, 24 RBIs, 31 runs, 4 SB
Zac Ryan – Mobile BayBears (Angels) – Double-A
2018 stats: 42 GP, 4-5, 3 saves, 4.56 ERA, 71.0 IP, 75 SO, 1.51 WHIP
Matt Skole – Charlotte Knights (White Sox) – Triple-A
Triple-A 2018 stats: 121 GP, .237 avg., 102 hits, 14 HR, 1 3B, 28 2B, 44 RBIs, 50 runs, 3 SB
MLB 2018 stats: 4 GP, .273 avg., 3 hits, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 runs
Daniel Spingola – Evansville Otters (Independent) * Released
Independent 2018 stats: 15 GP, .280 avg., 14 hits, 1 HR, 1 3B, 2 2B, 5 RBIs, 8 runs
Minor League 2018 stats: 46 GP, .216 avg., 32 hits, 2 HR, 9 2B, 11 RBIs, 20 runs, 2 SB
Kyle Wren – Pawtucket Red Sox (Red Sox) – Triple-A
2018 stats: 84 GP, .263 avg., 69 hits, 3 HR, 2 3B, 13 2B, 43 RBIs, 30 runs, 10 SB
For the latest information on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, follow us on Twitter (@GTBaseball), Facebook (Georgia Tech Baseball), and Instagram (gt_baseball) or visit us at www.ramblinwreck.com.
