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Georgia Tech #ProJackets Baseball Report

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Yellow Jackets in the Pros

THE FLATS — With All-Star festivities coming to Atlanta, it’s time to check in on #ProJackets from across the professional ranks in 2025.

Three Yellow Jackets have made MLB debuts in 2025, soon to be four after Tristin English received the call up to the Arizona Diamondbacks earlier this week. Kristian Campbell became the 65th major leaguer in program history when made the Boston Red Sox opening day roster, signing an eight-year $60 million contract with the club less than a week into his MLB service time. Campbell got his MLB career started in glorious fashion, earning March/April American League Rookie of the Month after hitting for a .301 avg., .902 OPS, 4 HR and 12 RBI in his first 29 games to begin the year. He delivered 16 extra-base hits and 20 RBI for the Red Sox over 67 games before being sent back down to Triple-A Worcester two weeks ago.

 

Also making the opening day roster for 2025 was LHP Connor Thomas, who was selected in the Rule 5 draft by the Milwaukee Brewers, becoming the 66th major league Yellow Jacket. He appeared in two games for the Brewers, pitching 5.1 innings before suffering an elbow injury that has him set for season-ending surgery later this month.

Chandler Simpson became the 67th big leaguer in program history when he made his MLB debut with the Tampa Bay Rays on April 19th. The Atlanta native immediately made his presence felt with his blistering speed and contact skills, leading all MLB rookies with 24 stolen bases, the 2nd most in the American League and 4th most in the MLB this season despite playing in only 48 games. After spending most of June back in Triple-A Durham, Simpson returned to the big leagues on June 24th and has since slashed .381/.413/.452 with five stolen bases, three walks and only one strikeout. He has struck out only 15 times in 165 career-ABs, a strikeout percentage of just 9.09% – the lowest among players to make their MLB debut this season with more than 20 at-bats.

 

 

The Detroit Tigers have been the story of the first half, leading MLB with a 58-34 (.630) record thanks to a stellar 3.43 team ERA, the third-lowest in the sport. Brant Hurter has been a key piece of that Detroit bullpen, throwing 43.0 innings over 27 appearances with a 2.72 ERA and 45 strikeouts. He owns the third-lowest ERA in an incredibly strong Detroit bullpen that is poised for postseason success in the second half of the year. Hurter is playing in his first full season of MLB action after being called up to the Tigers in August of last year.

Joey Bart is playing in his sixth season of MLB action and second with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The catcher has played in 55 games with the Buccos, connecting for seven extra base hits (5 2B, 1 3B and 1 HR) for 14 RBI. He has started 46 games behind the dish and three at DH and is three RBI away from 100 career MLB runs driven in.

Around the Minors

  • Marquis Grissom Jr. was selected to the 2025 All-Star Futures Game roster, to be held at Truist Park on July 12. The 2022 draft pick is playing in his third full professional season, received his first invite to Major League Spring Training this past year and earned a promotion from Double-A Harrisburg to Triple-A Rochester on April 30. Grissom, 23, is 1-2 with a 4.84 ERA, seven saves and 32 strikeouts across 35.1 innings this season. He has recorded 16 saves over the past two seasons, the most by any current Nationals Minor League pitcher. He will be going against his father, Marquis Grissom, who was selected to coach the AL Futures squad.

  • Campbell was sent down to Triple-A Worcester at the end of June where he has driven in five runs off nine hits in 13 games. He will be looking to make his way back to Boston in the coming weeks to aid in the Red Sox postseason push.
  • Buck Farmer returned to the Reds organization on a minor league deal earlier this month. The 11-year major leaguer will be hoping to return to the Cincy bullpen before the end of the season, where he posted a 3.04 ERA last season over 61 games.
  • Justyn Henry-Malloy has bounced back and forth from the Detroit Tigers and Triple-A Toledo this season, playing in 46 games for the big club and 26 in AAA. He has been dominant with the Mud Hens, posting a .318 average and .930 OPS in 88 at bats with a positive BB/K ratio (25 walks and 24 strikeouts). He will be hoping to serve as a depth piece to a Tigers team with championship aspirations in 2025.
  • Chance Huff got called up to Double-A Harrisburg in the Nationals organization at the end of April and has delivered a 2.92 ERA over 19 appearances and two starts with the Senators.
  • Kevin Parada is on a career-high home run pace in 2025, launching eight homers in 59 games with Double-A Binghamton in the Mets organization.
  • Luke Waddell has found a home in Triple-A Gwinnett in the Braves organization, playing in 29 games this season after overcoming an injury and producing a slash line of .294/.414/.353 over that time.
  •  After being picked up off waivers by the Braves organization, Amos Willingham began the year with Triple-A Gwinnett before suffering an injury that sent him down the depth chart. Since recovering, he has spent time at Single-A Rome and now Double-A Columbus where he has thrown 14.0 innings with a 5.79 ERA.

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