COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The Maryland baseball team currently has multiple players playing professional baseball. UMTerps.com will periodically update their progress as they go through their respective seasons.
Spotlight: Morris Flourishes in bullpen, name contests
Zach Morris' second professional season has seen him emerge as one of the top bullpen arms for the Philadelphia Phillies Class-A affiliate Lakewood BlueClaws. The left-hander holds a 4-1 record and a season-low ERA of 2.90 and jumped into the closer role for a stretch, picking up three saves in a three-appearance stretch. He earned BlueClaws Player of the Week honors on July 5 for his efforts.
However off the mound, Morris has continued to receive notoriety for his name, which he shares with this famous alumnus of Bayside High School.
Morris' notable namesake helped place him in MLB Network Radio's Best Name in Minor League Baseball Tournament. Placed in “Short But Sweet” Division in the opening round, Morris held off a late charging Jose Jose to move into the finals. Kelly would be proud.
In the finals, Morris came up just short in a battle with Skye Bolt, Icezack Flemming and Christian Turnipseed (robbed), but probably took a bigger loss in the process.
If Morris continues to carve, eventually Mr. Gosselaar will have to come around. Lets move on to the rest of the ProTerps.
Brett Cecil – Toronto Blue Jays
Stats: 21 G, 14.0 IP, 5.14 ERA, 12 K, 3 BB.
Overview: Cecil returned from the disabled list on June 30 and struck out one in an inning of work against Cleveland. Toronto sits two games behind Baltimore in the race for the AL East crown and currently holds the final American League wild card spot.
Justin Maxwell – Lotte Giants (Korea)
Stats (w/ Pawtucket): .219 AVG, .310 OBP, .320 SLG, 7 2B, 5 HR, 26 R, 25 RBI
Overview: Maxwell, who has been with Triple-A Pawtucket, was granted his release by the Red Sox in order to sign with the Lotte Giants of the KBO League in Korea.
Adam Kolarek – Durham Bulls (Tampa Bay Rays)
Stats (w/ Durham): 0-1, 2.57 ERA, 28.0 IP, 31 K, 16 BB, .151 AVG
Overview: Kolarek is coming off his second save of the season against Pawtucket on June 9 and has lowered his ERA to 2.57 with Durham. The 2010 11th round pick is holding batters to a sensational .151 average against.
Jimmy Reed – Springfield Cardinals (St. Louis Cardinals)
Overview: Currently out due to injury.
Jake Stinnett – Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Chicago Cubs)
*Carolina League All-Star Selection
Stats: 7-3, 4.23 ERA, 83.0 IP, 72 K, 27 BB, .244 AVG
Overview: After earning three consecutive decisions, Stinnett gave up six earned runs in his most recent start. The right-hander still holds a respectable 4.23 ERA and will play a big part for the Pelicans has they try and push for a playoff spot.
LaMonte Wade – Fort Myers Miracle (Minnesota Twins)
*Midwest League All-Star Selection
Stats (w/ Fort Myers): 9 G, .355 AVG, .400 OBP, .452 SLG, 4 R, 3 2B, 7 RBI, 2 BB.
Stats (w/Cedar Rapids): 56 G, .280 AVG, .410 OBP, .396 SLG, 32 R, 6 2B, 3 3B, 4 HR, 27 RBI, 44 BB, 27 K, 5 SB
Overview: Wade picked up where he left off since his promotion to High-A Fort Myers. The Owings Mills native has a hit in 8-of-9 games with the club and has taken control of the starting centerfield spot.
Brandon Lowe – Bowling Green Hot Rods (Tampa Bay Rays)
Stats: 64 G, .266 AVG, .364 OBP, .342 SLG, 8 2B, 3 3B, 1 HR, 39 R, 25 RBI
Overview: Lowe has started to find his power halfway through his first professional season, hitting the first home run of his career on June 10. Lowe's average now sits at .266, its highest mark since June 1.
Zach Morris – Lakewood BlueClaws (Philadelphia Phillies)
Stats: 4-1, 3 SV, 40.1 IP, 2.90 ERA, 34 K, 19 BB, .250 AVG
Overview: Morris continues to put up zeros for Lakewood, which has lowered his ERA to season best 2.90. He earned a win his last time out after two innings of shutout relief against the West Virginia Power.
Jose Cuas – Brevard County Manatees (Milwaukee Brewers)
Stats: .190 AVG, .285 OBP, .262 SLG, 3 HR, 7 2B, 15 RBI, 28 R, 3 SB
Overview: Cuas reached base three times against Bradenton on June 10 and now has two three-hit games in his last three contests.
Jake Drossner – Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Milwaukee Brewers)
Stats: 3-5, 57.1 IP, 4.24 ERA, 17 G, 10 GS, 1 SV, 55 K, 34 BB, .283 AVG
Overview: Drossner put together a solid start on June 8 against Peoria on June 8, earning a win after tossing five innings and giving up just one earned run. He has been moved back into the starting rotation after a month long stint in the bullpen.
Kevin Martir – Tri-City ValleyCats (Houston Astros)
Stats: .167 AVG, .231 OBP, .333 SLG,
Overview: Martir had the best game of his season on July 1, homering in a 5-3 victory over Hudson Valley.
Kevin Mooney – Auburn Doubledays (Washington Nationals)
Stats: 8.0 IP, 1.13 ERA, 7 K, 2 BB, .115 AVG, 1 SV.
Overview: Mooney has been sensational for Auburn this season with a miniscule 1.13 ERA and a .115 average against.
Alex Robinson – Elizabethton Twins (Minnesota Twins)
Stats: 9.0 IP, 5.00 ERA, 12 K, .257 AVG
Overview: Robinson struck out four over two innings of work his last time out on July 4.
Rob Galligan – Missoula Osprey (Arizona Diamondbacks)
Stats: 7.1 IP, 8.59 ERA, 4 K
Overview: Galligan went four consecutive outings without giving up an earned run and has made six total appearances for Missoula.
