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August 4, 2010

Former Baseball Players Representing Columbus State University Well In The Minors

COLUMBUS – With the minor league baseball season winding down, many players are putting their best play forward in hopes of receiving a September call-up to the big leagues.  Former Columbus State University pitcher Brian Baker is on the brink of having a childhood dream become a reality, putting together a tremendous Triple-A season.  Three other Cougars, Korey Noles, Jason Rogers and James Thompson, are also pursuing their dreams in the minors to one day wear a major league uniform.

Baker has spent the entire season with the Durham Bulls, an affiliate of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.  He has been used primarily as a reliever appearing in 30 games, although he does have five starts.  The righty has a 7-1 record, sporting a 2.56 earned run average (ERA) in 70 1/3 innings of work while allowing 20 earned runs on 57 hits.  He is sporting a strikeout-to-walk ratio over two-to-one and has a 1.14 WHIP (walks + hits / innings pitched).  During his five starts, Baker logged 25 innings giving up just four runs for a 1.44 ERA.  He is 2-0 while opponents are hitting .151 against him. 

"Brian's success at the Triple-A level will hopefully allow him a chance to make it to the majors," said Columbus State University head baseball coach Greg Appleton.  "He will be the first Cougar who made it to the pros and will be such a great accomplishment for a fine young man."

Noles was off to a tremendous start out of the bullpen for the Clearwater Threshers, a Class-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies.  The southpaw had a 1-0 record in 15 appearances during April and May.  During that span he had a 2.42 ERA in 22 1/3 innings of work.  Overall, Noles is 1-1, throwing 29 innings with a 3.72 ERA before landing on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation. 

"We know he was hurt, but he seems to be heading in the right direction with the injury," continued Appleton.  "We hope he gets healthy and back on the mound, and wish him the best."

Thompson has shown flashes this season, but has been marred by a few rough outings.  He is sporting a 2-4 record working out of the bullpen for the Wilmington Blue Rocks, a Single-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals.  He has worked 37 1/3, striking out 37 in 22 appearances.  Coming into the 2010 season, the righty had a career 3.10 ERA in the minors.

"James has pitched pretty well overall, but some really bad outings have skewed his numbers to not look as attractive," stated Appleton.  "He is still striking people out and missing bats which is a plus for a pitcher to do.  His numbers the two previous seasons have been solid and they keep throwing him out there so they must have confidence in him.  Hopefully it all falls into place for him again and he continues to throw like he has in the past."

The final Cougar on a tear in the minors is the 2010 Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year, Jason Rogers.  After producing one of the best single-season's ever at Columbus State University, Rogers has continued his torrid hitting through his first 23 games with the Milwaukee Brewers Rookie League affiliate.  He has picked up 30 hits in 86 at bats for a .349 batting average.  The Riverdale, GA native has seven extra-base hits, two doubles, one triple and two homeruns, has driven in 18 runners and owns a .462 on-base percentage.  His focus is turned up a notch in crucial situations as he is hitting a robust .524 with runners in scoring position. 

"We are extremely happy that Jason got off to such a fast start in the minors," commented Appleton.  "There was no doubt in our mind that he could hit; we hope that he stays healthy and productive like he has been so far."

The minor league seasons end at the end of the month, at which point Major League Baseball teams are able to call-up 15 players from the minor leagues as the rosters are expanded to forty.  Baker would be the first player to reach the big leagues and is the fourth former Columbus State University baseball player to reach the Triple-A level.