Baseball Pro Update - Season Review
Dec 06 | Baseball
Frazier advances to ALCS
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - With the hot stove heating up, take a look back at the 2017 season for former Rutgers baseball players at the professional level. Todd Frazier provided a spark for the New York Yankees on the way to the ALCS, while Patrick Kivlehan played his first full season in the major leagues with the Cincinnati Reds after making the team out of spring training. In addition, Brian O'Grady finished out the season at AA Pensacola in the Reds' organization and Max Herrmann pitched for the AZL Angels. Both Michael Lang and Nate Roe, who made the Atlantic League All-Star Game, competed in independent professional leagues.
Also, Howie Brey announced his retirement over the summer after spending time with the Houston Astros.
TODD FRAZIER | BASEBALL-REFERENCE PAGE
After being traded to the Yankees in July, Frazier became the first Scarlet Knight to reach the League Championship Series since Bob Macdonald (Toronto Blue Jays ) in 1991. He started all 13 postseason games at third base and had 10 hits, including a three-run homer in game three of the ALCS to propel the team to its first victory of the series. Frazier also led the "thumbs down" rallying cry late in the season.
For the season, Fraizer hit 27 home runs to join Josh Donaldson and Kyle Seager as the only MLB third basemen with at least 25 home runs in each of the last four seasons. He finished with a .788 OPS and owns 175 career home runs in 938 career games in the big leagues. The two-time MLB All-Star and winner of the 2015 Home Run Derby is now a free agent for the first time in his career.
One of the most accomplished players in Rutgers history, Frazier ranks first in the RU record book with 42 career home runs and 210 runs during his three seasons (2005-07) in Piscataway. He hit .377 with 93 hits, 24 doubles, 22 home runs, 65 RBIs, 62 walks and 25 stolen bases in a memorable All-America 2007 season that saw the Scarlet Knights win the Big East regular season and tournament. Frazier batted .520 (13-for-25) with three homers and seven RBIs in the tournament held in Brooklyn to help lead Rutgers to an NCAA Regional berth. He was selected by Cincinnati as the 34th overall selection in 2007.
PATRICK KIVLEHAN | BASEBALL-REFERENCE PAGE
Kivlehan was one of seven rookies on the Reds' Opening Day roster and played in 115 games as a utility player. He led the team with nine pinch hits and saw time at five different positions (first base, third base, left field, center field, right field). Kivlehan blasted nine home runs in 178 at bats, including two in a May win at Philadelphia and a grand slam in August versus San Diego. In addition, he collected a career-high four hits against San Francisco in May.
During "Players Weekend," Kivlehan decided to wear "Believe" on his jersey to honor former football teammate Eric LeGrand.
After a four-year football career at safety for the Scarlet Knights, Kivlehan joined the baseball program as a walk-on for the 2012 season. Readjusting to the sport for the first time since high school, Kivlehan won the starting job at third base and won the first league triple crown in Big East history with a .402 average, 10 home runs and 36 RBIs. Overall, he batted .392 with 14 home runs and 50 RBIs overall, to go with a .693 slugging percentage and .480 on-base percentage to win Big East Player of the Year and Third Team All-America by Baseball America. The Mariners took selected him in the fourth round of the 2012 MLB Draft and he made his debut with the San Diego Padres in 2016, hitting a home run his in first game.
BRIAN O'GRADY | BASEBALL-REFERENCE PAGE
O'Grady earned experience at the AA level of the Reds' system in 2017, playing in 66 games for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. He totaled seven home runs and 21 RBIs for a team that won its first Southern League championship. In four professional seasons, O'Grady has a .351 on-base percentage with 109 extra-base hits.
A third-team all-conference pick as a senior in at Rutgers, he led or tied the team lead with 67 hits, five home runs, five triples, 104 total bases, 20 multiple-hit games and a .510 slugging percentage. O'Grady hit .328 for the season with an on-base percentage of .402, also recording 40 runs and 13 stolen bases. He hit a memorable walk-off home run in the bottom of the 14th inning against Temple to end a four hour, 10 minute game at Bainton Field. He finished his collegiate career ranked third in RU baseball history with 771 career at bats, seventh with 227 hits, ninth with 105 walks and tied for 10th with 46 doubles and 10 triples and was picked in the eighth round in 2014.
MAX HERRMANN | BASEBALL-REFERENCE PAGE
Herrmann signed with the Los Angeles Angels in July and appeared in 10 games out of the bullpen for the AZL Angels at the rookie level. The left-hander struck out 17 batters in 16.0 innings, adding one save.
Herrmann finished his time as a Scarlet Knight ranked second in school history with 86 appearances and third with 15 saves, notching 92 strikeouts in 128.0 innings. As a senior captain in 2017, he collected a 3.31 ERA and six saves with 29 strikeouts and a .242 batting average against. A native of Rutherford, N.J., Herrmann was a four-time academic all-conference honoree and twice picked up Big Ten Distinguished Scholar status.
MICHAEL LANG | BASEBALL-REFERENCE PAGE
Lang has been with the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association since 2014 and hit .258/.322/.372 in 90 games this past season. The outfielder has a .303 batting average with 444 hits, 20 homers, 185 RBIs, 114 stolen bases in five seasons of independent league baseball. He led the league with 83 runs scored in 2016. He previously spent time in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization.
During his time as a Scarlet Knight, Lang, who had a .338 career average, finished his career tied for fourth in school history with 229 career hits. His also ranked in the top 10 in the RU record book in career triples (tied third, 13), career total bases (fifth, 372), career runs (sixth, 176), career at-bats (sixth, 678), career doubles (tied seventh 48) and career home runs (tied-ninth, 23). He capped his run by earning All-Big East status as a senior in 2011.
NATE ROE | BASEBALL-REFERENCE PAGE
Roe made the Atlantic League All-Star Game, which was played in Somerset, for the New Britain Bees. He finished the season with a 3.63 ERA in 59 games, including five starts. The right-hander pitched 79,1 innings with 60 strikeouts and a 1.298 WHIP. Roe previous played in the Canadian-American Association, the American Association and traveled overseas to Australia.
Roe, who went through Tommy John surgery, pitched in 61 games for the Scarlet Knights over three seasons. He collected five saves as a senior, including one in the 2013 Big East Tournament with the tying run on second base to advance the team to the semifinals. His 26 games worked in 2010 rank tied for ninth-most in a season in program history.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding baseball, follow the program on Twitter (@BaseballRU), Instagram (@rutgersbaseball), Facebook (/BaseballRU) and Snapchat (rutgersbaseball).
Also, Howie Brey announced his retirement over the summer after spending time with the Houston Astros.
TODD FRAZIER | BASEBALL-REFERENCE PAGE
After being traded to the Yankees in July, Frazier became the first Scarlet Knight to reach the League Championship Series since Bob Macdonald (Toronto Blue Jays ) in 1991. He started all 13 postseason games at third base and had 10 hits, including a three-run homer in game three of the ALCS to propel the team to its first victory of the series. Frazier also led the "thumbs down" rallying cry late in the season.
For the season, Fraizer hit 27 home runs to join Josh Donaldson and Kyle Seager as the only MLB third basemen with at least 25 home runs in each of the last four seasons. He finished with a .788 OPS and owns 175 career home runs in 938 career games in the big leagues. The two-time MLB All-Star and winner of the 2015 Home Run Derby is now a free agent for the first time in his career.
One of the most accomplished players in Rutgers history, Frazier ranks first in the RU record book with 42 career home runs and 210 runs during his three seasons (2005-07) in Piscataway. He hit .377 with 93 hits, 24 doubles, 22 home runs, 65 RBIs, 62 walks and 25 stolen bases in a memorable All-America 2007 season that saw the Scarlet Knights win the Big East regular season and tournament. Frazier batted .520 (13-for-25) with three homers and seven RBIs in the tournament held in Brooklyn to help lead Rutgers to an NCAA Regional berth. He was selected by Cincinnati as the 34th overall selection in 2007.
PATRICK KIVLEHAN | BASEBALL-REFERENCE PAGE
Kivlehan was one of seven rookies on the Reds' Opening Day roster and played in 115 games as a utility player. He led the team with nine pinch hits and saw time at five different positions (first base, third base, left field, center field, right field). Kivlehan blasted nine home runs in 178 at bats, including two in a May win at Philadelphia and a grand slam in August versus San Diego. In addition, he collected a career-high four hits against San Francisco in May.
During "Players Weekend," Kivlehan decided to wear "Believe" on his jersey to honor former football teammate Eric LeGrand.
After a four-year football career at safety for the Scarlet Knights, Kivlehan joined the baseball program as a walk-on for the 2012 season. Readjusting to the sport for the first time since high school, Kivlehan won the starting job at third base and won the first league triple crown in Big East history with a .402 average, 10 home runs and 36 RBIs. Overall, he batted .392 with 14 home runs and 50 RBIs overall, to go with a .693 slugging percentage and .480 on-base percentage to win Big East Player of the Year and Third Team All-America by Baseball America. The Mariners took selected him in the fourth round of the 2012 MLB Draft and he made his debut with the San Diego Padres in 2016, hitting a home run his in first game.
BRIAN O'GRADY | BASEBALL-REFERENCE PAGE
O'Grady earned experience at the AA level of the Reds' system in 2017, playing in 66 games for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. He totaled seven home runs and 21 RBIs for a team that won its first Southern League championship. In four professional seasons, O'Grady has a .351 on-base percentage with 109 extra-base hits.
A third-team all-conference pick as a senior in at Rutgers, he led or tied the team lead with 67 hits, five home runs, five triples, 104 total bases, 20 multiple-hit games and a .510 slugging percentage. O'Grady hit .328 for the season with an on-base percentage of .402, also recording 40 runs and 13 stolen bases. He hit a memorable walk-off home run in the bottom of the 14th inning against Temple to end a four hour, 10 minute game at Bainton Field. He finished his collegiate career ranked third in RU baseball history with 771 career at bats, seventh with 227 hits, ninth with 105 walks and tied for 10th with 46 doubles and 10 triples and was picked in the eighth round in 2014.
MAX HERRMANN | BASEBALL-REFERENCE PAGE
Herrmann signed with the Los Angeles Angels in July and appeared in 10 games out of the bullpen for the AZL Angels at the rookie level. The left-hander struck out 17 batters in 16.0 innings, adding one save.
Herrmann finished his time as a Scarlet Knight ranked second in school history with 86 appearances and third with 15 saves, notching 92 strikeouts in 128.0 innings. As a senior captain in 2017, he collected a 3.31 ERA and six saves with 29 strikeouts and a .242 batting average against. A native of Rutherford, N.J., Herrmann was a four-time academic all-conference honoree and twice picked up Big Ten Distinguished Scholar status.
MICHAEL LANG | BASEBALL-REFERENCE PAGE
Lang has been with the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association since 2014 and hit .258/.322/.372 in 90 games this past season. The outfielder has a .303 batting average with 444 hits, 20 homers, 185 RBIs, 114 stolen bases in five seasons of independent league baseball. He led the league with 83 runs scored in 2016. He previously spent time in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization.
During his time as a Scarlet Knight, Lang, who had a .338 career average, finished his career tied for fourth in school history with 229 career hits. His also ranked in the top 10 in the RU record book in career triples (tied third, 13), career total bases (fifth, 372), career runs (sixth, 176), career at-bats (sixth, 678), career doubles (tied seventh 48) and career home runs (tied-ninth, 23). He capped his run by earning All-Big East status as a senior in 2011.
NATE ROE | BASEBALL-REFERENCE PAGE
Roe made the Atlantic League All-Star Game, which was played in Somerset, for the New Britain Bees. He finished the season with a 3.63 ERA in 59 games, including five starts. The right-hander pitched 79,1 innings with 60 strikeouts and a 1.298 WHIP. Roe previous played in the Canadian-American Association, the American Association and traveled overseas to Australia.
Roe, who went through Tommy John surgery, pitched in 61 games for the Scarlet Knights over three seasons. He collected five saves as a senior, including one in the 2013 Big East Tournament with the tying run on second base to advance the team to the semifinals. His 26 games worked in 2010 rank tied for ninth-most in a season in program history.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding baseball, follow the program on Twitter (@BaseballRU), Instagram (@rutgersbaseball), Facebook (/BaseballRU) and Snapchat (rutgersbaseball).
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