Photo by: Noah Murray
Baseball Pro Update - 2018 Season Review
Oct 10 | Baseball
Frazier and Kivlehan both competed in the major leagues
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – With the Major League Baseball playoffs in full swing, take a look back at the 2018 season for former Rutgers baseball players at the professional level. Todd Frazier played his eighth season in the big leagues and first with the New York Mets, while Patrick Kivlehan made his debut for the Arizona Diamondbacks towards the end of the season. In addition, Brian O'Grady was promoted to the Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds; Max Herrmann, Jawuan Harris, Nick Matera and John O'Reilly are playing in the lower levels of the minor leagues, while Nate Roe, Michael Lang and Mark McCoy are playing in independent leagues.
SCARLET KNIGHTS IN THE PROS
Todd Frazier – New York Mets
Patrick Kivlehan – Arizona Diamondbacks
Brian O'Grady – Louisville Bats (Cincinnati Reds, AAA)
Max Herrmann – Burlington Bees (Los Angeles Angels, A)
Jawuan Harris – AZL Padres 1 (San Diego Padres, Rookie)
Nick Matera – GCL Phillies West (Philadelphia Phillies, Rookie)
John O'Reilly – Bristol Pirates (Pittsburgh Pirates, Rookie)
Nate Roe – Somerset Patriots (Atlantic League)
Michael Lang – Sioux City Explorers (American Association)
Mark McCoy – Sussex County Miners (Canadian-American Association)
TODD FRAZIER | BASEBALL-REFERENCE PAGE
After playing for the New York Yankees to close out 2017, Frazier went across town to sign a two-year contract with the New York Mets in the offseason. For the 2018 season, Frazier finished with 18 home runs, which was second best on the team, and added 59 RBIs as the team's primary third baseman. He now has 193 homers, 557 RBIs and a .770 career OPS since being called up in 2011.
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 spent most of the season in the New York Mets' organization at Triple-A Las Vegas, where he hit .314/.372/.588 with 20 home runs in 98 games, before being traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks in September and playing on their major league roster to close out the season. Seeing time in the outfield, he had a .538 slugging percentage and two triples in nine games played for the Diamondbacks.
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 started his season with Double-A Pensacola in the Cincinnati Reds' organization, and after having a .826 OPS, the outfielder was promoted to Triple-A Louisville. He finished .306/.365/.563 in 42 games with the Bats, crushing eight homers and scoring 44 runs.
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 played for three different teams in the Los Angles Angels' organization, including Double-A Mobile. He combined to pitch in 31 games with 12 starts to total 81.0 innings and 68 strikeouts on the season.
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.
JAWUAN HARRIS | BASEBALL-REFERENCE PAGE
Harris was taken in the seventh round in June and joined the Padres with a $215,000 signing bonus. The centerfielder played in the organization's rookie team in the Arizona League finishing with 20 RBIs, 14 steals, 29 walks and a .735 OPS on the season. He had a hit in nine of the last 10 games of the season, including one of his four triples in the last game.
A member of both the baseball and football programs at Rutgers, Harris ranks third in school history with 82 stolen bases, a number that led all Division I players over the last three seasons. At the plate, Harris produced 22 doubles, seven triples, 13 home runs, 98 runs and 76 RBIs during his career. The centerfielder drew 81 walks to help record a .373 on-base percentage, including a team-best .391 OBP in conference play in this past season, to go with a .418 collegiate slugging mark. One of his highlights was a three-homer performance in the nightcap of a doubleheader at USC Upstate in 2017. Harris played wide receiver and safety on the gridiron.
NICK MATERA | BASEBALL-REFERENCE PAGE
Picked in the 34th round by the Phillies, Matera played for the Gulf Coast League Phillies West. The catcher appeared in 25 games with six doubles and .348 on-base percentage this season.
Matera, who batted third or fourth in the lineup in each game started, led the Scarlet Knights with 18 extra-base hits and 35 RBIs this past season. He popped five home runs, knocked in 22 with two outs and totaled 11 multiple-RBI games. In addition, the catcher reached base safely in each of the first 18 games of the season, including a 10-game hitting streak during that stretch. Defensively, Matera tied for fifth in the Big Ten following the 2018 regular season with 12 runners caught stealing. He threw out nine in conference play the previous year to rank second in the league.
JOHN O'REILLY | BASEBALL-REFERENCE PAGE
O'Reilly signed with the Pirates in June and pitched in both the Gulf Coast League and the Appalachian League. For Bristol in the latter, the right-hander pitched 25.1 innings out of the bullpen with a 1.3 WHIP and 7.5 strikeouts per nine innings. He ended the campaign by working three shutout innings against Danville.
O'Reilly finished his collegiate career ranked second in program history with 49 starts, fourth with 300.2 innings and seventh with 174 strikeouts. A three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, he started each of the 14 weekend series this past season as the staff ace, working at least six innings nine times with one complete game allowing no earned runs to beat Penn State in the Big Ten opener. The right-hander tied for first among conference pitchers with 54.1 innings in league play and ranked fourth overall after the regular season with 86.1 innings on the mound. O'Reilly struck out 43 and induced 11 double plays throughout the campaign.
NATE ROE | BASEBALL-REFERENCE PAGE
Roe appeared in 48 games for the Somerset Patriots in the Atlantic League. The right-hander won five games and had 41 strikeouts, totaling 59.1 innings.
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. Roe has also pitched in Australia and in the Canadian-American Association.
MICHAEL LANG | BASEBALL-REFERENCE PAGE
Lang finished in sixth season for the Sioux City Explorers in the American Association. This season, the outfielder had 126 hits and 45 RBIs on a .304/.369/.435 slash line. On July 26, Lang became the all-time hits leader for the Explorers.
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. He also ranks in the top 10 in the RU record book in career triples (tied fifth, 13), career total bases (fifth, 372), career runs (sixth, 176), career doubles (tied seventh, 48) and career home runs (tied 10th, 23). He capped his run by earning All-Big East status as a senior in 2011.
MARK MCCOY | BASEBALL-REFERENCE PAGE
McCoy pitched for the Sussex Miners of the Canadian-American Association, having appeared in 15 games with six starts this season. The left-hander logged 42.2 innings, striking out 31.
Arriving at Rutgers as a transfer in the fall of 2014, McCoy earned a spot in the weekend rotation in 2015 and made 12 starts on the season, including seven to begin a series. He finished second on the team with 63.0 innings pitched and 46 strikeouts (21 called). Displaying a good move to first, the lefty tied for second in the Big Ten with four pickoffs. The Royals selected him in the 29th round in 2015.
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 (@RutgersBaseball), Instagram (@rutgersbaseball), Facebook (/BaseballRU) and Snapchat (rutgersbaseball). For additional updates, please download the Gameday App.
SCARLET KNIGHTS IN THE PROS
Todd Frazier – New York Mets
Patrick Kivlehan – Arizona Diamondbacks
Brian O'Grady – Louisville Bats (Cincinnati Reds, AAA)
Max Herrmann – Burlington Bees (Los Angeles Angels, A)
Jawuan Harris – AZL Padres 1 (San Diego Padres, Rookie)
Nick Matera – GCL Phillies West (Philadelphia Phillies, Rookie)
John O'Reilly – Bristol Pirates (Pittsburgh Pirates, Rookie)
Nate Roe – Somerset Patriots (Atlantic League)
Michael Lang – Sioux City Explorers (American Association)
Mark McCoy – Sussex County Miners (Canadian-American Association)
TODD FRAZIER | BASEBALL-REFERENCE PAGE
After playing for the New York Yankees to close out 2017, Frazier went across town to sign a two-year contract with the New York Mets in the offseason. For the 2018 season, Frazier finished with 18 home runs, which was second best on the team, and added 59 RBIs as the team's primary third baseman. He now has 193 homers, 557 RBIs and a .770 career OPS since being called up in 2011.
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.
.@FlavaFraz21 didn't exactly send us home, but game one ended on a long ball. 💪💪💪 #MetsWin pic.twitter.com/0wiXMCp7dZ
— New York Mets (@Mets) September 13, 2018
PATRICK KIVLEHAN | BASEBALL-REFERENCE PAGE
Kivlehan spent most of the season in the New York Mets' organization at Triple-A Las Vegas, where he hit .314/.372/.588 with 20 home runs in 98 games, before being traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks in September and playing on their major league roster to close out the season. Seeing time in the outfield, he had a .538 slugging percentage and two triples in nine games played for the Diamondbacks.
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.
Welcome to #GenerationDbacks, @PatrickKivlehan! pic.twitter.com/kArRl7XVU0
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) September 6, 2018
BRIAN O'GRADY | BASEBALL-REFERENCE PAGE
O'Grady started his season with Double-A Pensacola in the Cincinnati Reds' organization, and after having a .826 OPS, the outfielder was promoted to Triple-A Louisville. He finished .306/.365/.563 in 42 games with the Bats, crushing eight homers and scoring 44 runs.
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.
"listen bro your moustache is decent but it's not even close to mine"- @Corky_Miller pic.twitter.com/KyBtlRopvL
— Brian O'Grady (@BrianOGrady21) September 2, 2018
MAX HERRMANN | BASEBALL-REFERENCE PAGE
Herrmann played for three different teams in the Los Angles Angels' organization, including Double-A Mobile. He combined to pitch in 31 games with 12 starts to total 81.0 innings and 68 strikeouts on the season.
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.
Sorry @BrianOGrady21 it slipped ❤️ @RutgersBaseball pic.twitter.com/t0KnaOY8oI
— Max (@Max_Hermz44) June 17, 2018
JAWUAN HARRIS | BASEBALL-REFERENCE PAGE
Harris was taken in the seventh round in June and joined the Padres with a $215,000 signing bonus. The centerfielder played in the organization's rookie team in the Arizona League finishing with 20 RBIs, 14 steals, 29 walks and a .735 OPS on the season. He had a hit in nine of the last 10 games of the season, including one of his four triples in the last game.
A member of both the baseball and football programs at Rutgers, Harris ranks third in school history with 82 stolen bases, a number that led all Division I players over the last three seasons. At the plate, Harris produced 22 doubles, seven triples, 13 home runs, 98 runs and 76 RBIs during his career. The centerfielder drew 81 walks to help record a .373 on-base percentage, including a team-best .391 OBP in conference play in this past season, to go with a .418 collegiate slugging mark. One of his highlights was a three-homer performance in the nightcap of a doubleheader at USC Upstate in 2017. Harris played wide receiver and safety on the gridiron.
Former Rutgers football/baseball player Jawuan Harris struggled early, but has picked it up, batting .313 w/ a .439 on-base-percentage over last 10 games for the Padres' rookie-ball team. He's also cut down on his strikeouts, which was an issue early (and at RU). pic.twitter.com/2CFUqfC1qr
— Keith Sargeant (@KSargeantNJ) August 26, 2018
NICK MATERA | BASEBALL-REFERENCE PAGE
Picked in the 34th round by the Phillies, Matera played for the Gulf Coast League Phillies West. The catcher appeared in 25 games with six doubles and .348 on-base percentage this season.
Matera, who batted third or fourth in the lineup in each game started, led the Scarlet Knights with 18 extra-base hits and 35 RBIs this past season. He popped five home runs, knocked in 22 with two outs and totaled 11 multiple-RBI games. In addition, the catcher reached base safely in each of the first 18 games of the season, including a 10-game hitting streak during that stretch. Defensively, Matera tied for fifth in the Big Ten following the 2018 regular season with 12 runners caught stealing. He threw out nine in conference play the previous year to rank second in the league.
Good luck to Nick Matera at the next level! #RBaseball catcher officially signed with the @Phillies.
— Rutgers Baseball (@RutgersBaseball) June 18, 2018
Release: https://t.co/3TDdI2pU5v pic.twitter.com/1CSvcqRy9Y
JOHN O'REILLY | BASEBALL-REFERENCE PAGE
O'Reilly signed with the Pirates in June and pitched in both the Gulf Coast League and the Appalachian League. For Bristol in the latter, the right-hander pitched 25.1 innings out of the bullpen with a 1.3 WHIP and 7.5 strikeouts per nine innings. He ended the campaign by working three shutout innings against Danville.
O'Reilly finished his collegiate career ranked second in program history with 49 starts, fourth with 300.2 innings and seventh with 174 strikeouts. A three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, he started each of the 14 weekend series this past season as the staff ace, working at least six innings nine times with one complete game allowing no earned runs to beat Penn State in the Big Ten opener. The right-hander tied for first among conference pitchers with 54.1 innings in league play and ranked fourth overall after the regular season with 86.1 innings on the mound. O'Reilly struck out 43 and induced 11 double plays throughout the campaign.
O-O-O-Reilly tosses three shutout innings in BriBucs win: https://t.co/0kV2s0SgCX pic.twitter.com/6IRxf2jDg3
— BristolSports (@BHCSports) August 28, 2018
NATE ROE | BASEBALL-REFERENCE PAGE
Roe appeared in 48 games for the Somerset Patriots in the Atlantic League. The right-hander won five games and had 41 strikeouts, totaling 59.1 innings.
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. Roe has also pitched in Australia and in the Canadian-American Association.
Here's Nate Roe talking about getting to come home and pitch for the @SOMPatriots -- https://t.co/krX6Wq1v1I
— Mike Ashmore (@mashmore98) March 6, 2018
MICHAEL LANG | BASEBALL-REFERENCE PAGE
Lang finished in sixth season for the Sioux City Explorers in the American Association. This season, the outfielder had 126 hits and 45 RBIs on a .304/.369/.435 slash line. On July 26, Lang became the all-time hits leader for the Explorers.
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. He also ranks in the top 10 in the RU record book in career triples (tied fifth, 13), career total bases (fifth, 372), career runs (sixth, 176), career doubles (tied seventh, 48) and career home runs (tied 10th, 23). He capped his run by earning All-Big East status as a senior in 2011.
Between doubleheader games tonight the @SiouxCityXs get a chance to recognize a pair of greats: Nolan Lane passing the torch to Michael Lang, the news all time hits leader for Sioux City. pic.twitter.com/xHSAioKCHi
— Owen Siebring (@owensiebring) July 28, 2018
MARK MCCOY | BASEBALL-REFERENCE PAGE
McCoy pitched for the Sussex Miners of the Canadian-American Association, having appeared in 15 games with six starts this season. The left-hander logged 42.2 innings, striking out 31.
Arriving at Rutgers as a transfer in the fall of 2014, McCoy earned a spot in the weekend rotation in 2015 and made 12 starts on the season, including seven to begin a series. He finished second on the team with 63.0 innings pitched and 46 strikeouts (21 called). Displaying a good move to first, the lefty tied for second in the Big Ten with four pickoffs. The Royals selected him in the 29th round in 2015.
Still playing baseball and he finished his degree!! Proud parents!! pic.twitter.com/tcEpcuwwed
— Dan McCoy (@rumccoy2241) July 6, 2018
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 (@RutgersBaseball), Instagram (@rutgersbaseball), Facebook (/BaseballRU) and Snapchat (rutgersbaseball). For additional updates, please download the Gameday App.
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