Baseball Pro Update - July
Jul 26 | Baseball
Ten Scarlet Knights are currently playing at the professional level
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The professional baseball season has passed the midpoint with the MLB All-Star Game having taken place last week in Washington, D.C. A total of 10 Rutgers baseball alumni are in the pro ranks, including seven affiliated with major league organizations.
Several Scarlet Knights have squared off against each other in the minor leagues this year. Max Herrmann elevated to Double-A and faced off against Brian O'Grady in a game at Pensacola, buzzing a pitch over his head during the matchup. Then at the rookie level, John O'Reilly and Nick Matera, battery-mates from this past spring, competed from opposing dugouts for the Pirates and Phillies' teams, respectively.
Joining Matera and O'Reilly from last season's roster is Jawuan Harris, who was taken in the seventh round by the Padres. Harris was the highest RU draft pick since Patrick Kivlehan in 2012.
Most recently, Brian O'Grady earned a promotion to Triple-A Louisville in the Reds' system.
SCARLET KNIGHTS IN THE PROS
Todd Frazier – New York Mets
Patrick Kivlehan – Las Vegas 51s (New York Mets, AAA)
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 helping the Yankees to within one game of the World Series last fall, Frazier inked a two-year deal with the crosstown Mets in the offseason. The third baseman is currently on the DL, but has slugged 10 home runs to go with 32 RBIs in 61 games this season. His next game played will be his 1,000th MLB appearance, as he has totaled 869 hits, 185 homers and 530 RBIs on a .773 career OPS.
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, who has 123 games of MLB experience, is currently on the Las Vegas 51s after being signed by the Mets in the spring. He has played both infield and outfield, totaling 14 doubles, seven home runs and 40 RBIs so far in 2018. The former two-sport athlete at Rutgers recently had four-straight multiple-hit games.
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 MLB debut in 2016 with the San Diego Padres.
BRIAN O'GRADY | BASEBALL-REFERENCE PAGE
After posting an .826 OPS at Double-A Pensacola with 27 walks, 12 doubles, four triples and six home runs, O'Grady moved up to Triple-A Louisville last week. He has started off hitting 4-for-14 in five games for the Bats, including a long ball on Tuesday. O'Grady has seen time at first base and in the outfield. Overall, he is in his fifth minor league season with 324 hits, 205 runs, 41 home runs, 61 stolen bases and 196 RBIs.
A third-team all-conference pick as a senior at Rutgers, O'Grady 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. He 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 has pitched for three different teams in the Angels' organization this season, Double-A Mobile, A+ Inland Empire and A Burlington. Primarily with Burlington, the left-hander has made 24 appearances and logged 67.1 innings and 45 strikeouts. He has made nine starts, including a five-inning outing Wednesday.
Herrmann, who signed as an undrafted free agent, 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, New Jersey, 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 is playing for the organization's rookie team in the Arizona League and owns three home runs, 15 RBIs and eight stolen bases through 25 games.
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 is playing for the Gulf Coast League Phillies West. The catcher has appeared in 15 games with 12 hits, four doubles, six walks and four RBIs so far.
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 has pitched in both the Gulf Coast League and the Appalachian League. For Bristol in the latter, the right-hander has pitched eight innings out of the bullpen with only two earned runs allowed. Opposing batters have been held to a .179 average as O'Reilly owns a 0.88 WHIP.
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
After an All-Star season in 2017, Roe was traded within the Atlantic League to the local Somerset Patriots in the offseason. The right-hander has appeared in 28 games out of the bullpen with 26 strikeouts over 32.1 innings and a 3.34 ERA. He was honored with the Chris Zusi Award as outstanding male athlete from Union County in February.
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 is now in his seventh season in professional baseball and fifth year with the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association. He is producing at a .316/.369/.453 clip in 2018 with 33 RBIs as an everyday outfielder. Lang owns 527 career hits for the Explorers, just three shy of claiming the team's all-time record.
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 is pitching for the Sussex Miners of the Canadian-American Association, having appeared in 14 games with six starts this season. The left-hander has logged 40.2 innings, striking out 31 with a high of seven June 14. In a recent game against the New Jersey Jackals, he picked up the win by pitching five innings.
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.
Several Scarlet Knights have squared off against each other in the minor leagues this year. Max Herrmann elevated to Double-A and faced off against Brian O'Grady in a game at Pensacola, buzzing a pitch over his head during the matchup. Then at the rookie level, John O'Reilly and Nick Matera, battery-mates from this past spring, competed from opposing dugouts for the Pirates and Phillies' teams, respectively.
Joining Matera and O'Reilly from last season's roster is Jawuan Harris, who was taken in the seventh round by the Padres. Harris was the highest RU draft pick since Patrick Kivlehan in 2012.
Most recently, Brian O'Grady earned a promotion to Triple-A Louisville in the Reds' system.
SCARLET KNIGHTS IN THE PROS
Todd Frazier – New York Mets
Patrick Kivlehan – Las Vegas 51s (New York Mets, AAA)
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 helping the Yankees to within one game of the World Series last fall, Frazier inked a two-year deal with the crosstown Mets in the offseason. The third baseman is currently on the DL, but has slugged 10 home runs to go with 32 RBIs in 61 games this season. His next game played will be his 1,000th MLB appearance, as he has totaled 869 hits, 185 homers and 530 RBIs on a .773 career OPS.
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.
Toms River ➡️ @RutgersU ➡️ @Mets
— Rutgers Scarlet Knights (@RUAthletics) June 11, 2018
He's one heck of a ballplayer, but he's even better person and father. Great W last night for our very own Jersey boy @FlavaFraz21‼️ #GoRU l 🛡⚔️ https://t.co/TwLOA0feq9
PATRICK KIVLEHAN | BASEBALL-REFERENCE PAGE
Kivlehan, who has 123 games of MLB experience, is currently on the Las Vegas 51s after being signed by the Mets in the spring. He has played both infield and outfield, totaling 14 doubles, seven home runs and 40 RBIs so far in 2018. The former two-sport athlete at Rutgers recently had four-straight multiple-hit games.
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 MLB debut in 2016 with the San Diego Padres.
.@patrickkivlehan went 2-for-4 with a homer for the @LasVegas51s in a loss to Nashville. https://t.co/XexUJtxYF3 pic.twitter.com/GzlMUNVU2E
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) July 25, 2018
BRIAN O'GRADY | BASEBALL-REFERENCE PAGE
After posting an .826 OPS at Double-A Pensacola with 27 walks, 12 doubles, four triples and six home runs, O'Grady moved up to Triple-A Louisville last week. He has started off hitting 4-for-14 in five games for the Bats, including a long ball on Tuesday. O'Grady has seen time at first base and in the outfield. Overall, he is in his fifth minor league season with 324 hits, 205 runs, 41 home runs, 61 stolen bases and 196 RBIs.
A third-team all-conference pick as a senior at Rutgers, O'Grady 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. He 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 has pitched for three different teams in the Angels' organization this season, Double-A Mobile, A+ Inland Empire and A Burlington. Primarily with Burlington, the left-hander has made 24 appearances and logged 67.1 innings and 45 strikeouts. He has made nine starts, including a five-inning outing Wednesday.
Herrmann, who signed as an undrafted free agent, 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, New Jersey, 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 is playing for the organization's rookie team in the Arizona League and owns three home runs, 15 RBIs and eight stolen bases through 25 games.
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.
.@JayHarris_1 Jawuan Harris (13) OF AZL Padres 1 2018 7th round #padres #sandiegopadres #sdpadres #gopadres #draft2018 #mlbdraft #mlbdraft2018 @milb#rutgers #scarletknights #rutgersbaseball #scarletknightsbaseball
— Phrake Photography (@phrakephoto) July 6, 2018
More Photos here https://t.co/RyjBJBXqLn pic.twitter.com/XHJHIeZNzF
NICK MATERA | BASEBALL-REFERENCE PAGE
Picked in the 34th round by the Phillies, Matera is playing for the Gulf Coast League Phillies West. The catcher has appeared in 15 games with 12 hits, four doubles, six walks and four RBIs so far.
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.
Catch up with @RoxburyHS, @RutgersBaseball catcher Nick Matera, now @Phillies Gulf Coast League https://t.co/LOFigsGX3Z #NJBaseball @nickymoo33 @Go_MC_Crusaders @MC_Cubs
— Daily Record Sports (@dailyrecordspts) July 4, 2018
JOHN O'REILLY | BASEBALL-REFERENCE PAGE
O'Reilly signed with the Pirates in June and has pitched in both the Gulf Coast League and the Appalachian League. For Bristol in the latter, the right-hander has pitched eight innings out of the bullpen with only two earned runs allowed. Opposing batters have been held to a .179 average as O'Reilly owns a 0.88 WHIP.
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.
Excited to see @RutgersBaseball guy @johnoreilly414 pitching for the @BriBucs in Bluefield tonight! #milb pic.twitter.com/r62oELThsH
— Julie Huebsch (@jahuebsch) July 25, 2018
Pleasure seeing my backstop today! However glad I don't have to wait for him in between innings anymore 😂😂. @RutgersBaseball @nickymoo33 pic.twitter.com/aGGzZYe3kC
— John O'Reilly (@johnoreilly414) July 4, 2018
NATE ROE | BASEBALL-REFERENCE PAGE
After an All-Star season in 2017, Roe was traded within the Atlantic League to the local Somerset Patriots in the offseason. The right-hander has appeared in 28 games out of the bullpen with 26 strikeouts over 32.1 innings and a 3.34 ERA. He was honored with the Chris Zusi Award as outstanding male athlete from Union County in February.
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 is now in his seventh season in professional baseball and fifth year with the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association. He is producing at a .316/.369/.453 clip in 2018 with 33 RBIs as an everyday outfielder. Lang owns 527 career hits for the Explorers, just three shy of claiming the team's all-time record.
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.
Just one win away from a 4-game sweep, the @SiouxCityXs take down Cleburne once again... meanwhile Michael Lang inches closer to history.https://t.co/qgiwZb2lOS
— Owen Siebring (@owensiebring) July 26, 2018
MARK MCCOY | BASEBALL-REFERENCE PAGE
McCoy is pitching for the Sussex Miners of the Canadian-American Association, having appeared in 14 games with six starts this season. The left-hander has logged 40.2 innings, striking out 31 with a high of seven June 14. In a recent game against the New Jersey Jackals, he picked up the win by pitching five innings.
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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