The first call-up of a minor league prospect with ties to Lenawee County took place this week as former Adrian College third baseman and closer got the call to Triple-A.
Darnell, who was signed by the Colorado Rockies in February of 2021, made it to the top of the Rockies’ system when he was promoted to Triple-A Albuquerque on the Fourth of July.
Darnell, who posted a 6-1 record with a 1.55 ERA, seven saves and two holds in Double-A Hartford, made his Triple-A debut on July 4 and was greeted by a home run in an inning of work.
Darnell, however, turned around two days later and tossed 1.1 scoreless innings. He did give up three hits and two walks, but didn’t allow a run.
Darnell is the third Adrian College baseball alumni to reach Triple-A since 2021, joining pitcher Tommy Parsons and infielder Ryan Dorow.
Tommy Parsons, Triple-A Memphis (St. Louis)
Parsons had a rough month of June, going 0-3 with a 9.93 ERA, but had a bounce back game against Nashville.
He took the loss, but went five innings and gave up two runs, on seven hits and three walks while striking out three.
He pitched again later in the week and struggled against Indianapolis, going six innings and giving up six runs, on six hits and three walks while striking out one. Five of the six runs came in the second inning before he settled in and allowed the Redbirds to get back in the game and eventually win.
Sam Benschoter, Double-A Chattanooga (Cincinnati)
Benschoter went four innings against Rocket City in his start this week. He didn’t factor into the decision, giving up four runs, on five hits and three walks while striking out five.
The former Michigan State pitcher and two-time Lenawee County Pitcher of the Year from Tecumseh is 2-6 in Double-A with an 8.28 ERA.
Cameron Wagoner, Single-A Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
Another former two-time Lenawee County Pitcher of the Year from Tecumseh, Wagoner had two starts last week, taking the loss in both games.
In the first game against Quad Cities on July 3, Wagoner went 4.1 innings and gave up six runs, on 10 hits, one walk and one strikeout.
The second was much better against Beloit. Wagoner went five innings and gave up three runs, on eight hits and two walks while striking out three.
Pierce Banks, Florida Complex League (Minnesota)
Banks had his best outing of the summer as he took on the Orioles and got his first win of the FCL.
The former Adrian College pitcher went 2.2 innings and gave up no runs or hits while walking one and striking out four.
Banks is 1-0 this season with an ERA of 3.72.
Injured List
Former Adrian College pitcher, Mo Hanley, was placed on the 7-Day IL and hasn’t pitched since his minor league debut on May 26. Hanley was drafted by the Los Angeles Angles in the 13th round of the 2021 MLB Draft, but spent the first two years of his professional career recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Former Adrian College infielder, Dorow, remains on the 60-Day IL after separating his shoulder in a slide at home during a spring training game for the Texas Rangers.
Toledo Mud Hens
The Mud Hens went 4-3 to cap the final week of the first half of the regular season.
The second half of the season has begun and the records have reset in the International League where Toledo is 5-7 going into the break.
Third baseman Justyn-Henry Malloy leads the Mud Hens in batting average (.276), home runs (14) and RBIs (52) while Parker Meadows leads with 60 runs and 11 stolen bases.
Tigers No. 1 prospect, Colt Keith, continued to pound the ball this week for Toledo. After going 7-for-13 with two home runs in his first week, he went 5-for-6 this week with a double and two RBIs and a stolen base.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Adrian College’s Darnell called up to Triple-A Albuquerque