There’s been a tough run for South Carolina baseball players in the MLB of late. The guys who are up are performing well, but there aren’t a lot of players on active rosters at the moment. In fact, the Gamecocks only have five guys who are currently in the MLB. One has bounced back and forth a good bit, but is down right now, while another was about to make his return to the Bigs, but got hurt again.
Here’s a list of seven guys who are either in the MLB, or have had some recent run in the majors. An eight, long-time MLBer Jackie Bradley Jr., was released last week by the Boston Red Sox. He’s still looking for a place to play.
Infielder Jonah Bride, Oakland Athletics – MLB profile page: After a one month layoff due to a shoulder injury, Bride is back for the A’s and has been in the starting lineup nearly every game since July 26. He’s struggling a bit offensively at the moment going 7- for-31, a .226 average, in his nine games back. All of his hits have been singles and he has three walks against seven strikeouts in that time with no RBIs and three runs scored. He does have a hit in each of his last three games and has been on base a total of five times in 14 plate appearances, though.
Pitcher Will Crowe, Pittsburgh Pirates – MLB profile page: Crowe continues to pitch well out of the bullpen for the Pirates and has not given up more than one earned run in an appearance since June 28, a span of 15 appearances. In those appearances, he’s tossed 15 innings and gave up three earned runs, good for a 1.80 ERA. In 44 games this season, Crowe has given up more than one earned run only four times. For the year, he has a 3.09 ERA with a 4-6 record. He has three saves in 58 1/3 innings pitched with 57 strikeouts.
Utility man Whit Merrifield, Toronto Blue Jays – MLB profile page: After trade rumors surrounded Merrifield at the deadline for the better part of his career, he was finally dealt to the Toronto Blue Jays. He’s started three games for the team – all in centerfield – and played in one other. He’s 5-for-14, all hits being singles, with six strikeouts so far for his new team. He’s scored three runs and drove one in as well. Merrifield got off to a terrible start this year hitting .141 in April, but has rebounded since then hitting .286 in July and .357 so far this month. He has his average up to .244 with six home runs, 54 runs scored, 43 RBIs and 16 stolen bases.
Pitcher Jordan Montgomery, St. Louis Cardinals – MLB profile page: Montgomery was also traded at the deadline and has made his first start for his new team, which came against his old team. Monty went 5 shutout innings against the Yankees to pick up the win allowing only two hits with one walk and one strikeout. For the year, he has a 4-3 record with a 3.53 ERA in 22 starts. He has pitched 119 2/3 innings with 98 strikeouts.
Pitcher Clarke Schmidt, New York Yankees – MLB profile page: After a week with the Yankees in late July, Schmidt is back in AAA, somehow. The right-hander made two appearances in his latest stint and picked up three inning saves in both games without allowing a run. In those appearances, totaling 6 innings, he allowed four hits and three walks while striking out eight. Apart from one game in early June, Schmidt has pitched phenomenally for the Yankees. Even with the four earned run appearances in 1 2/3 innings on June 8, Schmidt has a 2.40 ERA with a 4-2 record. In 30 innings pitched, he has 29 strikeouts in 16 games pitched.
Infielder Max Schrock, Cincinnati Reds – MLB profile page: Schrock is back on the injured list. He started the year on the 60-day IL with a hamstring injury, and now he’ll finish the year on it with a right patella fracture, which he suffered when fouling a ball off of his knee cap.
First baseman Christian Walker, Arizona Diamondbacks – MLB profile page: Walker isn’t enjoying his best season in pro ball, but he’s having a great August. In six games played this month, Walker has three home runs and nine RBIs. He’s hitting only .240 for the month, but those hits have been productive as he’s also added a double with only four strikeouts in 25 at-bats. Walker is hitting .203 this season with 26 home runs and 61 RBIs. He has a .302 OBP and .753 OPS.