Red Raiders In The Pros - Week 24 - Texas Tech Red Raiders

LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech baseball has six former standouts on major league squads in the final month of the 2017 regular season, with 25 more in different levels of the minor league system.

The six Red Raiders in MLB include: Chad Bettis (Colorado Rockies), Daniel Coulombe (Oakland Athletics), Nathan Karns (Kansas City Royals), A.J. Ramos (New York Mets), Josh Tomlin (Cleveland Indians) and Kelby Tomlinson (San Francisco Giants).

Twenty-five additional Red Raider standouts spent the year in the minor leagues, sprinkled throughout the ranks from Class A to AAA, as well as Independent baseball.

In this year's MLB Draft, five Red Raiders were drafted by five different squads. LHP Parker Mushinski (seventh) and OF Tanner Gardner (ninth) were both selected in the top 10 rounds of the draft by the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers, respectively. LHP Jacob Patterson (13th round – St. Louis Cardinals), SS Orlando Garcia (15th round – San Francisco Giants) and 1B Hunter Hargrove (25th round – Oakland Athletics) were taken on the final day. Ryan Long signed a free agent deal with the Evansville Otters, becoming the sixth Red Raider to begin his pro career.

CHAD BETTIS – Colorado Rockies - RHP
After a successful battle with cancer during the offseason & beginning of 2017, Chad Bettis has returned to the Rockies for his fifth season in the MLB. He's made eight starts this year for Colorado, tossing 39.1 innings and striking out 26. In his first night back, he threw 7.0 scoreless frames, while ringing up two batters. He picked up his first win of the year on Sept. 9, tossing 5.0 frames and struck out five at the Dodgers. The Rockies are 84-72 this season and hold the second wild card spot with a 2.0 game lead of Milwaukee and a 2.5 game lead on St. Louis.

DANIEL COULOMBE – Oakland Athletics - LHP
Coulombe has made 70 appearances this season for the A's. He's tossed 50.0 innings, allowing 22 runs, 20 earned, on 44 hits, while striking out 37 for a 3.60 ERA. He allowed just one run in 11 outings durin the month of September, putting together a 1.93 ERA. The A's are 72-83 this year.

NATHAN KARNS – Kansas City Royals - RHP
Karns has made nine appearances this season for the Royals, the first in relief and the last eight in a starting role. This season, Karns is 2-2 with 51 strikeouts and a 4.17 ERA, putting together a 2.01 ERA during the month of May. The Royals are 76-79 this year and are 5.5 games back for the second wild card spot. He was moved to the 60-day disabled list on June 26 and underwent successful thoracic outlet syndrome surgery to end his 2017 campaign.

A.J. RAMOS – New York Mets - RHP
On July 28, A.J. Ramos was traded by the Miami Marlins to the New York Mets. In six years with the Marlins, Ramos put together a 2.28 ERA over 326 appearances. He racked up 92 saves over 328.1 innings of work, tallying 379 strikeouts. In 2017, he is 27 of 30 in save opportunities with 70 strikeouts. He has made 20 appearances with the Mets this season, converting seven of eight save chances with New York. This year, the Mets are 66-89.

JOSH TOMLIN – Cleveland Indians - RHP
Tomlin has started in 24 games this season for the Indians, posting a 9-9 record. He's struck out 100 batters and walked only 14 over 132.0 innings pitched for a 4.98 ERA. He is 2-0 during the month of September over four starts, racking up 14 strikeouts and only two walks for a 2.91 ERA. This season, the Indians are 98-58 with the second-best record in the MLB with a chance to have home field advantage throughout the A.L. playoffs.

KELBY TOMLINSON – San Francisco Giants - INF
Tomlinson has recorded 49 hits, scoring 30 runs and 11 RBI, while putting together a .259 average at the plate this season for the Giants. It is his third stint with the club in as many years. Before getting the call up, Tomlinson had played in 14 games this season for the Sacramento River Cats, racking up 13 hits along with four RBI and 11 runs scored. This season, the Giants are 61-95.

BARRETT BARNES (OF) – Bradenton Marauders – Florida State League - Class A Advanced – Pittsburgh Pirates
Barnes played in 31 games this season for the Indianapolis Indians after returning from injury. Barnes has racked up 23 hits, including eight doubles, along with 13 runs scored and 10 RBI for a .247 average. He put together a three-hit day in his final game of the year on Sept. 4, with a homer and two RBI.
The 2017 season was Barnes' first at the AAA level, who has moved up in the Pirates organization since being drafted in 2012.

DALTON BROWN (RHP) – Arizona League Brewers – Arizona League – Rookie League – Milwaukee Brewers
Brown made two appearances this season for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Over 3.2 innings, he's struck out two, while giving up six earned runs. Last season, Brown finished 1-1 with one save in 12 outings in Rookie League play with the Helena Brewers and the Arizona League Brewers. On May 5, he was assigned to the Helena Brewers. He was assigned to the Arizona League Brewers on June 22 and is listed on the 60-day disabled list.

SHANE BROYLES (RHP) – Albuquerque Isotopes – Pacific Coast League – Class AAA – Colorado Rockies
Broyles pitched in 47 games this year for the Hartford Yard Goats. He finished 37 games, earning 21 saves, while racking up 78 strikeouts over 53.2 innings. He allowed only 15 runs, 11 earned, on 36 hits in his second year with the club for a 1.84 ERA. On Sept. 1, he was promoted to the Albuquerque Isotopes and made one appearance on Sept. 3, tossing a perfect inning against the Reno Aces. Last season, he appeared in 36 games, picking up one save and 69 strikeouts in Class AA play.

MATT CUSTRED (RHP) – Rome Braves – South Atlantic League – Class A – Atlanta Braves
Custred made 24 appearances in 2017 for the Rome Braves this season. In 38.2 innings in Rome, he's allowed only five earned runs and 19 hits, while ringing up 48 opposing hitters for a 1.16 ERA. He finished the year allowing just one run in his last 12 trips to the mound. Last season, Custred made 40 appearances, posting a 5-3 record with two saves, striking out 64 over 56.2 innings pitched.

TY DAMRON (LHP) – Beloit Snappers – Midwest League – Class A – Oakland Athletics
Damron made five starts and 18 total appearances for the Beloit Snappers this season. He's picked up two saves in two chances this year. He's totaled 45.2 innings, striking out 47 batters for a 4.53 ERA and 5-5 record. He picked up victories in his final two outings of the year, while holding opponents off the scoreboard in his final four appearances on the mound.

ZACH DAVIS (OF) – Eugene Emeralds – Northwest League – Class A Short Season – Chicago Cubs
Davis played in 56 games for the Eugene Emeralds this season. He racked up 53 hits, including seven doubles, two triples and two homers, for a .275 average. He has also had 12 RBI, 31 runs scored and 23 stolen bases. In his final game of the year, Davis went 4-for-5 with a double, a triple and two runs. It was his second year in the Cubs organization, playing in the Arizona Rookie League in 2016.

JONNY DROZD (LHP) – Lancaster JetHawks – California League – Class A Advanced – Colorado Rockies
Drozd was picked up by the Colorado Rockies and assigned to the Lancaster JetHawks on July 13. He pitched in 10 games with the club this season. Before the JetHawks, he was with the Fort Myers Miracle, where he put together a 2.83 ERA over 28.2 innings and 18 appearances. It was his fourth year playing professional baseball.

ROBERT DUGGER (RHP) – Modesto Nuts – California League – Class A Advanced – Seattle Mariners
On July 18, Robert Dugger was promoted to the Modesto Nuts, the Class A Advanced squad for the Seattle Mariners. With the Nuts, Dugger made nine starts, totaling 45.2 frames of work, striking out 47 and allowing 20 earned runs for a 3.94 ERA. He picked up his first win with the club on July 27 after going 6.0 innings, giving up just one earned run while ringing up six. His final outing of the year was a 6.0 frame, two hit performance, striking out six batters for his second with of the year with the club. In 22 games with the LumberKings, Dugger was 4-1 with a 2.00 ERA and a nice 69 strikeouts. It is his second year in the Mariners system, spending last year in different spots in Short A ball, Rookie League and Class AAA.

TANNER GARDNER (OF) – Hickory Crawdads – South Atlantic League – Class A – Texas Rangers
Gardner played in 44 games for the Hickory Crawdads this season. He racked up 31 hits, including 10 doubles, a triple and a homer, while drawing 16 walks, scoring 17 runs & driving in 13 RBI for a .217 average. He made starts all over the field in LF & RF, as well as first base, second base and in the DH role after being drafted in the ninth round by the Texas Rangers in this year's draft.

ORLANDO GARCIA (INF) – Salem-Keizer Volcanoes – Northwest League – Class A Short Season – San Francisco Giants
Garcia was assigned to the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes in Class A short season after being drafted in the 15^th round by the San Francisco Giants. In 54 games this season, he hit .268 with 51 hits, including 10 doubles and six homers, along with 33 RBI, 33 runs and 26 walks.

ERIC GUTIERREZ (INF) – Greensboro Grasshoppers – South Atlantic League – Class A – Miami Marlins
Gutierrez played in 90 games this season for the Greensboro Grasshoppers. He threw down 84 hits, including 14 doubles and seven homers, as well as 49 runs scored and 48 RBI for a .258 average. This year marks his first full year in the Marlins system, as he moved from Rookie League to Short A ball in 2016 after completing his collegiate career.

HUNTER HARGROVE (INF) – Vermont Lake Monsters – New York-Penn League – Class A Short Season – Oakland A's
Hargrove was assigned to the Arizona League Athletics on June 23 after being drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 25^th round of this year's draft. He was promoted to the Vermont Lake Monsters on July 31 after finishing his rookie league stint with a .299 average and 20 hits. In 20 games with the Lake Monsters, he had 18 hits, including three doubles and a homer, as well as four runs and seven RBI for a .237 average.

HAYDEN HOWARD (LHP) – Hagerstown Suns – South Atlantic League – Class A – Washington Nationals
Howard appeared in 31 games this year for the Hagerstown Suns, starting two, while picking up five saves. He put together a 4-2 record over 76.1 innings pitched, giving up 25 earned runs and striking out 74 for a 2.95 ERA in his first year in Class A ball. He has given up just one earned run in his last six outings, totaling nine strikeouts during that stretch. Last year, Howard spent time in Short A & Rookie League levels, pitching in 12 games over 23.1 innings.

COLT HYNES (LHP) – Oklahoma City Dodgers – Pacific Coast League – Class AA – Los Angeles Dodgers
Hynes pitched in 23 games for the Tulsa Drillers this season, putting up a 6-1 mark after starting in four contests. Over 56.0 innings, he has allowed 23 earned runs, striking out 42 & issuing only 12 walks for a 3.70 ERA. On Aug. 20, he was promote to the Oklahoma City Dodgers, where he pitched in three games. Hynes returned to the Dodgers organization after spending time with Toronto, Oakland and Cleveland over the last two years, moving from AA-to-AAA-to-MLB.

RYAN LONG (OF) – Evansville Otters – Frontier League – Independent League
Long signed with the Evansville Otters in June and played in 49 games this year for the club all over the outfield & several games at third base. Long has racked up 53 hits, including six doubles, a triple and two homers for a .276/.422/.362 line. He also drew 42 walks, scored 35 runs and drove in 11 RBI.

RYAN MOSELEY (RHP) – Great Lakes Loons – Midwest League – Class A – Los Angeles Dodgers
On June 22, Moseley was assigned to the Great Lakes Loons from the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. He made 18 appearances for the Loons, tossing 36.0 frames and striking out 37. Moseley pitched in 10 games for the Quakes, putting together a 3.26 ERA over 30.1 innings pitched. He struck out 20 while allowing 11 earned runs. After wrapping up his college career in 2016, Moseley spent 12 games with the Aberdeen IronBirds in Short-Season A ball in the Orioles organization.

PARKER MUSHINSKI (LHP) – Tri-City ValleyCats – New York-Penn League – Class A Short Season – Houston Astros
Mushinski made 13 appearances this season for the Tri-City ValleyCats, including three starts. Over 30.0 innings, he allowed 12 earned runs, while striking out 40 for a 3.60 ERA. He struck out a season-high six batters on three separate occasions this season, the last over 3.0 frames on Aug. 13. In his third start with the club, he tossed 2.0 perfect frames, striking out three. Mushinski was Tech's highest draft pick in this 2017 MLB Draft, selected by the Houston Astros in the seventh round.

TYLER NESLONY (OF) – Mississippi Braves – Southern League – Class AA – Atlanta Braves
On July 13, Tyler Neslony was promoted to the Mississippi Braves, the Class AA affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. In 43 games with the Braves, Neslony recorded 28 hits, including four doubles and a homer. He also had 14 RBI, 18 walks and 12 runs scored. In 60 games with the Florida Fire Frogs, Neslony had 67 hits, including 17 doubles and three homers, with 21 RBI and 31 runs scored for a 309/.378/.442 clip. Last year, he played in 46 games in Class A & Rookie League play, hitting a combined .280 with 46 hits.

JACOB PATTERSON (LHP) – Johnson City Cardinals – Appalachian League – Rookie League – St. Louis Cardinals
Patterson pitched in 23 games this season for the Johnson City Cardinals, making his pro debut on June 22. He tossed 23.1 frames this year, striking out 33, while allowing just five earned runs on 15 hits for a 1.93 ERA. Patterson was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 13^th round of this year's draft.

DUSTIN RICHARDSON (LHP) – Long Island Ducks – Atlantic League – Independent League
Richardson pitched in 48 games for the Sugar Land Skeeters this season, finishing off nine games to earn four saves. In 43.0 innings pitched, he struck out 62 & gave up 34 hits for a 5.02 ERA. He also made six appearances for the Long Island Ducks, striking out eight over 4.1 frames of work. It is his second stint in the Independent League, playing for Long Island last season. He's been a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers & Angels organizations along with the Marlins & Braves, as well as playing in the majors for the Red Sox.

STEPHEN SMITH (OF) – Kane County Cougars – Midwest League – Class A – Arizona Diamondbacks
On July 13, Stephen Smith was assigned to the Kane County Cougars, the Class A full season squad of the Arizona Diamondbacks. In 42 games with the Cougars, he had 36 hits, including 10 doubles, two triples and two homers, along with 27 walks, 19 runs scored and 19 RBI for a .286 average. He had at least a hit or a run in each of the last six games of the year. In 16 contests with the Hillsboro Hops, Smith had 12 hits, 13 walks and nine runs. It is his second season in the Diamondbacks organization.

COREY TAYLOR (RHP) – Binghamton Rumble Ponies – Eastern League – Class AA – New York Mets
Taylor pitched in 42 games this year for the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. Over 62.1 innings, Taylor struck out 47 batters and allowed 28 runs, 25 earned, while finishing off 16 contests for three saves and a 3.61 ERA. It was the third year Taylor has been in the Mets system since 2015, who earned an invite to the program's spring training camp.

DUKE VON SCHAMANN (RHP) – Joliet Slammers – Frontier League – Independent League
Schamann made 19 starts for the Joliet Slammers this season, putting up a 5-8 record. Over 122.0 innings pitched, he recorded 89 strikeouts, while allowing 55 earned runs for a 4.06 ERA. Schamann has spent time in the Indians and Dodgers organization from 2012-15, while spending the last two seasons playing in the Independent league.

ANDRE WHEELER (LHP) – Winston-Salem Dash – Carolina League – Class A Advanced – Chicago White Sox
Wheeler pitched in 19 games this year with the Winston-Salem Dash. In his third stint in Class A Advanced ball, Wheeler struck out 25 over 28.2 innings, allowing 23 runs. Last season, he spent time with the Dash & moved up to AA ball in Birmingham, where he pitched in 19 games.

MATT WITHROW (RHP) – Florida Fire Frogs – Florida State League – Class A Advanced – Atlanta Braves
Withrow made 10 starts this season for the Mississippi Braves, posting a 1-3 overall record. In 48.1 innings pitched, he's struck out 44 and put together a 4.47 ERA. It is his third year in the Braves organization, moving from Danville in 2015 to Carolina last year. On June 7, he was placed on the seven-day disabled list and was sent on rehab assignment to the Florida Fire Frogs. In six games, he tossed 26.1 frames, striking out 21 for a 3.08 ERA.

Red Raiders In The Pros - Week 24

Players Mentioned

Robert Dugger

Orlando Garcia

Tanner Gardner

Hunter Hargrove

Ryan Long

Parker Mushinski

Tyler Neslony

Jacob Patterson

Stephen Smith

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