Every week, staff writer Kyle Melnick will take a look at the careers of a number of former Terrapins athletes embarking on professional careers in a variety of leagues. Every Monday, it’s former baseball players. The stats are from games through June 20.
Justin Maxwell, OF, San Francisco Giants
2015 stats: .225 average, .276 on-base percentage, 6 HR, 34 hits, 21 RBI, 18 runs, 39 strikeouts, 9 walks
Skinny: After struggling last season with the Kansas City Royals — he batted .150 and was demoted to Triple-A — Maxwell has found a role in right field with the Giants. Maxwell is emerging from a 14-at bat hitless streak that spanned June 11 through June 17. The Olney native broke out of his slump Thursday with two hits. And against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday night, Maxwell belted a two-run homer.
Brett Cecil, LHP, Toronto Blue Jays
2015 stats: 1-3, 4.50 ERA, 5 saves, 20 hits, 25 strikeouts, 7 walks in 22 IP
Skinny: Despite a rough start to the season, Cecil appears to have hit his stride recently. He has notched saves in three of his past four appearances. On June 15, though, Cecil blew the Blue Jays’ 3-2 lead against the New York Mets when he surrendered two runs in the 11th inning. It marked his third loss and second blown save of the season.
Jimmy Reed, LHP, Springfield Cardinals (St. Louis Cardinals Double-A affiliate)
2015 stats: 5-3, 2.17 ERA, 57 hits, 42 strikeouts, 18 runs, 12 walks in 70.2 IP
Skinny: Reed was called up to Springfield on July 27, 2014 after posting a 2.15 ERA through 54.1 innings with the High Class-A Palm Beach Cardinals. Reed, who is in his third season with the Cardinals organization, is putting up his best ERA as a starter. In three starts with Springfield, Reed has allowed 14 hits and four runs while striking out eight over 16.1 innings.
Jake Stinnett, RHP, South Bend Cubs (Chicago Cubs Full-Season Class-A affiliate)
2015 stats: 2-2, 5.29 ERA, 54 hits, 39 strikeouts, 35 runs, 32 walks in 49.1 IP.
Skinny: After posting a 4.91 ERA in five appearances with two minor league teams last season, Stinnett has struggled to find a groove on the hill this season. The Vista, California, native was drafted in 2014 in the second round by the Chicago Cubs after setting the Terps’ single-season strikeout record (132) his senior season. In his last outing June 18, Stinnett allowed one run and one hit in 6 innings.
Blake Schmit, IF, Cedar Rapids Kernels (Minnesota Twins Full-Season Class-A affiliate)
2015 stats: .226 batting average, .355 on-base percentage, 1 HR, 12 RBI, 8 runs, 1 stolen base, 11 strikeouts, 6 walks
Skinny: Schmit was placed on the 7-day disabled list June 10 after suffering a left facial fracture from being hit in the face by a pitch. He hasn’t played since.
Adam Kolarek, LHP, Binghamton Mets (New York Mets Double-A affiliate)
2015 stats: 1-1, 6.29 ERA, 1 save, 34 hits, 31 strikeouts, 13 walks in 34.1 IP
Skinny: In his sixth minor league season, Kolarek is posting his worst ERA. The Baltimore native was drafted in 2010 by the New York Mets and has played at various minor league levels. On June 18, the reliever threw a perfect ninth inning to preserve the Mets’ lead and and seal the win. In his most recent relief appearance Saturday, Kolarek allowed one hit and struck out two in two innings.
Jose Cuas, 3B, Helena Brewers (Milwaukee Brewers Advanced Rookie affiliate)
2015 stats: .333 batting average, .429 on-base percentage, 12 AB, 4 RBI, 4 runs, 4 hits, 3 strikeouts, 2 walks
Skinny: Cuas was drafted in the 11th round of the 2015 MLB Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers. In his debut Thursday, the Brooklyn, New York, native notched two hits and two runs. Cuas went 1-for-4 with one run, one hit and one RBI on Saturday night.
Charlie White, OF, Joliet Slammers (Independent)
2015 stats: .267 average, .326 on-base percentage, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 11 runs, 23 hits, 6 stolen bases, 12 strikeouts, 8 walks.
Skinny: After hitting .200 with the Chicago Cubs Single-A affiliate Boise Hawks in 2014, White was released in March. But White has seen an uptick in production this season. White was re-activated June 20 from the 7-day disabled list and went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in his return Saturday.
Alfredo Rodriguez, 2B, Joliet Slammers (Independent)
2015 stats: .254 average, .318 on-base percentage, 29 hits, 18 runs, 5 stolen bases, 15 strikeouts, 10 walks.
Skinny: The Milwaukee Brewers released Rodriguez in April after three seasons in the organization. Rodriguez has struggled this season but is 5-for-12 at the plate since June 11.
Jack Cleary, Catcher, Joliet Slammers (Independent)
2015 stats: .260 batting average, .352 on-base percentage, 12 RBI, 7 runs, 20 hits, 13 strikeouts, 8 walks
Skinny: Cleary was released by the Milwaukee Brewers in March after batting .282 with the Helena Brewers (Rookie affiliate) in 2014. Cleary hasn’t recorded a hit in his last 11 at-bats.
