Every week, staff writer James Crabtree-Hannigan 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 5.
Brett Cecil, LHP, Toronto Blue Jays
2016 stats: 0-3, 5.23 ERA, 9 strikeouts, 3 walks, 17 hits, 10.1 IP
Skinny: Cecil started slow in 2016 before being placed on the 15-day disabled list with a triceps strain on May 15. Shortly after, an MRI revealed Cecil had a torn latissimus dorsi that would keep him out for at least a month. Cecil has begun throwing from 90 feet but is likely still weeks away from returning to action.
Justin Maxwell, OF, Pawtucket Red Sox (Boston Red Sox Triple-A affiliate)
2016 stats: .247 average, .343 on-base percentage, 5 HR, 20 RBI, 43 strikeouts, 20 walks
Skinny: Maxwell was a non-roster invitee at Marlins spring training but was released at the end of the spring. Two days later, the Red Sox signed him to a minor league deal and assigned him to Triple-A, where he’s been ever since. The 32-year-old has played in the majors in seven seasons, including each of the past four.
Adam Kolarek, LHP, Durham Bulls (Tampa Bay Rays Triple-A affiliate)
2016 stats: 2-2, 2.88 ERA, 24 K, 13 BB, 14 H, 25 IP
Skinny: Kolarek was in the Mets organization from when he was drafted in 2010 until they released him last October. He was subsequently signed by the Orioles, but the Rays selected him in the Rule 5 draft in December. The reliever began the season in Double-A before being called up in early May. He has has remained there since, marking the longest Triple-A stint of his career.
Jose Cuas, 3B, Brevard County Manatees (Milwaukee Brewers High-A affiliate)
2016 stats: .194 AVG, .275 OBP, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 53 K, 15 BB
Skinny: Cuas was assigned to High-A this season following a good showing in rookie ball in his first year. He hasn’t fared quite as well there so far this season, seeing a spike in strikeouts and a dip in batting average. He has shown improvement as of late, though, hitting .238 in his past 20 games and hitting his first home run of the season June 1.
Jake Stinnett, RHP, Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Chicago Cubs High-A affiliate)
2016 stats: 4-2, 4.15 ERA, 40 K, 19 BB, 52 IP
Skinny: Stinnett’s in his third year in the Cubs organization and his first at the High-A level. He’s started nine games in 2016 and has worked between five and seven innings in each of them. He struggled in his most recent start, surrendering eight runs on 12 hits over his six innings of work against the Salem Red Sox.
Lamonte Wade, OF, Cedar Rapids Kernels (Minnesota Twins Single-A affiliate)
2016 stats: .318 AVG, .434 OBP, 4 HR, 27 RBI, 22 K, 36 BB
Skinny: Wade was given a taste of Cedar Rapids at the very end of last season and has been strong with the Kernels in 2016. His .434 on-base percentage ranks fourth in the Midwest League thanks to his league-leading 36 walks. If he continues at this rate, a promotion could be on the way for the Baltimore native.
Jake Drossner, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Milwaukee Brewers Single-A affiliate)
2016 stats: 1-5, 4.95 ERA, 38 K, 23 BB, 36.1 IP
Skinny: A 10th round pick in 2015, Drossner’s working in his second season in the Brewers organization. With the Timber Rattlers, he’s been bounced between the bullpen and the starting rotation after having some trouble early in the season. He’s found a better rhythm as of late, though, most recently allowing just one unearned run and two hits over 4.1 innings against the Cedar Rapids Kernels.
Brandon Lowe, 2B, Bowling Green Hot Rods (Tampa Bay Rays Single-A affiliate)
2016 stats: .254 AVG, .363 OBP, 0 HR, 14 RBI, 35 K, 22 BB
Skinny: Lowe broke his fibula in Maryland baseball’s last game of the 2015 season. The Rays still drafted him in the third round, but he did not play until this year with Bowling Green. He’s shown strong consistency and a good eye in his first taste of the minor leagues and has clubbed four doubles.
Zach Morris, LHP, Lakewood BlueClaws (Philadelphia Phillies Single-A affiliate)
2016 stats: 3-1, 4.00 ERA, 19 K, 13 BB, 27 IP
Skinny: Morris finished last season with the BlueClaws and has remained there to begin this yea, but he’s got off to a slow start in 2016. In his second outing of the season, Morris surrendered six runs and retired just one batter. Since then, though, Morris has done well, racking up a 1.82 ERA in his 24.2 innings.