Every week, staff writer James Crabtree-Hannigan will take a look at the careers of a number of former Maryland athletes embarking on professional careers in a variety of leagues. Every Monday, it’s former baseball players. The stats are from games through June 25.
Brett Cecil, LHP, Toronto Blue Jays
2016 stats (majors): 0-5, 5.23 ERA, 9 strikeouts, 3 walks, 17 hits, 10.1 innings pitched
Skinny: Cecil began a rehab assignment with single-A Dunedin on June 21 and was moved up to AAA-Buffalo on June 25. He threw three innings and gave up one run in the two levels combined this week. He’s been on the disabled list with a torn lat since May 14 and will likely be back with the Blue Jays early next month.
Justin Maxwell, OF, Pawtucket Red Sox (Boston Red Sox Triple-A affiliate)
2016 stats: .223 average, .315 on-base percentage, 5 HR, 25 RBI, 58 strikeouts, 24 walks
Skinny: Maxwell reached base in all three plate appearances June 21 in a 2-0 win against Syracuse. He scored Pawtucket’s first run and drove in their second with an RBI-double. He combined to go 3-for-12 this week.
Adam Kolarek, LHP, Durham Bulls (Tampa Bay Rays Triple-A affiliate)
2016 stats (AAA): 0-1, 3.54 ERA, 20 K, 12 BB, 11 H, 20.1 IP
Skinny: Kolarek struggled with his control in both of his one-inning appearances this week. Against Charlotte on June 21, Kolarek walked the first batter he faced , who scored on an RBI double before the inning ended. Four days later, he entered the game against Lehigh Valley in the ninth inning with runners on first and second with nobody out. He loaded the bases with a walk and then allowed a runner to score with another. He escaped without damage to his ERA, though.
Jose Cuas, 3B, Brevard County Manatees (Milwaukee Brewers High-A affiliate)
2016 stats: .188 AVG, .288 OBP, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 69 K, 23 BB
Skinny: Cuas hasn’t been able to hit for average this season but has improved in other areas. He’s homered twice since June 15 after having just one home run in his first 51 games. He also picked up five walks this week and has a .414 OBP over his last eight games.
Jake Stinnett, RHP, Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Chicago Cubs High-A affiliate)
2016 stats: 5-3, 3.78 ERA, 53 K, 21 BB, 57 H, 64.1 IP
Skinny: Stinnett was a Carolina League All-Star and threw one scoreless inning in the All-Star Game on June 21 against the California League All-Stars. The Carolina League team won 6-4.
LaMonte Wade, OF, Cedar Rapids Kernels (Minnesota Twins Single-A affiliate)
2016 stats: .280 AVG, .410 OBP, 4 HR, 27 RBI, 27 K, 44 BB
Skinny: Wade was an All-Star in the Midwest League, starting in center field and batting second in the All-Star Game June 21. He went 1-2 with a two-run single and a run scored. The next day, Wade was called up from Cedar Rapids to the High-A Fort Myers Miracle and placed on the seven-day disabled list. He has been struggling with a hamstring injury.
Jake Drossner, LHP, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Milwaukee Brewers Single-A affiliate)
2016 stats: 2-5, 4.06 ERA, 44 K, 26 BB, 51 H, 44.1 IP
Skinny: Drossner earned his second win of the season June 23 with three scoreless innings against the Quad Cities River Bandits. Both baserunners he allowed were erased on the bases (double play, caught stealing), enabling Drossner to face the minimum nine batters. He threw just 34 pitches.
Brandon Lowe, 2B, Bowling Green Hot Rods (Tampa Bay Rays Single-A affiliate)
2016 stats: .247 AVG, .363 OBP, 0 HR, 19 RBI, 44 K, 29 BB
Skinny: Lowe played two games this week, going 2-for-6 overall with an RBI-single June 25 against Fort Wayne.
Zach Morris, LHP, Lakewood BlueClaws (Philadelphia Phillies Single-A affiliate)
2016 stats: 3-1, 3.03 ERA, 29 K, 15 BB, 34 H, 35.2 IP
Skinny: Morris earned his first save of the season June 23 and then picked up another one two days later. He threw a clean inning against Greenville in the bottom of the 10th June 23 to clinch an 8-7 victory. On June 25, Lakewood entered the ninth leading Greenville, 5-1. When Morris entered the game, Lakewood’s led 5-3 with two outs and a runner on second. Morris ended the game with a three-pitch strikeout.
Rob Galligan, LHP, Missoula Osprey (Arizona Diamondbacks Rookie Affiliate)
2016 stats: 0-0, 15.43 ERA, 1 K, 2 BB, 6 H, 2.1 IP
Skinny: After being drafted in the 36th round of this year’s MLB Draft, Galligan’s professional debut was rocky. He gave up four runs, two hits and a walk in .1 innings June 17. He’s bounced back since then, throwing a scoreless inning June 21 and giving up two unearned runs in his inning June 25.