#USCtotheMLB 2019 Season Recap

During the 2019 MLB season, seven Trojan alums appeared in games for MLB teams and another 21 continued their climb at the minor league and international levels. This season saw the 114th USC alum (Garrett Stubbs) make it to the big leagues, the most of any collegiate program in the country, and saw another (Ian Kennedy) accomplish a feat only three others in the history of Major League Baseball have been able to do.

With the 2019 MLB and MiLB regular seasons in the books, here's a look at how the Trojans in the pros fared…

MLB

Brad Boxberger (Royals) pitched in a total of 29 games as a reliever for the Kansas City Royals during the 2019 season, compiling a 5.40 ERA and 1-3 record. Boxberger notched one save in 26.2 innings pitched, striking out 27 batters and walking 17 for the season. He is a free agent heading into this offseason.

Lucas Duda (Royals) spent 39 games with the Kansas City Royals this season after being signed to a minor league contract in the offseason. He had a total of 18 hits, including four doubles and four homers before being released by the Royals in July. He was signed to a minor league contract by the Atlanta Braves, but was eventually released and remains a free agent heading into the offseason.

Ian Kennedy (Royals) spent his entire season with the Kansas City Royals, appearing as a reliever in 63 games and finishing with a 3-2 record and 30 saves. In 63.1 innings pitched, Kennedy struck out 73 and walked 17. He had an ERA of 3.41 (139 ERA+) and a career-best 2.99 FIP. With his 30 saves, Kennedy became just the fourth pitcher in MLB history to have both a 30-save season and 20-win season during their career. He joins John Smoltz, Dennis Eckersley and Derek Lowe on the list.

Tommy Milone (Mariners) was signed to a minor league contract in the 2018-2019 offseason and began the season with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers. In 9 games with the Rainiers, Milone pitched 49.1 innings. He made eight starts, pitched one shutout, and went 4-2 with a 3.83 ERA. Milone was called up to the Seattle Mariners on 5/21, where he spent the remainder of his season. As a Mariner, Milone was primarily used behind an opener, appearing in 23 games and making six starts. Milone had a 4-10 record and a 4.76 ERA in 111.2 innings pitched, striking out 94 and walking 23. He also had a WHIP of 1.119, well below league average.

Robert Stock (Padres) spent 2019 alternating between the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas and San Diego Padres. He began his season with the Padres, appearing in seven games before he was optioned to the Chihuahuas on 4/14. He was recalled, optioned back to El Paso, and recalled once more on 6/29, but was added to the IL on 7/4 following a biceps strain and only pitched in three more minor league games on rehab assignments for the rest of the season. In 10 games with the Padres, Stock threw 10.2 innings of relief, striking out 15 and walking eight. He was 1-0 with a 10.13 ERA. In 25 games with the Chihuahuas (three starts), Stock went 4-0 with a 4.13 ERA, 40 strikeouts and 19 walks in 28.1 innings. Stock also made two rehab starts with the AZL Padres, throwing two perfect innings and striking out five.

Garrett Stubbs (Astros) became the 114th Trojan to reach the big leagues this year, when he made his MLB debut for the Houston Astros on 5/28, going 2-for-4 with a double, RBI and run scored against the Cubs. He started the season with Triple-A Round Rock Express and was recalled and sent back down twice before being called back up to finish the season with the Astros on 9/2. In 63 Triple-A games, Stubbs hit .240/.332/.397 with 7 homers, 33 runs scored, and 23 driven in. In 19 games as an Astro, Stubbs batted .200/.282/.286 with three extra-base hits (all doubles), scoring eight runs and driving in two. Between both levels, Stubbs stole 13 bases and was only caught twice. He also played all three outfield positions, second base, and behind the plate. As a catcher, Stubbs threw out 14 baserunners and allowed 25 steals.

Stephen Tarpley (Yankees) pitched in 39 games this season between the Yankees and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Tarpley appeared in 21 games (one started) as a Yankee and threw 24.2 innings, striking out 34 and walking 15 for a 6.93 ERA. For the RailRiders, Tarpley pitched 31.2 innings and made two starts in 18 games. He went 5-1 with a 3.13 ERA, struck out 34, and walked 13.

MiLB

Matthew Acosta (Padres) played 62 games for the Class-A Short Season Tri-City Dust Devils after being drafted in the 12th round by the Padres. Batted .264/.350/.351 with 24 RBI, 34 runs scored, 14 extra-base hits, 30 walks and five stolen bases in six attempts. Acosta played every position in the outfield and ended the season with a total of seven assists and a fielding percentage of .971.

Solomon Bates (Giants) pitched in 23 games in his second pro season across the Class-A short season and Hi-A levels (and a one-inning rehab appearance for the AZL Giants Orange). Bates started the season with the Augusta Greenjackets and had a 4-3 record and 3.81 ERA across 13 relief appearances. He struck out 41 batters and walked only three in 26 innings for the Greenjackets, before being promoted to the San Jose Giants on 5/22. With San Jose, Bates had an ERA of 4.41 in 16.1 innings. He ended his 2019 season at 5-3 with a 3.95 ERA in 43.1 innings pitched, 60 strikeouts, 10 walks, and five home runs allowed.

Chase Bushor (Royals) began his season with the AZL Royals (Rookie) and batted .351/.405/.378 in 14 games after being picked up as an undrafted free agent by the Royals. On 8/29, he was reassigned to the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers, where he played four more games and finished his season. Between both teams, Bushor hit .320/.364/.340 with one extra-base hit (a double), nine runs scored, four RBI, four walks, and one stolen base in his only attempt.

Adalberto Carrillo (Nationals) spent his entire season with the Auburn Doubledays (A-Short), playing in 42 games and hitting .258/.336/.417. He drove in 20 baserunners, scored 24 himself, and had 14 extra-base hits, including three home runs. Carrillo played most of his games (39) at first base, but was also used once as a third baseman and twice as a catcher. His fielding percentage across all three positions was .995.

Chris Clarke (Cubs) started eight games and appeared in nine for the Eugene Emeralds (A-Short) after being drafted by the Cubs in the 4th round of the 2019 MLB Draft. He pitched 23 innings and had a record of 0-1, with a 1.96 ERA. Clarke struck out 26 batters and walked only four. Opponents batted .230 against him this year.

Ryan Cook (Japan) has pitched in 13 games for the Yomiuri Giants after being signed as a free agent in the offseason. He has an 0-2 record and six saves. He has struck out nine batters and walked six in 15 innings, and has a 4.80 ERA on the season.

Bernardo Flores (White Sox) spent the majority of his 2019 season with the Birmingham Barons (Double-A), with the exception of a rehab assignment to the AZL White Sox from July 11-26 and a single start for the Kannapolis Intimidators (Hi-A) on 8/1. In 20 starts across all three levels, Flores had a 3-8 record and 3.57 ERA. He struck out 82 batters and walked 17 in 93.1 innings, holding opponents to a .266 batting average. With just the Barons, Flores' ERA was 3.33 over 15 starts, and opponents batted .243 against him.

Tyler Gilbert (Phillies) spent the entirety of his season with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Triple-A), appearing in 36 games as a reliever. He was 2-4 with an ERA of 2.83, notched two saves in four attempts, and struck out 46 batters in 47.2 innings. Gilbert had a WHIP of 1.11 and opponents had a .224 batting average against him. As a fielder, Gilbert did not commit any errors and started one double-play.

Cyle Hankerd (Mexico) played in 38 games for Diablos Rojos del Mexico (Triple-A) this year. He hit .319/.410/.511 with five home runs (15 total extra-base hits), 19 runs scored and 21 RBI. He played first base and left field with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage at both positions.

Brooks Kriske (Yankees) pitched in seven games (12.0 IP) with the Tampa Tarpons (Hi-A) to start his season. With the Tarpons, Kriske gave up a single unearned run, struck out 16 batters and allowed five walks and a total of four hits for a WHIP of 0.75. He was 1-for-1 in save opportunities and opponents batted .111 against him before he was promoted to Trenton Thunder (Double-A) on 4/27. With Trenton, Kriske was 2-2 with a 2.59 ERA across 36 games and 48.2 innings. He was also 11-for-13 in save opportunities, struck out 64 batters, and held opponents to a .171 average. Between both levels, his 2019 WHIP was 1.02 and his ERA was 2.08. He also had a 1.000 fielding percentage at both levels. Kriske was named a Mid-Season All-Star while on the Tarpons (Florida State League).

Connor Lunn (Cardinals) pitched for the State College Spikes (A-Short) after being taken in the 11th round by the Cardinals in the 2019 MLB Draft. He had a 1.96 ERA across 12 games (18.1 innings), 20 strikeouts and a 1.04 WHIP. Opponents batted .191 against him. He did not give up a home run as a pitcher or make any errors as a fielder.

Austin Manning (Royals) spent 2019 with the Rookie League Idaho Falls Chukars after being selected by the Royals in the 19th round of the 2019 MLB Draft. He was 1-1 with a 6.97 ERA and struck out 23 batters in 20.2 innings. Manning appeared in 16 games and was had one save.

Jeremy Martinez (Independent) played in 88 games with the St. Paul Saints (Independent League), batting .284/.404/.426. He had 54 walks to 46 strikeouts, hit 11 homers, scored 45 runs and drove in 41. Martinez was successful in his only attempt at stealing a base and played at both first base and behind the plate.

Joe Navilhon (Tigers) pitched in 38 games for three teams in 2019. Starting the season with the Lakeland Flying Tigers (Hi-A), Navilhon had a 1.80 ERA in 15 innings, with 11 strikeouts and four walks in two starts and seven relief appearances. He was assigned to the Erie Seawolves 4/5 where he would eventually end his season, and at the Double-A level he had one start and 23 relief appearances, and notched a save in his only opportunity. With the Seawolves, Navilhon struck out 48 and walked 12 in 40 innings, and posted a 4.73 ERA. During the season, Navilhon also pitched in five games for the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens between 5/4 and 5/20, where he had a 5.19 ERA, nine strikeouts and a walk in 8.2 innings on the mound. Ultimately, Navilhon finished the season with a 2-5 record, 63.2 innings pitched, a 4.10 ERA and 68 strikeouts to 17 walks.

Lars Nootbaar (Cardinals) played 101 games across three levels in his second professional season, beginning the year with the Single-A Peoria Chiefs. In 29 games with Peoria, he hit .245/.344/.443 with five home runs before being promoted to the Palm Beach Cardinals (Hi-A) on 5/12. In Palm Beach, he batted .275/.335/.338 in 39 games and added another two home runs. On 7/5, he was promoted again to the Double-A Springfield Cardinals, where he played his last 33 games, hitting .269/.373/.312. His final line for the season was .264/.349/.364, and he totaled 18 extra-base hits, 39 runs scored, 38 RBI and four stolen bases. At both corner outfield positions, he ended 2019 with a .989 fielding percentage, 16 assists and four double-plays started.

Dillon Paulson (Dodgers) played in 117 games in his second pro season for the Class-A Great Lakes Loons and Hi-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. In his 82 games with the Loons, Paulson hit .223/.343/.407, had 12 home runs in 30 extra-base hits, scored 52 times, and drove in 50 baserunners. He was named to the Midwest League Mid-Season All-Star team, and was promoted to the Quakes on 7/18. At the Hi-A level, Paulson hit .293/.423/.500 in 35 games, scoring 23 runs and driving in 14. He hit four home runs with the Quakes and had 15 total extra-base hits, bringing him up to 27 doubles, two triples and 16 homers for all of 2019. He finished with a .243/.366/.433 slash line and stole three bases in four attempts.

Blake Sabol (Pirates) played 57 games with the West Virginia Black Bears (A-Short) after being selected by the Pirates in the 7th round of the 2019 MLB Draft, batting .245/.350/.351 in his first pro season. Sabol had 14 extra-base hits, two of which were home runs, drove in 22 baserunners and scored 26 times. Sabol walked 34 times and stole five bases. He played all three positions of the outfield, averaging a .962 fielding percentage.

Wyatt Strahan (Reds) pitched for the Chattanooga Lookouts (Double-A) for all of 2019. He was 0-3 with a 7.74 ERA across 35 games and 54.2 innings. Strahan struck out 44 batters and walked 27. As a batter, he was 1-for-6, with his sole hit being a double.

C.J. Stubbs (Astros) batted .213/.327/.386 in 39 games with the Tri-City ValleyCats (A Short) after being taken in the 10th round of the 2019 MLB Draft by the Astros. Stubbs hit five home runs (11 total extra-base hits), scored 18 runs and drove in 17 for the ValleyCats. He was assigned to the Quad-Cities River Bandits (Hi-A) on 8/15, where he had a .328/.371/.621 line in 16 games. As a River Bandit, Stubbs hit four more home runs, scored seven times and had 16 RBI, bringing his season totals to nine homers out of 20 extra-base hits, 25 runs scored, 33 driven in and a .249/.340/.459 slash line. Stubbs also stole seven bases and played at both corner outfield positions, first base and catcher.

Augie Sylk (Royals) pitched for the AZL Royals and Idaho Falls Chukars, both Kansas City Royals rookie ball affiliates. The Royals selected Sylk in the 38th round of the 2019 MLB Draft. For the AZL Royals, Sylk pitched 5.1 scoreless innings in five games, struck out eight batters and walked just two. He was moved to the Chukars between 8/8 and 8/11, and for his new team he struck out 13 batters in 6.2 innings. Sylk ended the season with a combined ERA of 6.75 and 21 strikeouts in 12 innings pitched.

Anthony Vasquez (Mexico) pitched in 19 games for the Diamonbacks' Triple-A affiliate Reno Aces (4-4 record, 6.99 ERA) before being released on 7/25. On 7/30, Sultanes de Monterrey (Triple-A) signed Vasquez as a free-agent, where he pitched in six games and finished the season 2-2 with a 9.15 ERA. For all of 2019, Vasquez struck out 69 batters and walked 29 in 85.1 innings. As a batter, Vasquez went 4-for-12 with two walks, three RBI and a run scored, ultimately posting a combined slash line of .333/.429/.333.

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