Dons Minor League Update

May 29, 2009

Now that San Francisco’s collegiate season has ended, we here at USFDons.com wanted to check in on some former Dons and see how they are doing in professional baseball. Here is a quick rundown of 12 ex-Dons in pro ball.

Class of 2008:

Right-handed pitcher Evan Frederickson, drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers as a compensation pick in the first round, is currently with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in the Class-A Midwest League. In nine games (five starts) Fredrickson is 1-3 with a 7.06 ERA. In 29.1 innings, the Oak Hill, VA native has struck out 35 opponents. The Timber Rattlers are currently 21-26 and sit in sixth place in the MID Western League.

2009 Stats:

Second baseman Joey Railey, drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 21st round, is now with the Rookie Arizona League Padres after playing one game with the Lake Elsinore Storm (Class-A Advanced, California League) this season. With the Storm, Railey had an RBI and a stolen base. The AZL Padres do not begin play until June 21.

2009 Stats:

Left-hander Matt Baugh, drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 29th round, went currently 3-2, 5.50 ERA with the Casper Ghosts of the Rookie Pioneer League last year. In 12 games (nine starts), Baugh tossed 52.1 innings. He had an impressive 4.4 to 1 strikeout to walk ratio, fanning 40 and walking just 9. The Ghosts begin their 2009 season on June 23.

2008 Stats:

Outfielder Kyle Morgan (36th Round – Pittsburgh Pirates) saw time with two teams last season, starting out with the Gulf Coast League Pirates for six games, before being promoted to the Class-A Short-Season State College Spikes on June 29. For the GCL Pirates, Morgan batted .148 (4-for-27) with a triple and two RBI. Over 33 games at State College, Morgan improved his average, batting .235 (28-for-119) with nine doubles, a triple, three homeruns, and 15 RBI. The Spikes begin their season on June 19.

2008 Stats:

Class of 2007:

San Francisco’s highest ever draft pick, lefty Aaron Poreda (1st Round – 25th overall; Chicago White Sox) is currently with the Birmingham Barons in the Double-A Southern League. In nine starts, Poreda is 4-4 with a complete game shutout. In 52.1 innings, he has 55 strikeouts and just 27 walks. Opponents are hitting just .204. The Barons are sitting in first place of the SOU South at 32-15, a cool 4.5 games ahead of second place Mobile.

2009 Stats:

Catcher turned pitcher, Daniel Morales (14th Round, Cleveland Indians) hasn’t began his 2009 season with the Class-A Short-Season Mahoning Valley Scrappers (New York-Penn League), but did finish 2008 with at 2-0, 2.67 ERA, and five saves. In 21 appearances out of the bullpen, Morales struck out 27, walked just nine, and held opponents to a .181 batting average. Mahoning begins play on June 19.

2008 Stats:

Outfielder Luke Sommer (30th Round, Chicago Cubs) has, like Morales, moved to the pitching mound. Last season, Sommer went 4-2, 2.29 ERA with two teams. So far in 2009 with the Daytona Cubs (Class-A Advanced of the Florida State League), the Canby OR native is 0-1, 2.75 ERA. In 16 appearances out of the pen, he has tossed 19.2 innings with 12 strikeouts and just three walks.

2009 Stats:

Right-hander John Quine (33rd Round, Oakland Athletics) did not pitch in 2008, but is listed as an active hurler on the Vancouver Canadians (Class-A Short Season of the Northwest League) roster. They begin play on June 20.

Class of 2006:

San Francisco’s highest draftee after the 2006 season, outfielder Scott Cousins (3rd Round, 95th overall, Florida Marlins), is currently with the Jacksonville Suns (Double-A Southern League). The Reno, NV native is batting .211 (34-for-161). In 43 games, he has nine doubles, one triple, four homeruns, 20 runs scored, 22 RBI, and nine stolen bases. The Suns are fourth in the SOU South at 23-25, 9.5 games back of Poreda’s Barons.

2009 Stats:

Joining Poreda on the Birmingham Barons is outfielder Stefan Gartrell (31st Round, Chicago White Sox). The San Francisco native is off to a great start, batting .289 (46-for-159). In 45 games, Gartrell has 10 doubles, one triple, nine homeruns, 33 RBI, 33 runs scored, and two stolen bases. He is slugging .535 and his on-base plus slugging is an amazing .914.

2009 Stats:

Class of 2005:

Nick Pereira (10th Round, San Francisco Giants), is with the Connecticut Defenders of the Double-A Eastern League. In three appearances, Pereira is 0-1, 4.91 ERA. In 11.0 innings he has struck out seven and walked 10. He is currently listed as on the Reserve List (injured). The Defenders are first in the EAS Northern division at 26-20.

2009 Stats:

Class of 2001:

Drafted in the second round by the San Francisco Giants in 2001, Jesse Foppert was traded to the Seattle Mariners in 2005, and then re-signed as a free agent by the Giants in 2005. He joins Pereira on the Connecticut Defenders roster, and is also listed on the reserve list. So far this season he is 0-2, 4.56 ERA in eight appearances (six starts). In 25.2 innings, Foppert has 20 strikeouts.

2009 Stats: