Slammers in Pro Ball
MLB Draft, Minor Leagues, Mexico, Major League Debuts...
The 2024 MLB Draft was held in Arlington, Texas from July 14-16. The 20 round draft saw 3 former Slammers drafted and an additional 2 signed as free agents at the conclusion of the draft.
Grant Shepardson (Mountain Vista High School) was the highest selection of our alumni. Grant was selected in Round 5 by the Miami Marlins. His older brother, Blake Shepardson (University of San Francisco), was selected in Round 11 by the Chicago White Sox. In Round 15, the Oakland A’s selected Blake Hammond (Santa Clara University). Following the conclusion of 20 round draft, Carter Dorighi (Butler University) signed with the Seattle Mariners, and Grant Magill (Indiana State) signed with the Chicago White Sox - both as undrafted free agents. Congrats to all for achieving an opportunity to pursue a dream.
See above for a video of Grant Shepardson throwing a bullpen on the mound at Chase Field in Arizona during the 2024 MLB Draft Combine.
They all took their own unique routes to get there. Grant Shepardson was the solo high school draftee this year. After two years at Division II, Regis University, Blake Shepardson transferred to the University of San Francisco for his Junior year. Blake Hammond spent all three years at Santa Clara. Carter Dorighi initially attended Lafayette College in Pennsylvania and transferred to Butler following his freshman year. Grant Magill played 5 years at Indiana State. In today’s climate, the path is very rarely linear…
Checking in on our 2023 Drafted Alumni
These five alumni will soon be joining last years class of alumni in pro ball: Walker Martin (Round 2; San Francisco Giants), Chase Jaworsky (Round 5; Houston Astros), Ethan O’Donnell (Round 6; Cincinnati Reds), Colby Shade (Round 9; Miami Marlins), Jack Moss (Round 11; Cincinnati Reds), Brady Rose (Round 12; New York Yankees), and Garrett Martin (Undrafted Free Agent; New York Yankees). This ups the tally to 12 alumni in just the past 2 years. So, how are the guys doing as of July 18?
Walker Martin enjoying some 120 degree heat in the Arizona Complex League…
After a slow start in the Arizona Complex League, Walker Martin is finding his footing and hitting .221 with a .724 OPS for the ACL Giants. He’s getting on base at a .385 clip and has an OBP of .413 over his past 28 days.
In a similar vein to Martin, Chase Jaworsky got off to a slow start in the Carolina League, but now sports a .241 AVG and is getting on base at a .349 clip after hitting .318 with a .413 OBP (coincidentally, identical to Martin) over the past 28 days for the Fayetteville Woodpeckers.
Traditionally, high school players from cold weather states take longer to adjust to higher levels of competition - whether that be professional baseball or college baseball. A note to our high-level high school players: continue to find ways to challenge yourselves in anticipation of the next level! It will only help you acclimate faster.
Ethan O’Donnell is hitting .220 for the Dayton Dragons of the Midwest League (High-A) while manning both corner outfield sports. Colby Shade is hitting .273 with 32 stolen bases while playing primarily centerfield for the Jupiter Hammerheads of the Florida State League (A). Jack Moss is hitting .276 with a .362 OBP while playing first base for the Daytona Tortugas of the Florida State League (A). Brady Rose has split his time between the FCL Yankees (Rookie Ball) and the Tampa Tarpons (A). Garrett Martin is hitting .209 with 7 HR, 8 stolen bases, and a .755 OPS for the Hudson Valley Renegades of the South Atlantic League (High-A).
Bryan King MLB Debut
On June 23, 2024, a familiar face, Bryan King made his Big League Debut for the Houston Astros. A 30th rounder out of McNeese State in 2019, King made it look easy - needing only 7 pitches for a 1-2-3, 8th inning in which he struck out mid-season MVP-favorite, Gunnar Henderson on 3 pitches.
In 8 relief appearances since his debut, King has a 2.16 ERA and 6 scoreless outings. He projects to be a mainstay in the pen down the stretch for the resurgent Houston Astros who find themselves just one game back of the Seattle Mariners for the AL West lead at the All-Star Break. The ‘Stros are 13-6 since King’s debut.
If you recognize Bryan, that’s because he spends most of his offseason helping out with the AVP program. Thank you for your time and congrats on your MLB Debut.
Taylor and Tyler Rogers, San Francisco Giants
Twin brothers, Taylor and Tyler Rogers continue to be a nightmare out of the San Francisco Giants bullpen - see video above. Often used back-to-back in games and despite looking nearly identical, the brothers provide wildly different looks to hitters. Both right-handed, submariner, Tyler, and left-handed specialist, Taylor, are sporting sub-3.00 ERA’s as lockdown middle-inning relievers.
Elsewhere, familiar face, Max Kuhns is enjoying success as a late-inning reliever for the Bravos de Leon in the Mexican League. Max has 41 strikeouts in 32.2 innings across 34 appearances. Tanner O’Tremba (San Francisco Giants) is hitting .201 with 4 HR and 10 stolen bases for the Eugene Emeralds of the Northwest League (High-A). Maverick Handley (Baltimore Orioles) is hitting .209 and catching for the Norfolk Tides of the International League (AAA).