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Gophers in the Pros: 2020 Round-Up
10/14/2020 9:06:00 AM | Baseball
Although the 2020 Minor League Baseball season was ultimately cancelled, numerous former Gophers remain poised to open up the 2021 season with an affiliated MiLB team. Of those Gophers in the pros, a select few either were selected to train at their respective MLB team's alternate training site in 2020, or now have the great opportunity to compete as part of their organization's Fall Instructional League camp. In lieu of a Minor League season recap, here is how a few former Minnesota stars are staying sharp as they look ahead to their first farm assignment in 2021.
Max Meyer | RHP, Miami Marlins | MiLB.com
Upon being drafted No. 3 overall by Miami in the 2020 MLB Draft, Meyer was added to the Marlins' 60-player pool for the 2020 season. As a result, Meyer spent July-through-September at the team's alternate training site in Jupiter, Fla., where he was able to experience his first-ever professional bullpen session while gaining live reps against some of the organization's most talented farmhands. With the MLB's regular season now in the books, Meyer broke Fall Instructional League camp with Miami at the onset of October as one of just a handful of Miami prospects that will have the opportunity to face live competition against other organizations this year. Meyer remains on track to make his Minor League debut in 2021, likely at the Low-A or Single-A level.
Brett Schulze | RHP, Philadelphia Phillies | MiLB.com
Having enjoyed a sensational pro debut upon being drafted in the seventh round in 2019, Schulze pitched 26 2/3 innings with a miniscule 0.38 ERA and 34 strikeouts while splitting time at Rookie-level and Class A Short Season. As a result of his breakout performance one year ago, Philadelphia included Schulze on their Fall Instructional League roster. The opportunity should provide Schulze with a chance to further prove himself before opening up the 2021 campaign at Single-A or High-A.
Jake Stevenson | RHP, Cincinnati Reds | MiLB.com
After impressing throughout the 2019 season with the Rookie-Advanced Billings Mustangs (1-1, five saves, 3.10 ERA, 20.1 IP, 31 strikeouts), Stevenson entered 2020 hoping to begin his climb up the Reds' organizational ladder. Although that was not possible due to the cancellation of the 2020 Minor League Baseball season, Stevenson was added to Cincinnati's 2020 Instructional League roster in Goodyear, Ariz. Players reported to Instructional League camp on Sept. 29, with games scheduled to take place from Oct. 12-31 before camp wraps up with several days of intrasquad play extending into Nov. 3. If all goes according to plan, Stevenson seems likely to open the 2021 season at Single-A.
D.J. Snelten | Tampa Bay Rays, RHP | MiLB.com
For all of 2019, Snelten found himself outside of affiliated Minor League Baseball, pitching for the Chicago Dogs of the American Association. However, Snelten's strong 2019 performance (7-3, 3.11 ERA, 118.1 IP, 112 strikeouts) mixed with newfound velocity upwards of 97 MPH, resulted in a new opportunity within the Rays' organization. As a matter of fact, Snelten was included in Tampa Bay's 60-man player pool for the 2020 season, providing him an opportunity to get noticed and gain additional instruction at the team's alternate training site. Snelten is currently listed as part of Triple-A Durham's roster, which seems like a realistic place for him to open the 2021 campaign.
Terrin Vavra | SS, Baltimore Orioles | MiLB.com
On Aug. 30, the Colorado Rockies traded Vavra to Baltimore as part of a package to acquire right-handed relief pitcher Mychal Givens at the MLB Trade Deadline. Vavra, who won the Single-A South-Atlantic League MVP in 2019, was coming off a stellar season in which he slashed .318/.409/.489 with ten home runs, 32 doubles, 79 runs scored, 52 RBI and 18 stolen bases. Since his trade to the Orioles, Vavra has been working on his defensive versatility, taking reps in centerfield in addition to the middle infield. Vavra now joins a select number of other Baltimore prospects at Instructional League camp, where he will be able to get some live game reps after missing out on a 2020 season. Considering his excellent performance at Single-A in 2019, Vavra appears primed to open 2021 with Double-A Bowie.
Max Meyer | RHP, Miami Marlins | MiLB.com
Max Meyer says what's up. pic.twitter.com/w3UofO16rT
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) July 7, 2020
Upon being drafted No. 3 overall by Miami in the 2020 MLB Draft, Meyer was added to the Marlins' 60-player pool for the 2020 season. As a result, Meyer spent July-through-September at the team's alternate training site in Jupiter, Fla., where he was able to experience his first-ever professional bullpen session while gaining live reps against some of the organization's most talented farmhands. With the MLB's regular season now in the books, Meyer broke Fall Instructional League camp with Miami at the onset of October as one of just a handful of Miami prospects that will have the opportunity to face live competition against other organizations this year. Meyer remains on track to make his Minor League debut in 2021, likely at the Low-A or Single-A level.
Brett Schulze | RHP, Philadelphia Phillies | MiLB.com
Having enjoyed a sensational pro debut upon being drafted in the seventh round in 2019, Schulze pitched 26 2/3 innings with a miniscule 0.38 ERA and 34 strikeouts while splitting time at Rookie-level and Class A Short Season. As a result of his breakout performance one year ago, Philadelphia included Schulze on their Fall Instructional League roster. The opportunity should provide Schulze with a chance to further prove himself before opening up the 2021 campaign at Single-A or High-A.
Jake Stevenson | RHP, Cincinnati Reds | MiLB.com
Been great to get after early parts of #Reds Instructional League with the arms we have in camp. A great mix of new faces, players who showed us something in the COVID training period and set an example of leadership, and veterans to set the pace.
— Kyle Boddy (@drivelinebases) October 6, 2020
Wish we could have more! pic.twitter.com/xXsOUctodR
After impressing throughout the 2019 season with the Rookie-Advanced Billings Mustangs (1-1, five saves, 3.10 ERA, 20.1 IP, 31 strikeouts), Stevenson entered 2020 hoping to begin his climb up the Reds' organizational ladder. Although that was not possible due to the cancellation of the 2020 Minor League Baseball season, Stevenson was added to Cincinnati's 2020 Instructional League roster in Goodyear, Ariz. Players reported to Instructional League camp on Sept. 29, with games scheduled to take place from Oct. 12-31 before camp wraps up with several days of intrasquad play extending into Nov. 3. If all goes according to plan, Stevenson seems likely to open the 2021 season at Single-A.
D.J. Snelten | Tampa Bay Rays, RHP | MiLB.com
#Rats release 60-man player pool roster pic.twitter.com/IZej8LHoDv
— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) June 28, 2020
For all of 2019, Snelten found himself outside of affiliated Minor League Baseball, pitching for the Chicago Dogs of the American Association. However, Snelten's strong 2019 performance (7-3, 3.11 ERA, 118.1 IP, 112 strikeouts) mixed with newfound velocity upwards of 97 MPH, resulted in a new opportunity within the Rays' organization. As a matter of fact, Snelten was included in Tampa Bay's 60-man player pool for the 2020 season, providing him an opportunity to get noticed and gain additional instruction at the team's alternate training site. Snelten is currently listed as part of Triple-A Durham's roster, which seems like a realistic place for him to open the 2021 campaign.
Terrin Vavra | SS, Baltimore Orioles | MiLB.com
"His recognition of pitches was incredible."@GoTourists broadcaster Doug Maurer has nothing but good things to say about new O's infield prospect Terrin Vavra. 🎧 https://t.co/MtugZaWCOf pic.twitter.com/NnBnCC2RhJ
— Orioles on MASN (@masnOrioles) October 9, 2020
On Aug. 30, the Colorado Rockies traded Vavra to Baltimore as part of a package to acquire right-handed relief pitcher Mychal Givens at the MLB Trade Deadline. Vavra, who won the Single-A South-Atlantic League MVP in 2019, was coming off a stellar season in which he slashed .318/.409/.489 with ten home runs, 32 doubles, 79 runs scored, 52 RBI and 18 stolen bases. Since his trade to the Orioles, Vavra has been working on his defensive versatility, taking reps in centerfield in addition to the middle infield. Vavra now joins a select number of other Baltimore prospects at Instructional League camp, where he will be able to get some live game reps after missing out on a 2020 season. Considering his excellent performance at Single-A in 2019, Vavra appears primed to open 2021 with Double-A Bowie.
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