July 29, 2018

Golden Eagles boast 15 former student-athletes in professional baseball

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – A total of 15 former Tennessee Tech baseball players continue to actively represent the Golden Eagles through their play at the professional level this summer, including a whopping 10 players from the historic 2018 Tech squad that broke numerous program and Ohio Valley Conference records on its way to an NCAA Super Regional berth.

By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – A total of 15 former Tennessee Tech baseball players continue to actively represent the Golden Eagles through their play at the professional level this summer, including a whopping 10 players from the historic 2018 Tech squad that broke numerous program and Ohio Valley Conference records on its way to an NCAA Super Regional berth.

The incredible list features a pair of players who have spent time or currently reside on major league rosters this season – David Hess (pictured above) and Adam Liberatore. One former Golden Eagle sits just a call-up away from the top level in Triple-A (Tristan Archer), while each of the 10 recently signed Tech alums are playing or scheduled to play soon in the minor league. Two more are currently playing in independent leagues, seeking a way back to affiliated baseball.

We caught up with a number of those former Golden Eagls to gather their thoughts on the summer and, for many of them, the sudden change in their lives.

"I actually had surgery on my hamstring about five weeks ago," 2018 third baseman Trevor Putzig said. "After I signed with the Orioles, they had me get an MRI and discovered it was completely torn and would require surgery. The surgeon said it would be about 12 weeks before I can start playing again. Right now I'm just concentrating on rehab, which is getting better each week. I believe the Orioles will send me to instructional league when I'm ready, which starts in mid-September, and that's when I'll get to play again."

Former center fielder Alex Junior expressed, "It's been a great experience. It's different from what I've normally seen as far as a more consistent hard velocity goes. The pitchers mix a lot more than in college, so really hunting for your pitch is necessary. Learning from my at bats versus Noah Syndergaard and Jason Vargas on what a major league hitter see was beneficial and that's what I'm shooting to get to. There's nothing like the team we had this past year and Tech holds a special place in my heart, but the team we have in Staten Island has really helped me out. I'd like to be doing better, but it's all about adjusting and improving every day. You play every day too, so it wears on the body a bit and requires workouts to be more maintenance during the season. Just continuing to work hard and maximize my opportunities is how I look to approach each situation I'm presented."

Local Sparta native and former closer Ethan Roberts explained, "Playing at this level is definitely different. The professional level is something that is taking some getting used to. As a pitcher, they have me on a strict schedule and innings limits because I threw so much out of the bullpen in college this year. Pro ball is definitely a beast within itself. Living in a hotel and having to eat out a lot is tough. Overnight road trips and playing the same day is challenging. The season so far has been fun. I started out in Arizona and didn't throw an inning and then was called up to Euguene. I am blessed beyond measure to be here and I thank all the supporters who have been in touch. It means a lot. I also get to play with Benny [Brennon Kaleiwahea], which is pretty cool. The best part is I get to spend all these moments with my wife by my side. I can't thank her enough for all she does."

The winningest pitcher in program history, Travis Moths said, "I haven't done much yet. They are taking it slow with me because of the amount of innings I threw in college. I just started throwing bullpens a few weeks ago and my first professional outing is scheduled for July 29. Mainly, I'm just working on keeping my body healthier and working on flexibility and mobility."

Stats for each of the 15 former Golden Eagles as of July 28, 2018:

Tristan Archer Colorado Springs Sky Sox Triple-A \| Milwaukee Brewers RHP \| 6-2 \| 200 \| R/R
	LG	LEVEL	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	SVO	IP	H	R	ER	HR	HB	BB	IBB	SO	AVG	WHIP
Biloxi	SOU	AA	0	0	0.00	2	0	0	0	3.0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	.091	0.33
Col. Springs	PCL	AAA	2	3	4.84	38	1	2	4	57.2	59	40	31	5	7	16	2	53	.262	1.30
Minors 2018	-	Minors	2	3	4.60	40	1	2	4	60.2	60	40	31	5	7	16	2	54	.254	1.25

Chase Chambers

Brooklyn Cyclones
Class A Short Season | New York Mets
1B | 6-1 | 250 | L/L

LEVEL

RBI

IBB

AVG

OBP

SLG

OPS

Minors 2018

NYP

A(Short)

133

.293

.356

.398

.754

Marcus Evey Pulaski Yankees Rookie \| New York Yankees RHP \| 5-10 \| 175 \| R/R
	LG	LEVEL	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	SVO	IP	H	R	ER	HR	HB	BB	IBB	SO	AVG	WHIP
GCL Yankees West	GCL	ROK	0	0	0.00	2	0	0	0	3.2	1	0	0	0	0	2	0	8	.083	.082
Pulaski	APP	ROK	1	1	4.30	7	0	1	1	14.2	17	8	7	0	0	3	0	21	.293	1.36
Minors 2018	-	Minors	1	1	3.44	9	0	1	1	18.1	18	8	7	0	0	5	0	29	.257	1.25

Kit Fowler

Schaumburg Boomers
Independent League
RHP | 6-1 | 190 | R/R

LEVEL

ERA

SVO

IBB

AVG

WHIP

Minors 2018

FRON

IND

5.77

34.1

.258

1.40

David Garza

AZL D-backs
Rookie | Arizona Diamondbacks
SS | 6-1 | 200 | R/R

LEVEL

RBI

IBB

AVG

OBP

SLG

OPS

Minors 2018

AZL

ROK

.298

.421

.383

.804

John Ham

GCL Orioles
Rookie | Baltimore Orioles
2B | 5-10 | 190 | R/R

LEVEL

RBI

IBB

AVG

OBP

SLG

OPS

Minors 2018

GCL

ROK

101

.218

.308

.327

.634

David Hess Baltimore Orioles MLB RHP \| 6-2 \| 180 \| R/R
	LG	LEVEL	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	SVO	IP	H	R	ER	HR	HB	BB	IBB	SO	AVG	WHIP
Minors 2018	INT	AAA	3	2	3.15	9	9	0	0	45.2	38	16	16	3	0	19	0	44	.225	1.25
MLB	AL	MLB	2	5	5.94	11	9	0	0	50.0	55	33	33	11	3	20	2	30	.278	1.50

Alex Junior

Staten Island Yankees
Class A Short Season | New York Yankees
OF | 5-10 | 188 | L/L

LEVEL

RBI

IBB

AVG

OBP

SLG

OPS

Minors 2018

NYP

A(Short)

.234

.374

.351

.725

Brennon Kaleiwahea

Eugene Emeralds
Class A Short Season | Chicago Cubs
C | 6-0 | 200 | R/R

LEVEL

RBI

IBB

AVG

OBP

SLG

OPS

Minors 2018

NWL

A(Short)

.240

.367

.240

.607

Adam Liberatore Oklahoma City Dodgers Triple-A \| Los Angeles Dodgers LHP \| 6-3 \| 243 \| L/L
	LG	LEVEL	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	SVO	IP	H	R	ER	HR	HB	BB	IBB	SO	AVG	WHIP
Minors 2018	PCL	AAA	2	1	1.35	13	0	0	1	13.1	14	6	2	1	2	4	1	14	.275	1.35
MLB	NL	MLB	2	1	2.77	17	0	0	1	13.0	10	4	4	1	1	8	0	12	.227	1.38

Seth Lucio

Lake Erie Crushers
Independent League
RHP | 5-8 | 190 | R/R

LEVEL

ERA

SVO

IBB

AVG

WHIP

Minors 2018

FRON

IND

2.70

10.0

.275

1.70

Travis Moths

AZL D-backs
Rookie | Arizona Diamondbacks
RHP | 6-1 | 190 | R/R
*Expected to make professional debut July 29

LEVEL

ERA

SVO

IBB

AVG

WHIP

Minors 2018

AZL

ROK

0.00

0.0

.000

Nick Osborne Vermont Lake Monsters Class A Short Season \| Oakland Athletics OF \| 6-2 \| 205 \| R/R *Signed July 24 / Assigned to Vermont July 28
	LG	LEVEL	G	AB	R	H	TB	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	IBB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Cape Cod	CCBL	College	19	70	13	21	48	3	0	8	17	9	-	18	1	0	.300	.390	.686	1.076
Minors 2018	NYP	A(Short)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000	.000