Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Baseball In The Pros
September 03, 2014 | Cowboy Baseball
Oklahoma State currently has four players on active Major League Baseball rosters, and a pair of former Cowboys are big league managers — Robin Ventura (Chicago White Sox) and John Farrell (Boston).
Scott Baker, RHP – Texas Rangers
After missing much of the last two seasons with injuries, Baker has appeared in 23 games for Texas this season and is 3-3 with a 5.23 ERA. Of late, the righty has found a groove, picking up wins in each of his last three outings — in relief on Aug. 12 and in back-to-back starts on Aug. 24 and 29.
In nine big league seasons, Baker is 66-51 with a 4.22 ERA in 189 games.
Andrew Heaney, LHP – Miami Marlins
The ninth overall pick in the 2012 MLB Draft, Heaney made his major league debut in June and made four starts for the Marlins, going 0-3 before being sent back down to Triple A New Orleans.
However, the Marlins recalled Heaney on Sept. 2, and he's expected help bolster their pitching staff as they eye a playoff run.
Heaney, who began the year in Double A, has been impressive in the minors. After earning Southern League Mid-Season All-Star honors, he's made 15 starts at Triple A New Orleans and was 5-4 with a 3.87 ERA to go along with a shutout and 91 strikeouts in 83.2 innings of work.
Tyler Lyons, LHP – St. Louis Cardinals
Lyons has had several big league stints in St. Louis this season after making his MLB debut in 2013, and he's currently back on the active roster for the first-place Redbirds.
In eight appearances with the Cardinals this season, including four starts, the lefty is 0-3 with a 4.68 ERA and has recorded 32 strikeouts in 32.2 innings.
Jordy Mercer, SS – Pittsburgh Pirates
Now in his MLB third season, Mercer has become a fixture at shortstop in the Pirates' lineup. In 127 games, he's hitting .258 with nine homers and 44 RBIs to go along with 21 doubles and a .303 on-base percentage.
The Pirates are just four games back of St. Louis in the National League Central Division standings, and they are two games back in the NL Wild Card standings.
A strong crop of former Cowboys are competing in the minor leagues, including seven at the Double or Triple A levels.
Among some of the highlights are:
Corey Brown, OF – Pawtucket Red Sox (Triple A - Red Sox)
Brown was recently called up to Boston and appeared in three games with the Red Sox before being sent back down to Triple A Pawtucket, where he's spent the majority of the season.
In 91 games at Pawtucket, Brown has recorded 17 homers and 42 RBIs to go along with 15 doubles.
Andrew Oliver, LHP – Indianapolis Indians (Triple A - Pirates)
Moved into a role as closer in this his seventh professional season, Oliver has thrived. In 48 apperances, he is 3-4 with a 2.53 ERA and 13 saves in 16 opportunities. A Mid-Season International League All-Star, the southpaw has racked up 85 strikeouts in 64 innings.
Jason Hursh, RHP – Mississippi Braves (Double A - Braves)
Hursh, a first-round draft pick of Atlanta in 2013, spent his second professional season in Double A. In 27 games, 26 of which he started, the righty was 11-7 with a 3.58 ERA.
Tom Belza, OF – Mobile BayBears (Double A - Diamondbacks)
Belza recently completed his fifth professional season and was named a Post-Season Southern League All-Star after hitting .305 with 21 doubles and 31 RBIs to go along with a .387 on-base percentage for the Mobile BayBears.
Brendan McCurry, RHP – Stockton Ports (Class A Advanced - A's)
McCurry has been a man on the move since setting OSU's single-season and career saves records just a few months ago. Drafted in the 22nd round after leading the Cowboys to a 2014 Super Regional, McCurry began his pro career in Rookie ball but is now pitching at the Class A Advanced level.
In 17 games with three different teams, McCurry is 2-0 with a pair of saves and a 0.31 ERA. He's recorded 37 strikeouts in 28.2 innings.
Zach Fish, OF – Great Falls Voyagers (Rookie – White Sox)
The 2014 Big 12 Conference Player of the Year, Fish got off to slow start in the pros but has picked it up and turned in a solid rookie performance. In 54 games, he's hitting .255 with five homers and 21 RBIs to go along with 11 doubles and a .339 on-base percentage.
For links to other Cowboys in the pros, click here.
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