Three Cougars were picked in the Major League Baseball draft just about a month ago. I figured it was time to give you an update on how they're doing in their professional careers. Once I started looking up their stats...I went a little crazy and started looking up every Wazzu alum I could find (who is still playing baseball of course).

Here's what I found (2008 stats only):

Position Players

Paul Gran, Jamestown (Short-Season A): .343 AVG, 2 HR, 17 RBI, 4 SB
Mike Kinkade, Tacoma (AAA): .217 AVG, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 0 SB
Jay Miller, Lakewood (High A): .274 AVG, 1 HR, 15 RBI, 2 SB
Jim Murphy, GCL Phillies (Rookie): .407 AVG, 1 HR, 13 RBI, 0 SB

Pitchers

Eddie Bonine, Detroit (Majors): 2-1 W-L, 23 IP, 4.30 ERA, 0 SV, 8 SO
Wayne Daman, Quad Cities (Low A): 4-2 W-L, 35.2 IP, 3.03 ERA, 2 SV, 28 SO
Mark Hendrickson Florida (Majors): 7-7 W-L, 101 IP, 6.24 ERA, 0 SV, 61 SO
Jayson Miller, Orem (Rookie): 2-0 W-L, 19.1 IP, 0.47 ERA, 0 SV, 19 SO

There are several other Cougars playing in unaffiliated Independent Leagues (kind of redundant I guess...unaffiliated/independent). Brady Everett, Steve Mortimer, Dane Renkert, Grant Richardson, Reggie Rivard, and Aaron Trolia are on that list.

Former WSU standout Scott Hatteberg was a victim of the Cincinnati Reds youth movement. He was released on May 28th when the Reds purchased the contract of super-phenom Jay Bruce. Hatteberg is currently a free agent.

If you can think of anyone else, feel free to drop me a line. I'll find out where they're playing and look up their stats.

P.S. You probably already know this, but I thought I'd mention it anyways. Three former Cougars will represent the USA in the upcoming Olympics. Ian Waltz will compete in the discus, Bernard Lagat will run the 1500m and 5000m, and Diana Pickler will compete in the heptathlon.

P.S.S. Former Washington State All-American golfer Kim Welch won The Golf Channel's reality show Big Break: Ka'anapali.

According to a release by the school, the finale featured the last two competitors, Welch and Sophie Sandolo, in 18-hole match play format, which Welch won four and three with a birdie on the 15th hole.

With the victory, Welch earned an exemption into the 2008 Navistar LPGA Classic, free entry into every event on the 2009 Duramed Futures Tour, a BMW Z4 and an Adams Golf endorsement contract which includes $10,000 in cash.

2 Comments

Jeff Ericsson said:

Tim,

Jim Murphy was promoted today (or yesterday) from the Phillies GCL club to their Florida State League club, the Clearwater Threshers, a considerable jump, though he technically only had to move across the parking lot.

July 9, 2008 1:34 PM

tlewis said:

Jeff,

You're right! Thanks for the heads up on that!

Jim Murphy actually played for Clearwater today (a 6-1 loss). He registered one hit (a double) in three at-bats. He also walked and struck out once.

Thanks again!

Tim

July 9, 2008 2:53 PM

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