The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers in the Pros: Midseason Update
7/21/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – As the second half of the Major League Baseball season gets underway, a handful of former Blazers continue their path toward the show with hopes of a promotion to their parent club.
Three UAB baseball alumni find themselves climbing through Minor League Baseball, three are continuing their careers on the independent circuit, and one made his Major League Baseball debut earlier in the season. All stats are current through Thursday, July 21.
James Naile, RHP (Drafted 2015, Oakland Athletics)
After a successful first season in 2015, Naile is having an exceptional sophomore summer in the Oakland system. The right-hander has been on the move all year, making stops at Single A, High A, Double A and Triple A. He was just recently promoted to the Stockton Ports of the California League. Naile owns a 3.24 ERA in 19 games between the four clubs. He has started 18 games this season and is holding opponents to a .225 batting average. He has struck out 41 and walked just 15 in his last 10 games.
Adam Lau, RHP (Drafted 2015, Boston Red Sox)
Lau is in the middle of his second season in the Boston system, currently pitching for the Greenville Drive in the South Atlantic League. He began the season with the Salem Red Sox and spent some time in extended spring training before being promoted to Greenville on May 16. Since joining the Drive, Lau is 1-1 with a 1.80 ERA in 16 games. Appearing out of the bullpen in 20 games and starting one, the right-hander is holding opposing batters to a .147 average for the season. Both of his stops in 2016 have been at the Single A level.
Alex Luna, RHP (Drafted 2015, Kansas City Royals)
The Kansas City Royals are pacing the 23-year-old righty in his second season of professional baseball. Luna has spent all of 2016 with the Idaho Falls Chukars in the Pioneer League at the Rookie level. It is his second season in Rookie League after pitching for the Burlington Royals in 2015. Luna is impressing with a 3-0 mark and 2.50 ERA in seven games, thus far. He has made five starts while totaling 37 Ks and just seven walks.
Tim Anderson, SS (Drafted 2013, Chicago White Sox) – Signee
Anderson signed to play at UAB as a sophomore at East Central Community College in Decatur, Miss., but was snatched up by the Chicago White Sox in the first round of the 2013 draft. After quickly climbing through Chicago system – which included two stints with the Birmingham Barons – Anderson made his MLB debut with the White Sox on June 10 this year. The sure-handed shortstop has been impressive at the plate, batting above .300 for most of his time on the big league roster. He is currently hitting .283 and has clubbed five home runs.
Jamal Austin, OF (Drafted 2011, Seattle Mariners)
After spending four seasons in the Seattle farm system, Austin is entering his second season of independent baseball. He is patrolling centerfield for the Washington WildThings of the Frontier League. The former UAB standout is hitting .273 in 38 games and has swiped a team-high 13 bases. His 41 hits rank third on the squad.
Patrick Palmeiro, INF (Undrafted Free Agent, 2012)
Palmeiro was signed by the Chicago White Sox where he spent three years in their farm system following his career at UAB. The slugger is now in the middle of his second year with the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 52 games, the infielder has already blasted five home runs and driven in 28 runs. He is batting .224 and slugging .370 in 165 trips to the plate.
Benji Waite, RHP (Undrafted Free Agent, 2010)
Waite is entering his fourth season of professional baseball, currently playing for the St. Paul Saints of the American Association of Professional Baseball. The right-hander is 1-1 in 13 games this year with a 2.04 ERA. He has struck out 14 batters and walked just four, holding a 3.50 strikeout to walk ratio.
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