Former Bluejay Darin Ruf in AAA with the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs
Photo by: Justin Lafleur
Bluejay Baseball Players in the Pro Ranks
9/6/2016 2:49:00 PM | Baseball
Omaha, Neb. -- The August/September callups of Pat Venditte (Aug. 27), Ty Blach (Sept. 1) and Darin Ruf (Sept. 2) marks the first time since 2002 (Alan Benes, Kevin Frederick and Mike Mahoney) that Creighton has seen at least three players on active Major League Baseball rosters. Two former Bluejays, Scott Servais and Dave McKay, are coaching in the MLB. Servais is in his first season at the helm of the Seattle Mariners as the squad fights for a wild card spot. McKay is in his 33rd consecutive season on a Major League coaching staff, coaching first base for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Another Creighton connection, Jim Hendry, is a special assistant to the New York Yankees.
Considering the recent callups as well as the end of the regular season in the Minor Leagues, what better time to check in on how former Bluejays are progressing. Creighton has eight former players active in the minor leagues, including three at the AAA level.
MLB:
Ty Blach - San Francisco Giants
Ty made his first career appearence on Monday, Sept. 5, posting three scoreless innings against the Colorado Rockies.
Darin Ruf - Philadelphia Phillies
In his second stint with the Phillies in 2016, Ruf has seen time in 34 games.
Pat Venditte - Seattle Mariners
Pat has appeared in three games since joining the Mariners in late August, he has tossed 8.2 innings.
AAA:
Anthony Bemboom - Salt Lake Bees (Los Angeles Angels)
In his fifth season in the Minors, Bemboom closed the regular season with a .261 average in 47 games for the Bees.
Jake Peter - Charlotte Knights (Chicago White Sox)
Jake got his first taste of AAA this season, posting a .259 average in 62 games.
Elliott Soto - New Orleans Zephrys (Miami Marlins)
After getting traded to the Miami Marlins midway through the 2015 season, Soto played all of 2016 with the New Orleans Zephrys (AAA).
AA:
Mike Gerber - Erie SeaWolves (Detroit Tigers)
Mike opned his third season in the Detroit system with the Lakeland Flying Tigers (A), but his .282 average earned Gerber a promotion to Erie. Mike closed the 2016 season hitting .261 with the SeaWolves.
Kurt Spomer - Erie SeaWolves (Detroit Tigers)
Kurt was impressive in his fifth season, posting a 2.51 ERA with Erie, earning a brief callup to AAA. Spomer held his own in 13.1 innings with Toledo, but finished the season back with the SeaWolves.
A:
Nick Highberger - Stockton Ports (Oakland Athletics)
Nick pitched his way to the California League, tossing two four scoreless innings at the close of the season. Highberger worked in 17 games for the Arizona League Athletics, closing the year with a 2-2 record and a 3.38 ERA.
Daniel Woodrow - Connecticut Tigers (Detroit Tigers)
Joining the Tigers in June, Woodrow neeeded just 18 games at Rookie Ball to move up as he hit a scaulding .351 with
the Gulf Coast League Tigers. Daniel spent the final 36 games with the Connecticut Tigers, hittting .276 with eight stolen bases.
Rookie League:
Nicky Lopez - Burlington Royals (Kansas City Royals)
Nicky capped a stellar opening season in the minors by leading the Appalachian League in runs scored (54) and triples (5). Lopez was among the top five in games played (62) as well as total bases (111).
Considering the recent callups as well as the end of the regular season in the Minor Leagues, what better time to check in on how former Bluejays are progressing. Creighton has eight former players active in the minor leagues, including three at the AAA level.
MLB:
Ty Blach - San Francisco Giants
Ty made his first career appearence on Monday, Sept. 5, posting three scoreless innings against the Colorado Rockies.
Darin Ruf - Philadelphia Phillies
In his second stint with the Phillies in 2016, Ruf has seen time in 34 games.
Pat Venditte - Seattle Mariners
Pat has appeared in three games since joining the Mariners in late August, he has tossed 8.2 innings.
AAA:
Anthony Bemboom - Salt Lake Bees (Los Angeles Angels)
In his fifth season in the Minors, Bemboom closed the regular season with a .261 average in 47 games for the Bees.
Jake Peter - Charlotte Knights (Chicago White Sox)
Jake got his first taste of AAA this season, posting a .259 average in 62 games.
Elliott Soto - New Orleans Zephrys (Miami Marlins)
After getting traded to the Miami Marlins midway through the 2015 season, Soto played all of 2016 with the New Orleans Zephrys (AAA).
AA:
Mike Gerber - Erie SeaWolves (Detroit Tigers)
Mike opned his third season in the Detroit system with the Lakeland Flying Tigers (A), but his .282 average earned Gerber a promotion to Erie. Mike closed the 2016 season hitting .261 with the SeaWolves.
Kurt Spomer - Erie SeaWolves (Detroit Tigers)
Kurt was impressive in his fifth season, posting a 2.51 ERA with Erie, earning a brief callup to AAA. Spomer held his own in 13.1 innings with Toledo, but finished the season back with the SeaWolves.
A:
Nick Highberger - Stockton Ports (Oakland Athletics)
Nick pitched his way to the California League, tossing two four scoreless innings at the close of the season. Highberger worked in 17 games for the Arizona League Athletics, closing the year with a 2-2 record and a 3.38 ERA.
Daniel Woodrow - Connecticut Tigers (Detroit Tigers)
Joining the Tigers in June, Woodrow neeeded just 18 games at Rookie Ball to move up as he hit a scaulding .351 with
the Gulf Coast League Tigers. Daniel spent the final 36 games with the Connecticut Tigers, hittting .276 with eight stolen bases.
Rookie League:
Nicky Lopez - Burlington Royals (Kansas City Royals)
Nicky capped a stellar opening season in the minors by leading the Appalachian League in runs scored (54) and triples (5). Lopez was among the top five in games played (62) as well as total bases (111).
2013 Creighton Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee Dan Smith
Friday, October 30
Jim Hendry & Alan Benes (4/11/11)
Friday, October 30
CREIGHTON BASEBALL
Thursday, October 15
Ambidextrous Pitcher
Thursday, October 15
