Photo by: Steve Branscombe
Catch Up On the 2017 Season for Baseball's #ProJays
12/15/2017 9:26:00 AM | Baseball
Omaha, Neb. --- As the MLB winter meetings draw to a close, its a great time to look at the how our former Bluejays did this season in the pro ranks. Entering the spring of 2018 former Creighton southpaw Ty Blach is expected to remain in the rotation for the San Francisco Giants, while outfielder Mike Gerber was added to the Detroit Tigers 40-man roster and shortstop Nicky Lopez tore up the Arizona Fall League (.383 average). A full list of the former Bluejays highlights from 2017 are below.
Anthony Bemboom (2011-12): Bemboom completed his sixth season in the minors, spending the entire season with Albuquerque Isotopes (Colorado Rockies - AAA). Anthony appeared in 45 games, closing the year with a .278 average, eight doubles, four home runs and 20 RBI.
Ty Blach (2010-12): Ty spent the entire season in the rotation for the San Francisco Giants, posting an 8-12 record in 163.2 innings. Blach started 24 games posting a 4.78 ERA.
Dave Gerber (2014-17): After graduating in May, Dave saw time at three different levels of the Seattle Mariners system (Rookie, A & AA). Gerber appeared in nine games combined, posting a 1-1 record over 12.1 innings with a 2.19 ERA, four saves and 16 strikeouts.
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Mike Gerber (2011-14): Playing across three levels (A+, AA & AAA) this season in the Detroit Tigers organization, Gerber was added to the 40 Man Roster after the season. Mike saw action in 101 combined games, hitting .304 with 26 doubles, 14 home runs and, 50 RBI.
Nick Highberger (2013-16): Nick's season was a limited to just 10 appearances for the Beloit Snappers (Oakland Athletics A League Team) due to an arm injury. Highberger tossed 15 innings, notching 10 strikeouts and one save.
Rollie Lacy (2014-17): One of three Bluejays selected in the 2017 MLB Draft, Lacy split time between rookie and low A for the Chicago Cubs. In 11 appearances, Rollie was 1-3 with a 2.45 ERA over 29.1 innings. Consistently a control pitcher, Lacy recorded 27 strikeouts and walked just four batters.
Nicky Lopez (2014-16): After splitting the 2017 season in A+ and AA for within the Kansas City Royals system, Lopez sparkled in the Arizona Fall League hitting .383 in 20 games. The left-handed hitting shortstop earned a spot on the AFL West Fall-Star team and was named the Player of the Year in the Royals Farm System.
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Jake Peter (2012-14): Jake saw action in 120 games at AA & AAA teams of the Chicago White Sox. Peter closed the season with a .279 average, 13 home runs, 19 doubles, 11 stolen bases and 49 RBI.
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Keith Rogalla (2015-17): The third Bluejays to begin his pro career in 2017, Rogalla posted a 4.38 ERA while striking out 26 in 24.2 innings in rookie ball for the Los Angeles Angels.
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Darin Ruf (2006-09): After eight seasons in the pro ranks, including 286 games with the Philadelphia Phillies, Ruf excelled in his first season in the Korean League. Playing for the Samsung Lions, Ruf hit .315 with 31 home runs, 38 doubles and 124 RBI in 134 games
Elliot Soto (2008-10): Having just completed his eighth season in the minors, Soto played 81 games for the Iowa Cubs (AAA of the Chicago Cubs) in 2017. Spent the whole season in Triple A with the Iowa Cubs. Elliot closed the season hitting .238 with 15 double and 29 RBI.
Kurt Spomer (2009-12): Kurt spent his sixth season in the minors with both the Erie SeaWolves (AA) and the Toledo Mud Huns (AAA) in the Detroit Tigers organization. In 42 combined appearances, Spomer recorded 35 strikeouts in 50 innings of work. He closed the year with a 6-4 record and a 4.86 ERA.
Pat Venditte (2005-08): Traded to the Philadelphia Phillies organization last winter, Pat appeared in 52 games for the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs in 2017. Venditte tossed 69.2 innings in 2017, posting a 9-5 record, 69 strikeouts and a 3.36 ERA. Pat signed a free agent contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in late November.
Daniel Woodrow (2014-16): Daniel spent his second season in the minor with the West Michigan Whitecaps, the A team of the Detroit Tigers. Woodrow appeared in 116 games, hitting .271, with 17 doubles, 31 steals and 47 RBI.
Bluejays in the coaching ranks
Anthony Bemboom (2011-12): Bemboom completed his sixth season in the minors, spending the entire season with Albuquerque Isotopes (Colorado Rockies - AAA). Anthony appeared in 45 games, closing the year with a .278 average, eight doubles, four home runs and 20 RBI.
Ty Blach (2010-12): Ty spent the entire season in the rotation for the San Francisco Giants, posting an 8-12 record in 163.2 innings. Blach started 24 games posting a 4.78 ERA.
Dave Gerber (2014-17): After graduating in May, Dave saw time at three different levels of the Seattle Mariners system (Rookie, A & AA). Gerber appeared in nine games combined, posting a 1-1 record over 12.1 innings with a 2.19 ERA, four saves and 16 strikeouts.
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Mike Gerber (2011-14): Playing across three levels (A+, AA & AAA) this season in the Detroit Tigers organization, Gerber was added to the 40 Man Roster after the season. Mike saw action in 101 combined games, hitting .304 with 26 doubles, 14 home runs and, 50 RBI.
Nick Highberger (2013-16): Nick's season was a limited to just 10 appearances for the Beloit Snappers (Oakland Athletics A League Team) due to an arm injury. Highberger tossed 15 innings, notching 10 strikeouts and one save.
Rollie Lacy (2014-17): One of three Bluejays selected in the 2017 MLB Draft, Lacy split time between rookie and low A for the Chicago Cubs. In 11 appearances, Rollie was 1-3 with a 2.45 ERA over 29.1 innings. Consistently a control pitcher, Lacy recorded 27 strikeouts and walked just four batters.
Nicky Lopez (2014-16): After splitting the 2017 season in A+ and AA for within the Kansas City Royals system, Lopez sparkled in the Arizona Fall League hitting .383 in 20 games. The left-handed hitting shortstop earned a spot on the AFL West Fall-Star team and was named the Player of the Year in the Royals Farm System.
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Jake Peter (2012-14): Jake saw action in 120 games at AA & AAA teams of the Chicago White Sox. Peter closed the season with a .279 average, 13 home runs, 19 doubles, 11 stolen bases and 49 RBI.
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Keith Rogalla (2015-17): The third Bluejays to begin his pro career in 2017, Rogalla posted a 4.38 ERA while striking out 26 in 24.2 innings in rookie ball for the Los Angeles Angels.
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Darin Ruf (2006-09): After eight seasons in the pro ranks, including 286 games with the Philadelphia Phillies, Ruf excelled in his first season in the Korean League. Playing for the Samsung Lions, Ruf hit .315 with 31 home runs, 38 doubles and 124 RBI in 134 games
Elliot Soto (2008-10): Having just completed his eighth season in the minors, Soto played 81 games for the Iowa Cubs (AAA of the Chicago Cubs) in 2017. Spent the whole season in Triple A with the Iowa Cubs. Elliot closed the season hitting .238 with 15 double and 29 RBI.
Kurt Spomer (2009-12): Kurt spent his sixth season in the minors with both the Erie SeaWolves (AA) and the Toledo Mud Huns (AAA) in the Detroit Tigers organization. In 42 combined appearances, Spomer recorded 35 strikeouts in 50 innings of work. He closed the year with a 6-4 record and a 4.86 ERA.
Pat Venditte (2005-08): Traded to the Philadelphia Phillies organization last winter, Pat appeared in 52 games for the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs in 2017. Venditte tossed 69.2 innings in 2017, posting a 9-5 record, 69 strikeouts and a 3.36 ERA. Pat signed a free agent contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in late November.
Daniel Woodrow (2014-16): Daniel spent his second season in the minor with the West Michigan Whitecaps, the A team of the Detroit Tigers. Woodrow appeared in 116 games, hitting .271, with 17 doubles, 31 steals and 47 RBI.
Bluejays in the coaching ranks
| Name | Years at Creighton | Professional Organization | Position |
| Kimera Bartee | 1991-93 | Pittsburgh Pirates | First Base Coach |
| Vicente Cafaro | 2008-09 (Player) 2015 (Coach) |
San Diego Padres | Minors Infield Coordinator |
| Eric Campbell | 1982-84 | USA Baseball | General Manager National Teams |
| Oneri Fleita | 1987-88 | Philadelphia Philles | Mexico Scouting Supervisor |
| Jim Hendry | 1983-1985 (Assistant Coach) 1985-1991 (Head Coach) |
New York Yankees | Special Assistant to the GM |
| Steve Hinton | 1989-91 | Chicago Cubs | Amateur Scout |
| Dave McKay | 1971 | Arizona Diamondbacks | First Base Coach |
| Scott Servais | 1986-88 | Seattle Mariners | Manager |
| Tom Shafer | 1991 | Houston Astros | Assistant Director of International Scouting |
| Carson Vitale | 2009 | Seattle Mariners | Field Coordinator |
2013 Creighton Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee Dan Smith
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Jim Hendry & Alan Benes (4/11/11)
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Ambidextrous Pitcher
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