Former Jayhawks tame minor leagues
- Aug. 16, 2010
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After the disappointing ending to the Kansas Jayhawks’ 2010 baseball season, June’s MLB Draft brought joy back to coach Ritch Price’s program after they went on a six-game losing streak to end the season. Six Jayhawks were selected in the 2010 MLB Amateur Draft, five signed, and a total of 15 Jayhawks are now in organizations around Major League Baseball. Here’s an update on how the most recent crop of Kansas Jayhawks are doing.
Brian Heere
(Cleveland Indians)
Heere currently plays for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, the Cleveland Indians Single A farm team, after being drafted in the 41st round. Heere is a Lawrence native who has gotten off to a slow start, but has recently picked up his stride with the Scrappers. Heere is currently hitting .267 with a triple, five RBI and a .368 on-base percentage.
Tony Thompson
(Oakland Athletics)
Thompson had what some would call a down year because he did not have a repeat of the triple crown season of 2009. Thompson, who was slowed down by injury during the preseason, managed to get drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the sixth round of this year’s draft. Thompson took his hitting talents north of the border to play for the Vancouver Canadians in Single A ball. Tony has been on fire since he was drafted, recently going on a ten-game tear with a double, two homers and seven RBIs. On the season Thompson is hitting .292, with six doubles, three homers and 13 RBIs.
Cameron Selik
(Washington Nationals)
Selik has had the most recent success out of any of the young Jayhawks. On Aug. 1 he picked up his first professional victory with the Vermont Lake Monsters, the Single-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals. He has been used as a relief pitcher in all 10 of his appearances this season, and boasts a 3.45 ERA in 15.2 innings and along with the win he also has a save on the season.
Robby Price
(Tampa Bay Rays)
The last of the Price boys to play at Kansas, Robby has lately picked up the hitting for the Hudson Valley Renegades. Price has had three doubles in his last 10 games and has carried a .343 average during that run. Price has hit .322 in 35 games with 14 doubles, a triple and two home runs, he also has swiped 14 bases for the team.
Travis Blankenship
Now with the Tri-City Valley Cats, Blankenship is currently 2-0 in 14 outings. Blankenship recorded nine consecutive scoreless appearances out of the bullpen, and held opponents to a batting average of .190 which now has reached almost 13 innings. Blankenship is currently with the Houston Astros on their Single A roster.
Edited by Tim Dwyer
