We spend a lot of time focusing on who the next big thing is that it sometimes comes at the expense of those that are currently one step away from The Show.
With the book closed on the 2019 season, now is a great time to check in on the local players that played 2019 in affiliated baseball. For purposes of brevity, we will limit this list to those who are Long Island natives, not those that played college baseball on Long Island which eliminates several players that have played at schools like Stony Brook, Hofstra, St. John’s, etc.
We used Baseball Reference to compile the data on players. Please note that players frequently walk away from the game after a few minor league seasons so this list does not include anyone that called it a career prior to the season.
We will organize it by the year they were drafted/signed beginning in reverse chronological order. If we missed anyone please shoot us a DM or email.
2019:
Kyle Martin (Baltimore Orioles, Round 15)
Stats: 2-2 record, 4.12 ERA, 19.2 IP, 24 K, 9 BB, 22 H, 1.57 WHIP
Nick Grande (Arizona Diamondbacks, Round 17)
Stats: 44 G, 142 at bats, 20 runs, .176 AVG, .280 SLG
Quick Note: Grande announced on our podcast last week that he has decided to walk away from the game.
Andrew Misiaszek (Cleveland Indians, Round 32)
Stats: 4-2 record, 4.28 ERA, 1 SV, 27.1 IP, 30 H, 12 BB, 30 K, .283 AVG, 1.54 WHIP
Vito Friscia (Philadelphia Philies, Round 40)
Stats: 43 G, 142 at bats, 19 R, 3 HR, 18 RBI, .275 AVG, .358 OBP.
Quick Note: Vito was a steal in the 40th round, he probably should’ve went 20 rounds before. He is a pure masher as he proved at our 2018 Home Run Derby. The metrics showed he had the highest exit velocity in the system. His home field is among the largest in minor leagues so the power numbers were suppressed.
Frank Valentino (New York Mets, Free Agent)
Stats: 2-4 record, 3.41 ERA, 58.0 IP, 52 H, 13 BB, 63 K, .239 AVG, 1.12 WHIP
Quick Note: Remarkable journey from 0-9 senior season in college to pro ball to affiliated ball. Frank has earned everything he’s gotten and with his size, spin rate and resiliency, you should not count him out.
2018
Franklin Parra (New York Mets, Round 11)
Stats: 1-1 record, 2.57 ERA, 21.0 IP, 10 H, 16 BB, 29 K, 1.23 WHIP
Reiss Knehr (San Diego Pades, Round 20)
Stats: 3-5 record, 5.43 ERA, 66.1 IP, 71 H, 28 BB, .267 AVG, 1.49 WHIP
Logan O’Hoppe (Philadelphia Phillies, Round 23)
Stats: 45 G, 162 at bats, 20 R, 5 HR, 26 RBI, 12 BB, .216 AVG, .266 OBP, .673 OPS
Sean Boyle (New York Yankees, Round 25)
Stats: 2-1 record, 3.23 ERA, 1 SV, 39.0 IP, 27 H, 5 BB, 43 K, .193 AVG, 0.82 WHIP
Bobby Honeyman (Seattle Mariners, Round 29)
Stats:122 G, 460 at bats, 63 R, 7 HR, 57 RBI, 36 BB, .280 AVG, .339 AVG, .708 OPS
Quick Note: After a slow start, Honeyman bounced back with a vengeance to make the All Star Game.
2017
Jesse Berardi (Cleveland Indians, Round 10)
Stats: 72 G, 256 at bats, 26 R, 3 HR, 30 RBI, 20 BB, .270 AVG, .323 OBP, .690 OPS
Matt Seelinger (Pittsburgh Pirates, Round 28) – Traded to San Francisco Giants
Stats: 3-4 record, 5.86 ERA, 2 SV, 50.2 IP, 47 H, 20 BB, 76 K, .236 AVG, 1.32 WHIP
Michael Donadio (Miami Marlins, Round 30)
Stats: 34 G, 108 at bats, 7 R, 3 HR, 12 RBI, .194 AVG, .250 AVG, .611 OPS
Ben Brown (Philadelphia Phillies, Round 33)
Stats: 4 G, 13.2 IP, 11 H, 20 K, .216 AVG, 1.02 WHIP
Quick Note: Had season-ending surgery
2016
Thomas Hackimer (Minnesota Twins, Round 4)
Stats: 6-2 record, 2.54 ERA,1 SV, 56.2 IP, 33 H, 27 BB, 75 K, .170 AVG, 1.06 WHIP
Quick Note: Has a chance to debut in The Show at some point in 2020.
Stephen Woods (San Francisco Giants, Round 8)
Stats: 9-3 record, 1.88 ERA, 86.1 IP, 71 H, 33 BB, 79 K, .225 AVG, 1.20 WHIP
Quick Note: Missed 2018 with injury, bounced back incredibly well this season.
Greg Weissert (New York Yankees, Round 18)
Stats: 3-4 record, 4.02 ERA, 4 SV, 65.0 IP, 46 H, 35 BB, 77 K, .198 AVG, 1.25 WHIP
Quick Note: Has 222 career strikeouts over 173 innings pitched and opposing batters have hit only .210 against him.
Kyle Young (Philadelphia Phillies, Round 22)
Stats: 1-3 record, 4.29 ERA, 21.0 IP, 21 H, 1 BB, 25 K, .256 AVG, 1.05 WHIP
Quick Note: Seeking to become the first 7 foot pitcher in MLB history. Already has 14 wins and an ERA of 2.92 in his career.
2015
Nick Fanti (Philadelphia Phillies, Round 30)
Quick Note: Had surgery early in the season, expected to be back for 2020. Has remarkable 20-6 record with a 2.93 ERA.
2014
Jesse Berardi (refer to 2017)
2013
Kyle McGowin (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Round 5)
Stats: 8-3 record, 3.39 ERA, 93.0 IP, 81 H, 26 H, .233 AVG, 1.15 WHIP
Quick Note: Debuted in the majors in 2018, got a cup of coffee again this year but struggled over his 16.0 IP.
Matt Reistetter (Wahington Nationals, Free Agent)
Stats: 9 G, 21 at bats, 2 R, 5 H, 1 HR, 3 RBI, .238 AVG, .333 OBP, .810 OBP (Triple-A)
2012
Patrick Cantwell (Texas Rangers, Round 3)
Stats: 26 G, 74 at bats, 8 R, 5 RBI, .203 AVG, .322 OBP, .579 OPS (Triple-A)
2011
David Kubiak (Tampa Bay Rays, Round 36)
Stats: 2-1 record, 6.47 ERA, 32.0 IP, 38 H, 14 BB, .295 AVG, 1.63 WHIP
