Updating the status of Louisville baseball alumni in the major leagues as we near the halfway point of the season.
The University of Louisville baseball season came to an end earlier this month with a Super Regional loss to Texas A&M. Fortunately for Cardinal baseball fans, there are over 40 alumni that are actively playing professional baseball, giving plenty of opportunity to get your Louisville baseball fix.
June was a busy month for numerous professional Cardinals, so here is a brief rundown of this month’s highlights.
Will Smith heating up
Following a slight dip in production at the beginning of the season, Will Smith has begun to get hot as the weather is. In the last month, Smith has picked up 27 hits, batting at a .280 clip. Of these 27 hits, 7 of them have left the yard, bringing his season total up to 11.
Perhaps his most impressive stretch so far this season has been the last week and a half. Since June 19th, Smith is hitting .379 with 3 home runs. This all led to Will riding a modest 8 game hitting streak before having it snapped on Monday night in Colorado.
The timing could not be better for Smith as he is currently making a push to make his first all-star appearance. He is currently polling 4th among National League catchers. You can go vote at the link below.
Corey Ray Rolling in Nashville
On June 17th, the Milwaukee Brewers outrighted Corey Ray. This means that he was removed from the 40-man roster and went through waivers unclaimed by another team. No doubt that Ray took it to heart. Since then, Ray has hit.421 with 6 extra base hits and 6 RBIs as well.
It has been anything but smooth sailing for Ray up to this point in his career. He has fought numerous injuries since being drafted 5th overall in 2016. There is certainly still a path for him to get back to Milwaukee, however. The Brewers have seen some depth issues in their outfield with various injuries. If Ray can continue to keep swinging the bat well, there is no reason why he can’t be back with the big club this season.
A Pair of Cardinals in Charlotte
Kade McClure and Lincoln Henzman have had very similar career paths up to this point. Both were drafted by the Chicago White Sox out of Louisville in 2017. They both have fought significant injuries early in their professional careers. Now, five years after being drafted, McClure and Henzman are teammates once again for the Charlotte Knights. The White Sox have used both in various roles so far in their career. However, they now both have been coming out of the bullpen for Chicago’s Triple-A squad.
When you throw out one rocky appearance from Henzman this month, they have combined to allow just 2 runs in their last 16 innings pitched. Just like Ray, the pair of White Sox pitchers could soon see themselves up at the Major League level. Chicago has seen its pitching depth take a big hit this season. Henzman and McClure have undoubtedly hit their strides and are just one phone call away from making the Major League debuts.
A season debut in South Bend
Michael McAvene has faced an uphill battle when it comes to staying healthy during his professional career. McAvene was a 3rd round draft pick by the Chicago Cubs back in 2019 and looked every bit of the dominant pitcher that we knew him to be in college.
It was not smooth sailing for long though.
McAvene missed all of 2020 due to the pandemic and 2021 due to a severe elbow injury. He spent the first three months of this season, continuing to rehab in Arizona before finally making his season debut on June 17th.
He has not skipped a beat and once again looks the part of a very dominant pitcher. Be on the lookout for Michael McAvene to make a quick rise through the Cubs farm system.
June Promotions
Two pro Cards saw a promotion during the month of June.
On June 16th, the Pittsburgh Pirates gave Luke Brown the first promotion of his professional career. He made the jump from Class-A Bradenton to High-A Greensboro. Brown hit .234 with 1 home run and an OBP of .376 while in Bradenton.
Alex Binelas also saw a big promotion during this month. On June 24th, the Boston Red Sox moved Binelas from High-A Greenville to Double-A Portland. Binelas slashed .243/.355/.495 while in Greenville. He also put up 14 home runs and 43 RBIs.
Same Faces, New Places
Two pro Cards found themselves with new organizations during the month of June.
Following a release from the Cleveland Guardians on June 6th, Liam Jenkins signed a Minor League contract with the Chicago White Sox organization. Jenkins has been assigned to the Class-A Kannapolis Cannon Ballers and has made 4 appearances so far.
On June 12th, the Arizona Diamondbacks designated Drew Ellis for assignment. He did not clear waivers however and was claimed by the Seattle Mariners on the 16rh. Ellis reported to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers and got 15 at-bats before getting the call up to the Mariners to replace an injured Ty France.
Ellis made his Mariner debut on Sunday the 26th and picked up a base hit in his first at-bat.
Injury Report
At the Major League level, Brendan McKay and Kyle Fukhouser have yet to play this season. McKay is still recovering from thoracic outlet surgery while Funkhouser is dealing with a shoulder injury.
The Chicago White Sox recently placed Adam Engel on the 10-day IL with a right hamstring strain.
The Washington Nationals have had Josh Rogers on the IL since June 3rd. He has been dealing with a shoulder impingement but was recently sent out on a rehab assignment. Rogers should return to Washington next week.
On the Minor League level; Zack Burdi, Nick Burdi, Logan Wyatt, and Shay Smiddy have yet to play in a game this season.
The Wilmington Blue Rocks (Washington High-A) placed Michael Kirian on the 7-day IL on June 21st. There was no injury designation given.
A quick look at July
July is arguably the most exciting month for the Louisville Cardinals baseball alumni.
Most notably is the Major League Draft. This year’s draft will take place July 17th-19th. There will be numerous Cardinals who will hear their names called.
Be on the lookout for the draft preview, coming next week.
