The Seattle U baseball program began the 2021 baseball season with six former members among the professional ranks. During the course of the summer, #ProRedhawk Notes will provide a bi-weekly update of each player.
Tarik Skubal – P, Detroit Tigers (MLB)
A highly-touted left-hander had a rough start to the year, going 0-6 in his first eight appearances … notched his first victory of the season, on May 19, as he struck out nine and allowed two runs on four hits in 5.0 innings of work against the Seattle Mariners … made two more starts to end the month, going 1-1 during the stretch with nine K's against the Cleveland Indians and eight against the New York Yankees … logged back-to-back victories against the Yankees (5/30) and Chicago White Sox (6/5) … Skubal's outing against the White Sox was highlighted by a career-best 11 strikeouts and accompanied by one run on four hits in 5.0 innings … the appearance against Chicago made him the fifth rookie in the Major Leagues since 2010 to record eight or more strikeouts in four consecutive games … next scheduled start is Wednesday, June 13 at Kansas City.
Since 2010, five Major League rookies have had four consecutive games of eight-or-more strikeouts:
— Tigers PR (@DetroitTigersPR) June 5, 2021
Tarik Skubal, DET (2021)
Noah Syndergaard, NYM (2015)
Jose Fernandez, MIA (2013)
Yu Darvish, TEX (2012, 2x)
Stephen Strasburg, WAS (2010)
(via @EliasSports) pic.twitter.com/zlKIvltRrx
Eric Yardley – P, Milwaukee Brewers (MLB)
Had made 16 relief appearances for the Brewers as of June 15 with five strikeouts in 18 innings of work and a 6.50 ERA … In April, worked 11.0 innings across 10 games with four strikeouts … was placed on the 10-day injured list on May 1 before a rehab stint with the Nashville Sound … the right-hander was reactivated by the Brewers on May 25, making a one-inning appearance later that day against San Diego … has made four appearances in June, including a one-inning outing against Pittsburgh (6/12) that saw him with no hits or walks … the Brewers are on a three-game homes stand against Cincinnati, and will begin a seven-game road trip on June 17.
Janson Junk – P, Somerset Patriots (AA)
Has a 1-1 record and 0.93 ERA in six starts and seven appearances for the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees … has worked 29.0 innings for the Patriots allowing three earned runs on 17 hits and opponents are batting .170 … credited with the win in his last outing on June 13 against Erie as he tossed six scoreless innings with three hits, one walk and a career-high nine strikeouts … the right-hander was a round 22 pick by the Yankees in 2017 … Somerset will host a six-game set with the Richmond Flying Squirrels, June 15-20.
What an afternoon for @jansonjunk! ????
— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) June 13, 2021
6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K
The nine strikeouts are a new career-high for Junk! pic.twitter.com/Rg7ylNvQuK
Zach Wolf – P, Pensacola Blue Wahoos (AA)
Assigned to Miami Marlins Double-A affiliate Pensacola on May 3, 2021 … has made 10 relief appearances for Pensacola with 19 strikeouts in 16.0 innings … the right-hander has a 0-2 record and 7.31 ERA … Wolf was a 18th round draft pick by the Marlins in 2018 … Pensacola host a six-game home stand against the Montgomery Biscuits, June 15-20.
Jake Prizina – P, Aberdeen IronBirds (High-A)
Assigned to the Baltimore Orioles High-A minor league affiliate Aberdeen on May 16 … has made five relief appearances and has a 1.54 ERA in 11.2 innings since joining the Ironbirds … as of June 15, was tied-first among team leaders runs allowed (3) and earned runs (2), second in ERA, and tied-10th among team leaders in strikeouts (15) … began the 2021 season with Low-A affiliate Delmarva Shorebirds, where he posted an 0.00 ERA in two appearances … was drafted by Baltimore in 2019 during the 31st round … Aberdeen is currently on a 12-game road trip and begins a six-game series with the Asheville Tourists (6/15-20).
Brandon Jenkins – P, Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (Low-A)
Signed a free agent contact with the Chicago White Sox on June 19, 2020 … was assigned to the Arizona League (AZL) White Sox on June 26, before being promoted to Low-A minor league affiliate Kannapolis Cannon Ballers in North Carolina … led the Kannapolis pitching staff in five categories for the month of May – games (7), ERA (0.00), innings pitched (10.1), strikeouts (18) and opponent batting average (.108) … was named May Pitcher of the Month by Kannapolis Cannon Ballers Booster Club … as of June 15, made 10 relief appearances for the Cannon Ballers boasting a 0.68 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 13.1 innings … opponents are batting .143 against the right-hander … Kannapolis will visit the Down East Wood Ducks, June 15-20.
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