Tarik Skubal – P, Detroit Tigers (MLB)
Season Stats: 5-6, 3.75 ERA, 84.0 IP, 89 SO,1.167 WHIP
The former Redhawk Skubal is enjoying his best professional season in the majors. Skubal is pitching his way into a potential All-Star game appearance in his third season on the Detroit Tigers roster. Skubal's first 11 starts of 2022 were masterful; he posted a 2.33 ERA, or earned run average, to go along with 70 strikeouts.
"This guy keeps plugging away and getting better every year," Seattle U baseball coach Donny Harell said. Skubal leads the Tigers starters with the most strikeouts, innings, and starts. Also, Skubal boasts the lowest ERA of any active starter on the team, on top of being the team leader in wins for the first half of the season.
On the mound, the California native relies on two primary pitches - a slider and a breaking ball.
"Those two pitches have really separated him in the big leagues," Harrell said.
Skubal's change-up also confuses opposing batters to the tune of a .159 batting average against that pitch. According to Harrel, Skubal's improvement in his command has helped him become a "true pitcher," as opposed to someone who just throws hard.
Janson Junk – P, Salt Lake Bees (AAA) – Los Angeles Angels
Season Stats: 0-2, 1 SV, 5.08 ERA, 33.2 IP, 24 SO, 1.396 WHIP
Made one appearance with the Angels and did not give up a run. Over the past two seasons with the Angels Junk has a 3.63 ERA.
Jake Prizina– P, Aberdeen IronBirds (AA) – Baltimore Orioles
Season Stats: 1-1, 4.66 ERA, 29.0 IP, 29 SO, 1.345 WHIP
Since being promoted to AA, Prizina has not surrendered a run. According to Harrell, one of the crucial factors for success of a young ball player is the ability to stay mentally strong during the long season. Harrel speaks from experience -- he played minor league ball with the Kansas City Royals for two years.
Eric Yardley – P, Buffalo Bison (AAA) – Toronto Bluejays
Season Stats: 1-0, 8.80 ERA, 15.1 IP, 14 SO, 1.761 WHIP
Yardley signed with the Bluejays in May after a two-year stint with the Milwaukee Brewers. In his two years with the Brewer, Yardley was undefeated with a 3.86 ERA in 42 innings.
In addition to the rising talent in pro baseball, a number of Seattle U players are participating in collegiate summer leagues all around the country. Summer Leagues allow active college players to compete against top tier talent to hone their skills. Many of the Redhawks are playing in California.
Kelan Scanlan has been perfect in his save opportunities for the Humboldt Crabs in California. He has struck out eight batters without surrendering a run. Ethan Brown struck out four batters in his only appearance for that team.
Morgan White has appeared in multiple games for the Healdsburg Packers in California, notching four strikeouts. Summer baseball allows batters to work on training their eyes, and pitchers can log more innings on their arms, according to Harrell.
Perhaps one of them will follow in Tarik Skubal's footsteps to majors.
Season Stats: 5-6, 3.75 ERA, 84.0 IP, 89 SO,1.167 WHIP
The former Redhawk Skubal is enjoying his best professional season in the majors. Skubal is pitching his way into a potential All-Star game appearance in his third season on the Detroit Tigers roster. Skubal's first 11 starts of 2022 were masterful; he posted a 2.33 ERA, or earned run average, to go along with 70 strikeouts.
"This guy keeps plugging away and getting better every year," Seattle U baseball coach Donny Harell said. Skubal leads the Tigers starters with the most strikeouts, innings, and starts. Also, Skubal boasts the lowest ERA of any active starter on the team, on top of being the team leader in wins for the first half of the season.
On the mound, the California native relies on two primary pitches - a slider and a breaking ball.
"Those two pitches have really separated him in the big leagues," Harrell said.
Skubal's change-up also confuses opposing batters to the tune of a .159 batting average against that pitch. According to Harrel, Skubal's improvement in his command has helped him become a "true pitcher," as opposed to someone who just throws hard.
Janson Junk – P, Salt Lake Bees (AAA) – Los Angeles Angels
Season Stats: 0-2, 1 SV, 5.08 ERA, 33.2 IP, 24 SO, 1.396 WHIP
Made one appearance with the Angels and did not give up a run. Over the past two seasons with the Angels Junk has a 3.63 ERA.
Jake Prizina– P, Aberdeen IronBirds (AA) – Baltimore Orioles
Season Stats: 1-1, 4.66 ERA, 29.0 IP, 29 SO, 1.345 WHIP
Since being promoted to AA, Prizina has not surrendered a run. According to Harrell, one of the crucial factors for success of a young ball player is the ability to stay mentally strong during the long season. Harrel speaks from experience -- he played minor league ball with the Kansas City Royals for two years.
Eric Yardley – P, Buffalo Bison (AAA) – Toronto Bluejays
Season Stats: 1-0, 8.80 ERA, 15.1 IP, 14 SO, 1.761 WHIP
Yardley signed with the Bluejays in May after a two-year stint with the Milwaukee Brewers. In his two years with the Brewer, Yardley was undefeated with a 3.86 ERA in 42 innings.
In addition to the rising talent in pro baseball, a number of Seattle U players are participating in collegiate summer leagues all around the country. Summer Leagues allow active college players to compete against top tier talent to hone their skills. Many of the Redhawks are playing in California.
Kelan Scanlan has been perfect in his save opportunities for the Humboldt Crabs in California. He has struck out eight batters without surrendering a run. Ethan Brown struck out four batters in his only appearance for that team.
Morgan White has appeared in multiple games for the Healdsburg Packers in California, notching four strikeouts. Summer baseball allows batters to work on training their eyes, and pitchers can log more innings on their arms, according to Harrell.
Perhaps one of them will follow in Tarik Skubal's footsteps to majors.