Hunger Strike

After attending my first Utah baseball game - a thrilling 11 inning 4-3 victory over Oregon State - I realized it's time to post an update on players in the minors.

Stephen Fife was back in Salt Lake this weekend for a series with the Bees. He started for the Albuquerque Isotopes yesterday, giving up 2 earned runs in 7 innings. Fife is on the 40 man roster and could be called up by the LA Dodgers.

C.J. Cron hasn't made it up to the Bees yet - he's no longer with the Owls, either. He's slugging his way up with the Inland Empire 66ers of the Class A Advanced California League.

Brian Budrow played in that league last season, but was released by the Visalia Rawhide.

Ryan Khoury has gone the free agent route and is now plying his trade with the Wichita Wingnuts of the AAIPB (not affiliated with MLB).

Jordan Whatcott is pitching for the Reading Phillies, a team I got to see play some time ago.

Rick Anton played for the Ogden Raptors and the Great Lakes Loons last season; he isn't on any affiliate roster this spring, although he is still listed as active.

Jay Brossman has retired from the Angels organization due to injuries and is now a student coach for the University of Utah team I watched play this past weekend.

Crackerjacks

It's Opening Day for MLB, time for our annual roll call of ProUtes in the minors. Starting with the biggest name and news: Chris Shelton signed with the New York Mets and was assigned to the Buffalo Bisons (AAA). Ryan Khoury and Stephen Fife are teammates on the Portland Sea Dogs (Red Sox). Brian Budrow was re-assigned to the Visalia Rawhide (Diamondbacks). Jordan Whatcott will suit up for the Clearwater Threshers (Phillies), and Jay Brossman is still on the roster for the Arkansas Travelers (Angels). Jesse Shriner worked his way through the Giants organization last year, seeing time with the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, Augusta GreenJackets, and the Fresno Grizzlies (AAA), but does not appear on an active roster this season.

Throw the Flag

In addition to attending the University of Utah, Steve Smith and I have something else in common: we have both broken our left arms twice. I broke mine in elementary school one year apart, and Smith broke his twice in one year playing football. He got credit for scoring a touchdown after breaking it against the Giants (see post on 12/28/09), but he's taking criticism for breaking it a second time playing flag football. It's not the smartest move he's made in his well-documented career, but the only person who has a legitimate complaint about him playing flag football is the guy who had to cover him! His contract does not grant the Carolina Panthers total ownership of his body, and they have wisely decided not to penalize him for what amounts to a freak accident, according to this release from the Associated Press. The break is not in the same spot, and Smith won't miss any part of the regular season, just the preseason.

Chris Shelton has been out of action since May 30th and remains on the 7 day Disabled list with a hamstring injury. Former Utah pitcher Jordan Whatcott signed a free-agent contract with the Philadelphia Phillies this week and was assigned to the Gulf Coast League. According to John Coon of the Deseret News there are now seven former Utes in the minor leagues: Jay Brossman, Brian Budrow, Stephen Fife, Ryan Khoury, Shelton, Jesse Shriner, and Whatcott. Brossman was last seen on the 7 day DL with the Arkansas Travelers, Fife pitches for the Portland Sea Dogs, and Shriner plays catcher for the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes.

Minor League Assignments

Looking for your favorite ProUtes on the baseball diamond? Brian Budrow, Ryan Khoury, and Chris Shelton have all been reassigned this season. Budrow is pitching for the South Bend Silver Hawks, the class A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Khoury has gone from the Portland Sea Dogs to the Pawtucket Red Sox, Boston's triple A affiliate. Shelton is now in the Houston Astros organization, currently assigned to the triple A Round Rock Express.

MLB Draft Results

Hot on the heels of Utah's unheralded run through the MWC and NCAA tournaments, Brian Budrow, pitcher, was drafted in the 28th round by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Budrow was named to the all-MWC second team at the completion of his senior season after posting a record of 5-5 with a 5.75 ERA.

Other noteable Utes playing professionally include Chris Shelton and Ryan Khoury. Shelton, who is best known for hitting 9 home runs in the first 13 games of the 2006 season with the Detroit Tigers, had a good outing in spring training with the Seattle Mariners before being assigned to their minor league organization. Khoury plays for the Portland Sea Dogs, a minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.