9 Bend Elks Alumni Appear in 2019 MLB
315 WCL Alums Appear in Professional Baseball - 34 of which are Bend Elks Alumni!
Nicky Lopez of the Kansas City Royals, made his MLB debut May 14, 2019 played for the Bend Elks in 2014
The Bend Elks are proud to have 9 alumni appear on major league rosters or in MLB games. These alumni are: infielder Eric Sogard of Tampa Bay, pitcher Blaine Hardy of Detroit, infielder Nicky Lopez of Kansas City, outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury of the New York Yankees, infielder Seth Brown of Oakland, pitcher Jeff Brigham of Miami, pitcher Trevor Hildenberger of Minnesota, pitcher Brandon Brennan of Seattle, and pitcher Chris Mazza of the New York Mets.
Beyond just the alumni who have reached their dream of playing on a MLB team, there are 34 alumni who played at various levels of affiliated professional baseball in the 2019 season! Each of the Bend Elks players who are playing professionally are listed below by MLB organization.
The WCL as a whole had 318 alums in professional baseball at some level, 45 of which have been on a big league roster this season. That number is up from 294 playing at some level and 39 playing in the MLB in the 2018 season!
For a whole list of the WCL alumni in affiliated baseball head to the West Coast League website here!
Bend Elks Alumni in Professional Baseball
Current Level - Player Name, College/University, Current Team
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Baltimore Orioles
High A – Cadyn Grenier, Oregon State, Frederick Keys
Boston Red Sox
High A – Jake Thompson, Oregon State, Salem Red Sox
High A – Rio Gomez, Arizona, Salem Red Sox
SS – Kris Jackson, Corban, Lowell Spinners
Detroit Tigers
MLB – Blaine Hardy, Lewis-Clark State
SS – Jake Holton, Creighton, Connecticut Tigers
Kansas City Royals
MLB – Nicky Lopez, Creighton
Los Angeles Angels
AAA – Forrest Snow, Washington, Salt Lake Bees – released in 2019
Minnesota Twins
MLB – Trevor Hildenberger, Cal
New York Yankees
MLB – Jacoby Ellsbury, Oregon State
High A – Janson Junk, Seattle, Tampa Tarpons
High A – Daniel Bies, Gonzaga, Tampa Tarpons
Oakland A’s
MLB – Seth Brown, Lewis-Clark State
Seattle Mariners
MLB – Brandon Brennan, Orange Coast College
AAA – Darin Gillies, Arizona State, Tacoma Rainiers
Tampa Bay Rays
MLB – Eric Sogard, Arizona State
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Arizona Diamondbacks
AA – West Tunnell, Butler, Jackson Generals
R – Patrick McGuff, Morehead State, Missoula Osprey - released in 2019
Atlanta Braves
R – James Acuna, Azusa Pacific, GCL Braves
Chicago Cubs
SS – Dalton Hurd, Seattle, Eugene Emeralds – released in 2019
Miami Marlins
MLB – Jeff Brigham, Washington
SS – Jack Strunc, Creighton, Batavia Muckdogs
Milwaukee Brewers
AA – Cooper Hummel, Portland, Biloxi Shuckers
R – Tate Budnick, Portland, AZL Brewers
New York Mets
MLB – Chris Mazza, Menlo, Arkansas Travelers
SS – Andrew Edwards, New Mexico State, Brooklyn Cyclones
Philadelphia Phillies
High A – Matt Kroon, Oklahoma State, Clearwater Threshers
R – Austin Crowson, Western Oregon, GCL Phillies
Pittsburgh Pirates
Low A – Justin Harrer, Washington State, Greensboro Grasshoppers
R – Mason Fishback, New Mexico State, Bristol Pirates – released in 2019
St. Louis Cardinals
SS – Eric Lex, Santa Clara, State College Spikes
San Diego Padres
AA – Travis Radke, Portland, Amarillo Sod Poodles
AA – Aaron Leasher, Morehead State, Amarillo Sod Poodles
San Francisco Giants
SS – Carter Aldrete, Arizona State, Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
Key:
SS – Class A Short-Season
R – Rookie League
