Compiled by PAUL GOTHAM
The New York Collegiate Baseball League has been sending players to the pros since 1978, and this year is no different. Eight former NYCBL diamond men are playing the game at the highest level: Rajai Davis, Mike Fiers, Tim Hudson, J. D. Martinez, Jason Motte, Hunter Pence , Rob Scahill and Caleb Thielbar all start the season on Major League Baseball rosters.
Tim Hudson (Hornell ’96) has had the longest current career in MLB among NYCBL alums. The Oakland A’s chose Hudson in the sixth round of the 1997 MLB draft. Hudson moved up to the big club on June 8th, 1999. He pitched six seasons with Oakland before signing with the Atlanta Braves for the 2005 campaign. Hudson signed with San Francisco Giants prior to the 2014 season, and the Columbus, GA native made 31 starts for the World Series champions. Hudson has won 214 major league games which ranks at the top among active players. He has fanned 2,027 batters while walking 887 in 3,020 career innings.
Pence (Schenectady ’02), a 2009 and 2011 MLB All-Star, ranked fourth in the National League with 27 home runs in 2013. Playing 162 games for the San Francisco Giants Pence also led all right fielders in Range Factor and Defensive Games. Pence started in right field for the 2012 and ’14 World Series Champion San Francisco Giants.
Davis (Hornell ’00) signed with Detroit prior to the 2014 season. Chosen by Pittsburgh in the 38th round of the 2001 draft, Davis moved up to the big club on August 14th 2006. During his ten-year career in the “Bigs” Davis has played with four different clubs. His 307 stolen bases rank eighth among active players. Three times the New London, CT native has finished second in bags swiped. In 2010 Davis finished with a career-high 50 thefts.
Thielbar (Little Falls ’07) made his first MLB appearance on May 20th 2013. He tossed a pair of shutout innings in relief for the Minnesota Twins. After spending four-plus seasons in the minors, Thielbar appeared in 49 games for the Twins in ’13 going 3-2 with an ERA of 1.76 in 46 innings of work. The Minnesota native made 54 appearances for the Twins in ’14 including a 12-game scoreless streak (9 IP) from late April to early May.
Martinez (Saratoga/Oneonta ’08) signed with Detroit for 2014 and set career highs in games played (123), runs (57), hits (139), doubles (30), home runs (23) and RBI (76). Martinez played parts of three seasons with the Houston Astros before coming over to the Tigers.
Motte (Rome ’01) signed with the Chicago Cubs in the off-season. The right-hander went 5-2 with nine saves in 78 appearances for the 2011 World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals. Motte made 12 post-season appearances with the victors.
After spending 2014 recovering from injury, Fiers (Saratoga/Oneonta ’08) starts anew with the Brewers in 2015. Milwaukee selected the Nova Southeastern alum in the 22nd round of the 2009 draft. Fiers has 16 wins in 38 career starts.
Scahill (Allegany County/Wellsville ’06) opens the season on a major league roster for the first time in his career. The right-hander made 41 appearances out of the bullpen for Colorado over the last three seasons. Scahill signed with Pittsburgh in the off-season.
On the Doorstep
Sixteen NYCBL alums open 2015 on Triple-A rosters.
International League: LoganDarnell (Amsterdam ’08), Wade Gaynor (Elmira ’07), Luke Maile (Amsterdam ’10-’11), Darin Mastroianni (Saratoga/Oneonta ’08), Ryan O’Rourke (Brockport ’08), Cord Phelps (Amsterdam ’07), Mel Rojas Jr. (Amsterdam ’09-’10), Shae Simmons (Watertown ’10), Thad Weber (Alfred ’04)
Pacific Coast League: Tim Crabbe (Geneva ’08), Zach Lutz (Hornell ’07), Stefen Romero (Glens Falls ’08), Joe Sclafani (Amsterdam ’09), Justin Souza (Hornell ’04) and Patrick Urckfitz (Webster ’08)
Mexican League: Justin Greene (Hornell ’05)
Click here for a complete list of NYCBL alums playing minor league baseball.
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