#ProTops: Miller Makes All-Star Squad, Edwards Inching Closer To The Show
We’re now just a little more than halfway through the Minor-League Baseball Season. WKU currently only has three former players pursuing…
We’re now just a little more than halfway through the Minor-League Baseball Season. WKU currently only has three former players pursuing their dream of becoming the first WKU Alum since Steve Stemle to make it to the show (sorry I don’t count Adam Duvall and his one semester he spent on the Hill). Here’s how each player’s season is going and I’ll give my best guess if they’ll ever make it to the Majors.
Andrew Edwards
Relief Pitcher, Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Kansas City Royals AA)
The closest player to the Majors has had an inconsistent & injury riddled season thus far. Prior to the season, the 2016 Pacific Coast League All-Star was added to the Royals 40-man roster and was seen by many as having a legitimate shot of making it to the show this year. During Edwards first and only appearance in AAA (April 7th), he was shelled for three runs on only 2/3 of an inning and earned the loss.
He immediately was placed on the Disabled list and has been battling his way back up the organization ever since. On May 23rd, the Royals placed him in Advanced-A Ball and he quickly was promoted back to AA after only three appearances. He’s been at Northwest Arkansas ever since, pitching solidly, outside a June 13th outing where he gave up six runs in two innings.
He’s still striking out batters at a solid 1.36 K’s per inning clip, and has had back to back saves going into Friday night’s game. I could see him making his way back to AAA soon if he can string together a few more scoreless appearances. If the Royals drop out of the race and trade assets, he could possibly get a big-league flier in September when the rosters expand.
Chance of making the majors: 55%
Anderson Miller
Outfield, Wilmington Blue Rocks (Kansas City Royals Advanced A)
The baseball ProTop that is having the best season is the Lexington native Anderson Miller. Anderson started off slow in April but has since caught fire. Playing for the Wilmington (DE) Blue Rocks, Miller has earned the Carolina League Player of the Week award once, while also participating in the League’s All-Star game this week. Miller has been ranked consistently in the 20–30 range of the Royals minor league organization while Batting .291 with a .381 On Base Percentage and some decent pop, having crushed seven home runs. The future is bright for Miller as he continues to climb the organizational latter. I got this response from Royals Farm Report when I asked if he is due for a promotion to AA:
Let’s hope his 1st half performance carries on thru the rest of the season. If Miller can hit consistently when reaches AA I could see him reaching the big leagues as a 4th outfielder when the Royals inevitably have to rebuild in 2018–19.
Chance of making the majors: 40%
Danny Hudzina
Third base, Peoria Chiefs (St. Louis Cardinals A)
The newest baseball ProTop has had the biggest struggles thus far in 2017. Last year, Hudzina was named a New York Penn League All-Star for State College, hitting .239 with a four home runs in 56 games.
This year, the Cardinals moved him up to their Low-A team in Peoria. He struggled mightily in 23 games, batting only .188 with two home runs before getting sent back to Florida for extended spring training on May 12th.
After nearly a month in extended, Hudzina was sent to their A+ team in Palm Beach on June 9th, scoring a pair of runs on a .400 on-base %. He was then sent back to State College for a game and now is back in Peoria where his roller-coaster season started.
Hudzina has played better lately since coming back from extended spring training. Thursday night, he went 4-for-5 with a home run in Peoria’s 11–2 Win over the Burlington Bees. Let’s hope he’s back on track and can continue to chase his dream for more seasons to come.
Chance of making it to the majors: 5%
What do you think? Do you think either Edwards or Miller will break the 11 year MLB drought for WKU baseball? Let us know in a comment below, via twitter at @TheTowelRackWKU or on our Facebook page.