Every week, staff writer Phillip Suitts will take a look at the careers of a number of former Terrapins athletes embarking on professional careers in a variety of leagues. Every Tuesday, it’s former baseball players.
Brett Cecil, LHP, Toronto Blue Jays
2013 stats: 5-1, 2.98 ERA, 1 save, 45 hits, 70 strikeouts, 23 walks in 60.1 IP
Skinny: With the Blue Jays sitting in last place in the AL East, Cecil’s workload has been reduced. Last week, he made just one appearance. This week, the DeMatha product faced just three batters in two appearances. While the Blue Jays, who are out of the playoff picture, likely don’t want to overwork their All-Star reliever, the standings might not be the only factor contributing to Cecil’s decreased playing time. After posting a 1.94 ERA in the first half of the season, Cecil’s post-All-Star ERA is 6.43.
Justin Maxwell, OF, Kansas City Royals
2013 stats: .256 average, .333 on-base percentage, 6 HR, 20 RBI, 32 runs, 5 stolen bases, 65 strikeouts, 20 walks
Skinny: The return of center fielder Lorenzo Cain has led to less playing time for Maxwell, the only other former Terp in the majors. He started and drove in a run on a sacrifice fly in Thursday’s 7-6 win over the Seattle Mariners, which was also Cain’s first game back from the DL. Since then Maxwell has yet to see the field.
Adam Kolarek, LHP, Binghamton Mets (New York Mets Double-A affiliate)
2013 stats: 3-3, 2.25 ERA, 1 save, 52 hits, 65 strikeouts, 24 walks in 68 IP
Skinny: Kolarek, a post-season All-Star last year at the Class A-Advanced level, was limited to just one inning this postseason. He did pitch a perfect eighth inning —with one strikeout — in his sole appearance on Thursday. However, Binghamton still lost, 2-1, the second pitfall in an eventual three-game sweep. Despite the team’s post-season failure, Kolarek had an outstanding season. The 24-year-old, in his fourth minor league season, pitched a career-high 68 innings while posting a career-low ERA.
Jimmy Reed, LHP, State College Spikes (St. Louis Cardinals Class-A short-season affiliate)
2013 stats: 3-2, 2.28 ERA, 2 saves, 13 G, 10 GS, 57 hits, 45 strikeouts, 14 walks in 55.2 IP
Skinny: In his first professional season, Reed completed another milestone Saturday. He started a playoff game. It was not his best performance though; he was pulled after allowing two earned runs on five hits and two walks in three innings. The Gaithersburg native did fan five batters. Despite Reed’s early struggles the Spikes still won, 12-4. The next day, the Spikes clinched a spot in the New York-Penn League Championship Series, a first for the club.
Charlie Haslup, RHP, Staten Island Yankees (New York Yankees’ Class-A short-season affiliate)
2013 stats: 2-0, 1.80 ERA, 2 saves, 28 hits, 24 strikeouts, 12 walks in 30 IP
Skinny: In the last game of the season Wednesday, Haslup picked up his second save of the year in a rain-shortened 5-2 victory. Haslup pitched a perfect fifth inning, which turned out to be the last inning of the game. In his second minor league season, Haslup lowered his ERA by more than a run while upping his workload by 13 innings. Opposing batters hit .255 against him this season, though, compared to .219 last year.
Jack Cleary, C, Helena Brewers (Milwaukee Brewers rookie affiliate)
2013 stats: .244 average, .283 on-base percentage, 0 HR, 8 RBI, 10 runs, 0 stolen bases, 14 strikeouts, 4 walks
Skinny: Cleary started Friday’s 7-3 loss and went 1-for-4 at the plate. It was the only game he played this week.
