'Eaters In The Pros 2022 Review
September 30, 2022 | Baseball
Fifteen 'Eaters are playing in an MLB organization highlighted by four Anteaters to reach and play in the Majors in 2022 with pitchers Andre Pallante and Calvin Faucher and NLI signee Royce Lewis joining Keston Hiura now in his fourth season. The four additions put UCI at 11 alums to have reached the Major Leagues in its history with others making it to the show with UCI ties like one-time 'Eater, David Huff, and other NLI signees like Tim Lopes.
There was even a meeting of Anteaters for the second time in MLB history when Keston Hiura batted against Andre Pallante on September 27. Hiura drew a walk and later scored late in the ballgame. The other recorded meeting was four different times in 1992, 1993, and 1996 when Doug Linton pitched to Brady Anderson. In 10 plate appearances, Anderson recorded two hits including a home run while Linton recorded a pair of strikeouts.
The first of many meetings between Keston Hiura and Andre Pallante happened last night. Here's the full at-bat with a little 'Eater Nation love from the broadcast #EatersGottaEat https://t.co/RttijUPRVA
— UCI Baseball (@UCIbsb) September 28, 2022
Three other Anteaters began their paths to the pros this Summer as well with Nathan Church and Troy Taylor each selected in the draft and a free agent signing of Taishi Nakawake. Below is a look at how each Anteater alum has fared with some highlights sprinkled in.
Keston Hiura - Milwaukee Brewers |'Eaters??Big Leagues.#EatersGottaEat pic.twitter.com/eTqta3V1jc
— UCI Baseball (@UCIbsb) June 21, 2022
The Anteater legend is back on the main stage with 71 games with the Brewers in 2022. He was sent down to Triple-A Nashville for a few weeks early in the year after struggling while part of a deep Milwaukee roster. His return to the roster came with an offensive resurgence as he's posted 14 home runs, 30 RBIs, and a .229 batting average with plenty of clutch hits and walk-offs.
Hiura also picked up his game in the field mostly as a first baseman with some action at second base and flashed some spectacular leather in couple games in the outfield.
The Brewers have been fighting for a playoff spot all season now sitting a couple games out of the final wild card spot with a few weeks left in the season.
"I grew up in Valencia, 35, 40 minutes north of here... it's definitely a lot of dreams come true."@Brewers infielder Keston Hiura joins #MLBTonight to discuss his hot streak since returning from Triple-A and playing in front of his family in LA.#ThisIsMyCrew | @Kestdaddy pic.twitter.com/o4P42xJaBc
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) August 24, 2022
Hiura with a miraculous catch to keep it a 0-0 game! #ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/RAE9AJXO5X
— Bally Sports Wisconsin (@BallySportWI) July 6, 2022
110 exit velo and 440 ft you say? ?? pic.twitter.com/iUwWBxcalD
— UCI Baseball (@UCIbsb) July 6, 2022
KEST DADDY PULLED OUT A FIVE IRON AND TOLD PITTSBURGH TO HAVE A GREAT NIGHT!!! #THISISMYCREW WINS!!! pic.twitter.com/eBQXgIM7Yd
— Bally Sports Wisconsin (@BallySportWI) August 30, 2022
Keston knows the wrath of Skip when you don't get a sac down #EatersGottaEat https://t.co/2FinnroFoi
— UCI Baseball (@UCIbsb) August 30, 2022
Andre Pallante - St. Louis Cardinals | The right-hander surprised many as the last name on the Opening Day roster in 2022 with the St. Louis Cardinals. Pallante quickly fit right in as a useful arm out of the pen in long relief earning spots in more and more key situations.
After proving himself and keeping his spot on the roster for the entire season, Pallante soon earned the starting nod with 10 starts among his 42 appearances and total of 103.1 innings. He's gone 6-5 overall with a 3.14 ERA including 3-3 with a 3.98 as a starter including his best performance going eight shutout innings allowing five hits, one walk, and a eight strikeouts.
Pallante and the Cardinals clinched the National League Central Division title on September 27 meaning Pallante will get his first taste of the Postseason in his rookie season.
Andre Pallante was awesome today! pic.twitter.com/0BkJWfakad
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) July 31, 2022
Andre Pallante, 6th and 7th Ks. pic.twitter.com/rXCnbMw6A8
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 31, 2022
Calvin Faucher - Tampa Bay Rays / Durham Bulls | Faucher has quickly risen up people's radars after joining the Rays organization in 2021 as part of a trade that sent Nelson Cruz to the Twins. Faucher broke into the Majors with his debut May 9 at Angel Stadium with an appearance he'd like to forget allowing the first five hitters to reach including a bases loaded walk to Mike Trout and a grand slam to Shohei Ohtani.Go West, young man! pic.twitter.com/dpQcsor5O0
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) August 18, 2022
Faucher would settle down and finish the inning picking up his first career strikeout. Since, he's made 18 more appearances bobbing up and down between the bigs and Triple-A earning a pair of wins, three losses, two holds while picking up 18 strikeouts in 17.1 innings.
The Rays remain in a prime playoff spot as a Wild Card team looking to close it out in the next couple weeks.
Calvin got the call ?? pic.twitter.com/u44NfxkDTd
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) May 9, 2022
Calvin Faucher in the game, Gleyber Torres strikes out#Yankees 0 #Rays 9 ??9th pic.twitter.com/dOhUQkQ2Sy
— S????s 24/7? (@Sports_24x7_) September 3, 2022
Chris Rabago - Toledo Mud Hens / Erie Seawolves | The 'Eater legend from the 2014 College World Series team continues to work through the minors in his ninth year. Coming up on 500 career games, Rabago began his first year in the Detroit Tigers organization in 2022 bouncing between Triple-A Toledo and Double-A Erie. The Mudhens just missed out on the playoffs and a division crown by a couple games while the Seawolves have reached the Eastern League championships series.
In 50 games played, the catcher has collected 30 hits, two home runs, 12 RBIs, and a pair of stolen bases to rise to a 70% career success rate. Behind the plate, he's cut down 29% of baserunners and now up to 36% of runners thrown out in his career.
Rabago even tried his hand at first base once in 2022 and pitching his first-ever inning for the Mudhens.
?? CAUGHT STEALING!! ??
— Toledo Mud Hens (@MudHens) April 16, 2022
Chris Rabago showing off his good arm to the Iowa Cubs!!#LetsGoHens pic.twitter.com/SlrV025ohB
Shoutout hearing from @Bago_22 after a big win with Erie #EatersGottaEat https://t.co/4gLRCIE8xm
— UCI Baseball (@UCIbsb) June 24, 2022
Christian Koss - Portland Sea Dogs | The middle infielder continues his ascent up the minor leagues now in his second season in the Boston Red Sox organization. He spent the entirety of the 2022 season with Double-A Portland Sea Dogs and even picked up Team MVP honors. The Sea Dogs reached the Northeast Division Championship Series but fell to the Yankees affiliate, Somerset.?? Rabago!! ??#LetsGoHens | #DetroitRoots pic.twitter.com/nltXeecC1z
— Toledo Mud Hens (@MudHens) July 31, 2022
In 125 games, Koss hit .260 with 127 hits, 22 doubles, five triples, 17 home runs, and 84 RBIs. Koss saw five different positions in the field predominantly as a shortstop with 69 games played, 20+ each as a second and third baseman, and putting in six games in the outfield between left and center field adding an assist.
One swing and @KossDaBoss27 puts the Sea Dogs ahead 2-1 in New Hampshire pic.twitter.com/VhtKvYi2an
— Portland Sea Dogs (@PortlandSeaDogs) September 2, 2022
Brandon Lewis - Tulsa Drillers | The L.A.-native also jumped up to Double-A with the Tulsa Drillers playing the entirety of 2022. The Drillers broke their team record in long balls hitting 24 of his own following his 30 in 2021. Lewis recorded 83 hits, 19 doubles, and 71 RBIs in 110 games and primarily playing in the field with just 15 games at DH and holding it down at each corner infield spot. Lewis the Drillers reached the Texas League playoffs but were upended in the first round to Wichita.2022 Sea Dogs Team Award Winners
— Portland Sea Dogs (@PortlandSeaDogs) September 11, 2022
MVP: Christian Koss
Pitcher of the Year: Chris Murphy
Defensive Player of the Year: Ceddanne Rafaela
Charlie Eshbach Citizen of the Year: Katie Krallhttps://t.co/VOI4zEWafZ pic.twitter.com/O31Lx16r8S
Taylor Rashi - Richmond Flying Squirrels | Taylor Rashi played with Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels for the entire 2022 starting out with a dominant stretch with 12.2 shutout innings to start the year allowing eight baserunners in that time. He finished with a 1-3 record, 2.83 ERA, one save, and 52 strikeouts in 35 innings. Rashi and the Squirrels reached the first round of the Eastern League playoffs before falling in the opening series to Erie.Blue jersey, white jersey ... it doesn't matter for Brandon Lewis.
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) September 3, 2022
The @Dodgers prospect hits THREE homers in a doubleheader for the @TulsaDrillers! pic.twitter.com/42hrBRKiOQ
Taylor Rashi fanned 5 over two innings of relief in Friday's matchup vs Erie pic.twitter.com/N9nU7dOVXk
— SFGProspects (@SFGProspects) June 13, 2022
Taylor Rashi struck out 3 over 1 1/3 innings in Monday's victory over Reading pic.twitter.com/v21IvlrzSw
— SFGProspects (@SFGProspects) July 9, 2022
Taylor Rashi struck out 3 over two innings of relief to earn the win in Friday's victory over Somerset. Rashi had a 44% K rate and 6% BB rate in June and July combined pic.twitter.com/Nr66RfVoNm
— SFGProspects (@SFGProspects) August 3, 2022
Royce Lewis - Minnesota Twins / St. Paul Saints | The Anteater NLI signee was primed for a breakout season after no baseball in 2020 due to COVID restrictions and missing 2021 with an injury. Lewis started off in Triple-A St. Paul where slugged away for 34 games hitting .313 with five home runs, 14 RBIs, and 12 steals. He earned his call up in mid-May a produced in just 12 games hitting two home runs and batting .300 all over the linup and field. His season came to an abrupt end again though with an injury on a collision with the wall in center field ending his year, but a lot of promise brings him into the offseason and ready for 2023.FINAL - Squirrels 8, Fisher Cats 1 pic.twitter.com/Htw2gH4F4S
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) August 3, 2022
Anteater NLI signee Royce Lewis is headed to the show!! #RipEm https://t.co/2xrWgKQGMp
— UCI Baseball (@UCIbsb) May 6, 2022
Peter Van Loon - Aberdeen Ironbirds | Van Loon is hanging out in High-A Aberdeen in the South Atlantic League in his first full season dazzling with an 11-4 mark, 3.25 ERA, and 97 strikeouts in 88.2 innings. His outings were limited reaching as high as five innings on just four occasions, but he went all five as he and two others combined for a no-hitter on June 18. On seven occasions, went four or more scoreless innings as the tall right-hander settled into pro ball nicely in 2022.One AB back with the @StPaulSaints, one homer!
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) May 20, 2022
Top-ranked @Twins prospect Royce Lewis opens the game with a shot to straightaway center: pic.twitter.com/d2IonBdDme
On The Verge #BabyBird of the day for June 18:
— The Verge- An Orioles MiLB Podcast (@BSLOnTheVerge) June 19, 2022
Aberdeen IronBirds pitchers Peter Van Loon, Daniel Lloyd, and Xavier Moore: 9 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 9 K. Combined no-hitter.
Also, the man behind the plate, Ramon Rodriguez! pic.twitter.com/XMPE3QbrQQ
Trenton Denholn - Lynchburg HillcatsPeter Van Loon, who has an 80 grade name, was drafted in the 16th rd. RHP who has pitched solely in Aberdeen in '22 (16 appearances 9 starts) and has a 3.02 ERA in 56.2 IP with a 10.5 K/9 rate, 8.3 H/9 rate, and 3.2 BB/9 rate. Pretty impressive numberspic.twitter.com/0MGEzzkocd
— Orioles Prospect Report (@OriolesProspect) July 19, 2022
Denholm made his was to Single-A Lynchburg of the Carolina League for his first pro-ball action. With a few injury stints thrown in there, Denholm still managed a 5-5 mark, 4.97 ERA, and 107 strikeouts in nearly 100 innings. He registered four quality starts on his campaign, numerous other outings with one or fewer runs over five innings, and even a 10 strikeouts performance that came in just 4.2 innings. He and the Hillcats would reach the Championship Series for the league before falling to Myrtle Beach.
#Guardians 22yr old RHP prospect Trenton Denholm was dealing this evening (Low-A) Lynchburg. Denholm was up to 98 mph on the gun tonight! ??????
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) June 8, 2022
Line - 4.2(IP) 5H 0R 0ER 1BB 10SO (86 Pitches 66 Strikes)
Season - 57 SO over 40.2 (IP)@trent_denholm7 @LynHillcats #ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/oC7oh7KuYc
Mike Peabody - Tri-City Dust Devils |Tremendous start in Game 1 of the playoffs by #Guardians 22yr old RHP prospect Trenton Denholm tonight allowing two unearned runs over 7.0 innings striking out 5 for Lynchburg!
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) September 14, 2022
Line - 7.0(IP) 4H 2R 0ER 1BB 5SO (73 Pitches 54 Strikes)@trent_denholm7 @LynHillcats #ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/THQo02hI8f
Peabody enjoyed his first full season at High-A in the Northwest League with the Tri-City Dust Devils. In 92 games, he put up 63 hits including 22 for extra bases, eight home runs, 48 RBIs, and stole 12 bags in 18 attempts.
Dillon Tatum - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels | Tatum enjoyed his first full season in Low-A for the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels in the Florida State League. Tatum played a lot of first base along with catcher and even caught a no-hitter for the first one of nine innings in club history. In 72 games with the Mussels, he clubbed 63 hits including six home runs and 21 RBIs. In mid-September, he got a chance in Double-A playing two games with the Wichita Wind Surge recording a hit in each including a two-run double.What a catch!! Right Fielder @MikePeabody21 from the @TC_DustDevils makes the diving catch Thursday evening as they go on to beat Spokane 11-1 @Angels pic.twitter.com/YPTupzaobv
— Alex Crescenti (@alex_crescenti) July 8, 2022
HISTORY IN FORT MYERS!! David Festa, Jaylen Nowlin and Hunter McMahon combined for the first 9-inning no-hitter in Fort Myers franchise history.
— Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (@MightyMussels) May 11, 2022
Check out the Facts & Figures on tonight's historic performance in the article below!https://t.co/4xWkHrtr1V
Nathan Church - Palm Beach Cardinals | Church jumped right into the Florida State League with the Low-A Palm Beach Cardinals hitting in the middle of the order for them in 27 games squaring off occasionally with Tatum. The outfielder started slow with 18 hits, four RBIs, and three stolen bases in the Cardinals organization.It was a close one, but Dunedin takes game 2. Our @FLBlue Player of the Game is Dillon Tatum who went 1-3 with a solo home run! pic.twitter.com/mehPqA22fu
— Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (@MightyMussels) June 29, 2022
Taishi Nakawake - Winston-Salem Dash | Nakawake signed as a free agent in the weeks following the draft in July joining the Chicago White Sox organization. He began with the squad in the Arizona Complex League recording six hits, an RBI, and a stolen base in six games before jumping to High-A Winston-Salem. In six games for the Dash, Nakawake had four hits with an RBI and stolen base in six games to start his pro career
Troy Taylor - Seattle Mariners | Taylor was selected by the Mariners in a second straight season jumping from a 20th round pick in 2021 to 12th round in 2022. Taylor has yet to make his pro debut at any level and will look to begin his journey in the 2023 season.
