The former tandem on the left side of USF’s infield are producing for their respective clubs
TAMPA, JULY 26, 2019 – Former USF infielders are in the midst of strong stretches and a former starter-turned-closer continues to dominate.
Montes and Villar Surging
Infielder Coco Montes has been heating up over the last 10 games, batting .389 for the Asheville Tourists (A, Colorado Rockies) of the South Atlantic League. He has five multi-hit games in that time. Montes has played in 96 games in his first full pro season with 21 doubles, nine homers, 59 RBI and 38 runs scored.
Montes’ partner on the left side of USF’s infield in 2018, David Villar is also rising as the calendar approaches August. Villar is hitting .366 over his last 10 games with seven runs and four RBI for the San Jose Giants (A-Advanced) of the California League. He’s batting .277 on the year with seven home runs, 39 RBI, 41 runs and 21 doubles on the year.
Sanders Stellar in Second Full Season
Righty Phoenix Sanders was USF’s Friday night arm in 2017. Now in his second full season in the Tampa Bay Rays’ organization, Sanders is flourishing out of the bullpen. He has spent the entire year with the Montgomery Biscuits (AA) as the team’s closer. Sanders has 15 saves with a 1.94 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 46.1 innings. He has four saves in his last four opportunities, surrendering just two hits in 4.0 innings. In his last 10 games, Sanders has allowed just 10 hits and one runs with 19 strikeouts.
Lawson Locked-In
Right-hander Brandon Lawson has given the Richmond Flying Squirrels (AA, San Francisco Giants) length in his last two outings. He pitched 8.0 innings on July 19, allowing just one hit with six strikeouts. He went 6.0 frames on Thursday, allowing one run with three strikeouts. He’s 4-5 this year in 17 starts with a 3.64 ERA and 56 strikeouts.
Merrell Getting Acclimated to New Home
2017 first-rounder Kevin Merrell was traded from the Athletics to the Royals in mid-July. He has played in just nine games for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (AA). Though his batting average isn’t gaudy, he has hit safely in seven straight games. Merrell has four runs, two doubles, two triples and four stolen bases in the limited time with his new club.
Find out how other former USF standouts are faring in pro baseball this season below:
| Name | Organization | Position | League (Level) | Team | Stats |
| Austin Adams | Seattle | P | MLB | Seattle Mariners (10-day IL) | 3.47 ERA, 41 Ks, 23.1 IP, 21 app. |
| Nelson Alvarez | N.Y. Yankees | P | Appalachian League (Rookie Advanced) | Pulaski Yankees | Minors 2019 (3 teams): 7 games, 2-1, 6.2 IP, 5 Ks |
| Joe Cavallaro | N.Y. Mets | P | Florida State (A Advanced) | St. Lucie Mets | 4-3, 3.93 ERA, 47 Ks, 50.1 IP, 26 games, 3 saves |
| Tommy Eveld | Miami | P | Southern (AA) | Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp | 2-3, 3.46 ERA, 3 saves, 17 Ks, 13.0 IP, 11 games |
| Jimmy Herget | Cincinnati | P | International League (AAA) | Louisville Bats | 1-4, 3.79 ERA, 46 Ks, 35 games, 40.1 IP, 2 saves |
| Joe Genord | N.Y. Mets | 1B | New-York Penn (A-Short Season) | Brooklyn Cyclones | .228 AVG, 5 HR, 8 doubles, 22 RBI, 16 runs, 35 games |
| Brandon Lawson | San Francisco | P | Eastern (AA) | Richmond Flying Squirrels | 4-5, 3.64 ERA, 56 Ks, 89.0 IP, 17 starts |
| Shane McClanahan | Tampa Bay | P | Florida State (A-Advanced) | Port Charlotte Stone Crabs | 5-1, 0.94 ERA, 7 games, 6 starts, 38.1 IP, 40 Ks |
| Kevin Merrell | Kansas City | SS | Texas (AA) | Northwest Arkansas Naturals | 9 games, 7 hits, 2 triples, 2 doubles, 4 stolen bases, 4 runs, 2 RBI |
| Coco Montes | Colorado | SS | South Atlantic (A-Advanced) | Asheville Tourists | .261 AVG, 9 HR, 21 doubles, 59 RBI, 38 runs, 96 games |
| Dan Otero | Cleveland | P | MLB | Indians (10-day IL) | 4.56 ERA, 10 Ks, 23.2 IP, 20 games |
| Andrew Perez | Chicago White Sox | P | Carolina (A-Advanced) | Winston-Salem Dash | 0-2, 1.93 ERA, 15 Ks, 14.0 IP (Dash ONLY)| 2019: 2.16 ERA, 2 saves, 29 games, 50.0 IP, 67 Ks |
| Kevin Quackenbush | Los Angeles Dodgers | P | Pacific Coast (AAA) | Oklahoma City Dodgers | 2-3, 3.86 ERA, 8 saves, 70 Ks, 46.2 IP, 41 games – PCL All-Star |
| Phoenix Sanders | Tampa Bay | P | Southern (AA) | Montgomery Biscuits | 3-3, 1.94 ERA, 52 Ks, 46.1 IP, 15 saves, 35 games |
| Peter Strzelecki | Milwaukee | P | Midwest (A) | Wisconsin Timber Rattlers | 0-1, 3.46 ERA, 3 saves, 42 Ks, 41.2 IP, 28 games |
| Ryan Valdes | Pittsburgh | P | Florida State (A-Advanced) | Bradenton Marauders | 2-2, 5.84 ERA, 1 save, 24.2 IP, 19 games, 20 Ks |
| David Villar | San Francisco | 3B | California (A-Advanced) | San Jose Giants | .277, 7 HR, 21 doubles, 39 RBI, 41 runs, 80 games |
| Alec Wisely | Cleveland | RHP | Arizona League (Rookie) | AZL Indians | 1-1, 6.94 ERA, 11.2 IP, 12 Ks, 7 games |
