Eight Jayhawks see action at next level

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Here’s a look at how eight former Jayhawks currently playing pro ball are fairing so far this season.

Jayhawks in MLB

Tom Gorzelanny

Pitcher

Chicago Cubs

Gorzelanny is 1-3 with a 2.48 ERA in five starts with the Cubs. He earned his first win of the season Sunday, pitching seven innings while recording a career-high 10 strikeouts against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Jayhawks in Class AAA

Travis Metcalf

Third baseman

Colorado Springs Sky Sox

Metcalf has started strong this season, batting .300 with two home runs and 14 RBIs in 24 games with the AAA affiliate of the Colorado Rockies.

Mike Zagurski

Pitcher

Lehigh Valley IronPigs

Zagurski has pitched in 11 games out of the bullpen for the Philadelphia Phillies AAA affiliate. Zagurski is hoping to get back to the major leagues, where he pitched in 2007 before injuries ended his season.

Jayhawks in Class AA

Sam Freeman

Pitcher

Springfield Cardinals

The start of the season hasn’t been too kind to Freeman, who was placed on the disabled list on April 16. Last season, Freeman, a member of the St. Louis Cardinals organization, split time between Springfield and Palm Beach, going 2-2 with a 2.41 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 56 innings.

Jayhawks in Class A

Nick Czyz

Pitcher

High Desert Mavericks

After a strong start to the season, Czyz was promoted to Class A Advanced, where he’s made three appearances. He is 1-0 with a 4.00 ERA in nine innings with High Desert – the Class A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.

Shaeffer Hall

Pitcher

Charleston RiverDogs

Hall has been sharp thus far, toting a 1-0 record with an 0.81 ERA in five starts for the New York Yankees A ball affiliate. Hall, who threw a no-hitter for Kansas last season, has held his opponents to a .190 batting average and has 20 strikeouts in 33 1/3 innings this season.

David Narodowski

Outfielder

South Bend Silver Hawks

Narodowski has hit safely in three of his last four games for the River Hawks – an affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Narodowski is currently hitting .189 in 18 games with three doubles and a stolen base.

Paul Smyth

Relief pitcher

Stockton Ports

A key reliever during his tenure at Kansas, Smyth has assumed the role of closer with the Ports — an affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. Smyth has appeared in eight games and allowed just one earned run and two walks in 16 1/3 innings. He has also posted 16 strikeouts and leads the team with three saves.

— Edited by Drew Anderson

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Pitching duo thriving in unexpected roles

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Starting pitcher remains unbeaten

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Success hinges on pitching improvements

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