Illini in the MLB Update: Season Recap

It’s been around two months since our last article on the Illini in the MLB, but with the season coming to a close, let’s do a final checkup of former Illinois players now playing in the Major and Minor Leagues.

Tanner Roark, P, Washington Nationals

Tanner Roark will finish the 2018 campaign with a 9-15 campaign in 30 starts, with a 4.34 ERA, as the Nationals failed to make the playoffs this season. Roark had a strong second half of the season, going 6-3 in 11 starts.

On the season, he had 146 strikeouts in 180.1 innings of work.

Tyler Jay, P, Chattanooga Lookouts (MIN - AA)

Tyler Jay wrapped up his fourth season in the minor leagues with a 4-5 record as a reliever, picking up two saves in six opportunities. He posted a 4.22 ERA on the year, striking out 49 batters in 59.2 innings.

Jason Goldstein, C, Midland RockHounds (OAK - AA)

Goldstein jumped around the minor leagues this season, starting the season at the High A level before playing at the Triple A level and eventually winding up on the Double A roster at the season’s close. In 31 games across all levels, Goldstein hit .229 this season with two home runs and seven RBI.

Cody Sedlock, P, Frederick Keys (BAL - A Adv)

Set back by injuries this seaon, Sedlock only made 13 pitching appearances for Baltimore’s farm system this year, seven of which were on rehab assignments. In his six starts for the Keys, Sedlock pitched 20.1 innings, striking out 13 while having a 7.97 ERA.

Adam Walton, 2B, Visalia Rawhide (ARI - A Adv)

Walton played in 80 games for the Rawhide this season, slashing .267/.337/.391, driving in 36 runs while hitting five home runs.

Pat McInerney, 1B, Carolina Mudcats (MIL - A Adv)

It was a tale of two halves and two levels for Pat McInerney this season, as he struggled in the latter half of the season after being promoted to Milwaukee’s High A squad. Despite slashing a respectable .230/.362/.444 at the Low A level with ten home runs and 25 RBI, those numbers dropped at the High A level to .112/.241/.153, where he drove in five runs with no home runs.

Joey Gerber, P, West Virginia Power (SEA - A)

Gerber had a successful first season in the minor leagues, posting a 2.10 ERA across 25.2 innings pitched, at the Short A and Low A levels. He struck out 43 batters in 25.2 innings, picking up eight saves in ten opportunities.

Doran Turchin, CF, Aberdeen IronBirds (BAL - Short A)

Another Illini rookie making his professional debut, Turchin played in 21 games, slashing .197/.250/.380, with two home runs and ten RBI.

Bren Spillane, RF, Billings Mustangs (CIN - Rookie)

Former Illini star Bren Spillane had an excellent season at the Rookie League level, where he opened his career with a slash line of .236/.375/.439, hitting five home runs and driving in 22.

Luke Shilling, P, AZL White Sox (CWS - Rookie)

After being drafted by the White Sox in the fifteenth round, Shilling made no appearances for the Rookie League team, being placed on the disabled list less than two weeks after being signed.

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