While several Rice Baseball alums are producing at the highest level, others are working their way up the ladder. Here’s the latest on the MiLB Owls.
Triple-A
Jon Duplantier (Phillies) was moved to the 60-day injured list on April 6 but was recently assigned to the Jersey Shore BlueClaws (Single A) for a rehab assignment on May 24. If things go well, he could be in line to rejoin the AAA squad in the weeks ahead.
Tristan Gray (Rays) started the season on a heater but has cooled down significantly in May, slashing just .155/.241/.211 this month. That’s dropped his season-long slash line to .233/.306/.436, a sharp contrast between months.
More on Rice Baseball: Latest from the MLB Owls
Ford Proctor (Giants) has rebounded from a slug start with a tremendous month of May. After hitting .190 in April he’s hitting .283 in May with a .767 OPS while playing all over the diamond, defensively. Proctor has appeared at every infield position defensively, including catcher, with two starts at designated hitter as well.
Double-A
Matt Canterino (Twins) began the 2023 season on the 60-day injured list as he recovered from offseason surgery. He’ll be sidelined for some time.
Trei Cruz (Tigers) has maintained his impressive early pace through the month of May, posting career highs across the board. Compared to his 2021 and 2022 minor league seasons, Cruz has improved his average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and a myriad of other metrics. He’s slashing .273/.371/.503 right now as he continues to feast on AA pitching.
Evan Kravetz (Reds) has been locked in during the month of May. He’s made seven appearances, all out of the bullpen, and compiled a pristine 1.29 ERA, allowing just eight hits and two runs over the course of 14 innings pitched. Opposing hitters are hitting .174 of of Kravetz in May.
Dane Myers (Marlins) has continued to make his case for promotion through the early months of the 2023 season. After posting an .876 OPS in April he followed it with a .741 OPS in May. He walked 16 times in 24 games this month, contributing to an impressive .385 on-base percentage.
Single-A
Roel Garcia (Rays, High-A) was impressive in May, posting a 2.95 ERA with a whopping 24 strikeouts in 18.1 innings pitched. He was charged with just six earned runs in his four total outings.
Cooper Chandler (Orioles, High-A) had the best month of his young professional career in May. He appeared in five games, posting a 2.70 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 20 total innings. His WHIP was just 1.100.
