Sept. 27, 2007
NORMAL, Ill. -
As the leaves begin to change colors and the seasons change, the nine former Illinois State baseball student-athletes that have moved on to play professionally have seen their 2007 seasons come to a close. The final edition of "Down on the Farm" highlights some of the accomplishments made by former `Birds playing for their respective professional teams.
One of the most recent former Redbirds to begin his professional playing career was third baseman Ryan Anetsberger, who was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 15th round of the 2007 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. Anetsberger continued to show his ability to swing the bat in his first year as a pro, as the Wheaton, Ill., native finished with a .266 batting average. As a member of the Jamestown (N.Y.) Jammers, a Class A affiliate of the Marlins, Anetsberger finished second on the team with 59 hits, while also hitting 11 doubles, four triples, seven home runs and driving in 29 RBI.
Anetsberger was also one of four Jammers that were selected to the represent the team in the New York-Penn League (NYPL) All-Star Game, which was held Aug. 14 at Dutchess County Stadium in Fishkill, N.Y.
Another former 'Bird that spent the 2007 season playing in the NYPL was pitcher Dan Frega, who was a member of the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, a Class A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. Frega, who was selected in the 12th round of the 2006 MLB First-Year Player Draft, went 6-2 in 10 starts, with 43 strikeouts and a 3.49 ERA. In 56.2 innings pitched, the Lombard, Ill., native surrendered 33 runs (24 earned), while giving up only three home runs.
Frega also garnered recognition in his second professional season, as he was named the NYPL Pitcher of the Week Aug. 13 for his performance during the Scrappers' game against the Aberdeen Ironbirds Aug. 11. Frega threw five innings of no-hit ball against Aberdeen, while fanning 11 in the Scrappers' 7-0 win.
Kyle Bloom, another former redbird hurler, spent the majority of the 2007 season playing for the Lynchburg (Va.) Hillcats (Class A advanced) until he was called up to the Altoona Curve (Class AA). With the Hillcats, Bloom went 9-12 with a 5.51 ERA in 25 starts on the mound. The Bettendorf, Iowa, native fanned 90 batters in 129.0 innings of work, while notching a complete game as well as a shutout. The left-hander was named the Carolina League Pitcher of the Week for July 16, for his eight-inning, three-hit performance in the the Hillcats' 11-1 win over the Frederick Keys July 11.
In two starts with the Curve, Bloom went 1-1 with 10 strikeouts and a 0.90 ERA.
One of the former Redbirds that has extensive big league-experience, Matt Herges, split the year playing for the Colorado Rockies and the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, a Class AAA affiliate of the Rockies. Herges went 2-1 in 32 appearances with the Sky Sox, notching one save and striking out 33, while being named to the Pacific Coast League All-Star Team. After two stints with the club, he was called back up late in the season and has been a key member of the Rockies' bullpen, as they push for a spot in the playoffs.
Through Sept. 26, Herges has been gone 5-1 with a 3.30 ERA. The Champaign, Ill., native has struck out 28 in 43.2 innings of work.
World Series champion Neal Cotts also split time between the minors and the major leagues. After beginning the year strong for the Chicago Cubs, Cotts began to struggle with his control and was sent down to the Iowa Cubs (Class AAA) to work things out for the remainder of the 2007 campaign. In 16 games with the parent club, Cotts was 0-1 with a 4.86 ERA. In 24 games (six starts) for the Iowa Cubs, Cotts went 2-2 with 48 strikeouts and a 4.83 ERA.
Be sure to stay tuned to GoRedbirds.com, which is your official source for Illinois State baseball news, features, recaps and statistics during the upcoming 2008 season.
