Only a couple more months until Major League Baseball is back and spring training begins. Over the past couple of years, the Rutgers Baseball team has witnessed multiple alumni work their way through the minor leagues as they continue to push for their goal to become Major League Baseball players.
This week most of, if not all MLB teams decided to announce their non roster, spring training additions via social media. Here is a quick look at which former Rutgers baseball players are expected to be MLB spring training camps this spring.
Todd Frazier - New York Mets
LAST SEASON STATS: 115 games (.213 avg, 18 HRs, 59 RBIs)
THE SKINNY: It looks like Frazier will be a backup to start this upcoming season as the Mets have added quite a bit of infielders this offseason. Right now it looks like Frazier will be backing up Jeff McNeil who played second base for the Mets last season, but will move over due to the recent acquisition of Robinson Cano. Despite not being the starter, I'd still expect to see Frazier quite a bit this season.
OF Brian O’Grady - Cincinnati Reds Spring Training Invite
LAST SEASON: AAA Louisville Bats (Cincinnati Reds)
LAST SEASON STATS: 42 games (.306 avg, 8 HRs, 29 RBIs)
THE SKINNY: Although the Reds recently traded for two brand new outfielders in Matt Kemp and Yasiel Puig from the Los Angeles Dodgers, there is still a chance that O'Grady could make the Red opening day roster. Despite only playing in 42 games last year in AAA, O'Grady still managed to finished with a top three average on the team. Despite a surplus of outfielders, O'Grady might be able to snag a roster spot with a strong spring training.
Patrick Kivlehan - Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Training Invite
LAST SEASON: AAA Las Vegas 51s (New York Mets)
LAST SEASON STATS: 98 games (.314 avg, 20 HRs, 67 RBIs)
THE SKINNY: After spending most of last season running with the Mets and Reds AAA minor league teams, Kivlehan signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. It is going to be very tough for Kivlehan to land a roster spot, as the Pirates currently have Corey Dickerson, Starling Marte, and Gregory Polanco all pretty solidified as starters for next season. It's going to take a strong spring out of Kivlehan in order to land on the opening day roster.
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