Ryan Ripken retires from professional baseball

Ryan Ripken, son of Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr. announced he was retiring from pro baseball after seven minor-league seasons. He was originally selected out of high school by his father’s Orioles team in the 2012 MLB Draft but did not sign. He was selected in the 15th round of the 2014 MLB Draft by the Washington Nationals and signed with them.

The Baltimore Orioles organization picked Ryan up in 2017. He reached Triple-A Norfolk last year for 48 games, but otherwise spent most his time in the low minors. His career slash line was .234/.275/.322, with 20 home runs and 160 RBIs.

Click here to read more about Ryan Ripken from the Baltimore Sun.

Ryan Ripken hopes to catch on with his father’s former team

Ryan Ripken, son of Cal Ripken Jr., has been invited to the 2021 Baltimore Orioles spring training camp. Cal Jr. played 21 seasons with the Orioles and was ultimately elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007.

Ryan was originally drafted by the Orioles in the 20th round of the 2012 MLB Draft by the Orioles, but he did not sign. Two years later, he was selected by the Washington Nationals in the 15th round.

He struggled in the low minors in the Nationals organization and eventually signed on with the Orioles organization in 2017. His last season was with Orioles Class A affiliate Frederick in 2019, having missed the 2020 season when the minor league season were cancelled due to the pandemic.

Ryan’s career slash line in the minors is .242/.281/.331.

Click here for more information about Ryan Ripken.

Brothers Kyle and Bradley Zimmer look forward to facing each other in the big leagues

Brothers Kyle and Bradley Zimmer have both reached the majors, after they were both highly-touted draft picks–Kyle a first round pick of the Kansas City Royals in 2012 and Bradley a second round pick of the Cleveland Indians two years later.

Pitcher Kyle made his debut with the Royals early this season, but has spent most of the year in Omaha.  Outfielder Bradley played parts of the 2017 and 2018 seasons with Cleveland, but has missed most of 2019 due to injuries. 

Both are hoping they will have major-league jobs next year and look forward to the day when they can face each other.

Click here to read more about the Zimmer brothers at sdnews.com.

Austin Nola finally gets his shot in the bigs

In his eighth professional season, 29-year-old Austin Nola made his major-league debut with the Seattle Mariners on June 16. He is the brother of Aaron Nola, pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Austin was drafted out of LSU by the Miami Marlins in the fifth round of the 2012 MLB Draft. He started out his pro career as a shortstop, then switched to catcher, and now plays first base. He was signed as a free agent by the Mariners last November.

For more information about Austin, click on this link from lsusports.net

Mike Yastrzemski Feels No Pressure from his Famous Last Name

Mike Yastrzemski, an outfielder in the Baltimore Orioles farm system, gets immediate recognition every place he plays because his grandfather was legendary Boston Red Sox outfielder Carl Yastrzemski.  However, Mike says he doesn’t feel the added pressure brought on him by fans, as he makes his way through the minors.

Mike was drafted out of high school by the Boston Red Sox in the 2009 MLB Draft, but chose to attend Vanderbilt University instead.  He was drafted again in 2012, but chose to return to Vandy for his senior year.  Then in the 2013 MLB Draft, he was selected in the 14th round by the Baltimore Orioles.

His father, Mike Yastrzemski, played three seasons at the Triple-A level in the Chicago White Sox organization in 1986-1988, but never advanced to the majors.

Grandfather Carl was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989 after 23 major-league seasons in which he won the Triple Crown in 1967 and made 18 all-star appearances.

For more information about Mike Yastrzemski’s family relationships, follow the link below from the Hartford Courant:

http://www.courant.com/sports/baseball/yard-goats/

 

Rogers Twins Meet Up in Arizona Fall League

Twin brothers Taylor and Tyler Rogers are roommates in the Arizona Fall League, but play on opposing teams in the prestigious league for up-and- coming major league prospects.

Taylor is a third-year professional in the Minnesota Twins organization, after being drafted in the 11th round of the 2012 MLB Draft. Tyler is a pitcher in the San Francisco Giants organization, having been drafted in the 10th round of the 2013 MLB Draft.

See related story about the Rogers brothers at the link below from m.twins.mlb.com:
http://m.twins.mlb.com/news/article/101074586/rogers-twins-reconnect-in-arizona-fall-league

Ryan Garvey Is Following In His Father’s Footsteps

Ryan Garvey is finding himself playing for minor league teams his father played for as an aspiring prospect in the 1960s. His father was Steve Garvey, the 19-year major leaguer and ten-time all-star.

In his third professional season, 21-year-old Ryan was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 33rd round of the 2012 MLB Draft and is now playing in the Rockies’ organization in Class A. Ryan says its not enough to just have played in the minors. He has set his sights on getting to the big-leagues like his father.

See the related story about Ryan Garvey at the link below from swxrightnow.com:
http://www.swxrightnow.com/story/25979149/ryan-garvey-following-in-a-fathers-footsteps

Jesmuel Valentin Hopes to Play For His Father Someday

Jesmuel Valentin, an infield prospect in the Los Angeles Dodger organization, has set his sights on playing in the major leagues for his father Jose Valentin, who wants to be a major league manager. Jose is currently a coach for the San Diego Padres and previously played in the big leagues for 16 seasons.

Last season, Jesmuel played against his father who was managing the Fort Wayne TinCups in the Midwest League.

See related story about Jesmuel Valentin at the link below from mlive.com:
http://www.mlive.com/loons/index.ssf/2014/05/los_angeles_dodgers_prospect_l_6.html

Cecchini Comes From A Baseball Family

Gavin Cecchini is playing at Savannah in the New York Mets organization this season. A first-round draft pick in 2012, Gavin followed his brother Garin into professional baseball. Garin is a top prospect in the Red Sox organization. They were both coached in high school by their father, Glenn, at Barbe High School in Lake Charles, LA. Glenn is a well-known coach in that area, having won several Louisiana state championships and put several players into professional baseball.

See related story about Gavin Cecchini in at the link below from savannahnow.com:
http://savannahnow.com/sports/2014-04-18/nathan-dominitz-cecchini-has-name-game-baseball#.U1QxvTNOWP9

Lovullo Father and Son Relish World Series Title

Torey Lovullo, bench coach for the Boston Red Sox, was able to share his World Series experience with his son, Nick, who is currently playing baseball at College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts.

In between his classes, Nick managed to attend the 2013 World Series games in both Boston and St. Louis, moments he will always cherish. In past seasons, they were often separated by many miles, because Torey held baseball jobs across the country.

Nick has hopes of playing professional baseball himself. He was drafted out of high school by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 38th round of the 2012 MLB Draft, but decided to pursue college.

See related story about Torey and Nick Lovullo at the below link from the Ventura County Star:
http://www.vcstar.com/news/2013/oct/30/father-and-son-enjoy-red-soxs-world-series/