Rutgers MLB Update: Season Review
Oct 07 | Baseball
Todd Frazier
Frazier enjoyed his most productive season during his four-year career with the Cincinnati Reds, earning his first All-Star Game nomination. The Toms River, N.J., native played in 157 games as the Reds’ starting third baseman, batting .273 with 29 home runs, 80 RBIs, 163 hits and 20 stolen bases. Frazier led the team in games played (157), plate appearances (597), runs scored (88), hits (163), home runs (29) and walks (52). Frazier’s .273 batting average tied with catcher Devin Mesoraco for the team lead for players who had at least 350-plus plate appearances.
During All-Star weekend, Frazier represented the Reds and the National League in the home run derby, belting nine home runs in the first three rounds to earn a spot in the finals against defending champion Yoenis Cespedes. After a valiant effort, Frazier lost to the then Athletics’ outfielder.
Frazier drew a walk in his only plate appearance of the All-Star Game, but he also received national attention when a picture surfaced of a 12-year-old Frazier with Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter at the 1998 All-Star Game. He had his picture taken with Jeter, which the media used as a testament to Jeter’s longevity.
| AVG | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | TB | BB | SO | SB | CS | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| .273 | 157 | 597 | 88 | 163 | 22 | 1 | 29 | 80 | 274 | 52 | 139 | 20 | 8 | .336 | .459 | .795 |
David DeJesus
Despite missing time this season with a broken wrist, DeJesus played in 83 games for the Tampa Bay Rays, his 11th season in the Major Leagues. The Brooklyn, N.Y., native batted .248 with six home runs, 19 RBIs, 15 doubles and 30 walks in his shortened season.
| AVG | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | TB | BB | SO | SB | CS | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| .248 | 83 | 238 | 24 | 59 | 15 | 2 | 6 | 19 | 96 | 30 | 43 | 0 | 3 | .344 | .403 | .748 |
Patrick Kivlehan
Called up after playing in 34 games with the Class-A High Desert Eagles of the Seattle Mariners’ farm system, Kivlehan continued his strong season with the Class-AA Jackson (Tenn.) Generals. In 104 games with the club, Kivlehan batted .300, the second-highest average on the team. Kivlehan led the Generals in RBIs with 68, was second on the team in triples with seven and belted 11 home runs, the club’s third-best total. Kivlehan also collected 113 hits, 23 doubles, drew 44 walks and swiped nine bases.
In his brief stay with the Class-A High Desert Eagles, Kivlehan batted .282 with 35 RBIs, nine home runs and 24 runs scored.
Currently, Kivlehan is competing in the Arizona Fall League, showcasing some of the minor league’s best talent. Kivlehan was one of six players selected by the Mariners to represent their farm system in the developmental league this fall.
With Class-AA Jackson:
| AVG | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | TB | BB | SO | SB | CS | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| .300 | 104 | 377 | 60 | 113 | 23 | 7 | 11 | 68 | 183 | 44 | 78 | 9 | 4 | .374 | .485 | .860 |
With Class-A High Desert:
| AVG | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | TB | BB | SO | SB | CS | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| .282 | 34 | 142 | 24 | 40 | 9 | 2 | 9 | 35 | 80 | 12 | 32 | 2 | 0 | .331 | .563 | .895 |
Jayson Hernandez
Hernandez made his first career Triple-A appearance on June 29, playing for the Boston affiliate Pawtucket (R.I.) Red Sox. Hernandez finished the year on the Double-A Portland (Maine) Sea Dogs’ roster, but did not see action for the club due to injury.
Hernandez also appeared in 23 contests with the Class-A+ Salem Red Sox this season.
With Triple-A Pawtucket:
| AVG | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | TB | BB | SO | SB | CS | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| .000 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
With Single-A Salem:
| AVG | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | TB | BB | SO | SB | CS | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| .234 | 23 | 77 | 7 | 18 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 29 | 5 | 18 | 0 | 0 | .286 | .377 | .662 |
Rob Smorol
Smorol made 16 appearances out of the bullpen and started one contest for the Short Season Class-A Lowell (Mass.) Spinners this season. On the mound, Smorol posted a 4.18 ERA in 32.1 innings pitched and 22 strikeouts.
| W | L | ERA | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO |
| 0 | 4 | 4.18 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32.1 | 27 | 18 | 15 | 2 | 18 | 22 |
Brian O’Grady
O’Grady finished his first season in the minors, helping the Billings (Mont.) Mustangs capture the 2014 Pioneer League title. In game two of the Pioneer League Championship, O’Grady produced two RBI singles in the series-clinching, 6-5 victory against the Orem Owlz. In four playoff games, O’Grady batted .333 with one home run and six RBIs. It was Billings’ first league championship since 2003.
In 62 games with the Mustangs, O’Grady finished the season batting .257 with 42 RBIs, 17 doubles, six home runs, three triples and 44 runs scored. O’Grady produced an impressive .354 on-base percentage thanks to his team-leading 35 walks and played five different positions for the Mustangs – first base, third base and all three outfield positions.
| AVG | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | TB | BB | SO | SB | CS | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| .257 | 62 | 214 | 44 | 55 | 17 | 3 | 6 | 42 | 96 | 35 | 45 | 7 | 0 | .354 | .449 | .803 |
Steve Nyisztor
Nyisztor started the 2014 season with the independent Rockland Boulders, and played well enough to earn a contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, who assigned him to the single-A affiliate Hillsboro (Ore.) Hops. Nyisztor played in 44 games for the Hops, spending time as a second baseman, shortstop, right fielder and designated hitter. He finished the season batting .309 for Hillsboro, including 23 RBIs, 12 doubles, four triples and three home runs.
| AVG | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | TB | BB | SO | SB | CS | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| .309 | 44 | 178 | 32 | 55 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 23 | 84 | 14 | 28 | 10 | 3 | .369 | .472 | .841 |
