Diamond Notes

RHP Levi Stoudt (Lehigh, Quakertown Blazers, 2017), the Top ACBL Prospect in 2017, underwent Tommy-John surgery after being drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the third round of the June 2019 MLB Amateur Draft.

Stoudt was invited to the Arizona Instructional League and Andy McKay, Director of Player Development for the Mariners, noted that Stoudt has created as much buzz as any arm in camp now. He has been 95-96 with his fastball and combines this with a plus changeup. He’s the guy people are here to see. They don’t miss his appearances.

Nick Snyder (West Virginia, South Jersey Giants, 2017, Trenton Generals, 2018) was also invited to the Arizona Instructional League by the Arizona Diamondbacks who drafted him in the 11th round of the June 2019 MLB Amateur Draft.

The 6-7 LHP was the second Top ACBL Prospect in 2018 and had an excellent rookie season at short season Hillsboro in the Northwest League where he posted a 2-0 record with a save and a 0.00 ERA. In 16 innings he struck out 27 with nine base on balls.

In other ACBL news Vincent Timpanelli (Ramapo, New York Phenoms, 2019) signed a free agent contract with the Cincinnati Reds. As a catcher he hit .279 with five home runs and 32 RBIs for the Phenoms in 2019. He made a strong showing on the mound this past summer and his future with the Reds may be on the mound.

Lou Trivino (Slippery Rock, Quakertown, 2011) on Monday became the fifth former ACBL pitcher to record a three pitch inning, the 189th in MLB history, on Monday as the Oakland A’s defeated the Houston Astros 6-0.

Baseball Almanac data indicates that the American League has posted 82 3-Pitch Innings with Walter Johnson leading the way with four from 1911 thru 1917. Jim Mecir (Eckerd, Nassau) threw a three pitch eighth inning on May 17, 1998 for Tampa Bay. Allen Watson (NY Tech, Long Island) tossed a three pitch ninth inning for the New York Yankees on September 26, 1999.

Pete Harnisch (Fordham, Long Island) tops the National League list of 106 3-Pitch Innings with three 3-Pitch Innings for the Cincinnati Reds. The first one was the fifth inning on September 26, 1998 followed by fourth inning feats on August 24, 1999 and April 7, 2001. Jamie Moyer (Saint Joseph’s, Allentown) put a 3-Pitch Inning on the record for the Philadelphia Phillies on May 7, 2013.

RHP Justin Topa (LIU Brooklyn Southampton, 2010) became the 116th former ACBL player to play in MLB when he allowed two runs over two innings as the Milwaukee Brewers lost 12-1 to the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday. Today he was optioned to the Brewers Alternate Training Site.

Lou Trivino (Slippery Rock, Quakertown, 2011) is off to a good start with the division leading Oakland A’s. with seven consecutive scoreless appearances. The 6-5 RHP has eleven relief appearances with a 2.93 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 15 innings.

Other former ACBL players now pitching in MLB include Zach Godley (Tennessee, Southampton, 2010) with the Boston Red Sox, Nick Tropeano (Stony Brook, Riverhead, 2009) with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Aaron Slegers (Indiana, Riverhead, 2011) with the Tampa Bay Rays and Kyle McGowin (Savannah St. Sag Harbor, 2011-12) with the Washington Nationals.

Kevin McCarthy (Marist, Sag Harbor, 2011) and Cody Carroll (Southern Mississippi, Center Moriches, 2012) were returned to Alternate Training Sites by the Kansas City Royals and Baltimore Orioles respectively.