Sports are finally back and luckily for us as Opening Day kicked off on Thursday, five former Arizona Baseball stars have made Major League Rosters!
Good news folks, sports are finally back as the MLB Season finally began on Thursday! And if you’re anything like me, you’re just glad that we at least have something to watch. However, if you’re an Arizona Baseball fan like many of us I assume, then you got to see five different Wildcats make Opening Day rosters!
Aptly dubbed as the MLB Training Ground program as head coach Jay Johnson calls it, the Wildcats certainly have not only an illustrious collegiate baseball history, but quite the professional baseball history as well.
Arizona Wildcats
A program that has had four national titles, numerous All-Americans and draft picks, it’s great to see the program flourish in one of Major League baseball’s biggest stages… Opening Day.
Making news in the Arizona Athletic community beyond just sports returning was that five Wildcats have made Opening Day rosters! Those five Wildcats are; Kevin Ginkel, Mark Melancon, Scott Kingery, Rob Refsnyder and Kevin Newman!
For those that don’t quite follow baseball, here’s where our former Wildcats are currently playing!
Kevin Ginkel, RP – Arizona Diamondbacks
A rising star in the MLB, Ginkel made his MLB debut with the D-Backs last year, and he is quickly making his impact felt. Being used mostly in a relief capacity, the hard throwing hurler appeared in 25 games with Arizona, throwing in 24-and-one-third innings, compiling a 1.48 ERA, striking out 28 batters and only walking nine.
This season, he will likely have an bigger role as he could potentially help solidify the D-Backs’ bullpen!
Mark Melancon, RP – Atlanta Braves
A talented veteran reliever/ closer, Mark has had a terrific, 11-year career in which he has appeared on three, All-Star Rosters (2013, 2015 and 2016).
In his career, he’s also appeared with numerous clubs including; the New York Yankees, the Boston Red Sox, the Houston Astros and the Pittsburgh Pirates among others. However, now with the Atlanta Braves after having been traded by the San Francisco Giants last season, he will enter his 12th season in the big’s with the Braves and a rather impressive resume.
Appearing in 583 games over his career, Mark has compiled a 28-26 record with a 2.85 ERA, he’s struck out 535 batters while only walking 139. Also having been used in various forms of relief pitching roles, he’s even had a total of 194 saves (going a perfect 12/12 last season)!
I would still look for Mark to be one of baseball’s great relief pitchers and solid representation of Arizona Baseball!
Scott Kingery, UT – Philadelphia Phillies
Now entering his third season in the Majors, Scott is sort of the unsung here who initially walked on with the Wildcats, but has since rose to being a solid Major League player.
A scrappy and talented utility player for the Philadelphia Phillies, Scott put together a rather impressive season last year batting .258 with 19 homeruns and 55 RBI’s from the plate in just 126 games.
Well, this year I imagine he’s going to again be a staple on the Phillies’ roster as he brings a lot of value. He can do a lot of different things on the diamond, and as his power continues to increase as well, look for his impact to grow too!
Kevin Newman, INF – Pittsburgh Pirates
Perhaps the highest producing player from the Cats in the Majors is Kevin Newman. A former standout at the University of Arizona, Kevin is slowly becoming a league star.
Just 26 years young, Kevin made his first appeared with the Pirates in 2018 and hasn’t been back since. Initially appearing in 31 games in 2018, Kevin hit .209 from the plate with RBI’s in 91 at-bats.
In 2019 is where he really broke out! Starting in 116 games, Kevin appeared in 130 games, hitting an rather impressive .308 with 12 homeruns and 64 RBI’s to go along with 20 doubles and six triples!
Now will he replicate that kind of production in 2020? I don’t know, but even if he has a season remotely close to the one he just had, it’ll be great to follow!
Robert Refsnyder, UT – Texas Rangers
Oh, the beloved Rob Refsnyder! Our MVP and hero during Arizona Baseball’s miraculous 2012 National Championship run, Rob enters his fourth year in the Majors and perhaps a change of scenery to Arlington, TX will do the trick.
Over the years, Rob has bounced up and down from the Majors and AAA, never seemingly being able to get a full season under his belt. Nonetheless, he’s had a rather respectable Major League career, batting .218 with four homeruns and 22 RBI’s to go along with 17 doubles and a triple in 166 games.
Perhaps year four is where is he can finally turn it on and find that consistency!
At Zona Zealots, we’re certainly proud of our Wildcats and can’t wait to see what this baseball season has in store! As always, Bear Down, Arizona!