As major league baseball teams near the all-star break and start jockeying for positions in the playoffs, former Mountaineers in the minor leagues look to build on their seasons, improving their status as prospects.
There are currently 13 WVU baseball alumni across the five levels of the MiLB. With the season reaching the midpoint, let’s look at how they have performed thus far in 2024. The following is sorted in alphabetical order.
Braden Barry
Outfielder Braden Barry was selected in the eighth round of last year’s MLB draft by the Toronto Blue Jays. The 22-year-old made the jump from rookie to single-A. In 2024 Barry has played in 12 games, with 37 at-bats, seven hits, including one double, two stolen bases and a .189 average across rookie ball and single-a.
Carlson Reed
Right-handed pitcher Carlson Reed was also drafted in 2023, in the fourth round by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He has played his whole season for Pittsburgh single-a affiliate. He’s made 15 starts, with a 5-3 record, a 2.75 ERA and 83 strikeouts across 68.2 innings pitched.
Darius Hill
Outfielder Darius Hill was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 20th round of the 2019 MLB draft and has played for their AAA affiliate since 2022. In 2024, Hill has played in 59 games, racking up 52 hits, including 12 doubles, three stolen bases and a .242 batting average.
Jackson Wolf
Lefty Jackson Wolf was selected in the fourth round of the 2021 MLB draft by the San Diego Padres and plays in AAA. Wolf had a stint in the bigs in 2023, but has since returned. In 2024, he has started 17 games, holds a 3-9 record, with 57 strikeouts across 70.1 innings and has a 7.42 ERA. He is currently ranked as San Diego’s 14th-best prospect.
Jacob Watters
Right-handed pitcher Jacob Watters was selected in the fourth round of the 2022 MLB draft by the Oakland Athletics. He currently plays for their high-a affiliate but appeared in one game in AAA. Watters has pitched in 17 games, making nine starts, has a 7-3 record, with 50 strikeouts across 59 innings and 5.64 ERA in the minors in 2024.
Kade Strowd
RHP Kade Strowd was selected in the 12th round by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2019 MLB Draft. This season he has jumped from AA to AAA after not allowing an earned run in nine appearances in AA. In 2024, he’s pitched in a combined 28 games, with a 4-3 record, 40 strikeouts in 30 innings and a 6.90 ERA.
Kevin Dowdell
LHP Kevin Dowdell went undrafted in the 2023 MLB draft, but signed with the Los Angeles Angels and now plays for the Washington Nationals organization. He has spent his entire season and minor league career in rookie ball. On the season he’s pitched in nine games, picking up one win, with five strikeouts in 8.1 innings and a 4.32 ERA.
Landon Wallace
Outfielder Landon Wallace went undrafted in last year’s draft but was signed by ths Los Angeles Angels and has played at least played three games in every level of their minor league organization in 2024, currently residing in high-a. In 2024, he has a combined batting average of .229, nine extra-base hits, 10 RBIs and two stolen bases.
Madison Jeffrey
RHP Madison Jeffrey was selected in the 15th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2021 MLB draft. He’s spent his entire 2024 season in high-a so far. He’s pitched in 23 games, picking up one win, with 23 strikeouts across 24.2 innings and has a 6.57 ERA.
Ryan Bergert
RHP Ryan Bergert was selected in the 6th round by the San Diego Padres in the 2021 MLB draft. He’s spent 2024 in AA up to this point. He’s started 12 games, has a 1-6 record, with 42 strikeouts across 50.1 innings and has a 6.26 ERA.
Tevin Tucker
Shortstop Tevin Tucker went undrafted last year but signed with the Colorado Rockies organization. He’s played the entire 2024 season in A and is batting .194, with 25 hits, 16 RBIs, nine stolen bases and two home runs.
Trey Braithwaite
Trey Braithwaite was selected in the 16th round by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2022 MLB draft and currently plays for their high-a affiliate, after making the jump from rookie ball this season. In 2024, he has pitched in seven games starting one, with seven strikeouts across nine innings and a 2.00 ERA.
Victor Scott II
Outfielder Victor Scott II was selected in the 5th round by the St.Louis Cardinals in 2022 and began his season on their opening day roster in the bigs. However, after a struggling start to his major league career, he was sent back down to the minors, where he currently plays in AAA. In the minors this year he has 51 hits, 25 stolen bases, 17 RBIs and three home runs. He is ranked as the Cardinals’ third overall prospect.
Photo courtesy of WVU Athletics
