BBMLB: Bat 'Cats in the Pros in 2022

You smell that, BBN? There’s BASEBALL in the air! Okay, I get it, you can stop booing now. After a three-month lockout scare, Major League Baseball successfully kicked off its season this weekend. With a long summer ahead, it’s time to check in on which former Wildcats will hear their numbers called in 2022. Welcome back to BBMLB!

Taylor Rogers: LHP, San Diego Padres

The No. 1 name on the list this year is Taylor Rogers, the funky lefty who has made a name for himself since leaving Lexington in 2012. After six years in Minnesota, Rogers was shockingly traded to San Diego on the morning of opening day last week. He immediately took over the closer role for the Padres, recording saves in each of his first two opportunities this weekend. He should get plenty more as the season progresses, with San Diego projected to challenge the Dodgers and Giants — who employ Rogers’ twin brother, Tyler — for first place in the N.L. West this year.

Rogers was excellent as the Twins’ full-time closer in 2019, ’20 and ’21, posting a 3.06 ERA and 12 strikeouts per nine innings. He made his first All-Star Game appearance last year but saw his season cut short soon after by a torn ligament in his pitching hand. Now that he’s healthy and pitching for a competitive team, expect big numbers from Mr. Rogers this year.

First save as a Padre for @trogers34! 👏 pic.twitter.com/oTsR6ej3q2

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 9, 2022

James Paxton: LHP, Boston Red Sox

“Big Maple” owns one of the most accomplished MLB careers by a UK alumnus in history. For eight years with the Mariners and Yankees, Paxton was of the American League’s most reliable starters. He won double-digit games in 2017, ’18 and ’19, and he’s amassed 831 strikeouts in his career. Unfortunately, after returning to Seattle on a one-year deal in 2021, he was waylaid by an elbow injury that forced him to undergo Tommy Surgery, ending his season after a single inning.

Paxton was picked up by the Red Sox this offseason fully aware that he was still a few months out from returning to the field. The good news is, he seems to be progressing well. Barring any setbacks, the 33-year-old should be back on the mound with the Sox by July.

Evan White: 1B, Seattle Mariners

The hottest MLB prospect to come out of Lexington in recent years, White has had some mixed success in Seattle. There’s no denying he’s one of the best defensive first basemen in the game. However, his home-run-hitting upside has yet to offset his overall inconsistency at the plate. Like Paxton, he’s recovering from an injury, having undergone hernia surgery in March. He’ll get another shot once he’s healthy, but with the Mariners on rising, they may not be as patient when there are better offensive options for the position.

Trevor Gott: RHP, Milwaukee Brewers

Gott is another ‘Cat with MLB pedigree who fell upon some hard luck in recent years. The former Giants reliever spent 2021 in the minors, but caught on with Milwaukee in the offseason and made a strong impression. He’s back in the Big Leagues now, grabbing one of the last spots in the vaunted Brewers bullpen for Opening Day. His first look on Saturday was perfect, as he struck out the side in an inning of work. Gott appears ready to bounce back in a big way this season.

Luke Maile: C, Cleveland Guardians

Finally, the last UK player to earn a spot on an Opening Day roster is veteran catcher Luke Maile. He caught on as the projected backup in Cleveland this year after bouncing back and forth with the Brewers in 2021. Unfortunately, the injury bug struck Maile in the spring, as hamstring tightness forced him to open the year on the IL. He should be back with the Guardians by May at the latest.

Best of the Rest: Rising Prospects & 40-man Holdouts

There are a few other ‘Cats Zachs on MLB 40-man rosters, including Marlins reliever Zach Pop (Triple-A Jacksonville), Rangers OF Zach Reks (Triple-A Round Rock), and A’s pitcher Zach Logue (Triple-A Las Vegas). But the most exciting young star with a chance to debut this year is Giants hurler Sean Hjelle, who’s starting the year in Sacramento after a recent promotion. Standing at 6’11”, the lanky right-hander has still got it — and “it” is weird:

No. 27 @SFGiants prospect Sean Hjelle tossed 3 2/3 hitless frames and No. 6 prospect Heliot Ramos doubled in the go-ahead runs to lead the @RiverCats: https://t.co/cAI3eClAQX pic.twitter.com/loZFyeruOk

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 8, 2022

If the early returns for Hjelle are good, he could see his first Big League call-up before the All-Star break — at which point he would join the latter Rogers brother in one of the strangest-looking bullpens you’ll ever see.

Elsewhere, RHP Zack Thompson (Cardinals), INF J.T. Riddle (Reds), OF Ka’ai Tom (Giants) and RHP Zack Brown (Brewers) will all begin the year in Triple-A with hopes of getting a call-up soon. Meanwhile, keep an eye on 2021 draftees John Rhodes (high-A Orioles) and Austin Schultz (high-A Tigers) as they start their professional careers.