Over 30
Silkworm alumni playing in pros
Cody, Finan, Fitzpatrick
headline latest update-by Don Leypoldt
Manchester, CT July 22nd,
2007 The silk industry put Manchester, Connecticut on the map.
The historic mill town gained notoriety as one of the nation's
leading silk manufacturers with the voluminous production of the
Cheney silk mills in the 19th and early 20th century.
While the Cheney Mills have since closed, the town of Manchester
has gained notoriety in recent years for manufacturing something
else: baseball players.
From the Major Leagues to the Rookie and Independent leagues,
there are 31 former Silkworms under a professional baseball
contract. All 31 can point to Northwest Park and their time in
the NECBL as an influence in their careers.
Here is an update on their progress. Players are listed with
their year(s) with the Silkworms. Hitters' statistics are quoted
as (batting average/on base percentage/slugging percentage).
While the Silkworms try their best to keep up with all of their
alumni- and this list is intended to be a comprehensive report-
the team is aware that sometimes players and stories do fall
through the cracks. The Silkworms welcome any update on alumni
that may have been overlooked. All statistics are through
Saturday, July 21st.
Major Leaguers:
Chris Denorfia (2000-01)/Oakland. The Southington, CT outfielder
had Tommy John surgery in the spring and is out for the year. He
is on the A's 40 man roster.
Triple A:
Jonah Bayliss (2000-01)/Indianapolis (Pirates). The first
Silkworm to make the majors, Bayliss is 2-2 with a 6.57 ERA in 9
games. The Trinity College product went 4-3 with a 7.53 ERA in
38 games for Pittsburgh earlier this year.
Zach Jackson (2002)/Nashville (Brewers). The 2004 first round
supplemental pick is 9-5 with a 4.79 ERA in 20 starts.
Double A:
Joey Serfass (2003)/Binghamton (Mets). The Newington, CT native
and Eastern Connecticut grad was promoted from high-A earlier
this year. He has a 3-3 record with a 6.27 ERA in 25 games.
Reid Gorecki (2001)/ Springfield (Cardinals). The outfielder had
23 at bats before going on the disabled list in mid-April.
Ryan Klosterman (2002)/New Hampshire (Blue Jays). The shortstop
is .221/.300/.315 with 15 steals in 65 games. He is hitting .248
since May 1st.
High Single A:
Ben Copeland (2003)/San Jose (Giants). The Giants' first
selection in the 2005 draft, the outfielder is .292/.391/.447
with 6 homers and 38 RBI in 66 games.
Chris Cody (2003)/ Brevard County (Milwaukee). A Midwest League
all-star earlier this summer, when the southpaw had a 1.77 ERA
in 14 starts, Cody was traded to Milwaukee for major leaguer
Jose Capellan on July 1st. He is 2-1 with a 3.24 ERA and 18
strikeouts in 16.2 innings for Brevard County
PJ Antoniato (2004)/Clearwater (Phillies). The third baseman is
.333/.341/.389 with 9 RBI in 14 games following a June promotion
from low-A Lakewood.
Ricky Brooks (2004)/Winston Salem (White Sox). Brooks was
promoted in late June from low-A Kannapolis. He has a 1.35 ERA
in 5 bullpen appearances
Ryan Finan (2003)/Frederick (Orioles). The big third sacker is
at .294/.391/.457 with nine homers and 48 RBI. He is currently
ninth in the Carolina League in batting average.
Low A:
Graham Godfrey (2004)/Lansing (Blue Jays). Godfrey is 6-4 with a
4.37 ERA in 13 starts.
John Slusarz (2004-05)/Clinton (Texas). The Farmington High
School and UConn alum is 1-5 with a 3.00 ERA and 45 strikeouts
in 45 innings.
Ryan DiPietro (2003-04)/Burlington (Royals). The Berlin native
and Eastern Connecticut State product is 5-6 with a 4.62 ERA in
18 games. He has struck out 66 in 74 innings.
Short Season A
Andy Parrino (2005-06)/Eugene (Padres). The shortstop is
.247/.358/.323 with a homer and 9 RBI in 27 games.
Billy Harris (2005)/Williamsport (Phillies). The lefty is 1-1
with a 4.80 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 15 innings. He is currently
on the disabled list.
Billy Mottram (2004)/Boise (Cubs). The infielder is
.185/.284/.323 with 2 homers and 11 RBI in 19 games.
Bobby Blevins (2005)/Ogden (Dodgers). Blevins is 2-0 with a 3.91
ERA and 24 strikeouts in 23 innings. He has made three starts
and three appearances out of the bullpen.
Bryan Hallberg (2005)/TriCity (Astros). Hallberg is 2-2 with a
4.74 ERA in 7 appearances for TriCity. Hallberg's brother Rob is
currently the Silkworms' closer.
Jesse Darcy (2005-06)/Hudson Valley (Devil Rays). Darcy is 2-3
with a 3.74 ERA in six games. He has fanned 21 in 21.2 innings
and has allowed just one earned run in his last two starts.
Jon Fixler (2006)/TriCity (Astros). The catcher and 2007 draft
pick is on the disabled list and has yet to see game action.
Rookie Ball
Jacob Cook (2006)/Gulf Coast (Blue Jays). The southpaw is 0-1
with a 2.79 ERA in seven games.
John Fitzpatrick (2005)/Gulf Coast (Pirates). The first baseman
is .286/.429/.623 in 25 games. He has belted six homers, driven
in 20 and is walking nearly once per game.
Josh Santerre (2003)/Arizona (Royals). Chris Cody's Silkworm and
college teammate is 2-1 with a 6.35 ERA in five appearances. He
has struck out nine in 5.2 innings.
Matt Cooney (2005-06)/Gulf Coast (Red Sox). The former Eastern
Connecticut backstop is .125/.125/.125 in seven games.
Tim Binkoski (2004-06)/Gulf Coast (Phillies). The Quinnipiac and
North Haven, CT product is .206/.308/.441 with four extra base
hits in 11 games.
Independent League:
Aaron Garza (2004,06)/Traverse City (Frontier). The outfielder
is .250/.308/.375 in 24 at bats for Traverse City. He belted a
grand slam in his first game.
Evan Conley (2000-01)/El Paso (American Association). The
infielder is .258/.309/.326 in 63 games. He has 30 RBI on the
year.
Jarrett Stawarz (2000)/New Haven (Can Am League). Stawarz is 1-2
with a 5.06 ERA in six games. He is currently on the disabled
list.
Matt Reilly (2004-05)/Brockton (Can Am League). The righty is
2-1 with a 2.08 ERA in 16 appearances. He was placed on disabled
list on July 21st.
Mike Leonard (2001)/New Haven (Can Am League). The former UConn
catcher was placed on the inactive list on June 14th.
