Minor Leagues: UHart’s Sean Newcomb tops among state’s prospects
• 19. Carson Cross, UConn, RHP (Cardinals, Class A short-season): In
his second season with State College, the 2015 14th-round pick has gone 5-5 with a 3.25 ERA in 13 starts.
• 18. Patrick Ruotolo, UConn, RHP (Giants, Class A short-season): Surprisingly fell to the 27th round of this year’s draft, but has been very impressive with Salem-Keizer, posting a 0.78 ERA in his first 23 professional innings.
• 14. Greg Nappo, Madison/UConn, LHP (Marlins, Triple-): Second season in New Orleans started terribly (5.85 ERA into late June), but lefty has settled down as Zephyrs’ long man and is 5-6, 4.63 ERA in 26 outings.
• 10. Vinny Siena, Woodbridge/UConn, 2B (Mets, High-A): Earned
trip to South Atlantic League all-star game before being promoted to St. Lucie, where he’s continued his consistent season (.269, 10 steals in 376 at-bats between two stops).
• 8. L.J. Mazzilli, Greenwich/UConn, 2B (Mets, Double-A): Lee’s son earned first Triple-A promotion in early August, but was sent back to Binghamton after 48 at-bats. Overall, .238 with five homers in 400 at-bats this year between two stops.
• 5. John Andreoli, UConn, OF (Cubs, Triple-A): After horrific start (.207 through June 14) has really picked it up at Iowa, raising his average 48 points to go with 12 homers and 37 stolen bases. Still could get a September call-up to the Cubbies.
• 2. Anthony Kay, UConn, LHP (Mets, Class A short-season): Mets’ second pick (No. 31 overall) in 2016 draft took until last minute to sign for $1.1 million (about $800,000 below slot) and isn’t pitching for Brooklyn because of heavy college workload this season. Mets’ No. 9 overall prospect, per mlb.com could be in bigs within two years.
