As the Major League All-Star break is a week away, eight former Highlanders are living the childhood dream throughout professional baseball. Radford has seven pitchers and one position player on 2018 professional rosters.
Ryan Meisinger | RHP | Baltimore Orioles | Radford 2013-15
Meisinger became the fourth Highlander to make his MLB debut and the 24th Maryland-born player to appear in a game for the Orioles on June 29 against the Los Angeles Angles. The right-hander tossed 1.2 innings, allowing a run on two hits and striking out one batter, while stranding two runners. Meisinger has appeared in three games, striking out two in three frames as the only two runs allowed have come via the long ball.
Eddie Butler | RHP | Chicago Cubs | Radford 2010-2012
Butler has been on the shelf since April 20 but was sent to Triple-A Iowa on a rehab assignment on June 30. The 2018 season has seen Butler appear in six games, throwing 14.2 innings in long relief. Striking out 10 and holding opposing bats to a .214 clip, Butler has only walked five batters. In the second game of the 2018 season, Butler threw seven strong innings of relief in the Cubs’ 17-inning 2-1 loss to Miami. He allowed only one run on four hits, striking out five batters.
Michael Boyle | LHP | Tulsa Drillers | Radford 2013-15
Double-A affiliate, Los Angeles Dodgers
Boyle earned his second Double-A promotion of the 2018 season on July 5 after compiling a 0.87 ERA in 13 games at Rancho Cucamonga. He finished with a 1-0 record and three saves, punching out 26 over 20.2 innings. Boyle has struck out three-plus batters on four different occasions this season. In four appearances for Tulsa, Boyle has a 1-0 record with a 3.18 ERA
Kyle Zurak | RHP | Charleston Riverdogs | Radford 2014-17
Single-A affiliate, New York Yankees
In his first full professional season, Zurak has cemented himself in the backend of the Riverdogs’ bullpen. With a 2-1 record and 2.97 ERA, Zurak leads the team with eight saves and the bullpen with 36.1 innings. Totaling 38 punch outs, Zurak has limited his walks to 10 with a .218 opposing batting average. He has struck out three-plus batters on seven different occasions.
Danny Hrbek | RHP | Lexington Legends | Radford 2014-17
Single-A affiliate, Kansas City Royals
Hrbek was assigned to the Legends on June 2, appearing in nine games with a 3-0 record and 2.40 ERA out of the bullpen. He has tossed 15.0 innings, striking out 12 batters and punching out three-plus on two occasions. Hrbek turned in a career outing on June 23, striking out four over three innings.
Austin Ross | RHP | Williamsport Crosscutters | Radford 2014-18
Class-A Short Season affiliate, Philadelphia Phillies
After being drafted in the 35th round, Ross signed with the Phillies on June 12. He appeared in the two games for the GCL Phillies West, striking out three in three frames over two outings. Ross was then promoted to his home state on June 28. In two games for the Crosscutters, Ross has a 0-1 record with a 4.91 ERA. In 3.2 innings, Ross has five strikeouts, limiting opponents to a mere two hits.
Josh Gardiner | INF | Schaumburg Boomers | Radford 2012-15
Frontier League
After leading the Boomers to the 2017 Frontier League Championship, Gardiner possesses a .250 average with 41 hits, 11 RBIs and eight doubles through 43 games in 2018. Gardiner has nine multi-hit games and including three three-plus hit games. On May 19, Gardiner turned in a 4 for 5 performance with a run and RBI.
Travis McQueen | RHP | Westside Woolly Mammoths | Radford 2014-16
United Shore Professional Baseball League
In his second professional season, McQueen holds a 2-3 record with a 5.85 ERA in nine games. Serving as a starter and reliever, McQueen has thrown 32.1 innings, striking out 20 and walking only nine. McQueen has four outings of three-plus strikeouts for the 12-10 Woolly Mammoths.
–RU Athletics
