June 14, 2011
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The 2011 professional baseball season is just over two months old. Below is a recap of what former Notre Dame players playing in the professional ranks have done to this point of the season.
Notre Dame currently has five players, Craig Counsell (1989-92), Milwaukee Brewers; John Axford (2002-03), Milwaukee Brewers; Aaron Heilman (1998-01), Arizona Diamondbacks; Brad Lidge (1997-98), Philadelphia Phillies; and Jeff Samardzija (2004-06), Chicago Cubs; playing in Major League Baseball.
Notre Dame has another four players, Matt Macri (2002-04), Colorado Springs Sky Sox; Jeff Manship (2005-06), Rochester Red Wings; David Phelps (2006-08), Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees; and Kyle Weiland (2006-08), Pawtucket Red Sox; on the brink of the big leagues in Triple-A.
Including Manship, six former Irish players have seen action in an MLB game in 2011. The other 11 members of the BIG EAST Conference combined can only claim a total of seven such players.
The most recent crop of Irish players to join the professional ranks include Brian Dupra (2008-11, 7th round pick of Washington Nationals), Cole Johnson (2008-11, 44th round pick of Minnesota Twins) and Matt Scioscia (2008-11, 45th round pick of Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim). All three have signed and reported to camp.
Click on the players name to view their entire updated professional bio.
MLB
John Axford, Milwaukee Brewers
Craig Counsell, Milwaukee Brewers
Aaron Heilman, Arizona Diamondbacks
Brad Lidge, Philadelphia Phillies
Jeff Samardzija, Chicago Cubs
AAA
Matt Macri, Colorado Springs Sky Sox
Jeff Manship, Rochester Red Wings
David Phelps, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees
Kyle Weiland, Pawtucket Red Sox
AA
A.J. Pollock, Mobile BayBears
A
Jeremy Barnes, Clearwater Threshers
Wade Korpi, Jupiter Hammerheads
Steven Mazur, Aberdeen IronBirds
Rookie
Evan Danieli, Danville Braves
— ND —