LAS CRUCES, N.M -- Highlighted by former first-round pick Nick Gonzales, Indians prospect Daniel Johnson and Orioles prospect Kyle Bradish, 12 former NM State Aggies are slated to return to professional baseball action this season.
In total, nine former Aggies open the season on an active MiLB roster. The list includes Tyler Erwin (Bowie Baysox, AA Orioles), Kyle Bradish (Bowie Baysox, AA Orioles), Marcel Renteria (Binghamton Rumble Ponies, AA Mets), LJ Hatch (Spokane Indians, High-A Rockies), Joey Ortiz (Aberdeen Ironbirds, High-A Orioles), Gonzales (Greensboro Grasshoppers, High-A Pirates), Andrew Edwards (Brooklyn Cyclones, High-A Mets), Brock Whittlesey (Stockton Ports, Low-A Athletics).
The ninth and final Aggie to appear on a minor league roster, Johnson (Columbus Clippers, AAA Indians) joins the Clippers after spending time with the Indians both at their alternate site and on the major league roster in 2021.
In addition to the nine Aggies in minor league ball, three former NM State players are continuing their professional careers in various leagues. Outfielder Tristian Carranza was signed by the Missoula Paddleheads of the Pioneer League, while Joe Galindo and Alex Reyes will continue their professional careers with Acereros de Monclova and Bravos de Leon of the Mexican League.
Kyle Bradish (RHP, Bowie Baysox):
A former standout for the Aggies on the mound, Bradish was sent to Baltimore as part of the trade that sent RHP Dylan Bundy to the Los Angeles Angels and figures to rise fast through the Baltimore system. The right-hander is slated to open the 2021 season in AA for the Bowie Baysox. Bradish last pitched in 2019 for the Los Angeles Angels put up a 6-7 record with a 4.27 ERA in the hitter-friendly California League. The righty struck out 120 batters in 101 innings and held opposing batters to a stingy .235 batting average. The Baysox open the season Tuesday against the Altoona Curve (Pirates). The first pitch is set for 4 p.m. Mountain Time.
Tristen Carranza (OF, Missoula Paddleheads):
The former WAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player recently signed with the Missoula Paddleheads of the Pioneer League. After signing with the Arizona Diamondbacks following his Aggies career, Carranza played the 2019 season with the Missoula Osprey. He hit .252 with 13 doubles and seven home runs. The outfielder drove in 29 runs. The Paddleheads open their season on May 22nd against the Great Falls Voyagers.
Tyler Erwin (LHP, Bowie Baysox):
Reunited with his former teammate Kyle Bradish, Erwin will open the 2021 season in Bowie with the Baysox. After spending the majority of the 2019 season in Maryland, Erwin did eventually get called up to Norfolk where he made one appearance for the Tides. In 2019, Erwin recorded a 3-3 record with eight saves. The lefty struck out 35 batters in 40 innings. The Baysox open the season Tuesday against the Altoona Curve (Pirates). First pitch is set for 4 p.m. Mountain Time.
Andrew Edwards (RHP, Brooklyn Cyclones):
After being drafted in the 31st round of the 2019 MLB Draft by the New York Mets, former Aggie's lefty Andrew Edwards will open the 2021 season with the Brooklyn Cyclones. Edwards spent the entire 2019 season with the Cyclones pitching in the New York Penn League. And while the team and location stay the same for Edwards, the competition will take a step up. Due to the reorganization of the MLB/MiLB affiliates, the Cyclones are now the Mets full season single-A affiliate. In 2019, the Cyclones were the Mets rookie ball affiliate. Edwards pitched to a 3-2 record in 2019, recording a3.30 ERA. The lefty struck out 35 batters in his 30 innings of work and locked down three saves. The Cyclones open the 2021 season Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. (MT) against the Asheville Tourists (Astros).
Joe Galindo (RHP, Acereros de Monclova):
A former 13th round pick of the San Diego Padres, Galindo is currently on Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican Baseball League. The pitcher signed with the team back in February of 2020. The former Aggie pitched to a 4-2 record in 51 appearances during his minor league career. The hurler recorded 87 strikeouts in his 64 innings of work and pitched to an ERA of 2.24. The next Acereros game is on May 20.
Nick Gonzales (INF, Greensboro Grasshoppers):
The number seven overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates, Gonzales will make his professional baseball debut in 2021. The former Aggies infielder did not see action during the 2020 MiLB season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gonzalez is slated to begin the season with the Greensboro Grasshoppers (Low-A). Gonzales is currently listed as the Pirates number two overall prospect and is the 43rd overall prospect in all of baseball. Gonzales was added to the Pirates 60-man roster for the 2020 season and spent time with the Pirates in spring training. Gonzales impressed during his brief time with the big club including a March 24th home run off Atlanta Braves reliever AJ Minter. The Grasshoppers begin the 2021 season Tuesday night against the Hickory Crawdads (Rangers). First pitch is set for 4:30 p.m. (MT).
LJ Hatch (INF, Spokane Indians):
Former Aggie infielder LJ Hatch begins his third season of professional baseball inside the Colorado Rockies organization. Hatch signed with the Rockies organization as an undrafted free agent back in 2017. Before signing with the Rockies, Hatch was playing for the Nevada Griffons, where he batted .367 in 128 at-bats. The infielder hit three home runs, scored 26 runs, drove in 25 runs and stole 11 bases. Since joining the Rockies organization, Hatch has recorded a .230 average with 89 hits in 387 plate appearances. The righty has three career home runs. The Spokane Indians open the 2021 season Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. (MT) against the Eugene Emeralds (Giants).
Daniel Johnson (OF, Columbus Clippers):
After making his MLB debut back on May 1 for the Cleveland Indians, the former Aggies outfielder will begin the 2021 MiLB season with the Indians AAA affiliate the Columbus Clippers. A fifth-round draft pick by the Washington Nationals, Johnson is coming off a strong 2019 season with both the Akron RubberDucks and the Clippers. Johnson hit .290 in 123 games, with 19 home runs, 34 doubles and seven triples. Johnson drove in 77 runs and appeared in the 2019 Futures Game. The Clippers and Johnson open the 2021 season Tuesday against the Louisville Bats (Reds). First pitch from Kentucky is set for 4:30 p.m. (MT).
Joey Ortiz (INF, Aberdeen Ironbirds):
Former Aggie's infielder Joey Ortiz opens the 2021 MiLB season with the Orioles high-A affiliate, the Aberdeen Ironbirds. A fourth-round pick by the Orioles back in 2019, Ortiz hit .241 in his first season in professional baseball. The infielder walked 32 times in 56 games, good for an on-base percentage of .345. After a slower start to his first pro ball season, Ortiz got hot after the all-star break, hitting .368. The Ironbirds open the 2021 season Tuesday in Delaware against the Wilmington Blue Rocks (Nationals). First pitch from Wilmington is set for 5:05 p.m. (MT).
Marcel Renteria (RHP, Binghamton Rumble Ponies):
A former sixth-round pick of the New York Mets in 2017, Marcel Renteria enters his fourth season of professional baseball in 2021. The righty, who begins the year in AA with the Rumble Ponies, has made 15 career starts for the Mets organization. Renteria has a career record of 7-9 over his 62-game career. The Arizona native has struck out 154 batters in 151.1 career innings. The Rumble Ponies open the 2021 season Tuesday night at the Akron RubberDucks (Cleveland). First pitch from Akron is set for 5:05 p.m. (MT).
Alex Reyes (RHP, Bravos de Leon):
Former Aggie's righty Alex Reyes signed a free agent contract with Bravos de Leon back in February. The pitcher is a reserve member of the Bravos de Leon roster.
Brock Whittlesey (RHP, Stockton Ports):
Former NM State right-hander Brock Whittlesey opens the 2021 season with the Stockton Ports of the Oakland A's organization. Whittlesey appeared in 18 games during the 2019 season when he played for A's Arizona Fall League team. In his 18 appearances, the pitcher went 5-3 with a 4.50 ERA. Whittlesey struck out 29 batters in 28 innings and recorded a save. Whittlesey and the Ports open the 2021 season Tuesday night against the Modesto Nuts (Giants). First pitch is set for 8:05 p.m. MT.
