LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- Highlighted by one of the top duos in the Alaska Baseball League, the NM State baseball program continues to be well represented in summer ball leagues around the country.

Chris Jefferson (Trenton Thunder/MLB Draft League):
Former NM State righty Chris Jefferson turned in a strong summer with the Trenton Thunder that ultimately resulted in the righty receiving a contract from the Billings Mustangs of the Pioneer League. In five starts for the Thunder, Jefferson went a perfect 2-0 with a 3.86 ERA. Batters hit just .222 off Jefferson as the righty recorded 28 strikeouts in his 21 innings of work. Deemed to have the best changeup in the MLB Draft League, Jefferson signed with the Mustangs back on July 20 and made his Pioneer League debut a day later, pitching six strong innings. Jefferson allowed just six hits and four runs and recorded four strikeouts.  

Kevin Jimenez (Fredrick Keys/MLB Draft League):
Kevin Jimenez was an on-base machine this summer for the Fredrick Keys, as the infielder recorded an on-base percentage of .403. Jimenez drew nine walks in 16 games and recorded 19 hits and 10 RBIs. Jimenez closed the summer hitting .317 with a .752 OPS.  

Hayden Johns (Amarillo Sod Squad/Texas Collegiate League):
NM State righty Hayden Johns has also had a strong summer, pitching for the Amarillo Sod Squad of the Texas Collegiate League. Johns has pitched to a 2-1 record this summer making eight total appearances and four starts. The righty has really shined as of late, allowing just three earned runs of his last 15 innings of work. Johns has struck out 13 of his 29 batters during that span, and currently sits in the top-10 in ERA (3.55), strikeouts (29) and innings pitched (33.0).

Ethan Mann (Anchorage Glacier Pilots/ABL):
NM State infielder Ethan Mann continues to rake this summer. The righty is hitting an ABL-best .352 for the season with eight doubles, four home runs and 12 stolen bases. Mann's on-base percentage currently sits at .441, and his 38 total hits are tied for the most in the ABL. The righty's 12 stolen bases are the second-most in the ABL, and he has scored an ABL best 21 runs.

Sammy Natera (Wareham Gatemen/Cape Cod League):
Lefty pitcher Sammy Natera made the most his two appearances in the Cape this summer, as the Juarez native pitched six scoreless innings for the Wareham Gatemen. Prior to seeing his contract expire, Natera fired four perfect innings back on June 28 with seven strikeouts. In what's widely regarded as the best summer ball league in the country, Natera recorded 11 strikeouts over his six scoreless innings. Natera's first start with the Gatemen was called after two innings due to rain.

Tommy Tabak (Anchorage Glacier Pilots/ABL):
Outfielder Tommy Tabak continues to produce for the Anchorage Glacier Pilots. The outfielder is hitting .304 for the summer, with seven doubles and three triples. Tabak's three triples are the most in the ABL this season, and the outfielder has an OPS of .820 and has stolen 11 total bases. Tabak is currently third in the ABL in average, joining Mann in the top-three.

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