Hassebrock promoted to single-A; Down on the farm report
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Former UNCG pitcher Blake Hassebrock was promoted to the Vancouver Canadians, the short-season single-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, where he made his debut on Wednesday night.
He came into the game in the seventh inning and pitched the final two innings for the Canadians. He allowed three hits and two runs, while striking out one batter.
Hassebrock, who was drafted in the eighth round by the Athletics in June, began his professional career playing for the Arizona League Athletics, which is the rookie ball affiliate of the A's.
He made two brief relief appearances for the AZL Athletics before making his first career start on July 11. In that start, Hassebrock threw two innings and allowed only two hits, while striking out three batters. After that start, Hassebrock was promoted to Vancouver.
Other former Spartans who are currently playing professionally include Brian Moehler, Chris Mason, Jermaine Mitchell and Rob Gilliam. Like Hassebrock, Gilliam and Mitchell are also in the Athletics minor league system.
Moehler, who is a starting pitcher for the Houston Astros, is in his 15th season in the major leagues. He began the season coming out of the bullpen, but has since moved back into the starting rotation where he has made eight consecutive starts. In his last three starts, Moehler has a 1-0 record with a 1.98 ERA after giving up only three earned runs and striking out eight.
Mitchell, a center fielder for the high class-A Stockton Ports, began the season playing for the double-A Midland RockHounds. He played 30 games for the RockHounds where he hit .234 with eight RBI and 12 runs scored. Since moving back to Stockton, Mitchell has found his groove again and is hitting .302 in his 41 games. He has 12 RBI and 33 runs scored from his leadoff position.
Gilliam spent his first season in professional baseball last summer for the AZL Athletics and the Vancouver Canadians. This season, Gilliam was promoted to the single-A affiliate, Kane County Cougars. Gilliam has moved into a starting role this season and currently has a 5-6 record with a 4.20 ERA in 18 starts. He has 87 strikeouts compared to just 33 walks in 100 2/3 innings.
After spending five seasons in the minor leagues, Mason decided to take his game overseas as he now plays for the La New Bears of the Chinese Professional Baseball League in Taiwan. In 15 starts for the Bears, Mason has an 8-3 record with a 2.71 ERA. He has struck out 51 batters in 91 1/3 innings, while yielding only 26 walks.
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