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Dayton Has Seven Former Players Competing Professionally This Spring |
DAYTON, Ohio – The University of Dayton baseball program has been a hot-bed of professional talent as of late with a number of players competing at both the minor league and major league levels.
The following former Dayton players are scheduled to report to camp or are already there for their respective teams:
RHP Craig Stammen – Washington Nationals
LHP Jerry Blevins – Oakland Athletics
RHP Cameron Hobson – Seattle Mariners Minor League Camp
RHP Michael Hauschild – Houston Astros Minor League Camp
INF Brian Blasik – Houston Astros Minor League Camp
RHP Burny Mitchem – St. Louis Cardinals Minor League Camp
Here is a link to the season recaps for the minor league players last season.
These six players are returning to their respective franchises for the 2013 season. On top of these former Flyers, a new addition to the list as just been announced.
2012 Atlantic 10 Tournament Champion and former captain of the Dayton squad, C.J. Gillman has just joined the Colorado Rockies organization and will report to camp this week.
Gillman was an outstanding leader and player for the Flyers and is ranked first all-time for single season hit totals, second for single season batting average, and third for single season at-bats. Along with those marks, the Colorado native has the third-highest RBI total in Dayton history for a single season with 63 in 2012.
When discussing his opportunity to play professional baseball, Gillman reflected on his time at Dayton.
“This is an unbelievable feeling,” said Gillman. “You work your entire life for something like this. In order to be seen, you have to play at a high level and Dayton provided that. My experiences playing at the NCAA Regionals and at Texas A&M has prepared me for those types of atmospheres. My goal is to go out and be the best I can be and that’s all I can do.”
Head coach Tony Vittorio also talked about Gillman’s tenure with the Flyers.
“This is well-deserved for C.J.,” said Vittorio. “Not only was he a really good player at the University of Dayton, but he also took us to a different level from a leadership standpoint. The way C.J. competes, I wouldn’t be surprised if he makes it to the top.”
Major league camps have already begun with the minor league camps beginning this weekend.
For updates and more information regarding the Dayton Baseball program, check out DaytonFlyers.com.
