Kansas State University Athletics
K-State Baseball Summer League Update – July 19
Jul 19, 2024 | Baseball
A summer update of current and former Wildcats.
A total of 17 former Wildcats are competing at the professional level in 2024 that includes players in the MLB (3), Triple-A (2), Double-A (6), High-A (4), Single-A (2) and in the independent leagues (1), while 20 returning or incoming players are playing in summer leagues across the country.
K-State had five players selected in the 2024 MLB Draft, marking the highest draft class of collegiate athletes since 2011. Draftees included Kaelen Culpepper, who became the first first-round positional player in school history, Tyson Neighbors, Jackson Wentworth, Brady Day and Brendan Jones.
MLB (3)
Will Brennan – Cleveland Guardians (MLB, Cleveland Guardians) – OF
Brennan has produced a slash line of .248/.308/.402 for the Guardians this season with seven doubles, a triple and eight home runs. In his last seven games, Brennan is hitting .391 (6-for-21) with two solo home runs. On June 20, the Colorado Springs product belted a pair of homers against the Seattle Mariners to help lead the Guardians to a 6-3 victory. Brennan was selected in the eighth round (No. 250 overall) by Cleveland as the only Wildcat taken in the 2019 MLB Draft.
Nick Martini – Louisville Bats (MLB, Cincinnati Reds) – DH
Martini has driven in 24 runs this season, slashing .212/.272/.370 for the Reds. Eleven of Martini's 31 hits have been for extra-bases including six home runs. Martini is 4-for-14 in his last five games, that includes a triple and a solo homer against the Yankees. The K-State alum was a seventh-round selection of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011.
Jordan Wicks – Iowa Cubs (Triple-A, Chicago Cubs) – LHP
The Wildcats' first-ever first-round draft pick Jordan Wicks boasts a 4.18 ERA (13 ER, 28 IP) for the Cubs this season with a record of 1-2. In six starts and one relief appearance, Wicks has struck out 32 batters, including a season-high seven in 4.2 innings against the Dodgers on April 6. Wicks is currently on the Cubs' injured list after suffering discomfort in his right oblique. Wicks was selected 21st overall by the Chicago Cubs in the 2021 MLB First-Year Player Draft.
TRIPLE-A (2)
Drew Mount – Louisville Bats (Triple-A, Cincinnati Reds) – OF
Mount is currently with the Louisville Bats, the Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, slashing .083/.154/.083 through six games after returning from a 60-day injured list. Mount was the only Wildcat taken in the 2018 MLB Draft when he was selected in the 16th-round by Cincinnati.
Carson Seymour – Sacramento River Cats (Triple-A, San Francisco Giants) – RHP
On March 24, the Giants Prospects was assigned to San Francisco's Triple A affiliate, the Sacramento River Cats. In 19 starts for Sacramento, Seymour has a record of 3-8 with an ERA of 5.53 (40 ER, 84.2 IP) with 78 strikeouts. The Poway, Calif., product logged a season-high six scoreless innings against Reno on June 12 and struck out a season-best eight hitters on July 1 versus the Aces. Seymour was taken in the sixth round of the 2021 MLB Draft by the New York Mets.
DOUBLE-A (6)
Tyler Eckberg – Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Double-A, Miami Marlins) – RHP
A native of Edina, Minn., Eckberg was promoted to the Marlins Double-A affiliate Pensacola from the High-A Beloit Sky Carp on June 7. For Beloit, Eckberg made 15 relief appearances for a 2.21 ERA (5 ER, 20.1 IP) with a record of 0-2, striking out 23 against seven walks. Since his promotion to Pensacola, he has made seven appearances in relief with a 2.84 ERA (4 ER, 12.2 IP) and no record, allowing three with 10 strikeouts. Eckberg signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Miami Marlins following the 2021 MLB Draft, following three seasons at K-State.
Kasey Ford – Corpus Christi Hooks (Double-A, Houston Astros) – RHP
Ford was promoted to the Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks after splitting time with in Single-A and High-A last season. With the Hooks, Ford has made 27 appearances in relief with two saves and a 2-2 record. He boasts an ERA of 4.41 (16 ER, 32.2 IP) with 29 strikeouts. Ford pitched five seasons at K-State, finishing his career with a 5.41 ERA and signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Houston Astros following the 2021 MLB Draft.
Zach Kokoska – Hartford Yard Goats (Double-A, Colorado Rockies) – 1B/OF
Kokoska a 2021 All-Big 12 Second Team selection, is slashing .223/.314/.478 with 16 doubles, one triple and 13 home runs. His 13 homers lead the Goats, while he is second on the team with 47 RBI. In his last 10 games, he is 11-for-36 (.305) with three homr runs and 11 RBI. Kokoska was promoted from the High-A Spokane Indians on April 1. Kokoska played three seasons at K-State where he slashed .363/.430/.595 before he was drafted in the 10th round (290th overall) by the Colorado Rockies in the 2021 MLB Draft.
Connor McCullough – Birmingham Barons (Double-A, Chicago White Sox) – RHP
McCullough was promoted to the White Sox Double-A Affiliate in Birmingham on April 1. With the Barons, he boasts a 3.38 ERA (5 ER, 13.1 IP) with a 3-1 record and one save over four appearances, including one start. McCullough signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Chicago White Sox following the 2022 MLB Draft. On April 30, he was placed on a 7-day injured list before being moved to the full-season injured list on June 18.
Wesley Moore – Reading Fightin Phils (Double-A, Philadelphia Phillies) – LHP x
Moore has split time in 2024 on the High-A Jersey Shore BlueClaws and Double-A Reading Fightin Phils. With the BlueClaws, he made nine relief appearances with a 2.61 ERA (3 ER, 10.1 IP), before his promotion to Double-A. Moore made three appearances in relief for Reading until he was placed on a 7-day injured list on May 19. Moore signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Philadelphia Phillies following the 2022 MLB Draft.
Eric Torres – Rocket City Trash Pandas (Double-A, Los Angeles Angels) – LHP
In 22 relief appearances, Torres has a 4-1 record with a 1.86 ERA (56 ER, 29 IP) and 50 strikeouts. In four appearances in the month of July, Torres is 1-0 with a 1.59 ERA, surrendering just one earned run in 5 2/3 innings. Torres was a 14th round draft pick in the 2021 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Angels,
HIGH-A (4)
Blake Adams – Spokane Indians (High-A, Colorado Rockies) – RHP
With a record of 6-2 on the year, Adams posts a 2.67 ERA (24 ER, 81 IP) for Spokane over 14 appearances with 13 stats. He has struck out 77 and issued 15 walks with a 1.15 WHIP. He has logged a season-best seven-innings on three occasions, his last coming on June 15 where he fanned a season-high eight. He was selected as the California League Pitcher of the Month in April. Adams, who was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 13th round (No. 386 overall) in the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft, pitched one season at K-State in 2022, going 6-6 with a 5.07 ERA and 90 strikeouts.
Nick Goodwin – Vancouver Canadians (High-A, Toronto Blue Jays) – IF
Goodwin, who was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the seventh round (No. 214 overall) in the 2023 MLB Draft, moved to High-A in 2024. A 2023 All-Big 12 selection is hitting .198 with nine doubles, two triples, and eight home runs for a .341 slugging percentage. He has driven in 31 runs over 71 games, compiling a .300 on-base percentage. Goodwin started in all 173 games at short since taking the field in 2021, sending out 33 career blasts which stands fourth in the all-time records.
Dylan Phillips – Tri-City Dust Devils (High-A, Los Angeles Angels) – LHP
A two-way player and the Wildcats all-time career home run leader, Phillips has made 26 relief appearances for the Dust Devils this season, boasting a 3.13 ERA (11 ER, 31.2 IP) with a record of 1-3. Opponents are hitting .184 against him. Phillips picked up his first win of the season on July 9, logging 2 1/3 scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Phillips was taken by the Los Angeles Angels in the eighth round (No. 238 overall) in the 2022 Major League Baseball First-Year Draft.
Dominic Johnson – West Michigan Whitecaps (High-A, Detroit Tigers) – OF
Johnson was as assigned to the West Michigan Whitecaps on April 22, from the Lakeland Flying Tigers. In 10 games with Lakeland, he slashed .303/.425/.576 with three doubles and two home runs, while with the Whitecaps he is hitting .191 with seven doubles, a triple, and two home runs for a .260 slugging percentage. Johnson was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 13th round in the 2022 MLB Draft.
SINGLE-A (2)
German Fajardo – Modesto Nuts (Single-A, Seattle Mariners) – RHP
With the Nuts, Fajardo owns a record of 2-1 with three holds and a 3.22 ERA (16 ER, 44.2 IP) in 22 relief appearances, while striking out 56 and a .200 opponent average. In his last seven reliefs, he has surrendered just two earned runs and struck out 20 of the 57 batters faced. He signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Seattle Mariners in 2023. In two seasons as a Wildcat, Fajardo was 8-6 with a 4.98 ERA and struck out a career-high 10 against Wichita State on May 3, 2022.
Christian Ruebeck – Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Single-A, Los Angeles Dodgers)
Ruebeck boasts an 8.90 ERA (29 ER, 29.1 IP) in 2024 for the Quakes, with a record of 2-3 and two saves. He has struck out 42 with opponents hitting .214 against him. He pitched one season for the Wildcats, going 0-1 with a 9.58 ERA while striking out 42 before he signed as an undrafted free agent contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers following the 2022 MLB Draft.
INDEPENDENT (1)
Cameron Thompson – Missoula PaddleHeads (Independent) – IF
Thompson is slashing .295/.407/.514 in the Independent League for Missoula. In 43 games, he has recorded 10 doubles, two triples and six home runs, while driving in 37 RBI with 42 runs scores.
2024 MLB DRAFTEES (5)
Kaelen Culpepper – Culpepper became the program's first positional player taken in the first round Sunday night, as he was taken 21st overall by the Minnesota Twins in the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft. Culpepper's selection highlights a junior campaign that included being named All-American Second Team (D1Baseball), All-Central Region Second Team (ABCA/Rawlings), and All-Big 12 Second Team. This season, Culpepper was one of the Big 12's top offensive producers, ranking fifth in RBI (59) and sixth in hits (80), while leading in triples (6). Additionally, he hit 15 doubles and a career-best 11 home runs to go with his team-high .328 batting average and .574 slugging percentage, while he was one of three Wildcats to start in all 61 games. In the NCAA Tournament, the Fayetteville Regional MVP hit .474 (9-for-19) with three doubles, one triple and two home runs for an incredible 1.575 OPS while driving in a team-leading 10 RBI. Culpepper became the fourth player in K-State history to hit for the cycle after leading Cats to a 19-4 triumph over No. 2 seed Louisiana Tech in the Fayetteville Regional.
Brady Day – An All-Big 12 First Team honoree, Day improved his draft status from a year ago where he was picked in the 12th round (No. 369 overall) by the Atlanta Braves, as he finished second in seven offensive categories for K-State – average (.318), slugging percentage (.513), on-base percentage (.426), hits (75), runs batted in (56), walks (44) and total bases (121). Day's .311 average in Big 12 contests led the Wildcats' offense, while his 56 RBI was eighth overall in the league. The Hampstead, N.H., product turned in a team-leading 18 multi-RBI efforts along with 23 games with multiple two or more hits, while he also became the first player since 2022 to produce a 15-game hitting streak (18). The Golden Spikes Midseason Watch List selection garnered Big 12 Player of the Week honors on March 4 after he generated a team-high eight hits (.667), including his 4-for-4, five RBI performance in the Cats series opener against UMass Lowell.
Brendan Jones – Jones heard his name called Tuesday, as he was selected in the 12th round (No. 361 overall) by the New York Yankees on the final day of the 2024 MLB Draft. Jones' 40 steals in 2024 led the Big 12 and is the second-most in a single-season in K-State history, while he is third all-time with 70 career stolen bases. A native of Greenbrier, Tenn., Jones made history this year, as he became the first Wildcat to be named a Gold Glove Finalist by the American Baseball Coaches Association and Rawlings with a .994 fielding percentage. In 149 games during his three-year career at K-State, he committed only two errors for an incredible career fielding percentage of .993 with 289 putouts and seven assists.
Tyson Neighbors – Neighbors was selected in the fourth round by the San Diego Padres with the 118th overall pick. A two-time All-Big 12 pick, Neighbors made 22 relief appearances for the Cats in 2024 and led the bullpen with nine saves. In 2023, the Royse City, Texas native was voted a finalist for the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award. He became the second Wildcat in school history to earn consensus All-American status and is the only player to garner seven All-America accolades. In three seasons at K-State, Neighbors appeared in 56 games with a 7-3 record and a 3.01 ERA. He totaled 160 career strikeouts over 95 2/3 innings pitched while opponents hit .180 against him. He finished third all-time in K-State history with 20 career saves, while his nine this season tied sixth in the single-season records.
Jackson Wentworth – Wentworth was drafted in the fifth round (No. 158 overall) by the Toronto Blue Jays. Wentworth had a standout redshirt-sophomore campaign where he struck out 115 hitters, which is the second-most in program history, and ranked fourth in the Big 12 this season. He earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention recognition and was named to the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Midseason Watch List before he took on a weekend starter roll. A native of Urbandale, Iowa, Wentworth picked up Big 12 Pitcher of the Week accolades following his monumental effort where he combined for nine innings of three-hit, one run ball in three appearances. He closed out K-State's ninth no-hitter in program history, logging two scoreless innings in a 4-0 victory over Cincinnati on March 8.
SENIORS IN 2024-25
Jacob Frost – Harwich Mariners (Cape Cod League) – LHP
Frost has logged eight innings on the hill for Harwich in the Cape Cod League. In two appearances with one start, the St. Louis native has allowed three earned runs and boasts a 3.38 ERA with 10 strikeouts.
Cayden Phillips – Bristol State Liners (Appy League) – C
Phillips, a product of Amarillo, Texas, is slashing .217/.308/.217 with the Liners this summer. In 15 games, he has recorded 10 hits and driven in a pair of runs.
JUNIORS IN 2024-25
Mason Buss – Madison Mallards (Northwoods League) – RHP
Buss owns a record of 2-0 with the Mallards, with four starts on the mound. In six appearances, the right-hander posts a 3.27 ERA, surrendering eight earned runs in 22 innings with 14 strikeouts.
Andrew Evans – Harwich Mariners (Cape Cod League) – RHP
In six appearances with one start, Evans boasts a 5.63 ERA (10 ER, 16 IP) for the Mariners. The Olathe, Kansas product has struck out 10 hitters and owns a 0-1 record.
Kyan Lodice – Bristol State Liners (Appy League) – IF/OF
Playing down in the Appalachian League, Lodice has a slash line of .143/.429/.357 in five games.
Shintaro Inoue – Purcellville Cannons (Valley league) – IF
Inoue, a transfer from Western Nebraska Community College, is one of the top slugger for the Cannons this summer with a .458 slugging percentage, which ranks second on the team. The incoming junior is hitting .254 with 30 hits, that including nine doubles and five home runs, with a team leading 31 RBI. Inoue belted a grand slam on June 23 against the Front Royal Cardinals.
Ben Rosin – Mankato MoonDogs (Northwoods League) – RHP
With a record of 2-2, Rosin boasts a 1.88 ERA, allowing seven hits in 14.1 innings. The Shoreview, Minn., native has struck out batters in six appearances for the MoonDogs, while surrendering just three earned runs.
Cole Wisenbaker – Harwich Mariners (Cape Cod League) – LHP
Wisenbaker has appeared in three games this summer for the Mariners. The junior, who achieved program record with two wins in the NCAA Fayetteville Regional, is 1-1 with a 1.69 ERA (1 ER, 5.1 IP).
SOPHOMORES IN 2023-24
Adam Arther – Elizabethton River Riders (Appy League) – LHP
Following his first season at K-State as a true freshman, Arther has made four appearances this summer for the River Riders. The Altadena, Calif., product boasts a 1.59 ERA (2 ER, 11.1 IP) and a 0-1 record. Arther has struck out seven batters and issued 11 walks.
Nick English – Bluefield Ridge Runners (Appy League) – OF
In 15 games with the Runners, English is slashing .254/.362/.424 with 15 hits, that includes four doubles and two home runs. He has scored 11 runs and driven in six RBI. The upcoming sophomore appeared in 58 games for the Wildcats as a true freshman in 2024, including 57 starts in right field and as a designated hitter.
James Guyette – Danville Otterbots (Appy League) – RHP
Guyette, a native of Newbury, Calif., boasts an ERA 0f 6.19 (11 ER, 16 IP) across eight appearances with one start. He has struck out 31 of the 73 batters he has faced, averaging 17.4 strikeouts per nine innings.
Caydn Karl – Mankato MoonDogs (Northwoods League) – OF
Karl is 4-for-19 (.211) this summer for the MoonDogs with a .348 on-base percentage and a .316 slugging percentage. He's driven in three RBI and stolen three bases in six games.
REDSHIRTS IN 2024-25 (2)
Micah Dean – Danville Otterbots (Appy League) – UTL
Hailing from Richmond, Texas, Dean is competing in the Appalachian League for the Danville Otterbots alongside two future K-State teammates. In 16 games, Dean is slashing .226/.344/.302 with 24 hits, 14 RBI and 17 runs scored. He leads the Appy League with 17 stolen bases.
Rohan Putz – Southern Maryland Senators (Cal Ripken League) – OF
Putz is returning for his redshirt freshman season with the Wildcats in 2025 and is playing in the Cal Ripken League this summer alongside future teammate Ty Smolinski. In 10 games, Putz has produced a slash line of .146/.268/.146 with seven hits and scored seven runs for the Senators.
FRESHMAN IN 2024-25 (6)
AJ Evasco – New Britain Bees (Futures League) – IF
Evasco's .359 average paves the way for the Bees offense, as the incoming freshman has recorded a team-leading 38 hits in 28 games this summer. The Lincoln, Neb., product is slugging .453 with a .433 on-base percentage and has driven in 25 RBI, which is second on the team. In his last 10 games, he is hitting .356 (16-for-45) that includes a four-hit game on July 9 in a 9-4 victory over the Westfield Starfires.
Gage Ilges – Worcester Bravehearts (Futures League) – RHP/OF
Ilges boasts a 12.00 ERA (4 ER, 3 IP) following a pair or relief appearances for the Bravehearts. An incoming freshman from Overland Park, Kansas, Ilges has faced 17 batters with two strikeouts and three walks.
Matt Lee – Danville Otterbots (Appy League) – RHP
Lee, a native of Pittsfield, Mass., has made two relief appearances for the Otterbots this summer. The returning Wildcat boasts a 16.88 ERA (5 ER, 2.2 IP) with four strikeouts in the Appy League.
Donte Lewis – New Britain Bees (Futures League) – RHP/IF
In nine games for the Bees, Lewis has produced a slash line of .190/.273/.224 with 11 hits including a pair of doubles. The incoming freshman from Pearland, Texas, has driven in nine RBI and scored 11 runs this summer. On the mound, Lewis has made four relief appearances with a 2.25 ERA (2 ER, 8.0 IP), and has struck out 10 of the 33 batters he has faced, averaging 11.3 strikeouts per nine innings.
Chandler Murray – Westfield Starfires (Futures League) – IF
A product of Honolulu, Hawaii, Murray is competing for the Westfield Starfires this summer of the Futures league. The incoming freshman is one of the top hitters for Westfield with a slash line of .333/.441.539 with 19 hits, that includes three doubles and a home run. His .333 average ties second on the team. He has driven in 14 runs batted in and scored 16 runs this summer.
Ty Smolinski – Southern Maryland Senators (Cal Ripken League) – IF
An incoming freshman from Gretna, Neb., Smolinski is slashing .235/.311/.272 this summer with the Senators. He's turned in 19 hits, including two for extra bases with seven RBI. On July 8, he produced a 3-for-4 game with a run scored to help the Senators edge the Braves, 8-7.
A total of 17 former Wildcats are competing at the professional level in 2024 that includes players in the MLB (3), Triple-A (2), Double-A (6), High-A (4), Single-A (2) and in the independent leagues (1), while 20 returning or incoming players are playing in summer leagues across the country.
K-State had five players selected in the 2024 MLB Draft, marking the highest draft class of collegiate athletes since 2011. Draftees included Kaelen Culpepper, who became the first first-round positional player in school history, Tyson Neighbors, Jackson Wentworth, Brady Day and Brendan Jones.
MLB (3)
Will Brennan – Cleveland Guardians (MLB, Cleveland Guardians) – OF
Brennan has produced a slash line of .248/.308/.402 for the Guardians this season with seven doubles, a triple and eight home runs. In his last seven games, Brennan is hitting .391 (6-for-21) with two solo home runs. On June 20, the Colorado Springs product belted a pair of homers against the Seattle Mariners to help lead the Guardians to a 6-3 victory. Brennan was selected in the eighth round (No. 250 overall) by Cleveland as the only Wildcat taken in the 2019 MLB Draft.
Nick Martini – Louisville Bats (MLB, Cincinnati Reds) – DH
Martini has driven in 24 runs this season, slashing .212/.272/.370 for the Reds. Eleven of Martini's 31 hits have been for extra-bases including six home runs. Martini is 4-for-14 in his last five games, that includes a triple and a solo homer against the Yankees. The K-State alum was a seventh-round selection of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011.
Jordan Wicks – Iowa Cubs (Triple-A, Chicago Cubs) – LHP
The Wildcats' first-ever first-round draft pick Jordan Wicks boasts a 4.18 ERA (13 ER, 28 IP) for the Cubs this season with a record of 1-2. In six starts and one relief appearance, Wicks has struck out 32 batters, including a season-high seven in 4.2 innings against the Dodgers on April 6. Wicks is currently on the Cubs' injured list after suffering discomfort in his right oblique. Wicks was selected 21st overall by the Chicago Cubs in the 2021 MLB First-Year Player Draft.
TRIPLE-A (2)
Drew Mount – Louisville Bats (Triple-A, Cincinnati Reds) – OF
Mount is currently with the Louisville Bats, the Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, slashing .083/.154/.083 through six games after returning from a 60-day injured list. Mount was the only Wildcat taken in the 2018 MLB Draft when he was selected in the 16th-round by Cincinnati.
Carson Seymour – Sacramento River Cats (Triple-A, San Francisco Giants) – RHP
On March 24, the Giants Prospects was assigned to San Francisco's Triple A affiliate, the Sacramento River Cats. In 19 starts for Sacramento, Seymour has a record of 3-8 with an ERA of 5.53 (40 ER, 84.2 IP) with 78 strikeouts. The Poway, Calif., product logged a season-high six scoreless innings against Reno on June 12 and struck out a season-best eight hitters on July 1 versus the Aces. Seymour was taken in the sixth round of the 2021 MLB Draft by the New York Mets.
DOUBLE-A (6)
Tyler Eckberg – Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Double-A, Miami Marlins) – RHP
A native of Edina, Minn., Eckberg was promoted to the Marlins Double-A affiliate Pensacola from the High-A Beloit Sky Carp on June 7. For Beloit, Eckberg made 15 relief appearances for a 2.21 ERA (5 ER, 20.1 IP) with a record of 0-2, striking out 23 against seven walks. Since his promotion to Pensacola, he has made seven appearances in relief with a 2.84 ERA (4 ER, 12.2 IP) and no record, allowing three with 10 strikeouts. Eckberg signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Miami Marlins following the 2021 MLB Draft, following three seasons at K-State.
Kasey Ford – Corpus Christi Hooks (Double-A, Houston Astros) – RHP
Ford was promoted to the Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks after splitting time with in Single-A and High-A last season. With the Hooks, Ford has made 27 appearances in relief with two saves and a 2-2 record. He boasts an ERA of 4.41 (16 ER, 32.2 IP) with 29 strikeouts. Ford pitched five seasons at K-State, finishing his career with a 5.41 ERA and signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Houston Astros following the 2021 MLB Draft.
Zach Kokoska – Hartford Yard Goats (Double-A, Colorado Rockies) – 1B/OF
Kokoska a 2021 All-Big 12 Second Team selection, is slashing .223/.314/.478 with 16 doubles, one triple and 13 home runs. His 13 homers lead the Goats, while he is second on the team with 47 RBI. In his last 10 games, he is 11-for-36 (.305) with three homr runs and 11 RBI. Kokoska was promoted from the High-A Spokane Indians on April 1. Kokoska played three seasons at K-State where he slashed .363/.430/.595 before he was drafted in the 10th round (290th overall) by the Colorado Rockies in the 2021 MLB Draft.
Connor McCullough – Birmingham Barons (Double-A, Chicago White Sox) – RHP
McCullough was promoted to the White Sox Double-A Affiliate in Birmingham on April 1. With the Barons, he boasts a 3.38 ERA (5 ER, 13.1 IP) with a 3-1 record and one save over four appearances, including one start. McCullough signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Chicago White Sox following the 2022 MLB Draft. On April 30, he was placed on a 7-day injured list before being moved to the full-season injured list on June 18.
Wesley Moore – Reading Fightin Phils (Double-A, Philadelphia Phillies) – LHP x
Moore has split time in 2024 on the High-A Jersey Shore BlueClaws and Double-A Reading Fightin Phils. With the BlueClaws, he made nine relief appearances with a 2.61 ERA (3 ER, 10.1 IP), before his promotion to Double-A. Moore made three appearances in relief for Reading until he was placed on a 7-day injured list on May 19. Moore signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Philadelphia Phillies following the 2022 MLB Draft.
Eric Torres – Rocket City Trash Pandas (Double-A, Los Angeles Angels) – LHP
In 22 relief appearances, Torres has a 4-1 record with a 1.86 ERA (56 ER, 29 IP) and 50 strikeouts. In four appearances in the month of July, Torres is 1-0 with a 1.59 ERA, surrendering just one earned run in 5 2/3 innings. Torres was a 14th round draft pick in the 2021 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Angels,
HIGH-A (4)
Blake Adams – Spokane Indians (High-A, Colorado Rockies) – RHP
With a record of 6-2 on the year, Adams posts a 2.67 ERA (24 ER, 81 IP) for Spokane over 14 appearances with 13 stats. He has struck out 77 and issued 15 walks with a 1.15 WHIP. He has logged a season-best seven-innings on three occasions, his last coming on June 15 where he fanned a season-high eight. He was selected as the California League Pitcher of the Month in April. Adams, who was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 13th round (No. 386 overall) in the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft, pitched one season at K-State in 2022, going 6-6 with a 5.07 ERA and 90 strikeouts.
Nick Goodwin – Vancouver Canadians (High-A, Toronto Blue Jays) – IF
Goodwin, who was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the seventh round (No. 214 overall) in the 2023 MLB Draft, moved to High-A in 2024. A 2023 All-Big 12 selection is hitting .198 with nine doubles, two triples, and eight home runs for a .341 slugging percentage. He has driven in 31 runs over 71 games, compiling a .300 on-base percentage. Goodwin started in all 173 games at short since taking the field in 2021, sending out 33 career blasts which stands fourth in the all-time records.
Dylan Phillips – Tri-City Dust Devils (High-A, Los Angeles Angels) – LHP
A two-way player and the Wildcats all-time career home run leader, Phillips has made 26 relief appearances for the Dust Devils this season, boasting a 3.13 ERA (11 ER, 31.2 IP) with a record of 1-3. Opponents are hitting .184 against him. Phillips picked up his first win of the season on July 9, logging 2 1/3 scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Phillips was taken by the Los Angeles Angels in the eighth round (No. 238 overall) in the 2022 Major League Baseball First-Year Draft.
Dominic Johnson – West Michigan Whitecaps (High-A, Detroit Tigers) – OF
Johnson was as assigned to the West Michigan Whitecaps on April 22, from the Lakeland Flying Tigers. In 10 games with Lakeland, he slashed .303/.425/.576 with three doubles and two home runs, while with the Whitecaps he is hitting .191 with seven doubles, a triple, and two home runs for a .260 slugging percentage. Johnson was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 13th round in the 2022 MLB Draft.
SINGLE-A (2)
German Fajardo – Modesto Nuts (Single-A, Seattle Mariners) – RHP
With the Nuts, Fajardo owns a record of 2-1 with three holds and a 3.22 ERA (16 ER, 44.2 IP) in 22 relief appearances, while striking out 56 and a .200 opponent average. In his last seven reliefs, he has surrendered just two earned runs and struck out 20 of the 57 batters faced. He signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Seattle Mariners in 2023. In two seasons as a Wildcat, Fajardo was 8-6 with a 4.98 ERA and struck out a career-high 10 against Wichita State on May 3, 2022.
Christian Ruebeck – Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Single-A, Los Angeles Dodgers)
Ruebeck boasts an 8.90 ERA (29 ER, 29.1 IP) in 2024 for the Quakes, with a record of 2-3 and two saves. He has struck out 42 with opponents hitting .214 against him. He pitched one season for the Wildcats, going 0-1 with a 9.58 ERA while striking out 42 before he signed as an undrafted free agent contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers following the 2022 MLB Draft.
INDEPENDENT (1)
Cameron Thompson – Missoula PaddleHeads (Independent) – IF
Thompson is slashing .295/.407/.514 in the Independent League for Missoula. In 43 games, he has recorded 10 doubles, two triples and six home runs, while driving in 37 RBI with 42 runs scores.
2024 MLB DRAFTEES (5)
Kaelen Culpepper – Culpepper became the program's first positional player taken in the first round Sunday night, as he was taken 21st overall by the Minnesota Twins in the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft. Culpepper's selection highlights a junior campaign that included being named All-American Second Team (D1Baseball), All-Central Region Second Team (ABCA/Rawlings), and All-Big 12 Second Team. This season, Culpepper was one of the Big 12's top offensive producers, ranking fifth in RBI (59) and sixth in hits (80), while leading in triples (6). Additionally, he hit 15 doubles and a career-best 11 home runs to go with his team-high .328 batting average and .574 slugging percentage, while he was one of three Wildcats to start in all 61 games. In the NCAA Tournament, the Fayetteville Regional MVP hit .474 (9-for-19) with three doubles, one triple and two home runs for an incredible 1.575 OPS while driving in a team-leading 10 RBI. Culpepper became the fourth player in K-State history to hit for the cycle after leading Cats to a 19-4 triumph over No. 2 seed Louisiana Tech in the Fayetteville Regional.
Brady Day – An All-Big 12 First Team honoree, Day improved his draft status from a year ago where he was picked in the 12th round (No. 369 overall) by the Atlanta Braves, as he finished second in seven offensive categories for K-State – average (.318), slugging percentage (.513), on-base percentage (.426), hits (75), runs batted in (56), walks (44) and total bases (121). Day's .311 average in Big 12 contests led the Wildcats' offense, while his 56 RBI was eighth overall in the league. The Hampstead, N.H., product turned in a team-leading 18 multi-RBI efforts along with 23 games with multiple two or more hits, while he also became the first player since 2022 to produce a 15-game hitting streak (18). The Golden Spikes Midseason Watch List selection garnered Big 12 Player of the Week honors on March 4 after he generated a team-high eight hits (.667), including his 4-for-4, five RBI performance in the Cats series opener against UMass Lowell.
Brendan Jones – Jones heard his name called Tuesday, as he was selected in the 12th round (No. 361 overall) by the New York Yankees on the final day of the 2024 MLB Draft. Jones' 40 steals in 2024 led the Big 12 and is the second-most in a single-season in K-State history, while he is third all-time with 70 career stolen bases. A native of Greenbrier, Tenn., Jones made history this year, as he became the first Wildcat to be named a Gold Glove Finalist by the American Baseball Coaches Association and Rawlings with a .994 fielding percentage. In 149 games during his three-year career at K-State, he committed only two errors for an incredible career fielding percentage of .993 with 289 putouts and seven assists.
Tyson Neighbors – Neighbors was selected in the fourth round by the San Diego Padres with the 118th overall pick. A two-time All-Big 12 pick, Neighbors made 22 relief appearances for the Cats in 2024 and led the bullpen with nine saves. In 2023, the Royse City, Texas native was voted a finalist for the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award. He became the second Wildcat in school history to earn consensus All-American status and is the only player to garner seven All-America accolades. In three seasons at K-State, Neighbors appeared in 56 games with a 7-3 record and a 3.01 ERA. He totaled 160 career strikeouts over 95 2/3 innings pitched while opponents hit .180 against him. He finished third all-time in K-State history with 20 career saves, while his nine this season tied sixth in the single-season records.
Jackson Wentworth – Wentworth was drafted in the fifth round (No. 158 overall) by the Toronto Blue Jays. Wentworth had a standout redshirt-sophomore campaign where he struck out 115 hitters, which is the second-most in program history, and ranked fourth in the Big 12 this season. He earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention recognition and was named to the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Midseason Watch List before he took on a weekend starter roll. A native of Urbandale, Iowa, Wentworth picked up Big 12 Pitcher of the Week accolades following his monumental effort where he combined for nine innings of three-hit, one run ball in three appearances. He closed out K-State's ninth no-hitter in program history, logging two scoreless innings in a 4-0 victory over Cincinnati on March 8.
SENIORS IN 2024-25
Jacob Frost – Harwich Mariners (Cape Cod League) – LHP
Frost has logged eight innings on the hill for Harwich in the Cape Cod League. In two appearances with one start, the St. Louis native has allowed three earned runs and boasts a 3.38 ERA with 10 strikeouts.
Cayden Phillips – Bristol State Liners (Appy League) – C
Phillips, a product of Amarillo, Texas, is slashing .217/.308/.217 with the Liners this summer. In 15 games, he has recorded 10 hits and driven in a pair of runs.
JUNIORS IN 2024-25
Mason Buss – Madison Mallards (Northwoods League) – RHP
Buss owns a record of 2-0 with the Mallards, with four starts on the mound. In six appearances, the right-hander posts a 3.27 ERA, surrendering eight earned runs in 22 innings with 14 strikeouts.
Andrew Evans – Harwich Mariners (Cape Cod League) – RHP
In six appearances with one start, Evans boasts a 5.63 ERA (10 ER, 16 IP) for the Mariners. The Olathe, Kansas product has struck out 10 hitters and owns a 0-1 record.
Kyan Lodice – Bristol State Liners (Appy League) – IF/OF
Playing down in the Appalachian League, Lodice has a slash line of .143/.429/.357 in five games.
Shintaro Inoue – Purcellville Cannons (Valley league) – IF
Inoue, a transfer from Western Nebraska Community College, is one of the top slugger for the Cannons this summer with a .458 slugging percentage, which ranks second on the team. The incoming junior is hitting .254 with 30 hits, that including nine doubles and five home runs, with a team leading 31 RBI. Inoue belted a grand slam on June 23 against the Front Royal Cardinals.
Ben Rosin – Mankato MoonDogs (Northwoods League) – RHP
With a record of 2-2, Rosin boasts a 1.88 ERA, allowing seven hits in 14.1 innings. The Shoreview, Minn., native has struck out batters in six appearances for the MoonDogs, while surrendering just three earned runs.
Cole Wisenbaker – Harwich Mariners (Cape Cod League) – LHP
Wisenbaker has appeared in three games this summer for the Mariners. The junior, who achieved program record with two wins in the NCAA Fayetteville Regional, is 1-1 with a 1.69 ERA (1 ER, 5.1 IP).
SOPHOMORES IN 2023-24
Adam Arther – Elizabethton River Riders (Appy League) – LHP
Following his first season at K-State as a true freshman, Arther has made four appearances this summer for the River Riders. The Altadena, Calif., product boasts a 1.59 ERA (2 ER, 11.1 IP) and a 0-1 record. Arther has struck out seven batters and issued 11 walks.
Nick English – Bluefield Ridge Runners (Appy League) – OF
In 15 games with the Runners, English is slashing .254/.362/.424 with 15 hits, that includes four doubles and two home runs. He has scored 11 runs and driven in six RBI. The upcoming sophomore appeared in 58 games for the Wildcats as a true freshman in 2024, including 57 starts in right field and as a designated hitter.
James Guyette – Danville Otterbots (Appy League) – RHP
Guyette, a native of Newbury, Calif., boasts an ERA 0f 6.19 (11 ER, 16 IP) across eight appearances with one start. He has struck out 31 of the 73 batters he has faced, averaging 17.4 strikeouts per nine innings.
Caydn Karl – Mankato MoonDogs (Northwoods League) – OF
Karl is 4-for-19 (.211) this summer for the MoonDogs with a .348 on-base percentage and a .316 slugging percentage. He's driven in three RBI and stolen three bases in six games.
REDSHIRTS IN 2024-25 (2)
Micah Dean – Danville Otterbots (Appy League) – UTL
Hailing from Richmond, Texas, Dean is competing in the Appalachian League for the Danville Otterbots alongside two future K-State teammates. In 16 games, Dean is slashing .226/.344/.302 with 24 hits, 14 RBI and 17 runs scored. He leads the Appy League with 17 stolen bases.
Rohan Putz – Southern Maryland Senators (Cal Ripken League) – OF
Putz is returning for his redshirt freshman season with the Wildcats in 2025 and is playing in the Cal Ripken League this summer alongside future teammate Ty Smolinski. In 10 games, Putz has produced a slash line of .146/.268/.146 with seven hits and scored seven runs for the Senators.
FRESHMAN IN 2024-25 (6)
AJ Evasco – New Britain Bees (Futures League) – IF
Evasco's .359 average paves the way for the Bees offense, as the incoming freshman has recorded a team-leading 38 hits in 28 games this summer. The Lincoln, Neb., product is slugging .453 with a .433 on-base percentage and has driven in 25 RBI, which is second on the team. In his last 10 games, he is hitting .356 (16-for-45) that includes a four-hit game on July 9 in a 9-4 victory over the Westfield Starfires.
Gage Ilges – Worcester Bravehearts (Futures League) – RHP/OF
Ilges boasts a 12.00 ERA (4 ER, 3 IP) following a pair or relief appearances for the Bravehearts. An incoming freshman from Overland Park, Kansas, Ilges has faced 17 batters with two strikeouts and three walks.
Matt Lee – Danville Otterbots (Appy League) – RHP
Lee, a native of Pittsfield, Mass., has made two relief appearances for the Otterbots this summer. The returning Wildcat boasts a 16.88 ERA (5 ER, 2.2 IP) with four strikeouts in the Appy League.
Donte Lewis – New Britain Bees (Futures League) – RHP/IF
In nine games for the Bees, Lewis has produced a slash line of .190/.273/.224 with 11 hits including a pair of doubles. The incoming freshman from Pearland, Texas, has driven in nine RBI and scored 11 runs this summer. On the mound, Lewis has made four relief appearances with a 2.25 ERA (2 ER, 8.0 IP), and has struck out 10 of the 33 batters he has faced, averaging 11.3 strikeouts per nine innings.
Chandler Murray – Westfield Starfires (Futures League) – IF
A product of Honolulu, Hawaii, Murray is competing for the Westfield Starfires this summer of the Futures league. The incoming freshman is one of the top hitters for Westfield with a slash line of .333/.441.539 with 19 hits, that includes three doubles and a home run. His .333 average ties second on the team. He has driven in 14 runs batted in and scored 16 runs this summer.
Ty Smolinski – Southern Maryland Senators (Cal Ripken League) – IF
An incoming freshman from Gretna, Neb., Smolinski is slashing .235/.311/.272 this summer with the Senators. He's turned in 19 hits, including two for extra bases with seven RBI. On July 8, he produced a 3-for-4 game with a run scored to help the Senators edge the Braves, 8-7.
– k-statesports.com –
How to follow the Cats: For complete information on the K-State Volleyball, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
How to follow the Cats: For complete information on the K-State Volleyball, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
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/ BaseballK-State BSB | Postgame Press Conference vs Texas
Sunday, June 01
K-State Baseball | Game Highlights vs Houston Christian (Austin Regional)
Sunday, June 01
K-State BSB | Game Highlights vs Houston Christian (Austin Regional)
Saturday, May 31
K-State BSB | Postgame Press Conference vs Houston Christian
Saturday, May 31