In the Pros
David Aardsma -
Aardsma spent his freshman year at Penn State in the spring of 2001 before trotting off to Rice to finish up a highly successful collegiate career. Aardsmaa was with the Chicago White Sox in 2007, the Boston Red Sox in 2008, and signed with the Seattle Mariners for 2009. Aardsma has taken over the ace reliever’s role for Seattle.
Gary Amato -
Gary Amato, a 2007 48th round draft pick by Pittsburgh, started last season with the Gulf Coast Pirates but eventually worked his way up to State College by the end of the season. Amato begins the 2009 season with the Pirates new A franchise affiliate the West Virginia Power in the South Atlantic League. The Pirates release Amato early in the 2009 season and he signed with the Nationals organization and is now with the Vermont Lake Monsters.
Joe Blackburn
Undrafted out of college, Blackburn eventually signed a contract with the Phillies and spent 2008 with the short season Williamsport Cross Cutters in the NY Penn League. That provided him with the opportunity to make a couple of appearances back in State College against the Spikes. Blackburn has hung up his spikes and will begin pursuing a law career as he enters PSU’s law school this fall.
Former major leaguer Nate Bump continues on the comeback trail. He spent the 2008 season in the San Francisco Giant organization but this season he will start out with the Camden (NJ) River-Sharks in the independent Atlantic League. After pitching well in a few games with the River-Sharks, Bump was signed by the Tigers organization and assigned to their AAA affiliate the Toledo Mud-Hens.
Matt Cavagnaro -
Cavagnaro, a 2007 draftee of the Pittsburgh Pirates, finished 2008 playing for Pittsburgh’s high Class A Lynchburg Hillcats. Matt has been working his way up through the Pirates after opening his career with the hometown State College Spikes. Cavy was released by the Pirates on April 1 but signed an independent contract with the Long Island Ducks.
Craig Clark -
Craig Clark was a 2007 14th round draft choice of San Francisco. Clark spent last season with the short season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes. In 2008, Clark was promoted to the full season A Augusta Green Jackets in the South Atlantic League. Clarks starts out 2009 with the Class A California League San Jose Giants. Clark has been setting California league records with San Jose and, as of August 1, has won 11 straight games.
Scott Gaffney –
Scott was drafted in the 12th round by the Cincinnati Reds in 2007. He made 20 relief appearances with the Billings Mustangs but then missed all of 2008 with an elbow injury. He starts out 2008 with the Dayton Dragons.
Clayton Hamilton -
Clayton Hamilton, a 17th round draft pick of the San Diego Padres, spent the 2007 season playing for the Lynchburg Hellcats, the Pittsburgh Pirates A+ affiliate in the Carolina league. In the off season, he was selected in the Rule 5 draft by the Texas Rangers. Clay ended the 2008 season with the Frisco RoughRiders in the AA Texas League and will begin the 2009 season with them also. Hamilton has since been promoted to AAA Oklahoma City Redhawks in the Pacific Coast League
Scott Kelley –
Scott is with the Burlington Royals in the Rookie Appalacian League. As of Aug 1, he is 0-2 but does have a sparkling 1.50 ERA.
Mike Lorentson -
Mike has signed an independent contract with the New Jersey Jackals. As of Aug 1, he’s pitched just 8 innings in 6 appearances and carries a 6.75 ERA.
TJ Macy -
TJ had been with the independent Grand Prairie Air Hogs but was released by them in mid July.
Drew O’Neil -
Drew was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 2008 draft. He spent the season with the Great Falls Voyagers in the rookie Pioneer League. This season he will start out with the Kannapolis (NC) Intimidators. After struggling last season, Drew has picked up his game and as of Aug 1, sits at 2-0 with a 2.68 ERA.
Alan Stidfole -
Alan Stidfole signed a free agent contract with Toronto following his 2006 season at Penn State. Alan played for the Independent Washington (PA) Wild Things in 2008. His current status is unknown.
Sean Stidfole -
Sean Stidfole, Alan’s twin brother, was a 2005 14th round draft choice of the Toronto Blue Jays. He starts 2009 out in the AAA Pacific Coast League with the Las Vegas 51s.
Cory Wine -
Cory was drafted by and signed with his grandfather’s organization, the Phillies. Cory has been struggling at the plate and, as of Aug 1, is hitting only .188 with the Gulf Coast Phillies.
