APSU Sports Information
Clarksville, TN – Four Austin Peay State University baseball alumni began the 2018 baseball season on minor league active rosters throughout the country.
Ryne Harper (2008-11), who was picked up by the Minnesota Twins organization during the offseason, began the year at the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts. He already has two saves in his first two appearances with the club, striking out all four batters he has faced.
Tyler Rogers (2012-13) begins his fourth season with the Sacramento River Cats, the San Francisco Giants Triple-A affiliate. A Mid-Season All-Star last season in the Pacific Coast League, he has made a pair of middle relief appearances for the River Cats and has not allowed a run in his first three innings of work.
After zooming up the organizational chart last season and being traded during the offseason, Jared Carkuff (2013-16) begins 2018 at Double-A San Antonio Missions – an affiliate of the San Diego Padres. He made his debut April 8 and tossed two scoreless innings of relief.
Ridge Smith (2014-16) begins 2018 where he ended last season, with the Single-A Lansing Lugnuts, an affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. He has opened the season with a three-game hit streak, including a home run in his second game of the season.
In addition, Alex Robles (2014-17) impressed in his professional debut last season, batting .324 while playing five different positions at the Minnesota Twins Gulf Coast League affiliate. He begins 2018 in the Twins extended spring training camp.
They join Governors alumni A.J. Ellis (San Diego Padres) and Shawn Kelley (Washington Nationals) as Governors alumni currently playing professional baseball. Another five Austin Peay baseball alumni are expected to begin 2018 in independent leagues, which begin play in late April.
