University of Houston Athletics
Catching Up With Cougar Baseball Players In The Pros
8/3/2010 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Aug. 3, 2010
HOUSTON - With the summer coming to a close and just over two months remaining in the 2010 Major League Baseball regular season, it's time to catch up with former Cougars in the pros.
During the 2010 season, six Cougars made an appearance at the plate or on the mound in the big leagues. Those players include, Michael Bourn (Astros), Brad Lincoln (Pirates), Chris Snyder (Diamondbacks/Pirates), Rob Johnson (Mariners), Jesse Crain (Twins) and Garrett Mock (Nationals).
Bourn, a Cougar from 2001-2003, earned his first MLB All-Star selection this season playing for his hometown team after being honored as a 2009 Golden Glove recipient. He posts a .259 career batting average with154 stolen bases, including a league-leading 61 in 2009.
Lincoln is the most recent Cougar to be called up to the Major Leagues, marking his first professional start against the Washington Nationals on June 9. Since then he has made eight other starts and holds a 6.57 ERA. He is currently playing in the Pirates minor league system with Triple-A Indianapolis.
Snyder, a teammate of Lincoln's with the Pirates, is playing his seventh season in the Major Leagues and his first with the Pirates after a trade from the Arizona Diamondbacks in July. He has played in 66 games to date with eight doubles, 10 home runs and 32 RBIs.
Johnson is in his fourth season with the Marines after his debut in 2007. During that time he has recorded a 29 doubles, two triples and five home runs in 161 games. Johnson is not currently listed on the team's active roster and is currently playing with Triple-A Tacoma.
Crain is 1-0 with a 3.07 ERA this season with Minnesota. He is in his seventh season with the Twins and is 33-20 during that time with 241 strikeouts and a 3.44 ERA.
Mock is in the middle of his third season playing for the Washington Nationals, making one start this season before being placed on the 60-day DL. He holds a career ERA of 5.17 with four wins in 19 starts.
In addition to the six players in the Major Leagues, there are seven former Cougars in the minor leagues. Below is a list of those players and the organizations they are playing for.
Jimmy Cesario, Colorado Rockies
Donnie Joseph, Cincinnati Reds
Blake Kelso, Washington Nationals
Ryan Lormand, San Francisco Giants
Wes Musick, Colorado Rockies
Bryan Pounds, Detroit Tigers
Chris Wallace, Houston Astros
