Former Hawkeyes put up solid performances in minor leagues
With the second half of the season getting started, The Daily Iowan took a look at some of Iowa’s former player in the minor leagues.
Iowa infielder Mason McCoy hits a walk off single during the game between Omaha-Iowa at Duane Banks Field on Tuesday, May 16, 2017. The Hawkeyes pull off another comeback win with three runs in the 8th inning and two runs in the 9th inning for the 9-8 victory. (The Daily Iowan/ Alex Kroeze)
July 16, 2019
Iowa baseball has hoisted one Big Ten Tournament trophy, in 2017.
Since then, most of Iowa’s best players have gone on to play in the professional ranks after being selected in the MLB Draft.
Jake Adams and his ferocious power stroke left, Mason McCoy and his swift defense are gone, and so is Robert Neustrom, the do-it-all right fielder.
The Daily Iowan took a look at some high-impact players from that team who have gone on to the minor leagues to see how they have fared.
Jake Adams, Fayetteville Woodpeckers (Houston Astros High-A)
After hitting .247 with 15 home runs in 111 games for two teams in 2018, Adams has found his power stroke again.
The former Hawkeye first baseman has clobbered 13 dingers in 2019 to lead the team, and he also ranks first with 57 RBIs — 18 more than the next best.
Adams has also added a new position to his repertoire. In addition to his usual spot, first base, he has started 18 games at third.
Mason McCoy, Bowie Baysox (Baltimore Orioles Double-A)
McCoy is having himself a season to remember.
At different points this season, the Washington, Illinois, native has led the minors in hits and earned Double-A Eastern League All-Star honors.
The reasoning makes sense.
Before his promotion, McCoy slashed .379/.416/.509 in High-A for the Frederick Keys, and he has remained on a similar pace. Now, McCoy is hitting .310 for Bowie while knocking in 18 runs.
The success has led him to the No. 30 slot on the Orioles’ list of top-30 prospects, and he could keep rising if his hot streak continues.
Nick Gallagher, Lynchburg Hillcats (Cleveland Indians High-A)
Gallagher hasn’t been as consistent this season as he was in the Black and Gold.
He currently sports a 1-1 record with a 4.89 ERA in 10 appearances, including five starts.
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Gallagher has had success striking opposing batters out, racking up 44 punch-outs with 24 walks in 35 innings, but he could benefit from lowering his WHIP, which sits at 1.4.
Robert Neustrom, Delmarva Shorebirds (Baltimore Orioles A)
After starting the season 1-for-16 with the Aberdeen IronBirds, Neustrom has settled in with Delmarva.
He’s slashing .277/.367/.445 with the Shorebirds and has been one of the top performers throughout the season.
Neustrom ranks third on the team in batting average among players with at least 15 games played in Delmarva, and his OPS of .812 leads the squad.
His bat hasn’t slowed down recently, either. In his last 10 games, Neustrom is hitting .293 with 12 RBIs and 4 runs scored.
Not bad for a player who finds himself at No. 28 on Baltimore’s top-30 prospects list.
Tyler Cropley, Hagerstown Suns (Washington Nationals A)
Although Cropley’s defense has been impressive — he has only committed 1 error and has thrown out 48 percent of potential base-stealers — his offense has lagged behind.
Cropley sits at .179 in 29 games this season. Still, his on-base percentage of .310 offers hope. He has also hit 2 home runs and brought in 7 runs in his 84 at-bats.
Nick Allgeyer, Dunedin Blue Jays (Toronto Blue Jays High-A) Allgeyer has been solid since starting the season in Dunedin.
He boasts a 6-3 record with a 3.59 ERA with 80 strikeouts and 15 walks in 82.2 innings of work.
Allgeyer’s WHIP of 1.15 gets the job done, and if he lowers his opponent’s batting average — which currently sits at .252 — a bit, he could be in for a promotion.
