As the month of July just ended, we take a look at how former Indiana University baseball players have produced at the highest level of the game thus far during the 2021 season.
Below we examine the five former IU stars that have registered statistics at the MLB level during 2021.
Stats are through August 2.
FORMER HOOSIERS COMPILING MLB STATS IN 2021
Caleb Baragar
Position: Pitcher
Team: San Francisco Giants
Games: 22
Starts: 0
W/L: 2-1
IP: 18.1
ERA: 0.49
SO: 14
BB: 11
Saves: 1
After what came as a surprise to many that Baragar made the Giants’ opening day roster last year, he made 24 appearances and led the Giants with 5 wins in his debut MLB season.
At the start of this season, Baragar once again proved to be a reliable option out of the bullpen for the Giants. However, on May 30, he was placed on the 10-day IL and has not looked the same since.
Baragar recorded a save against the Washington Nationals on June 12, but was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento the next day.
Then, after being called up on July 11, he did not make an appearance for the Giants and on July 19 was optioned back to Triple-A Sacramento.
The Giants currently have the best record in the MLB at 66-39.
Alex Dickerson
Positions: Outfield and Pinch Hitter
Team: San Francisco Giants
AB – 207
R – 24
H – 45
BA – .217
HR – 10
RBI – 28
SB – 1
OBP – .286
SLG – .401
Last year, Dickerson had a season worthy of consideration for NL All-Star status.
His numbers extrapolated out to a full 162 game season would have been a .298 average, 31 home runs, 84 runs batted in.
Even though his numbers have declined somewhat this year, he has still been a key part in the San Francisco Giants having the best record in baseball.
While he struggled at times in the month of May finding a groove at the plate, batting .196, Dickerson seemed to have a found a rhythm in June, batting .281. However, in July his batting average was .193.
Having more consistency at the plate would certainly be beneficial for the Giants offense moving forward and heading into the playoffs.
Kyle Schwarber
Position: Outfielder, First Base, DH
Team: Boston Red Sox
AB – 265
R – 42
H – 67
BA – .253
HR – 25
RBI – 53
SB – 1
OBP – .340
SLG – .570
Schwarber struggled at the plate in 2020, with a batting average of .188. However, he has been better this year, batting .253 through 72 games played.
Also up from last year are his OBP, .340, and SLG, which is .570.
His performance this season earned him his first ever spot in the MLB All-Star game.
Furthermore, on July 29 he was traded to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for minor league right-hander Aldo Ramirez.
The trade to the Red Sox gives Schwarber a chance to return to the postseason, where he played a role in the Chicago Cubs 2016 World Series championship.
Boston is currently second place in the AL East at 63-44, 1.5 games back of the first place Tampa Bay Rays.
Aaron Slegers
Positions: Pitcher
Team: Los Angeles Angels
Games: 27
Starts: 0
W/L: 2-2
IP: 23.2
ERA: 6.46
SO: 19
BB: 13
Saves: 0
At the end of last season, Slegers found a groove, allowing just 5 earned runs over his final 24 innings of work.
However, the same could not be said this season. With an ERA of 6.46 in 27 games for the Los Angeles Angels, Slegers has struggled to find a rhythm.
As a result, Slegers has been back and forth this season between Triple-A Salt Lake and the Los Angeles Angels. He has not made an appearance with the Angels since July 4.
Jonathan Stiever
Position: Pitcher
Team: Chicago White Sox
Games: 1
Starts: 0
W/L: 0-0
IP: 0.0
ERA: inf
SO: 0
BB: 0
This season, Jonathan Stiever has spent most of his time at the single-A minor league level.
In 15 games played for the Charlotte Knights, he has pitched 64.0 innings, has an ERA of 6.05, 79 strikeouts, and 25 BB.
The White Sox are currently leading the AL Central with a record of 62-44.
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