As we do each year midseason, below is a look at the former IU baseball players who have seen action in Major League Baseball thus far this year.
To date, three former IU players have seen action, with several more a step away.
The two players still active are key players on two of the best teams in the big leagues this year. Perhaps they’ll meet in a critical late inning head-to-head matchup in October?
And will there be a new all-time home run king among former Hoosiers by season’s end? Let’s take a quick look.
Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia
Schwarber has hit 17 home runs and drove in 49 over 79 games for the team with the best record in baseball.
Now in his tenth season in the MLB, Schwarber is hitting .250, his best average since 2021.
For his career, the slugger is up to 263 home runs. Schwarber has a chance to become the all-time leader in home runs among former Hoosiers in Major League Baseball, perhaps as soon as this season. He trails only Ted Kluszewski’s career total of 279.
Currently out with a groin strain, Schwarber is on track to return to the Phillies’ lineup on Tuesday when first eligible to be activated from the injured list.
Tim Herrin, Cleveland
The former Hoosier has been one of the best left-handed relief pitchers in baseball through the first half of the season.
The 6-foot-6 Herrin has pitched 35 innings out of the bullpen and boasts a 3-0 record and a 1.54 ERA. He has struck out 37 batters.
The 27-year-old was drafted in the 29th round in 2017. An Indiana native, Herrin made his MLB debut in 2023.
Andrew Saalfrank, Arizona
The 6-foot-3 lefty reliever made two appearances in April and gave up four earned runs in an inning. And then things got much worse.
The Fort Wayne, Ind. product was suspended for a full year in connection with a gambling investigation by Major League Baseball.
Saalfrank made his MLB debut and had 10 very impressive outings in 2023, throwing 10.1 innings and giving up no earned runs while striking out six.
Getting Close
All of the following former Hoosiers have played at the AAA level in 2024. Barager and Effross have already been to the MLB.
- Caleb Barager
- Elijah Dunham
- Scott Effross
- Tanner Gordon
- Matt Gorski
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