#ProHogs Update: Eibner Makes Splash In Debut

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – As the month of May closed for the MLB season, divisional races are starting to take shape with many former Razorbacks in the mix with their respective clubs.

Matt Reynolds and Brett Eibner both got called up to their respective big-league clubs during the last couple of weeks, upping the total of former Razorbacks to play in the Major Leagues to 54. Reynolds, who is part of the New York Mets organization, got the call last fall before the World Series, but suffered an injury and was not able to make his debut until 2016.

Eibner, who has been with the Kansas City Royals organization since being drafted in 2010, slowly made his way through the minor league ranks over the years and made his highly anticipated debut Friday against the Chicago White Sox.

With Reynolds and Eibner, Arkansas now has eight former players that are either on MLB active or 40-man rosters.

#PROHOG OF THE WEEK – BRETT EIBNER

After nearly six years in the minor leagues, former Razorback All-American Eibner made his major league debut over the weekend with the Kansas City Royals. Eibner, who started the year on the Royals’ 40-man roster, finally got the call Thursday after an injury to Mike Moustakas opened up a spot.

Eibner had his debut delayed after a rain-out on Thursday, but recorded his first career hit — a double — in the seventh inning during Friday’s game. His hit started a 4-run rally to help the Royals erase a 3-run deficit. (MLB.com Game Story)

Eibner provided an encore performance the following day as his game-winning single capped a 7-run rally in the ninth inning to give the Royals the series win over the White Sox. (MLB.com Game Story)

**UPDATE** Eibner suffered a lateral ankle sprain Tuesday night while playing left field for the Royals and was placed on the 15-day disabled list.

#PROHOGS STATISTICS

PlayerGPAVGRH2B3BHRRBIBBSLGOB%SO
Andrew Benintendi (BOS)2.4000200000.400.4002
Logan Forsythe (TB)78.2754887202102926.446.34073
Andy Wilkins (MIL)16.1882100112.286.4736
Matt Reynolds (NYM)29.255713602102.490.28318
James McCann (DET)65.20217433183314.338.25168
PlayerW-LERAIPHRERHRHBBBSOAVGWHIP
Drew Smyly (TB)3-115.14124.1129777123232128.2691.29
Dallas Keuchel (HOU)6-114.86139.0145787517243119.2681.35

DOWN ON THE FARM – #PROHOGS IN THE MINORS

Former Arkansas second baseman Brian Anderson recently made the jump from high Single-A to Double-A earlier this week. Anderson, who has been one of the best hitters in the minors this year after starting with the Jupiter Hammerheads, now becomes the sixth Razorback to make a Double-A roster as he joins the Jacksonville Suns of the Miami Marlins organization.

Anderson, who was drafted out of the third round by the Miami Marlins in 2014, was hitting .302 over 49 games with 27 runs scored, 3 home runs and 26 RBIs. He joins Andrew Benintendi and Nolan Sanburn as the third Razorback to make the jump to Double-A this year. Benintendi also began the year in high Single-A and now plays for the Portland Sea Dogs as part of the Boston Red Sox organization in the Double-A Eastern League.

Sanburn moved up in the White Sox organization and now plays for the Birmingham Barons in the Double-A Southern League. Sanburn has a 3.58 ERA this year with 11 earned runs allowed and 26 strikeouts.

#ProHogs Minor League Player of the Week – Brian Anderson

PlayerGPAVGRH2B3BHRRBIBBSLGOB%SO
Brian Anderson (Double-A JAX)1.3333100011.333.5000
(Single-A JUP)49.302275512232522.440.37738

#PROHOGS AROUND THE MINORS

Triple-A
Matt Reynolds – Las Vegas 51s (New York Mets)
Blake Parker – Tacoma Rainiers (Chicago Cubs)
Andy Wilkins – Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Milwaukee Brewers)

Double-A
Dominic Ficociello – Erie Sea Wolves (Detroit Tigers)
D.J. Baxendale – Chattanooga Lookouts (Minnesota Twins)
Barrett Astin – Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Cincinnati Reds)
Ryne Stanek – Montgomery Biscuits (Tampa Bay Rays)
Brian Anderson – Jacksonville Suns (Miami Marlins)
Nolan Sanburn – Birmingham Barons (Chicago White Sox)
Andrew Benintendi – Portland Sea Dogs (Boston Red Sox)

Single-A Advanced
Jalen Beeks – Salem Red Sox (Boston Red Sox)
Jacob Morris – Winston-Salem Dash (Chicago White Sox)

Single-A
Colby Suggs – Greensboro Grasshoppers (Miami Marlins)
Bobby Wernes – Quad City River Bandits (Houston Astros)
Trey Killian – Asheville Tourists (Colorado Rockies)

Single-A Short Season
Tyler Spoon – Lowell Spinners (Boston Red Sox)

Released/Free Agent
Zack Cox
Randall Fant
Chris Oliver
Eric Fisher
Michael Gunn
Jess Todd

#PROHOGS TO WATCH

Mike Bolsinger will make his third start of the year for the Los Angeles Dodgers Wednesday night when he goes opposite Jon Lester of the Chicago Cubs in the third game of a four-game series. Bolsinger is 1-1 on the year with a 4.50 ERA. The game can be seen on ESPN.

Jan-15-Promotions

Dallas Keuchel gets the start Thursday when the Houston Astros face Arizona at 1:10 p.m. CDT. Keuchel has struggled as of late as he has just one win in his last three starts, but has struck out five or more batters in each of those three starts. Keuchel and the Astros can be seen on ROOT Sports Southwest.

KEUCHEL WATCH

Check back throughout the summer on ArkansasRazorbacks.com as we provide the most up-to-date information on when and where the Diamond #ProHogs are playing.

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