University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Bulldogs in the Pros
07.26.2011 | Baseball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - The UNC Asheville baseball program is proud to have four players playing professionally at the present time and the Office of Athletics Communications will give periodic updates on how they are doing through the 2011 season.
Ty Wigginton, the Bulldogs first player to ever make it to the major leagues, is in his first season with the Colorado Rockies. Ty is one of the versatile players in the major leagues and had already played at first base, second base, third base and left field this season. He is also Colorado's emergency catcher.
As of last night's game against the Dodgers, Wigginton is hitting .254 with 13 home runs and 40 RBI. He has also posted 17 doubles and has five stolen bases to his credit. One of the big highlights for Ty came late last month when he blasted two home runs against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in a nationally-televised game.
There are a lot of rumors about him being traded before the trading deadline on July 31. The Yankees, Red Sox, Braves and Pirates seem to be every interested in his services. However, he wants to remain in Colorado as he told the Denver Post:
"Trades are a part of baseball," Wigginton said. "You know there are going to be some moves made, whether they're going to involve your club or other clubs. It's just part of it.
Until somebody taps you on the shoulder and tells you something, it's just somebody's speculation or guess," he said. "It's all rumors, all fun. I'm sure the fans enjoy it. They can make up their little trade scenarios and all that. But as far as a player's perspective, just block it out and play."
Former Bulldog Kevin Mattison continues to have a solid season for the Jacksonville Suns in the Double A Southern League. Kevin has been Jacksonville's starting center-fielder from the start of the season. He is hitting .267 with six home runs, 12 triples, 11 doubles and 27 stolen bases. His 12 triples are fifth best in all of the minor leagues.
Pitcher Alan DeRatt has racked up some frequent flyer miles this year. He's been on the roster for four different teams in the Colorado Rockies organization. Most of the season has seen Alan with the Modesto Nuts of High A California League. However, he also pitched in a few games for Tulsa of the Double A Texas League, had two starts with the Asheville Tourists and was scheduled to make a start for the Colorado Sky Sox of Triple A Pacific Coast League.
Overall, Alan has a 3-6 record with a 5.21 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 47.1 innings pitched. He was very impressive in his last start for Modesto. DeRatt went six innings, allowing just two hits with six strikeouts, while giving up one unearned run.
Justin Schumer shook off an oblique injury that caused him to miss the entire month of May. He's pitching this season for the Augusta GreenJackets of the South Atlantic League. Schumer has gone 5-5 for Augusta with a 4.79 ERA. He picked up a win in Asheville on July 8 when he came on in relief and pitched four scoreless innings, giving up two hits and two strikeouts.
