How local players are faring in the minor leagues

Across the baseball world, Major League Baseball isn't the only game in town.

About 50 players from Northeast Florida high schools and colleges have seen roster time this year across the baseball world outside the majors, from Triple-A to rookie ball to the Japanese game.

Several have seen major league action. Others, like June draft choices Tyler Callihan and Tanner Murphy, are just beginning their careers in the professional ranks.

The Times-Union takes a closer look at how those athletes have fared thus far in 2019, with statistics as of June 30. Note that the list doesn't include Jacksonville-area players who are currently on Major League Baseball rosters.

Position, Player, Local tie, Team, Level, Affiliate

OF, Rhett Aplin, Fleming Island, Idaho Falls, Rookie Advanced, Royals: Destroying pitching at rookie level (.341 average, five homers, 13 RBIs, 1.115 OPS in first 11 games); may be in line for promotion soon.

LHP, Skylar Arias, Oakleaf, Lake County, A, Indians: Enjoying strong season in relief role (3-1, 2.08 ERA, 42 K in 34 2/3 innings, .175 opponents' batting average).

RHP, Kyle Arjona, JU, Clearwater, High-A, Phillies: Solid so far with a 1-0 record, 1.15 ERA, 17-1 K-BB ratio; briefly got a Triple-A call-up.

C, Igor Baez, Flagler, Batavia, Short season A, Marlins: Batting .143 with one home run, two RBIs, but only six games played so far.

RHP, Bryan Baker, UNF, New Hampshire, AA, Blue Jays: Closer has nailed down seven saves, with 2-5 record, 2.60 ERA, .141 opponents' average.

RHP, Michael Baumann, JU, Bowie, AA, Orioles: Recently promoted to Double-A for first time; strikeout machine (85 K in 60 innings) is 1-4, 3.45 on the year, mostly at High-A Frederick.

LHP, Kyle Bird, Clay/Flagler, Nashville, AAA, Rangers: Made MLB debut in April with Texas, including one save; shutting down Triple-A bats (1-0, 2.04 ERA, 22 strikeouts in 17 2/3 innings).

P, Cooper Bradford, UNF, AZL White Sox, Rookie, White Sox: Started two games, with a 6.00 ERA and seven strikeouts.

IF, Josh Broughton, Trinity Christian, AZL Royals, Rookie, Royals: Still awaiting first game after joining Royals organization.

IF, Tyler Callihan, Providence, Greeneville, Rookie Advanced, Reds: Third-round prospect is hitting .200 in first week-plus; seeing games at both second and third base

LHP, Blair Calvo, Nease/Flagler, Grand Junction, Rookie Advanced, Rockies: Appeared in three games, with 0-2 record and 7.50 ERA.

3B, Angel Camacho, Creekside/JU, Bluefield, Rookie, Blue Jays: In rookie ball but might be moving up before long; .355 average, eight RBI in first eight games and .928 OPS illustrate his speedy adaptation to minors.

CF, Donnie Dewees, UNF, Iowa, AAA, Cubs: Power threat has .246 average with 11 homers, 29 RBIs in 61 games; .781 OPS is his best through five minor league seasons.

LHP, Austin Drury, UNF, Rancho Cucamonga, High-A, Dodgers: Striking out lots of batters (44 in 38 1/3 innings) with Great Lakes and Rancho Cucamonga; 1-1 with 2.82 ERA.

RHP, Dane Dunning, Clay, Birmingham, AA, White Sox: Out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery; coming off Southern League All-Star season (6-3, 2.71 ERA) in 2018.

RHP, Chris Gau, JU/University Christian, Hudson Valley, Short season A, Rays: Through five games, he's 0-3 with an 8.56 ERA, but comes off a two-hit no-decision on June 28.

RHP, Frank German, UNF, Tampa, High-A, Yankees: Former Osprey is striking out nearly a batter per inning in High-A ball, where he's 3-4 with a 4.34 ERA.

LHP, Zach Greene, Atlantic Coast, GCL Yankees, Rookie, Yankees: Has made two appearances so far, allowing a run in 2 1/3 innings.

RHP, Cayden Hatcher, Ponte Vedra, Grand Junction, Rookie Advanced, Rockies: Holds a 1-1 record, 5.79 ERA in three games so far; limiting opponents to .216 average, but four of eight hits allowed have been homers.

OF, Austin Hays, JU, Norfolk, AAA, Orioles: High-ranked O's prospect is batting .223 with six homers, 19 RBIs; plagued by hamstring injury.

RHP, Deunte Heath, Florida Gateway, Seibu (Japan): Former White Sox reliever has gone 0-2 with a 5.30 ERA during his fourth year in Japanese baseball.

RHP, Johnny Hellweg, FSCJ, Hiroshima (Japan): Joined Hiroshima Toyo Carp in summer of 2018 after career in minors, which included brief MLB stop with Orioles. Has made just two appearances this season.

LHP, Spencer Herrmann, Mandarin/UNF, Modesto, High-A, Mariners: Has yet to play since assignment to extended spring training.

RHP, Justin Lawrence, First Coast/JU, Hartford, AA, Rockies: Split between Triple-A and Double-A with 1-2 record, 7.23 ERA; has fared much better of late (two earned runs allowed in last eight appearances).

3B, Patrick Leonard, Creekside, Biloxi, AA, Brewers: Putting together a terrific season at the plate (.306, eight home runs, 19 doubles, 34 RBIs, .863 OPS); appeared in Southern League All-Star Game.

OF, Todd Lott, First Coast/Trinity Christian, Johnson City, Rookie Advanced, Cardinals: Ninth-round pick is batting .267 with three doubles.

1B, Nate Lowe, SJRSC, Durham, AAA, Rays: Hitting consistently with .283 average, 19 doubles, nine home runs, 41 RBIs, .895 OPS; made big league debut earlier this year, batting .263 in 10 Rays games.

RF, Connor Marabell, Bartram/JU, Akron, AA, Indians: Batting .253 with 18 doubles, seven home runs, 31 RBIs, mostly with Double-A Rubber Ducks.

RHP, Nick Marchese, UNF, Missoula, Rookie, D-Backs: Still awaiting debut after signing as undrafted free agent.

RF, Tyler Marincov, UNF, Oaxaca, Mexican League: Released in May with a .230 average and five home runs. Had 77 homers from 2013-18 in minors.

RHP, Liam McCall, First Coast, GCL Mets, Rookie, Mets: Just one appearance so far, allowing one hit in two innings and striking out three.

RHP, Pearson McMahan, Middleburg/SJRSC, Auburn, A short, Nationals: Hasn't allowed an earned run yet in three appearances with short-season squad.

C, Sam McMillan, Suwannee, West Michigan, A, Tigers: Hitting .225 with seven doubles, 12 RBIs; showing good eye at the plate (35 walks in 51 games, .397 OBP).

P, Mark Mixon, Ponte Vedra, AZL Dodgers, Rookie, Dodgers: Made debut June 22 as opener, pitching one inning and striking out a batter.

OF, Tanner Murphy, Bartram Trail/UNF, Kingsport, Rookie Advanced, Mets: Batting .208 with one double in a week and a half of action after 18th-round selection.

C, Brian Navarreto, Arlington CD, Pensacola, AA, Twins: Struggling at the plate (.187, four home runs, 13 RBIs) but noted mostly for defense; got a look with Twins in spring training.

RHP, Mike O’Reilly, Flagler, Springfield, AA, Cardinals: Former A-ball All-Star recorded 7.94 ERA in five games before release.

RHP, Mark Potter, JU, Lakewood, A, Phillies: Currently 0-3 with 3.57 ERA and four saves; holding batters to .206 average.

P, Zach Rafuse, Atlantic Coast, AZL Athletics, Rookie, A's: Made pro debut June 27, pitching one inning and striking out two.

RF, Will Robertson, Bolles, Frederick, High-A, Orioles: Batting .239 with nine doubles, three homers, 20 RBIs in 50 games with Delmarva and Frederick; currently on injured list.

RHP, Walker Sheller, Ponte Vedra, Northwest Arkansas, AA, Royals: Has an 0-3 record, 9.00 ERA in 15 games so far; walks (14 in 15 innings) have been main issue.

LF, Austin Slater, Bolles, Sacramento, AAA, Giants: With .308 average, 17 doubles, 12 homers, 45 RBIs and .965 OPS, likely to return to big leagues soon; spent much of 2017 and 2018 with Giants.

2B, L.J. Talley, Charlton County, Lansing, A, Blue Jays: Seventh-round pick is hitting .152 early; collected first professional homer June 23 at Dayton.

OF, Tim Tebow, Nease, Syracuse, AAA, Mets: Has struggled at Triple-A level with .154 average, 80 strikeouts in 62 games, but hit second home run of the year Friday against Buffalo.

RHP, Andy Toelken, Clay, Kane County, A, D-Backs: First full season in minors a success thus far; 4-2 record, 2.59 ERA, .203 opponents' batting average with a WHIP of 0.94.

LHP, Matt Tomshaw, JU, Birmingham, AA, White Sox: Veteran minor leaguer is 5-5 with 4.59 ERA, split between Charlotte and Birmingham; excellent control (50 strikeouts, nine walks).

LF, Drew Weeks, Clay/UNF, Albuquerque, AAA, Rockies: Batting .229 with 10 doubles, six home runs, 31 RBIs through 70 games.

P, Alec Wisely, Sandalwood, AZL Indians, Rookie, Indians: Just started in minors, with 0-1 record, 6.35 ERA; performing much better after rocky debut.

2B, Brett Wisely, Sandalwood, Princeton, Rookie Advanced, Rays: New draft pick is hitting .207 with three doubles, a triple; drawing healthy walk totals (six in nine games).