CARTWRIGHT CRUSHES 1st EVER HR for GREAT BRITAIN in WBC!
October 13th, 2012
Check out this video of client Albert Cartwright (Philadelphia Phillies organization) launching the first ever HR for Great Britain in World Baseball Classic competition:
DREAMS of the MLB video featuring Dodgers 4th round pick JUSTIN CHIGBOGU
October 13th, 2012
Client and 2012 4th round draft pick JUSTIN CHIGBOGU (Los Angeles Dodgers) was featured in an outstanding video documentary produced by Just Bats. Please click on the video below to enjoy it:
CARTWRIGHT & BENNETT SELECTED TO TEAM GREAT BRITAIN for WBC
September 11th, 2012
Congrats are in order to 2b Albert Cartwright, of the Philadelphia Phillies organization, and LHP Hamilton Bennett, of the New York Mets organization, on their recent selections to play for Great Britain in the upcoming World Baseball Classic!
Albert, originally from Nassau, Bahamas, missed the entire 2011 season after suffering as torn achilles tendon on the 2nd day of Spring Training. He bounced back beautifully in 2012 to have a solid season for the Class High-A club in which he led the team in 3B (8), was 2nd in SB (16), 3rd in H (104) & R (60), 4th in 2B (20), TB (155) & AB (404), and 5th in RBI (40). Albert was drafted by the New York Mets in 2006 but chose to attend Polk State College. He was then drafted by the Houston Astros in 2007 and signed.
Hamilton enjoyed another stellar season for the Mets as a lefty specialist who earns his living coming out of the bullpen. In 2012, “Ham Bone” went 7-2, 2.55 ERA in 41 games. In 60.0 IP, he had 54 SO and 17 BB, with a BAA of just .227. He was originally drafted by the Mets in 2010 out of Tennessee-Wesleyan, where he had the distinction of being just the 20th player in NAIA history to throw a perfect game.
PAIR of WHITE SOX FARMHANDS GARNER POST-SEASON ACCOLADES
September 11th, 2012
Congratulations to Chicago White Sox Minor League players Michael Earley and Brady Shoemaker on being selected to the Post-Season All-Star Team for the Class High-A Carolina League! Both players had been named Mid-Season All-Stars earlier this season, as well.
The honor caps off a career season for Earley, who was drafted by the White Sox as a college senior in the 29th round of the 2010 MLB Amateur Draft out of Indiana University. “Money” Michael finished the season hitting .291, 13 HR, & 73 RBI (#4 in the league). He added 27 2B, 7 3B (T-#2), 212 TB (#3), 132 H (#5) and 76 R (#5).
For Shoemaker, this marks the 3rd time in 4 pro seasons in which he was named an All-Star. In 2012, Brady started the season with the Class High-A club, but was promoted to Double-A Birmingham shortly after the All-Star break. For the season, he hit .300, 17 HR, 35 2B, 85 RBI. He also tallied 230 TB, 91 R, 142 H, and posted an OPS of .902.
Brady was originally drafted by the White Sox in the 19th round of the 2009 MLB Amateur Draft out of Indiana State University. He was tabbed an All-Star in 2009, 2011 and 2012. In 2011, he was also named an Organization All-Star by MiLB.com.
NPG Sports Welcomes 2 New Clients to the Family!
July 28th, 2012
NPG Sports is happy to announce two (2) more Minor League players have retained us to help manage their professional baseball careers.
BRADY SHOEMAKER, OF, currently plays for the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. Brady was originally drafted in the 19th round of the 2009 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of Indiana State University. Since then, he has been named an All-Star in 3 out of his 4 professional seasons, including being named a 2011 Organization All-Star by MiLB.com.
Brady started the 2012 season in High-A, but was promoted to Double-A in early July after hitting .331, with 13 HR, 59 RBI and 23 2B in the first half of the season. He was named to the Carolina All-Star Team (along with another NPG Sports client Michael Earley) and won the All-Star Game Home Run Derby.
“BIG” JIM MURPHY (6′4″, 240 lbs), 1B, currently plays for the High-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. Jim was originally drafted in the 17th round of the 2006 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of Washington State University.
Jim was named an All-Star in 2011 after hitting .268 and pounding 22 HR, 35 2B and 77 RBI. So far in 2012, he’s showing that last season wasn’t a mirage. Thru 7/27/12, Jim is hitting .272, with 13 HR, 30 2B and 64 RBI.
We are looking forward to the damage these 2 sluggers will continue to do in 2012 and in the future as they hit their way to the Major Leagues!
Cooper taken by Phillies in 15th round
July 12th, 2012
Congratulations to ZACH COOPER on being drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 15th round of the 2012 MLB Amateur Draft!
Zach, a right-hand pitcher, was drafted in the 46th round of the 2011 MLB Draft by the Florida Marlins, but decided to go back to Central Michigan University for his senior season. In 2012, he went 7-2 with a 1.62 ERA in MAC starts, and ended his career at CMU as the school’s #3 career leader in K (270), #6 in decisions (35), #7 in IP (281.1) and #10 in Wins (22). He was named 2012 First-Team All MAC, and will go down as one of the best pitchers to ever take the mound at Central Michigan University.
Zach was originally assigned to the Phillies’ Short-Season club, but has already been promoted to the Low A club. We are looking forward to seeing his 95 mph fastball at the Major League level soon!
Click on the following “Share and Enjoy” link to enjoy a video highlighting Zach’s career at Central Michigan:
Martin drafted in 10th round by the Cubs
July 12th, 2012
Congratulations to CHAD MARTIN on being selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 10th round of the 2012 MLB Amateur Draft!
Chad is a huge 6′7″, 240 lbs RHP out of Indiana University who possesses a power arm. He opened eyes of Cubs’ brass at a pre-draft workout in which he consistently lit up radar guns with 95 and 96 mph readings, to go along with a very sharp, biting curve ball.
“I was ecstatic,” said Chad upon learning that he had been selected by the Cubs. “It’s a great feeling and something I’ve been working toward for a long time. I’m a Cubs fan, so it was kind of nice to be drafted by a team so close to my hometown.”
We look forward to seeing Chad on the bump at Wrigley Field within the next couple of years!
Chigbogu drafted in 4th round by Dodgers
July 12th, 2012
Congratulations to client JUSTIN CHIGBOGU on being selected in the 4th round of the 2012 MLB Amateur Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers!
Justin is a 6′2″, 230 lbs first baseman who was known mostly for being an All-State defensive end at Raytown South (MO) High School. However, this past spring he impressed MLB scouts with his massive power and above-average bat speed from the left side of the plate. Dodgers’ Scouting Director and Assistant General Manager Logan White has compared Justin to Prince Fielder and Mo Vaughn. Justin will be assigned to the Dodgers’ Arizona Rookie League team to get some professional ABs under his belt.
EARLEY NAMED TO 2012 ALL-STAR TEAM
June 18th, 2012
Congratulations go out to client MICHAEL EARLEY, outfielder for the Chicago White Sox High-A club in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, who was named to the 2012 Carolina League All-Star Team!
“Money” Mike had a tremendous first half for the Dash in his first year at the High-A level. At the break, Michael was hitting .322 (5th in the league), with 9 HR, 36 RBI, 11 2b, 120 TB (5th), 74 H (6th) and an OPS of .900 (5th). Additionally, Michael was selected to participate in the Home Run Derby, scheduled to begin immediately before the All-Star Game.
Michael was originally drafted by the White Sox in the 29th round of the 2010 MLB Amateur draft out of Indiana University.
Rayl named an Indians top prospect by “Baseball America”
January 28th, 2012
LHP Mike Rayl was recently ranked the 17th best prospect in the Cleveland Indians organization by Baseball America. Additionally, the esteemed baseball publication also declared that Mike has the best control of any pitcher in the club’s Minor League organization.
Mike was originally drafted by the Washington Nationals in the 41st round of the 2008 MLB First-Year Player Draft, and drafted again in 2009 in the 15th round by the Indians. He was one of the top JUCO pitchers in the country while starring for Palm Beach (FL) Community College.
Mike finished his Rookie League year in 2009 with a 3.74 ERA in 10 G, while racking up 41 SO in 34 IP and only 10 BB. In 2010, he pitched at both the Short-season and Low A levels and had a combined 3.18 ERA. In 2011, Mike once again dominated at the Low A level, going 5-5, 2.83 ERA, 84 SO, 13 BB in 83 IP. For his efforts, Mike was named to the Mid-Season All-Star Team. Subsequently, he was promoted to the High-A club, where he finished out the remainder of the season.
We are looking forward to a huge 2012 season from Mike!!
