BELLEVUE, Neb. -- With the Major League Baseball season already underway it is time for the minor leaguers and prospects to get set to open their seasons.
When the Minor League Baseball schedule for full-season clubs gets underway tomorrow, April 7 the Bellevue University baseball team will have four former players on affiliated rosters. All four players have been drafted within the last two seasons and are climbing their way up the minor league ladder.
Galli Cribbs – Kane County Cougars (A)
Cribbs won his second Minor League championship last year, in his second year of pro ball with the Short-Season Class A Hillsboro Hops of the Northwest League. While struggling at the plate at times last season, Cribbs looks to turn the corner with the bat in his third year playing professionally. Any troubles he's had with the bat have been made up for with his defense as he's committed just four errors in his Minor League career.
An infielder, Cribbs will open this season with the Kane County Cougars, the Diamondbacks Single A affiliate in the Midwest League. The Cougars open their season against the Clinton LumberKings at 6:25 p.m. (C.T.)
LHP Brennan Henry – Wilmington Blue Rocks (A-Advanced)
Last season, his first full season of pro ball, Henry compiled a 3.70 ERA in 23 appearances (41.1 Inning) across two levels of competition. He improved his strikeout to walk ratio from 2015 (1.10) to almost 2:1 and opponents hits .253 off of him.
A left-hander reliever, who profiles as a specialist, Henry begins this season with the Wilmington Blue Rocks, an affiliate of the Kansas City Royals of the Class A-Advanced Carolina League. The Blue Rocks open their season Thursday against the Potomac Nationals at 6:35 p.m. (E.T.)
LHP Kyle Kinman – Mississippi Braves (AA)
Much has been written about Kinman as he's flown up the Braves prospect board as a situational left-hander. His spring was highlighted by four appearances he made out of the Atlanta bullpen in spring training as the Braves searched high and low for bullpen help. He certainly helped his standing by logging four innings of work surrendering just two hits and no runs while striking out two. Opponents hit just .154 off of him in Grapefruit League action as he caught the eye of big league manager Fredi Gonzalez.
While there remains a good chance Kinman breaks into the show at some point in 2016 he'll begin the season with the Mississippi Braves, an affiliate of the Atlanta Braves of the Class AA Southern League. The Braves open their season Thursday against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos at 7 p.m. (E.T.)
RHP Stephan Meyer – West Virginia Black Bears (Short-Season A)
Meyer's first season of professional baseball left him with a better understanding of the highs and lows of the job at the next level. After a terrific debut he suffered a back injury and worked out of the bullpen the rest of the way to much success. He split time between two levels, winning a New York-Penn League Championship as a reliever with the Black Bears.
The 2016 season is one of great promise for Meyer who will begin the year with the West Virginia Black Bears, the Pittsburgh Pirates Class A-Short Season affiliate in the New York-Penn League, once again. The Black Bears wait to open their season until June 17 against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
2016 Bellevue Bruins:
As for the current crop of Bruins on the 2016 baseball team, they are currently ranked No. 3 in the NAIA after the latest poll came out yesterday. BU sports a terrific 28-5 record, including a 7-2 mark against opposition that is currently ranked.
Bellevue returns to play with a four-game set against North Star Athletic Association foe Viterbo Saturday and Sunday. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. and noon, respectively.
