Former Wildcat Hundley makes MLB debut

Just 100 miles from where former Arizona baseball player Nick Hundley once roamed Frank Sancet Stadium, the San Diego Padres’ minor league prospect made his major league debut last Friday.

With the Padres’ regular catcher Michael Barrett being placed on the 15-day disabled list with facial injuries, San Diego purchased Hundley’s contract from triple-A Portland, where the catcher was batting .252 with 39 RBIs through 58 games.

The 2005 San Diego draft pick went 1 for 3 on the night against Arizona Diamondbacks starter Dan Haren while picking up his first major league hit in the fifth inning, but failed to score.

Behind the plate, Hundley was part of a no-hitter through six innings of work by Padres starter Cha Seung. San Diego would go on to win the game 5-1.

Since being named to the full-time roster, Hundley has played in two more games and currently holds a batting average of .200 with only one hit and a pair of strikeouts.

Hundley became the 59th former Wildcat to make the major leagues.

Arizona baseball draftees Ziegler, Berger make debuts for minor league teams

Two more former Arizona baseball players have begun their professional careers by notching starts with their respective minor league teams.

First baseman C.J. Ziegler, a San Francisco Giants’ signee, has played in 13 games with the Arizona Rookie League Giants. Through 48 at-bats, Ziegler is hitting .313 with 13 RBI and three home runs.

Former Wildcat southpaw Eric Berger also recorded his first start last week with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.

The Arizona junior-turned-pro went three shutout innings, allowing only one hit and one walk while striking out a trio of batters.

At this point, seven of Arizona’s 11 draft picks have signed professional contracts while only right-hand pitcher Mike Colla has yet to make a start for his Pittsburgh minor league affiliate, the State College Spikes.

– Arizona Summer Wildcat