Bowling Green State University Athletics
Two Former Falcons Making Their Names Heard In Arizona Fall League
October 30, 2007 | Baseball
Oct. 30, 2007
(BGSUfalcons.com) - Getting the opportunity to take part in Major League Baseball's Spring Training is never easy, but two former Falcon-stars are currently trying their best to be given the invitation to try in the Arizona Fall League. Former BG pitcher Burke Badenhop (2002-05) and outfielder Nolan Reimold (2003-05) are two of the top MLB prospects competing in the fall league that features six of the top Triple-A and Double-A prospects for each respective team.
Badenhop, a member of the Detroit Tigers' system, has been competing for the Peoria Saguaros, which is one of the eight teams in the league. Thus far thru 17 games, the right-hander has seen relief action in five games as he has a 1-1 record, a 2.25 earned run average and nine strikeouts in eight innings of work. The 6-foot-5-inch native of Perrysburg, Ohio, who spent most of the past season as a starting pitcher for the Lakeland Tigers (Tigers Single-A affiliate) has yet to allow a run to a right-handed batter in 4.1 innings, as righties are hitting just .188 against him.
Last season with Lakeland, Badenhop recorded a 10-6 record in 23 starts while posting an ERA of 3.13. The Tigers 19th-round selection in the 2005 MLB Draft fanned a total of 78 batters, while allowing just 34 walks in 135.1 total innings of duty, as he gave up just five homers and 47 earned runs. His performance earned him three starts with the Erie Seawolves (Tigers Double-A affiliate) late in the season where he went 2-0 with a 1.45 ERA and picked up 12 strikeouts, including one against Reimold.
Reimold, a member of the Baltimore Orioles' system and a top five prospect for the club, has been competing for the Phoenix Desert Dogs in the AFL. Despite having a .232 average in 17 games, the right-hander has collected three homers and seven RBI's, while drawing six walks in 56 at bats.
This past season, Reimold spent most of his season competing for the Bowie Baysox (Orioles Double-A affiliate) where he played 50 games, hitting .306 with 15 doubles, 11 homers and 34 RBI's. A second-round pick for the Orioles in the 2005 MLB Draft, he been getting a lot of recognition for his power-hitting and athletic ability, which have projected to be playing for the Orioles in the near future.
On Fri., Oct. 26th. Reimold took part in the annual Rising Stars Showcase game held in Surprise, Ariz., where he competed for the East Division team. For Reimold, it was his second-straight time competing in the event, as he drew two walks in six innings of work, before being replaced by teammate Ryan Sweeney. The Greenville, Pa. native had played 15 total innings of baseball on the day after his Phoenix team fell to Team China earlier in the day.
Reimold, like Badenhop, is hoping to eventually become another AFL alum who makes it big in the MLB. The 2006 MLB All-Star game featured 25 former AFL alums, which included the likes of David Wright, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard.
The ultimate goal for the two BG alums is making it to Spring Training, which will start in March, as they'll be looking to become the 13th and 14th players in Falcon history to play in a major league contest.
