SETTERS IN THE PROS UPDATE
PLEASANTVILLE, NY - Six former Pace University baseball players are currently following their dreams by playing professional baseball. Matt Arbur (Bristol, CT/Bristol Eastern), Earl Oakes (Bristol, CT/Bristol Central), David Qualben (Brooklyn, NY/Xavier) and Bryan Hallberg (River Egde, NJ/Riverdell) are all playing with minor league affiliated teams, while Matt Reilly (Denville, NJ/Morris Knolls) and Patrick Stanley (Ramsey, NJ/Ramsey) are in the independent routes.
Arburr, who was taken by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 17th round (532nd overall) in this years MLB draft, is the most recent of the six to purse a professional baseball career. Arburr is currently playing for the Johnson City Cardinals of the Appalachian League, the Rookie League affiliate of the Cardinals. Arburr is hitting .222 (4-for-18) with a pair of RBI's and runs scored in six games played. Follow Arburr's progress by visiting the Johnson City Cardinals official website: www.jccardinals.com.
Qualben, who was taken by the Houston Astros in the 7th round (219th overall) in last years draft, has had a successful first two seasons as a professional. Playing for the Tri-City ValleyCats of the New York-Penn League, the Class A Short-Season affiliate of the Astros, Qualben posted an even 5-5 record with a 2.25 ERA in 14 starts in 2006 on his way to being named a NY-Penn League All-Star. This season, Qualben was called up to the Lexington Legends of the South Atlantic League, the Class A affiliate of the Astros and has been very effective leading the team in wins posting a 6-4 record with a 3.44 ERA in 17 appearances (11 starts). He is second on the team in strikeouts (58) and third in innings pitched (73.1). Qualben was the only Legend named to the Northern Division All-Star team, as he helped the Northern All-Stars defeat the Southern All-Stars 3-1, pitching a shutout inning of relief allowing a pair of hits and a walk, while striking out one. Follow Qulaben's progress by visiting the Lexington Legends official website www.lexingtonlegends.com.
Hallberg, who was also taken by the Houston Astros as their 12th round (369th overall) pick in last years draft, has had a rough sophomore season after a solid first year. Hallberg began his professional career with the ValleyCats, along with Setter teammate Qualben. Hallberg posted a 4-3 record and a save with a 2.44 ERA in 15 appearances (12 starts) in 2006. He was third on the team in innings pitched (70.0) and was tied for third on the team in strikeouts (53). Like Qualben, Hallberg got the call up to Lexington for the '07 season, but did not fair as well, as Hallberg posted a 2-4 record and a save with an 8.27 ERA in 14 appearances (six starts). Hallberg has been recently sent back down to Tri-City, where he has appeared in one game so far on the young season pitching four innings of relief, allowing one run on two hits while striking out three. Follow Hallberg's progress by visiting the Tri-City ValleyCats official website www.tcvalleycats.com.
Oakes, who was taken by the Oakland Athletics in the 24th round (728th overall) in last years MLB draft is in his second season with the Vancouver Canadians of the Northwest League, the Class A Short-Season affiliate of the Athletics. In 18 relief appearances last season for the Canadians, Oakes posted a 2-4 record, while recording a save with a 4.55 ERA. So far on the young season, Oakes has appeared in one game tossing two innings of relief allowing one run on two hits, with a walk and a pair of strikeouts to earn the save. You can follow Oakes' progress by visiting the Canadians official website www.canadiansbaseball.com.
Reilly, who was the fourth Setters taken in last years MLB draft by the Los Angeles Angels in the 27th round (822nd overall) was released after just a season with the organization. In 10 relief appearances for the Tempe Angles of the Arizona League, the Rookie League affiliate of the Angels, Reilly posted a 2-1 record and a save with a 5.52 ERA. Reilly signed with the Brockton Rox of the CanAm League, an independent baseball league at the beginning of the '07 season. Reilly has appeared in nine games for the Rox, including one start, posting a 1-0 record with 1.93 ERA. You can follow Reilly by visiting the Rox official website http://www.brocktonrox.com/
Stanley is entering his second season with the Washington Wild Things of the Independent Frontier League. Last season, He posted an 8-4 record with a 2.72 ERA, to go along with a league-high 111 strikeouts. So far this season, Stanley is 1-2 with a 9.19 ERA in four starts and is currently on the disabled list. Stanley was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 16th round of the 2004 MLB draft. Follow Stanley's season by visiting the Wild Things official website http://www.washingtonwildthings.com/
