Blue Raiders performing well in the professional ranks

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - There are currently 18 former Blue Raiders playing either minor league or independent professional baseball. Here is an update on how a few of them are doing.

Bryce Brentz, who was Middle Tennessee's highest draft pick since Dewon Brazelton in 2001, received Player of the Game honors for the second time this season on Monday. The Knoxville, Tenn., native hit a two-RBI single in sixth giving the Lowell Spinners a one-run lead as they held on for the 3-2 victory over the Brooklyn Cyclones. Brentz received the Edible Arrangements Player of the Game as his timely hit was one of just four the Spinners had in the game.

Rawley Bishop who began the season in Class A for the Detroit Tigers has been moved up to Double A and is now playing with the Erie Seawolves. In 18 games with the Seawolves, the Germantown, Tenn., native is batting .297 with 19 hits, three doubles, three home runs and 16 RBI. On the season he is batting .301 with a .462 slugging percentage.

On Monday night against the Akron Aeros Bishop went 3 for 4 with a three-run home run. He was one of four players off his Class A team to be named to the Florida State All-Star Team. In his last 10 games, Bishop is batting .353 with 12 hits, two home runs, nine RBI and has scored four runs.

Brett Carroll who began the season with the Florida Marlins has been moved down to the Triple -A New Orleans Zephyrs. In the last 10 games, Carroll is batting .216 with eight hits, two doubles and two RBI. Since joining the New Orleans team the Knoxville, Tenn., native has posted a .212 average with 24 hits, eight doubles, two home runs, 11 RBI and has scored 11 runs.

Michael McKenry is playing with the Colorado Springs Sky Sox which is the Triple A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. McKenry has recorded 64 hits, 17 doubles, five home runs, 32 RBI and has scored 27 runs to post a .302 average. In the last 10 games, he is batting .361 with 13 hits, six doubles and 11 RBI.

Blake McDade and Kenneth Roberts are performing very well for the Casper Ghosts the Class A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. McDade is batting .306 with 22 hits, four doubles, 12 RBI and has scored 10 runs. Roberts has allowed just one earned run in 9.1 innings of work posting a 2-1 record.

Justin Miller is playing with the Vermont Lake Monsters the Class A affiliate of the Washington Nationals. In the last 10 games, Miller is batting .313 with 10 hits, five doubles, six RBI and has scored 10 runs. On the season, he is batting .288 with 15 hits, nine RBI and has scored 14 runs.

Josh Horn is performing well for the Wichita Wingnuts batting .356 with 73 hits, 12 doubles, 17 RBI and has scored 31 runs. In the last seven days, Horn is batting .276 with eight hits, two triples, two RBI and has scored six runs.

For a complete list of former Blue Raiders playing on the professional level, visit the baseball page at goblueraiders.com.

Follow the Blue Raiders on Twitter @MTAthletics for continued updates.