5 Locals Trying to Break Into MLB

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Williamson Source
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Major League Baseball begins their season April 5 as the Chicago Cubs host the St. Louis Cardinals at 7:05 p.m. on ESPN2.

The rest of the league continues Opening Day Monday with all 30 teams in action.

Middle Tennessee is becoming well known for its baseball talent. Just look at Murfreesboro’s own David Price (Detroit Tigers) and Sonny Gray (Oakland Athletics).

Aside from those headliners, the Midstate has several players fighting on the verge of becoming household names as well.

Tony Kemp – Centennial High School Class of 2010

Kemp and Vanderbilt teammate Conrad Gregor are sharing success in the minors too, as they teamed on the 2014 California League championship team.

It appears that Kemp will start 2015 in the minors again, most likely with the Double A Corpus Christi Hooks.

Don’t worry though, as many scouts in the Houston Astros organization see Kemp in their future – possibly getting a late call up in August to see how he can handle MLB pitching.

Despite his lack of power, Kemp rarely strikes out and had a batting average around .300 in Corpus Christi last year. He’s ranked at the club’s No. 15 prospect.

Robbie Ray – Brentwood High School Class of 2010

A member of the Arizona Diamondbacks organization, the lefthanded pitcher is a borderline selection to either make the MLB squad as a relief pitcher or being sent down to Triple A.

Ray could be sent down to Reno to work on his control after walking 13 batters in 14 innings in Spring Training according to VenomStrikes.com.

Being originally drafted by Washington in the 12th round of the 2010 amateur draft, Ray was traded to Detroit in exchange for Doug Fister in December of 2013. The Tigers traded him to Arizona in December of 2014. He made nine appearances for Detroit, coming out with a 1-4 record.

Mookie Betts – Overton High School Class of 2011

Betts, once an infielder now a centerfielder, is getting the most hype of any young star from the Midstate.

The 22-year old ranked Top 3 out of all hitters in Spring Training in batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage, drawing comparisons to Pittsburgh Pirate superstar Andrew McCutchen.

Betts was called up for 52 games in 2014 as the Red Sox were crippled with injuries in the outfield. During that time he had a .291 average with five homeruns, 12 doubles, a triple, and seven stolen bases.

It’s not even a question anymore if the potential leadoff hitter will make the MLB roster, rather will he be Boston’s Most Valuable Player.

Corban Joseph – Franklin High School Class of 2008

Able to play first or second base, Joseph signed with the Atlanta Braves after being released from the New York Yankees system in August 2014.

He did get called up for two games in 2013, getting one hit in six at bats before being sent back to Triple A. An injury plagued 2014 season, his seventh, and an expiring contract was the end of his time in the Big Apple.

A former fourth round pick in the draft, Joseph looks to still have a climb ahead of him in the minors before breaking back into the MLB.

Caleb Joseph – Franklin High School Class of 2005

Corban’s older brother spent the last month balancing trying to make the Baltimore Orioles and being a first time dad.

It appears he was successful at both.

A long-time minor leaguer, Joseph played in 82 games for Baltimore in 2014 – including their playoff run. He hit nine home runs and nine doubles during that time while his batting average hovered around the .200 mark.

Matt Wieters looks to return behind the plate healthy in 2015, meaning it looks as if Caleb will make the Major League squad as a backup.

Get a head start on knowing the stars of tomorrow by checking out our Prep Sports page.

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