Kirby-Jones named California League Player of the Week
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. --- A.J. Kirby-Jones and Chad Oberacker, two of Tennessee Tech’s former baseball players, are heating things up in the minors as they continue their journey to the show.
Kirby-Jones is in his third season in the Oakland A’s organization and is currently playing for the Stockton (Calif.) Ports. Oberacker, meanwhile, is in his second season in the Oakland farm system and is playing for the Burlington (Iowa) Bees.
Elsewhere in the minors, Stephen Pryor is currently the closer for the Jackson (Tenn.) Generals in the Seattle Mariners organization, while Adam Liberatore made an appearance with the triple-A Durham Bulls and is playing with the Montgomery (Ala.) Biscuits for the Tampa Bay Rays organization. Ryan Dennick is off to a strong start with the Wilmington Blue Rocks of the Kansas City Royals organization.
A.J. Kirby-Jones – Stockton Ports (Single-A, Oakland Athletics)
Kirby-Jones has had the hot bat for the Stockton Ports so far this season, as he has posted a team-high .390 batting average and has tallied four home runs and 14 RBIs. Against Lake Elsinore, he notched three home runs and tallied five RBIs in the Ports’ 8-0 win. He was named the California League Player of the Week for his efforts.
To view Kirby-Jones’ profile click here
Chad Oberacker – Burlington Bees (Single-A, Oakland Athletics)
Oberacker has been seeing the ball well so far this season, as he leads the Burlington Bees with a .400 batting average in 11 games. He has scored 11 runs and has posted four doubles and a home run. He has recorded at least one hit in every game he has played in this season, including three games in which he has posted three hits.
To view Oberacker’s profile click here
Stephen Pryor – Jackson Generals (Double-A, Seattle Mariners)
Pryor has served as the Generals’ closer since the season began and has posted five saves while maintaining a 1.69 ERA. In seven games, Pryor has struck out 14 batters and has given up just two earned runs. He has posted a save in each of his last two outings, including a two-inning save against the Huntsville Stars where he notched three strikeouts.
To view Prior’s profile click here
Adam Liberatore – Montgomery Biscuits (Double-A, Tampa Bay Rays)
Liberatore has made five appearances for the Montgomery Biscuits this season, and threw one scoreless inning for the Triple-A Durham Bulls. For the Biscuits, Liberatore has thrown 8.2 innings while posting a 3.12 ERA. He has kept his opponents scoreless in his last two outings, including a two-inning performance against the Pensacola Wahoos.
To view Liberatore’s profile click here
Ryan Dennick - Wilmington Blue Rocks (Single-A, Kansas City Royals)
Dennick has posted a 2-1 record this season while throwing 14.2 innings. He has struck out 11 batters this season and has maintained a 3.07 ERA.
To view Dennick’s profile click here
