The unofficial online home for fans of the Kent State University Golden Flashes. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

Taylor Williams was designated for assignment by the Marlins. In the past, this doesn't happen in September, but, since the rosters only expand to 28 now instead of 40, the clubs do have to make roster decisions like this. Williams didn't pitch well for the Marlins, 6 games and a 7.11 ERA.

He's got good stuff, which is why he keeps getting chances, but he really hasn't translated it into successful major league pitching. My guess is he'll end up cut from the Marlins this offseason and end up a free agent, which will give him the opportunity to find the best chance to succeed.

As the season winds down, we will only have Travis Shaw’s Red Sox getting into the playoffs as a wild card. It’s worth reviewing where how the Kent Major Leaguers finished.

Travis Shaw - After playing poorly for the Brewers and separating his shoulder diving for a ground ball, it looked like Shaw’s season was done. Shaw worked hard to come back, first playing well for the Brewers AAA team in rehab and then getting picked up by the Red Sox after the Brewers tried to push him through waivers. It was limited play, but Shaw posted 244/326/537 for the Sox. He would have played more, but the guy he was brought aboard to possibly replace (Bobby Dalbec) got his act together and posted a 271/350/664 line after Shaw joined the team. I think Shaw is probably going into this offseason looking for a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training again. Honestly, he might be done as he will be 32 at the start of next season and shouldn’t be anyone’s plan A at this point.

Andrew Chafin - had the best year of his career. Period. He was one of the ten best relievers in baseball this year, taking a new approach of “just hit this” and stop nibbling around the plate. He has lower walk and strikeout rates than at any point in his career, but the big thing was that players still couldn’t hit Chafin hard (inducing soft contact as they say). Chafin isn’t a kid (he’ll turn 32 next year) and he is a bit of a clubhouse clown (the hair, beer gut, “failed starter”), but he also has always been a good reliever and may have turned the corner to be a great reliever. He has a mutual option with his contract that I suspect he’ll turn down and end up with a 3 years/$15M type deal.

I’ll come back with more later.

You may also watch Eric Lauer. The Brewers are the #2 seed in the NL.

Eric Lauer - Started the season at AAA, but really barely got a chance to pitch there because they started the season late (COVID), so he bounced up and down a bit and spent some time in middle relief and spot starting with a fairly mediocre first half. But then, starting in late June, it all came together, going 6-2 with a 2.23 ERA in 80.2 innings. Basically, it all went right for him until he gave up 5 runs in his last start. In my opinion, Lauer got a bit lucky, but I stand by previous statements that there is no reason that he won't be an average starter and I think Lauer has established himself to be in the starting rotation for the forseeable future.

Taylor Williams - Ended the season essentially at AAA for the Marlins and not on the 40-man roster, which means he should become a free agent. He has good stuff, but he has never established that he can be a good major league pitcher, how with 98.2 innings and a 5.29 ERA. I expect this cycle will continue next year as he will straddle the fence between AAA and the bigs. Alternatively, I do think he could be successful in Korea or Japan and I wonder if he'll consider that as well.

Appreciate these updates bopol.

Minor League Players:

Luke Albright - didn't have the season I expected at Kent, but obviously has great potential and was taken in the 6th round by Arizona. Had a solid 6 starts for Arizona's Low-A full season club (because there are no more half-season clubs), with a 3.47 ERA, but none of his rate stats (K/9, BB/9 & HR/9) were all that great. It's too soon to read too much into it though and next year will be interesting.

Brian Clark - At 28, he pitched for High Point in the Atlantic League (the highest talent independent league) and did not pitch well with a 9.50 ERA. He really had no control with a lot of walks and more than a few HBPs. I'm not sure what went wrong because he's always been a solid AA/AAA pitcher type, but it's really hard to get info on minor league players that aren't prospects.

Patrick Dayton - Got absolutely slaughtered at AA with a 18.80 ERA. Opposing batters hit 443/542/784. Was released in July and didn't latch on elsewhere, so he might be done.

John Fasola - At 29, Fasola also pitched for High Point in the Atlantic League, pitching fairly well (2.63 ERA) in limited action. Fasola had some potential, but injuries really derailed him (missing all of 17 and limited play from 18-20). I could see him staying an independent league pitcher, but I think his window to the bigs is likely closed.

Jake Lanz - Okay, if Kent's coaches consider him Kent, then so should I. He spent one year with the Flashes, but was a red-shirt, so he never played for Kent. He pitched solidly for AA/AAA in the Texas organization, but not great and did get one big league start for the Rangers against the Indians. He has a plus K/9 rate, so he could get other shots at the bigs, even though he currently isn't on the 40-man roster.

John Matthews - pitched in a mixed role for Texas' Low-A team with a large 6.78 ERA. His rate stats were that bad, except for HR/9,which was pretty bad.

Joey Murray - assigned to AAA, but was hurt all year, only getting a short rehab start, lasting just 2/3 of an inning. I'm not sure what's wrong, but I've always like Murray's potential and am interested to see what he can do in the high minors if he is healthy.

Pavin Parks - cut by the Tigers, Parks ended up in the newly independent Pioneer League and hit the pitching well (330/427/568). While, on paper, that might seem like a great year, this was a hitter's league (teams averaged 7.6 runs a game) and it's good, but not great.

Dylan Rosa - split time between AA Erie and AAA Toledo in the Tiger's organization, going up 3 times and down 4 times in the year. At 25, he is an organizational soldier with talent (232/287/435 is okay), but strikes out far too much and doesn't walk enough to be considered a prospect.

Zach Willeman - Okay, finally someone having a good year, Willeman pitched in Tulsa for the Dodger's AA team, posting a 3.78 ERA in relief. Like Lanz, he had a good strikeout rate, but I really never hear about him as a prospect. He will have to continue to pitch well to get a shot.