Lion Baseball Players in the Pros - Update

MARS HILL, N.C. – Head Baseball Coach Aaron Rembert would like to bring Lion fans up to date on former MHU baseball players and their current careers in professional baseball.

Rayshelon Carolina, Patrick Riehl and Evan Rogers are still enjoying success as players while Patrick Anderson is having a very successful career as a minor league professional manager.

Rembert stated, "I couldn't be happier for Evan, Ray, Pat and Patrick.  They are all having tremendous success in pro baseball and representing MHU Baseball in such a positive way.  They all go about their business in the right way and each of them appreciate their experiences they had at Mars Hill.  They are obviously all very talented but have always had to work extremely hard to make it where they are today.  They give our current players and future recruits the hope and the opportunity to play professionally after their days at Mars Hill."

Rogers was released from the Philadelphia Phillies after spring training in 2017 but is now playing professionally for the Gateway Grizzlies in the Frontier League.  The Grizzlies are located in Sauget, Ill., which is five minutes from downtown St. Louis.  The Frontier League is comprised of teams all over the Midwest.  In 14 games, he leads the team in batting average (.360) and doubles (4) and has hit a pair of homeruns.

In regards to Rogers, Rembert stated, "Evan was disappointed he was released out of spring training.  That did not last long as he was signed immediately by Gateway.  Not surprising to most of us, he has gotten off to a great start in the Frontier League.  The league is very tough and a lot of guys get signed out of this league.  We have had several guys from MHU in the past play in this league and have enjoyed it.  He continues to live out his dream of playing professionally.  I am excited to follow his progress throughout the summer."

Carolina has signed with the White Sand Pupfish out of the Pecos League.  The Pupfish are located in New Mexico and the Pecos League fields teams in the Southwestern part of the country.  Ray is hitting .300 in six games which includes a couple stolen bases. 

In regards to Carolina, Rembert stated, "Ray was signed this winter and is living his lifelong dream of playing professional baseball.  Baseball has given Ray an incredible journey; from representing his country, Curacao, in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa; to Monroe Community College in Rochester, N.Y.; to Mars Hill University and now to the Southwestern part of the United States.  Ray truly loves to play the game and is living every kid's dream of playing professionally.  His season has just begun, but the early success comes as no surprise to everyone that knows Ray.  He plays the game hard and enjoys every moment playing.  I am very excited to watch his continued success this summer."

Riehl got moved up to Class A out of spring training and is playing for the Dayton Dragons in the Cincinnati Reds Organization.  He has a 1-2 record on the mound with a save this season in 18.2 innings pitched.  He also has 15 strikeouts in his 15 appearances.

In regards to Riehl, Rembert stated, "Patrick had a good first season in pro ball last year and a great spring training.  He was rewarded with a promotion and it is obviously much deserved.  What a dream he is living as he is from Ohio, gets picked up by the Reds, and now is playing in Dayton.  He is working very hard and it will be fun to keep up with his progression over the summer.  Hopefully he can keep making strides over the summer."

Anderson is back with the Hagerstown Suns as the Manager in the Washington Nationals organization. They are currently in first place with a 32-21 mark in the South Atlantic League Northern Division. After a successful career at MHU, Anderson also played professionally in the Frontier League before moving into the coaching ranks.

In regards to Anderson, Rembert stated, "Patrick is leading the Suns to another strong year so far.  They played in the Championship Game last season and he has them in first place through 53 games this season.  This guy can just flat out coach.  I spent some time with him when they played the Asheville Tourists earlier this spring and he just knows the game.  He is the definition of a baseball guy and just absolutely loves the grind.  It is all about his guys and trying to help them get moved up.  He has no ego and that is why year after year his teams are so good.  Even with all the roster moves that he deals with, I am sure they will be near the top again at the end of this season."