COLLEGE: North Carolina
HIGH SCHOOL: Hopewell High School, Huntersville, NC
DRAFT: 5th round (157 overall), 2014, Tampa Bay Rays

CAREER NOTES

• Returns to the ROCKERS in 2022 after hitting a career year in 2021 (.360 AVG, 7 HR, 48 RBI)
• Has played every position except catcher and pitcher as a professional.
• Is 16 stolen bases away from 150 career steals.

2021

• Third highest single-season batting average in ALPB history (.360) and the highest batting average in American unaffiliated leagues.
• Stole 21 bases for the second consecutive season (2019)
• Was hitting .351 when his jaw was broken on a throw while stealing third base on 7/28 at Gastonia…Missed 38 games while recovering from injury…Returned to hit .371 in 26 games to close out the season.

2020

• Played five games with the Rockland Boulders of the All-American Baseball Challenge.
• Was 4-for-14 with a double, RBI and one stolen base.

2019

• Signed with the ROCKERS 6/14/19, appearing in 75 games.
• Hit .287 with 21 stolen bases, four homers and 26 RBI.
• Led the ROCKERS with 21 stolen bases.

2018

• Split season between AA Montgomery and AAA Durham (International).
• Combined to hit .249 with three home runs and nine stolen bases.
• Played 42 games with Durham with a .250 average … Appeared in 45 games with Montgomery, hitting .249

2017

• Promoted to AA Montgomery (Southern) and posted a .246 average with six home runs, 43 RBI and 20 stolen bases.

2016

• Spent the entire season at A Bowling Green, Ky. (Midwest) and hit .293 with eight home runs, 48 RBI and career-best 29 stolen bases.
• Scored a career-high 76 runs and collected 116 hits with 28 doubles and career-high five triples.

2015

• Started his professional career at A- Hudson Valley (New York-Penn) and played 63 games while hitting .257 with two home runs, 20 RBI and 22 stolen bases.

2014 (North Carolina-Chapel Hill/Tampa Bay)

• Selected in fifth round of MLB Draft by Tampa Bay.
• Named second team All-ACC at second base … Named third team All-American by Rawlings, National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and Collegiate Baseball.
• Hit .302 in 192 games during his collegiate career (217-for-718) with six home runs, 44 doubles and 95 RBI.
• Named the Tar Heels’ MVP by leading the club in average (.339), runs scored (43) and hits (78).

2013 (North Carolina-Chapel Hill)

• Named UNC’s Most Dedicated Player, hitting .298 with 10 doubles and 18 stolen bases.
• Helped Tar Heels to College World Series where they defeated LSU and NC State in going 2-2 … Member of the NCAA Chapel Hill Regional All-Tournament team.
• Spent the summer with the Chatham Anglers in the Cape Cod League.

2012 (North Carolina-Chapel Hill)

• Started all 62 games (32 OF, 10 3B, 20 SS) as a freshman and hit .269 with 60 hits, 40 runs, and 24 RBI with 14 stolen bases in 17 attempts.
• Began the year in the outfield before moving to shortstop at the end of the season.

2011 (Hopewell HS)

• Named the I-Meck Player of the Year and Lake Norman Player of the Year at Hopewell High, hitting .506 with 38 runs and 23 RBI.
• Helped the Titans to three consecutive MECA 7/I-MECK conference championships.
• A three-sport star for the Titans, he was all-conference in all three sports: football free safety, basketball point guard, baseball shortstop.
• Played for Huntersville American Legion Post 321 following his senior season of high school.

2010 (Hopewell HS)

• Named Hopewell High Homecoming King.
• Had 42 tackles, 5 interceptions and 3 defensive TDs in leading the Titans to an 8-5 record … Named All-Charlotte Observer and All-Lake Norman News in football.
• Averaged eight points and four assists per game in basketball.
• Missed his junior season of baseball with two broken bones in his leg suffered when he was hit by a base runner while making a throw.

PERSONAL

• Michael Joseph Russell … His father, John, is a member of the New England High School Basketball Hall of Fame.

COLLEGE: Maple Woods CC, Kansas City, Kan.
HIGH SCHOOL: Northshore HS, Slidell, La.
DRAFT: 22nd round (666 overall), 2005, Florida Marlins

CAREER NOTES
Has played 11 seasons of MLB with Florida/Miami, Seattle, Tampa Bay, Minnesota, Philadelphia and Milwaukee.

• Enters 2022 season with 997 career MLB games played, 792 hits, 163 doubles, 140 home runs and 426 RBI.

2021

• Hit .370 with 3 HR and 9 RBI in 9 games with the Rockers
• Blasted 2 HR against Lancaster on 6/2, including a ball that went over the scoreboard at Truist Point.
• Contract selected by Cincinnati on 6/11…Hit .347 with 2 HR and 12 RBI in 16 games with AAA Louisville before being shut down due to injury.

2020

• Played nine games with Milwaukee, logging 25 AB, 3 H, 1 2B, 1 HR and 2 RBI with .120 average.

2019

• Signed with the New York Yankees on 4/19/19 on a minor league deal.
• Released by the Yankees on 7/4/19 and signed with Philadelphia on 7/15/19.
• Played 29 games with Philadelphia with 35 AB, 7 H, 2 HR, 3 RBI and a .186 average.

2018

• Signed with Minnesota as a free agent just before the start of spring training.
• Played in 95 games with a .186 average, 15 home runs and 39 RBI but spent significant time on the injured list.

2017

• Was the Rays’ nominee for the Hank Aaron Award that recognizes the top hitter in each league … Hit career-high 38 home runs and tied for fifth in the American League and ranked third in franchise history for a season, trailing Carlos Peña (46 in 2007 and 39 in 2009).
• Made his sixth Opening Day roster, all starts, and recorded three hits vs. the Yankees.
• Hit his first career grand slam 4/14/17 at Boston off RH Rick Porcello.
• Hit his 100th career home run 6/3/17 at Seattle.
• Became the first player in Rays history to hit three homers in extra innings in one season, and the only player in baseball to do so in 2017 … All three came in getaway days on the road.
• Led the American League with 27 road homers.

2016

• Missed the last month of the season with a left wrist strain.

2015

• Acquired by Tampa Bay from Seattle along with INF Brad Miller and RHP Danny Farquhar in exchange for OF Boog Powell, RHP Nate Karns and LHP C.J. Riefenhauser (11/5/15).
• Nominated for the Hutch Award recognizing the MLB player who best exemplifies the fighting spirit and competitive desire of legendary leader Fred Hutchinson, the former MLB pitcher and manager who succumbed to cancer in 1964.
• Played in career-high 146 games for Seattle in 2015, his first season of 100 or more games since 2011 … Hit his first career walk-off home run in the 11th inning on 5/8/15 vs. Oakland off Dan Otero.

2014

• Missed 53 games with a strained right hamstring, 4/16-6/10/14.

2013

• Missed Miami’s first 61 games and a total of 123 consecutive games while recovering from right knee surgery … Returned on 6/9/13 at the New York Mets, his first MLB action since 7/28/12, and went on to make 78 starts at first base.
• Acquired by Seattle from Miami in exchange for RHP Carter Capps (12/13/13).

2012

• Was the Marlins’ nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award in 2012 and 2013.
• Season ended after 93 games, landing on the 15-day IL with right knee inflammation … Underwent surgery to repair the patella tendon in September.

2011

• His career-high 23 home runs were second on the Marlins to Giancarlo Stanton (34) while his 72 RBI were third on the team behind Stanton (87) and Gáby Sanchez (78) … At age 23, combined with Stanton (age 21) to hit 57 home runs, the most combined HR by teammates that young since 1992, when Texas’ Juan González and Dean Palmer combined for 69 HR … Had 52 XBH to tie for third among NL leftfielders … Made 117 starts, all in LF.

2010

• Started and played all nine innings at the All-Star Futures Game in Anaheim … Made his MLB debut on 7/27/10 at San Francisco and singled off Matt Cain for his first career hit … Led MLB rookies with 20 2B and 7 3B … Hi his first career home run on 8/27/10 off ATL Tommy Hanson … Set Marlins rookie record by reaching base safely in 42 consecutive games, Aug 7-Sept 22 … The streak tied Yankees’ Mark Teixeira for the longest in the majors that year.

2009

• A broken bone in his right thumb limited him to 79 games at AA Jacksonville.

2008

• Named Florida State League Most Valuable Player at A Jupiter as he led the league in batting average (.332), OBP (.402), hits (162) and doubles (38).

2007

• Named a South Atlantic League All-Star at A Greensboro as he tied for fourth in the league in home runs (24).

2006 (Maple Woods CC/Marlins)

• Began his professional career with the GCL Marlins (26 GM, .270 BA) and A- Jamestown (New York-Penn) (23 GM, .23 BA).
• Hit .436 with nine home runs and 45 RBI in his only season at Maple Woods Community College, the same college attended by Albert Pujols.
• Was starting pitcher in a 6-0 win over Highland 3/2/06.

COLLEGE: Florida State, University of Tampa
HIGH SCHOOL: Lincoln Park Academy, Fort Pierce, Fla.
DRAFT: 21st round (626 overall), 2015, Miami Marlins

CAREER sOTES

• Has played six seasons of professional baseball.
• Starting shortstop for University of Tampa’s NCAA Division II national championship team in 2015.
• Returns to the ROCKERS in 2022, his third season in the Atlantic League. 

2021

• Hit .273 with 2 HR, a career-high 49 RBI and 10 steals…On 8/26 vs. Gastonia, hit first HR since 6/3/18 with Columbia…13 game hitting streak from 7/9 to 7/28…

2020

• Season canceled due to Covid-19.

2019

• Played in 112 games with the ROCKERS.
• Hit .248 with 13 stolen bases and 30 RBI.

2018

• Played for A Columbia, SC (South Atlantic) and hit .215 in 75 games.
• Hit two home runs and drove in 26 runs while scoring 26 runs.

2017

• Played with Long Island of the Atlantic League, appearing in 106 games while hitting .309 with four home runs and 45 RBI.

2016

• Spent the entire season at A Greensboro (South Atlantic) where hit hit .222 with two home runs in 66 games.
• Pitched in two games and recorded one save for the Grasshoppers.

2015 (Tampa/Miami Marlins)

• Selected in the 21st round of the MLB Draft by the Miami Marlins.
• Played in 60 games with A- Batavia (New York-Penn) and hit .245 with eight stolen bases and 20 RBI.
• Earned third team All-America honors from the American Baseball Coaches Association.
• Named to the NCAA South Regional All-Tournament team.
• Member of the NCAA Division II Championship Series All-Tournament team.
• Led Tampa to the NCAA Division II National Championship.
• Hit .300 across his four collegiate seasons with 11 home runs, 109 RBI and 16 stolen bases.

2014 (Tampa)

• Transferred to the University of Tampa and hit .317 with 31 RBI in 55 games.
• Named to the NCAA South Regional All-Tournament team.
• Named first team All-Sunshine State Conference.
• Helped Tampa to the NCAA Division II semifinals.

2013 (Florida State)

• Appeared in 62 games (59 starts) at Florida State, hitting .263 with 26 RBI and 27 walks.

2012 (Florida State)

• Appeared in 29 games for Florida State, hitting .107 with two stolen bases.
• Helped the Seminoles to a 50-17 overall record and 24-6 ACC mark.
• FSU won the Tallahassee Regional and Super Regional and advanced to the College World Series.

2011 (Lincoln Park Academy)

• Hit .417 as a senior at Lincoln Park Academy in Fort Pierce, Fla.
• Was an Under Armour Honorable Mention All-American.

 

PERSONAL

• Giovanny Anil Alfonzo
• Son of Edgar Alfonzo who played 14 years of minor league baseball
• Uncle is Edgardo Alfonzo who spent 11 years in MLB and is the manager of the Staten Island FerryHawks.
• Played baseball with Jameis Winston at Florida State in 2013.
• Involved with “Meet-A-Prospect,” a baseball networking organization.

COLLEGE: Howard Junior College
HIGH SCHOOL: Maine West HS, Des Plaines, Ill.
DRAFT: 2nd round (60 overall), 2008, Minnesota Twins

STATUS
• Returns to the Rockers in 2022 after having played in High Point in 2019 and in the Cubs organization in 2021.

CAREER NOTES
• Has spent parts of three seasons in MLB with the Oakland A’s and Chicago Cubs
• Has spent 14 seasons as a professional, playing in over 1,000 games with a .246 career average with 74 home runs and 430 RBI.
• Pitched in one game with Oakland, going one inning with one hit and one walk.

2021
• Returned to Majors the final weekend of the regular season, going 0-1 as a pinch-hitter. It was his first MLB appearance since 2016.
• Contract selected by Chicago Cubs before 2021 ALPB season, spent season with AAA Iowa and hit .241 with 8 HR.
• Named as an assistant baseball coach at Marshall University, 3/9/21.
2020
• Played with the Chicago Dogs (American Association) hitting .223 and tied career-high with 13 home runs while adding 38 RBI in 55 games.
2019
• Played with the ROCKERS and made the Atlantic League All-Star team.
• Hit .256 and set career-high with 13 home runs while adding 44 RBI.
• Contract purchased by Tampa Bay 7/26/19, released 9/13/19 and signed back with ROCKERS on 9/14/19.
• Owns multiple “firsts” in Rockers franchise history including first hit, first run scored, first home run, first walk-off homer.
2018
• Signed with Toronto Blue Jays and played at AAA Vancouver (International).
• Traded to Arizona Diamondbacks 5/28/18.
• 2017
• Signed with Chicago White Sox as free agent and assigned to AAA Charlotte (International).
• Played in 60 games and hit .250 with two home runs and 21 RBI while stealing four bases.
• Became a free agent following the season.
2016
• Played 45 games with Oakland and hit .083 (4 for 48).
• Hit .234 in 35 games at AAA Nashville (Pacific Coast) with one home run and six RBI.
• Became a free agent at the end of the season.
2015
• Opened the season with the Oakland A’s before being sent to AAA Nashville 4/12/15.
• Recalled from Nashville 5/22/15, returned to Nashville 8/21/15 and returned to Oakland 9/1/15.
• Played in nine games at the MLB level with .235 average (4 for 17) with two RBI and 3 runs.
• Underwent left ankle surgery and had multiple rehab assignments during the year.
2014
• Spent entire season at AAA Sacramento (PCL) and hit .297 with two home runs and 43 RBI in 78 games.
2013
• Played in 91 games between AA Midland (83 games) and AAA Sacramento (8 games) … Hit .248 with six home runs and 42 RBI
2012
• Spent entire season at AA Midland and hit .240 with career-best nine home runs and 54 RBI.
2011
• Began season at AA Midland (Texas) before promoted to AAA Sacramento 9/2/11 … Hit .224 with six home runs and 36 RBI between Stockton and Sacramento.
2010
• Played majority of season at A+ Stockton (California) but also played four games with AAA Sacramento (PCL).
• Combined to hit .270 with five home runs, 41 RBI and 20 stolen bases … Had 30 doubles in 126 games with Stockton.
2009
• Started season at Rookie Elizabethton (Appalachian) before promoted to A Beloit 7/11/09 after hitting .410 in the Appy League.
• Traded to Oakland for SS Orlando Cabrera and assigned to A Kane County (Midwest) 7/31/09.
• Combined, hit .275 in 67 games with six home runs and 36 RBI.
2008 (Howard JC/Minnesota Twins)
• Selected in second round of the 2008 MLB Draft by the Minnesota Twins, the 60th player taken overall.
• Started career at Minnesota’s Gulf Coast League Rookie team where ht hit .204 with one home run and 13 RBI while stealing six bases.
2007 (Howard JC)
• Selected by the San Francisco Giants in the MLB Draft out of Howard Junior College.
• Named to the Texas Collegiate League All-League Team while playing for the Denton Outlaws.
2006 (Maine West HS)
• Named first team All-Chicago Tribune at shortstop after hitting .495 with eight triples and 49 runs scored.
• Taken in the 34th round of the MLB Draft by the New York Yankees.
2004 (Maine West HS)
• Led Maine West to the Central Suburban League North baseball championship.
• Had 88 yards rushing and 114 yards receiving and scored the game-winning TD in a 38-35 win over Highland Park (10/1/04).
2001
• Threw four innings of 2-hit ball in leading the Northwest Travelers to a 10-4 win over the Algonquin Warriors.

PERSONAL
• Tyler James Ladendorf

COLLEGE: Saint Thomas University (FL)
DRAFT: 15th round (441st overall), Boston Red Sox, 2015

CAREER NOTES

• Holds the Rockers’ franchise record for RBI in a season with 81 in 2021

2021

• Played in 91 games for the Rockers, setting career marks in home runs (22), RBI (81) and batting average (.300), while also being named to the All-Defensive Team at first base.
• His 81 RBI set a single-season Rockers record.
• Became first Rockers player to hit 3 home runs in a game (8/3 at Lexington).

2020

• DID NOT PLAY

2019

• Played in 78 games for Salem (A+) and Portland (AA)…hit a combined .165 but recorded a .998 fielding percentage.

2018

• Had his best offensive season in affiliated ball, slugging 15 home runs and 52 RBI in 116 games.

2017

• Hit .274 with A Greenville in 34 games.

2016

• Playing with A- Lowell, hit .261 with 5 HR and 24 RBI…Registered a .994 fielding percentage at first base.

2015

• Hit .275 with two home runs in 42 games for GCL Red Sox.