Locals in the Pros

Tracking former Southern Arizona & Arizona Wildcats baseball players in pros (7/3)

By Javier Morales

Posted on July 3, 2025

NOTE: This is a compilation of stats involving players from Southern Arizona and the Pima Community College and Arizona Wildcats’ programs in MLB-sanctioned leagues (MLB and minor leagues). The list does not include players in foreign leagues or independent leagues in the US.

*Alex Verdugo is looking for a new team after designated for assignment by the Atlanta Braves (MLB photo)*

The Atlanta Braves have designated former Sahuaro High School standout Alex Verdugo for assignment. Verdugo’s spot on the roster will go to fellow outfielder Jurickson Profar, who will be reinstated from the restricted list after serving an 80-game PED ban. Verdugo, 29, signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with Atlanta late in the offseason. He first filled a reserve role behind Jarred Kelenic but was put into a starting role after Kelenic was optioned to Triple-A. Verdugo hit .322/.385/.441 in his first 65 plate appearances. Dating to May 6, Verdugo batted .203/.257/.225. He is in search of a new franchise after playing in MLB since 2017 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and the Braves. The Braves can trade or place Verdugo on outright waivers at any point in the next five days, although given his guaranteed salary, he will likely be released. If and when he clears release waivers, any other club could sign Verdugo and owe him only the prorated league minimum for any time spent on the major league roster. That sum would be subtracted from what Atlanta owes him, but the Braves will pay the majority of his 2025 salary.

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WEDNESDAY’S HOME RUN

LF/RF Milo Rushford (Walden Grove), Royals A, solo HR (2nd HR in Single-A and overall this season)

Let Rushford ring! Milo's second blast of the year puts us up 1-0 late! #LetsGlow #TheresaFireInsideAllofUs pic.twitter.com/cVmu1QVrFE

— Columbia Fireflies (@ColaFireflies) July 3, 2025

WEDNESDAY’S STANDOUTS

1B Branden Boissiere (Arizona), Nationals A+, 3-6, RBI (doubleheader)

LF/RF Milo Rushford (Walden Grove), Royals A, 1-3, run, HR, RBI

CF/RF Cal Stevenson (Arizona), Phillies AAA, 1-3, RBI

2B/LF Kobe Kato (Arizona), Braves AA, 0-1, run, 2 stolen bases, 2 walks

RHP Ian Mejia (Sahuarita), Braves AA, 7 IP, 4H, 1R, 1ER, 1BB, 2K (win)

RHP Austin Smith (Arizona), Braves AA, 1 IP, 0H, 0R, 0ER, 0BB, 0K (save)

RHP Anthony Susac (Arizona), Rangers A+, 1 IP, 0H, 0R, 0ER, 1BB, 3K (no decision)

RHP Vince Vannelle (Arizona), White Sox A+, 2 IP, 0H, 0R, 0ER, 0BB, 1K (no decision)

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[table id=373 /]

Cleveland #Guardians 23yr old RHP prospect Cam Walty struckout four Charleston batters allowing one run over three innings of work for Lynchburg.

Line – 3.0(IP) 4H 1R 1ER 1BB 4SO

(49 Pitches 36 Strikes)

2025 season numbers:

– 12.1(IP) 10H 1ER 1BB 11SO 0.73 ERA#GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/Ah1HFTf43b

— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) June 29, 2025