June 20, 2008
Bronx, N.Y. -
With summer now in full swing, five former Fordham Rams are finding their way through the baseball minor leagues this season. Here is an update on their status and where you can find them.
Cory Riordan - Pitcher - Asheville Tourists (Colorado Rockies) - Class A - South Atlantic League
A 2007 draft choice of the Rockies, Riordan has been a dominant force for their Class A affiliate, the Ashville Tourists. Making 14 starts this season, he helped Asheville earn the First Half South Division title, posting a 6-5 record with a 3.15 earned run average. To date, he has thrown 88.2 innings, giving up 31 earned runs with 86 strikeouts and one shutout.
Rob Semerano - Pitcher - Tampa Yankees (New York Yankees) - Class A Advanced - Florida State League
Originally 2004 draft choice of the Oakland Athletics, Semerano was recently signed by the New York Yankees and assigned to their Class A Advanced affiliate, the Tampa Yankees. Primarily a reliever, he has appeared in six games thus far, posting a 3.12 ERA in 8.2 innings of work with four strikeouts.
Javier Martinez - Pitcher - Everett Aqua Sox (Seattle Mariners) Class A Short Season - Northwest League
A 2007 draft choice of the Mariners, Martinez saw last season end quickly due to injury. Having just finished his rehab recently, he will start out in the bullpen with the Everett Aqua Sox, which began their season on Tuesday, June 17th. In first appearance of the season on Thursday night, Martinez recorded his first career save, throwing 1.1 innings, allowing two hits with one strikeout against the Spokane Indians.
Tom Davis - Pitcher - Eugene Emeralds (San Diego Padres) Class A Short Season - Northwest League
Martinez will see a familiar face in the Northwest League, as the Rams' latest draft pick, Davis, will begin his career in the same league, playing for the Eugene Emeralds. The 2008 Atlantic 10 Pitcher of the Year, Davis looks like he may crack the starting rotation, as Everett began their season on Tuesday, June 17th. On Saturday, June 21st, he made his first career start, throwing four shutout innings, allowing just three hits.
John Mollicone - Catcher - Hudson Valley Renegades (Tampa Bay Rays) Class A Short Season - NY-Penn League
With two players out west and two in the south, the Rams do have one former player, John Mollicone, making some local appearances. A 2007 Tampa Bay draftee, Mollicone is suiting up for the Hudson Valley Renegades of the New York Penn League, which will match up locally with the Staten Island Yankees and Brooklyn Cyclones throughout the season, including this upcoming week. Hudson Valley began play on Tuesday, June 17th. Mollicone has appeared in one game thus far, as he got the start in an extra-inning win for Hudson Valley on Friday.
