UPDATE: Seven Baseball Spartans Leaving Their Mark on Professional Baseball at the All-Star Break

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- As affiliated professional baseball hits its All-Star Break, several USC Upstate baseball alums are seeing the first halves of their seasons wind down.

Of the seven Spartans competing in pro baseball, four are in affiliated professional baseball across three different levels while three are competing in MLB Partner Leagues in independent baseball. Below are updates on their seasons.

Blake Whitney | Iowa Cubs | Triple-A

Following a promotion to Iowa on June 24, Whitney's second stint in at Triple-A has seen the right-hander post a 1.86 earned run average over five relief appearances prior to the All-Star Break, allowing just two earned runs while striking out nine over 9.2 innings of work for the Cubs. Prior to his promotion, he'd posted a 2.79 ERA in 17 relief appearances for Double-A Tennessee, striking out 49 over 42.0 innings. Over his last four outings at Triple-A, he's struck out multiple hitters in each outing and has punched out multiple hitters in 14 of his 18 appearances of 2.0 or more innings, including a season-high seen against Montgomery on May 13.

Jason Matthews | Winston-Salem Dash | High-A

Signing with the Chicago White Sox after a Pioneer Baseball League International Player of the Year campaign with the Great Falls Voyagers, Matthews has seen action in 60 games this season for the Winston-Salem. He carries a .235 batting average into the break, picking up 46 hits, including 15 extra-base hits, 17 RBI, and 26 walks this season. Returning to the Upstate for a six-game series at Greenville in late April, Matthews picked up a season-high four hits and four RBI as part of a 4-for-5 night in the series opener on April 20 with the game marking the first of his eight multi-hit efforts this season.

Alex Garbrick | Clearwater Threshers | Single-A

Returning to Clearwater after seeing action in four games for the Threshers late last season, Garbrick has been one of the top relief options for the Threshers this season as his 25 appearances and 37.0 innings rank second among Clearwater bullpen arms this season. He's crafted a 2.68 ERA and racked up three saves while striking out 46 over his 25 outings. He burst out of the gate in April, striking out 15 over 10.0 scoreless innings of work over five appearances and has bookended his first half with 5.1 scoreless innings over four outings in July, adding 10 strikeouts.

Jordan Marks | Lakeland Flying Tigers | Single-A

Opening his first full professional season at High-A with the Western Michigan Whitecaps, Marks made 11 appearances with eight starts, tossing 40.2 innings for the Whitecaps, posting a 6.33 strikeout-to-walk ratio (38 strikeouts to six walks). His deepest outing of the year came in his final start for Western Michigan, going 5.0 innings, scattering five hits and two runs while punching out five against Lansing. On June 13, Marks was assigned to Single-A Lakeland, making two appearances, tossing 5.1 innings with four strikeouts before being put on the 7-Day Injured List on June 27.

Chad Sobotka | Gastonia Honey Hunters | Independent

Signing as a free agent with Gastonia on June 22, Sobotka made his return to professional baseball. In nine appearances with the Honey Hunters, all in relief, he's been lights out, not allowing a run over 9.0 innings of work, striking out 12. He's punched out at least one hitter in each of his outings, posting three two-strikeout innings while racking up three holds over his nine outings.

Devin Buckner | Evansville Otters | Independent

Following a record-breaking career as a Spartan, Buckner signed his first professional contract on July 6, inking with Evansville. He's appeared in four games this month for the Otters, posting a three-slash line of .231/.375/.462. He made his professional debut a memorable one as he launched his first professional home run, a solo shot, as part of a 2-for-4 night against Schaumburg on July 7.

Sean Hupp | Great Falls Voyagers | Independent

Following his first season with the Voyagers in 2021, Hupp returned to Great Falls for the 2022 season. He has not appeared yet this season as he works back from injury.

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Players Mentioned

Devin Buckner

Alex Garbrick

Sean Hupp

Jordan Marks

Jason Matthews

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