Virginia Baseball: Hoos in the MLB All-Star Break Update

With Major League Baseball coming out of the All-Star Break, now is a great time to check in on how former Virginia Cavaliers have fared in the big leagues this season so far:

John Hicks - C/1B - Detroit Tigers - Hicks is currently batting .278 with nine homers and 32 RBI’s for Detroit, splitting time at catcher and first base. He is making the most of his increased playing time, posting career highs this season after being drafted in 2011.

Ryan Zimmerman - 1B - Washington Nationals - The former UVA legend is still on the DL with a back injury and should return to the Nationals soon. He did make a rehab stint in Single-A ball this week which this author was thrilled to attend.

Mark Reynolds - 1B - Washington Nationals - Reynolds has been an enigma for the Nationals so far this season. He was signed in May and hit .432 in 12 games, then cooled off at .143 in 23 games and moved to a pinch hitter/utility role. Then he earned the National League Player of the Week Award with an historic three game stretch in which he batted 8 for 10 with 3 homers and 11 RBIs. He even pitched for the first time in his career. With Ryan Zimmerman returning at some point, his future role is yet to be determined.

Chris Taylor - OF - Los Angeles Dodgers - Taylor was the starting shortstop for the Dodgers heading into the All-Star Break, but Los Angeles traded for Manny Machado, which pushes Taylor back into a utility role. The former star Hoo will still see plenty of action in the outfield as he currently has 11 homers and 41 RBI’s.

Sean Doolittle - P - Washington Nationals - Doolittle made his second career All-Star team with 22 saves so far this season and a 1.45 ERA. A toe inflammation prevented the former UVA star from actually pitching in the game, but he was still involved in the festivities in DC.

Brandon Guyer - OF - Cleveland Indians - Guyer is batting .167 as an utility outfielder for the Indians.

Kyle Crockett - P - Cincinnati Reds - The former UVA pitcher was called up by the Reds in June and has 12 appearances as a reliever so far.

Phil Gosselin - IF - Atlanta Braves - Gosselin is currently in AAA in the Braves’ organization after appearing in 20 games for the Reds in April.

Derek Fisher - OF - Houston Astros - Fisher is currently in AAA for the Astros after starting off the season as a their utility outfielder.

Artie Lewicki - P - Detroit Tigers - The former UVA pitcher has appeared in 11 games for the Tigers including two starts, but is currently back in AAA.

Keep a lookout for these former Hoos as their teams make playoff runs in the coming months.