Hoos in the MLB: Week 1 Recap

Major League Baseball was one of the first professional sports to get back to playing meaningful games and the Virginia Cavaliers have quite a number of former players either with the big league squads playing in those games, or in the teams’ training camps waiting to be called up.

Unfortunately, none are with the Miami Marlins who are going to need replacement players with the quickness.

Here is how the seven alumni currently playing in the big leagues are fairing so far:

Sean Doolittle - Washington Nationals

It has been a rough start to the season for Doc and the Nationals as reigning World Series Champions. Though he’s only pitched in two games, the New York Yankees roughed him up for a run on two hits and a walk in two-thirds of an inning which earned him the loss. He rebounded against the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday night by not allowing a base runner in two-thirds of an inning.

Derek Fisher - Toronto Blue Jays

Fisher has seen action in three of the Blue Jays’ five games so far this season putting up a hit in two of those games. He’s currently batting .250 (2-8) with a triple and two walks. Limiting his strikeouts and improving his average over his previous stints in the big leagues will be key to Fisher this season.

Phil Gosselin - Philadelphia Phillies

Gosselin was one of the last Phillies to be added to their roster, but he has made the most of his time thus far. The Phils have only played three games thanks to the Marlins, but Phil has appeared in two and is currently batting .667 (4-6) with two home runs, three runs scored, three RBI, and two walks. One more home run and he will tie his career high in home runs from 2015 when he played with the Atlanta Braves and Arizona Diamondbacks.

Adam Haseley - Philadelphia Phillies

Haseley has also played in two of the three Philadelphia games, though he replaced Andrew McCutchen in one and did not log any plate appearances. He made the most of his one start though going 4 for 6 with two doubles, two runs scored, and an RBI. Haseley is obviously thought of as one of the top young players in the Phils’ organization and held is own over 67 games in 2019.

Joe McCarthy - San Francisco Giants

Joe is getting his feet wet in the bigs and has the stats to prove it. He’s played in four of the Giants’ first 5 games, but has yet to record a hit in ten at bats. The Giants are not expected to be particularly good or challenge for a playoff spot, so hopefully they will give McCarthy a long leash to get comfortable.

Chris Taylor - Los Angeles Dodgers

CT continues to do CT things. He’s appeared in all five of the Dodgers’ games and has a .286 average with four singles, two RBI, five walks, and just one strike out. He also found himself on the wrong side of Pablo Sandoval’s backside.

Matt Thaiss - Los Angeles Angels

Thaiss got his feet wet last year playing in a third of the Angels’ games and looks to be a regular fixture this season. He got a late jump on the 2020 season after testing positive for COVID-19, which is probably why he has only logged plate appearances in one game so far going 0-2 against Oakland on Sunday. Most of his time was behind the plate in Charlottesville, but Thaiss has been moved to the corner infield and spent a lot of time at 3b this season.