Steve Grife was the Lakers' 12th selection in the MLB First-Year Players Draft.
ERIE, Pa. – Four former Mercyhurst College baseball standouts continue to excel in the Minor League as America’s pastime heads into its annual All-Star break on July 12-13.
David Lough, Steve Grife and Jamie Walczak remain active with teams in the Minor League while Rico Santana is the leading player on his independent squad in the American Association.
David Lough – Outfield (Omaha Royals; Kansas City Royals Triple-A Affiliate)
Lough, a former two-sport standout for the Lakers in baseball and football, is in his first year of Triple-A ball with the Omaha Royals, the Kansas City Royals affiliate in the Pacific Coast League. In 74 games, Lough posts a .266 batting average (79-for-297), collecting 33 RBI on nine home runs, seven triples and eight doubles while adding 40 runs scored.
He was named one of the Kansas City Royals Top 10 Prospects heading into the 2010 season by Baseball America. In 2009, he spent time with the Class A Wilmington Blue Rocks and then was promoted to Class AA Northwest Arkansas Naturals. The outfielder won the George Brett Hitter of the Year Award as he led all Royals Minor Leaguers with a .325 average.
Selected 336th overall in the 11th round by the Royals, Lough ranks among the top 10 in several single-season and career records at Mercyhurst. He finished his career with a .383 batting average (202-for-527) while playing in 152 games, including 150 starts. Lough posted 16 homers, 41 doubles and 10 triples to go along with 126 RBI and 60 stolen bases. An All-America selection in 2007, Lough was a two-time first-team all-conference honoree in addition to a two-time All-North Central selection.
Steve Grife – Right-handed pitcher (Peoria Chiefs; Chicago Cubs Single-A Affiliate)
Grife, a right-handed pitcher who owns Mercyhurst’s career record for shutouts (5), is in his first season with the Peoria Chiefs in the Midwest League.
In 38.1 innings pitched, Grife owns a 3-1 record with a 4.23 earned run average. He has allowed 22 runs, 18 earned, on 30 hits while striking out 41 and walking 21 batters.
Selected 800th overall in the 26th round by the Chicago Cubs, Grife was a three-year starter on the mound for the Lakers. He amassed a 15-9 record in 38 appearances through 176 innings pitched and posted a 2.66 ERA, holding opponents to just a .233 batting average. Grife was a three-time all-conference honoree, twice earning a second-team nod while also an honorable mention selection.
Jamie Walczak – Right-handed pitcher (Dayton Dragons; Cincinnati Reds Single-A Affiliate)
Also selected in the 2009 MLB First-Year Players Draft, Jamie Walczak is a 2009 graduate of Mercyhurst College and in his first season with the Dayton Dragons of the Midwest League.
The 449th pick of the 15th round, Walczak has seen limited action with the Dragons, throwing just three innings this season. He has also seen action with the Billings Mustangs in 2010 and 2009, where he began his career.
Walczak, a product of Painesville, Ohio, started all four years for the Lakers in the outfield but drew scouts attention during his senior year when he also filled the closer role for Mercyhurst. Pitching for the first time in his career, the righty Walczak went 4-3 with a 0.93 ERA and five saves as he fanned 23 batters in 19 innings in 2009.
From his spot in centerfield he committed just one error in 109 chances. Offensively, his name decorates nearly every career category while his 76 hits this past season sets the new single-season standard. One of the most consistent players in the Mercyhurst lineup, he was the lone Laker start all 55 contests. He finished third on the team in hitting, and second among those in the starting lineup. His 64 runs scored are the second most in single-season history while his 18 doubles is tied for first.
Rico Santana – Outfielder (El Paso Diablos; Independent – American Association)
Santana has appeared in 17 games for the Diablos, leading the team in batting average at .339 (21-for-62) while adding a home run, triple and five doubles. He also owns 13 RBI and 12 runs.
Santana spent two years with the Lakers, patrolling the outfield in 2000 and 2001.