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Ex-Knights' Southpaw Marc Rzepczynski Dealing for Tribe.

April 10, 2014

Alum Bud Norris Starts for Baltimore. Former Knights Assigned to Pro Teams

Ex-Knights' Southpaw Marc Rzepczynski Dealing for Tribe.

Three Knights alums were on big-league rosters on March 30/April 1 when the 2014 Major League Baseball season got into full swing in North America. Another six started the season on triple-A clubs, just a phone call away from the Show.

The major-league Knights are:

* Relief pitcher Marc Rzepczynski (2006), a UC Riverside product now in his second year with the Cleveland Indians. He's a seven-year vet who has also played for Toronto and St. Louis. Zep (pictured) has made 5 relief appearances and allowed no runs over 6 innings pitched to date.
* Starting pitcher Bud Norris (2005), a second-year Baltimore Oriole who played at Cal Poly. He's a six-year vet who came up with Houston before being traded to Baltimore last season.
* Pittsburgh catcher Chris Stewart, our 2001 MVP from Riverside City College who was acquired from the New York Yankees in an off-season deal. An eight-year vet, he started the season on the 15-day DL following minor knee surgery and began a rehab assignment at Bradenton in the Florida State League this past Monday. Stew has also played for Texas, San Diego, San Francisco, the New York Yankees and the Chicago White Sox.

Pitcher Tommy Hanson (2005) of Riverside CC, a five-year major-league vet, was released by the Texas Rangers just before the start of the season and recently signed a minor-league deal with the Chicago White Sox.

Two former Knights' standouts are now teammates on the Indianapolis Indians, the Pirates affiliate in the triple-A International League. Third baseman Brent Morel (2006, 2007) of Cal Poly spent most of spring training with the Bucs before being assigned to Indianapolis. First baseman Matt Hague (2005) of Washington/Oklahoma State spent parts of the 2012 season in Pittsburgh before being sent back down.

Pitcher Matt Andriese, the 2009 West Coast League Pitcher of the Year, is now with the Durham Bulls, Tampa Bay's International League affiliate. He was a key part of a big offseason trade between the Rays and the San Diego Padres, Andriese's original organization.

Philadelphia promoted first baseman Jim Murphy of Washington State, our 2007 MVP, to Lehigh Valley in the International League after an all-star 2013 season at double-A Reading. The San Francisco Giants did the same with catcher Andrew Susac (2009), an all-star at double-A Richmond in 2013.

Second baseman Drew Garcia (2007, UC Riverside) is now in his second year with Colorado Springs, Colorado's Pacific Coast League franchise.

There are Knights galore in double-A.

* Pitcher Sam Gaviglio (2009, Oregon State) and outfielder Grant Melker (2008-09, Cal Poly) are with Springfield, the Cardinals' affiliate in the Texas league.
* Pitcher Josh Osich (2008, Oregon State) and shortstop Matt Duffy (2010, Long Beach State) are at Richmond, San Francisco's Eastern League affiliate.
* Also in the Eastern League are pitcher Greg Peavey (2007, Oregon State, with Binghamton (NY Mets); infielder Dean Green (Oklahoma State/Barry), with Erie (Detroit); and pitcher Daniel Turpen (2005, Oregon State), with New Britain (Minnesota).
* Southern League Knights are utility Alex Burg (2008, Washington State), at Jacksonville (Miami); and outfielder Mitch Haniger (2010, Cal Poly), at Huntsville (Milwaukee).
* Catcher Rocky Gale (2007, 2009, Portland) is with San Antonio (San Diego) and pitcher Tyler Anderson (2009, Oregon) is with Tulsa (Colorado) in the Texas league.

Class A is also filled with former Knights.

* Pitcher Trevor Frank (2012, UC Riverside) and third baseman Grant Fink (2011, Mt. Hood CC) are at Lake County (Cleveland) and catcher Bo Altobelli (2010, Texas Tech) is with Cedar Rapids (Minnesota) in the Midwest League.
* Pitcher Kyle Kraus (2009-10, Portland) is with Salem (Boston) in the Carolina League.
* Pitchers James Nygren (2009, Oregon State) and Scott Lyman (2010, UC Davis) are with Jupiter (Miami) and pitcher Matt Boyd (2010, Oregon State) is with Dunedin (Toronto) in the Florida State League.
* South Atlantic League Knights are first baseman Danny Hayes (2010, Oregon State) of Kannapolis (Chicago White Sox) and pitcher Chase Johnson (2011, Cal Poly) of Augusta (San Francisco.)
* The California League features catcher Jake Rodriguez (2010, Oregon State), at Lancaster (Houston); catcher Ryan Gorton (2011, Oregon State), at Stockton (Oakland); and pitcher Jimmie Sherfy (2011, Oregon), at Visalia (Arizona).
* Pitchers Chris Johnson (2011, Portland, San Francisco), AJ Burke (2012, Western Oregon, Oakland) and Max Beatty (2010-12, Pacific Lutheran, San Diego); infielder Carter Bell (2009, Oregon State, Arizona) and outfielder Dayton Alexander (2011, Feather River, Oakland) have not yet been placed by their organizations yet.

Arizona released pitchers Michael Blake (2010, Mt. Hood) and DJ Johnson (2008-09, Mt. Hood) and Chicago released pitchers Nick Struck (2009, Mt. Hood) and Eddie Orozco (2008-2009, UC Riverside) in the offseason. Seattle released first baseman Taylor Ard (2009, Mt. Hood/Washington State).

Knights' alums are also in the broadcast booth as well.

Jason Schwartz (2010) is in his third season as the voice of the Lancaster JetHawks, Houston's affiliate in the high-A California League. And Kevin Burke (2012) will start his first season as the voice of the Traverse City (Mich.) Beam Bums in the independent Frontier League next month.

You can keep track of our Knights in the pros by clicking here.