Prune Packers alum Jake Scheiner played for the University of Houston, being named a third-team All-American in Division I baseball in his final season as a Cougar in 2017. Scheiner was subsequently drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 4th round of the 2017 MLB Draft. He posted a .274 batting average in the minors from 2017 to 2019. Scheiner is now a third baseman for the Arkansas Travelers, the AA Affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.
Saints alum Angelo Armenta is a former San Diego State Aztec and USC Trojan. Armenta, an infielder from Pasadena, posted a .333 OBP with the Saints in 2018. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 38th round of the 2019 MLB Draft, after which he batted .239 in his first season with the Princeton Rays, the Advanced Rookie affiliate of the Rays.
Blues alum C.J. Cron is a former Utah Ute who was selected by the Los Angeles Angels with the 17th overall pick of the 2011 MLB Draft. Cron made his major league debut for the Angels in 2014 and was a mainstay at first base in their starting lineup for several seasons. Cron was part of the Twins’ home run-hitting power lineup in 2019, knocking in 78 RBI and posting a .253 batting average with the club. He is now a first baseman and designated hitter for the Detroit Tigers.
Foresters alum and pitcher Clayton Beeter played for the Texas Tech Red Raiders and had a dominant freshman season in 2019, after which he was recognized on the All-Big 12 second team and Baseball America’s Freshman All-America team. Although his sophomore season in 2020 was cut short, Beeter was selected with the 66th overall pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2020 MLB Draft. Beeter impressed his Dodgers coaches and earned a spot on the Dodgers’ 60-man roster for the season.
Potters alum Charles Middleton was a standout at Sierra College, where he was named the 2019 ABCA National Junior College Player of the Year following a huge sophomore season. Middleton kept up his production after transferring to the University of the Pacific and was chosen by D1Baseball as a Top 50 Junior Hitter in 2020. In his first season with the Tigers, Middleton hit .403 and produced 20 RBI in 17 games.
Saints alum Joey Steele pitched for the University of San Francisco, spending time during the summer of 2018 playing for the Saints. Steele was drafted by the Miami Marlins in the 30th round of the 2019 MLB Draft. In the minors in 2019, he posted a 2.10 ERA. Steele is currently a pitcher for the Batavia Muckdogs, the Short A affiliate of the Marlins.
Prune Packers alum Andrew Vaughn played for the Cal Bears, winning the Golden Spikes Award and the Pac-12 Conference Baseball Player of the Year Award in 2018. Vaughn was also named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year in 2017. After completing his junior season with the Bears, Vaughn was selected with the third overall pick by the Chicago White Sox in the first round of the 2019 MLB Draft. Vaughn posted a .384 on-base percentage in the minors in 2019, quickly working his through the farm system to earn a place on Chicago’s 60-man roster for the 2020 season. Vaughn is currently an infielder for the White Sox and he could get playing time this year after impressing White Sox Manager Rick Renteria.
Mudcats alum Jared Denning played collegiate baseball at Solano College, where he posted a .358 batting average. Denning was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 29th round of the 2018 MLB Draft after a successful final season with the Falcons. Denning appeared in 18 games with the Gulf Coast Orioles, the Rookie Affiliate of the Orioles.
As the Baseball World celebrates Opening Day of the 2020 Major League Baseball season, we continue our feature series highlighting CCL alumni. Blues alumnus Ross Stripling pitched for Texas A&M before he was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 5th round of the 2012 MLB Draft. Stripling has filled in as both a starter and a reliever for the Dodgers since reaching the majors. He’s pitched in the playoffs every year of his MLB career and he played in the 2017 and 2018 World Series. He was also named an All-Star in 2018. Stripling is expected to be a significant asset within the Dodgers’ bullpen this season.
May 4, 2020
Los Angeles, CA — The California Collegiate League has been hosting recurring, bi-weekly meetings to assess the regional state of affairs surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and how both legislative and executive guidance will apply to our ability to effectively host a 2020 season. At this time, we’d like to make the following announcements.
For the 2020 season, the San Luis Obispo Blues will not field a collegiate summer baseball team. One of the longest tenured members of the CCL, the Blues hiatus will last only for the 2020 season and they will return to the field in 2021, where they will celebrate their 75th anniversary. San Luis Obispo still remains an equal member of the CCL and will participate in all residual league decisions for 2020. The nine remaining league members support and understand SLO’s decision to halt operations for this year and look forward to another summer in San Luis Obispo in 2021.
In addition, the franchise members of the California Collegiate League have passed a motion to start the 2020 season on Wednesday, July 1st. This was done in consideration of the ever changing state of affairs in our local areas and the continually shifting municipal regulations each franchise is facing. A July 1 start date will afford the league a better opportunity to evaluate the State’s application of their 4- phased reopening plan and what part that will play in determining a protocol for league play.
We realize that these changes may result in a different look for the CCL during the 2020 season. That notwithstanding, we are committed to exhausting all reasonable options to conduct some form of a season this summer. Should that course change, we will make that information public at the earliest possible date.
For questions or more information, contact Aaron Milam at (626) 695-6903 or aaron@arroyosecobaseball.com.