Major League Aggies: May Report

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – May wrapped up with six Aggies on Major League rosters. The list includes Daniel Mengden (Oakland Athletics), A.J. Minter (Atlanta Braves), Tyler
Naquin (Cleveland Indians), Ross Stripling (Los Angeles Dodgers), Michael Wacha (St. Louis Cardinals) and Alex Wilson (Detroit Tigers).

Highlights from the month include Mengden's complete game two-hitter against the Diamondbacks, Wacha reaching the 50-win plateau and Naquin batting .417 in 24 May at-bats. Combined, former Aggie pitchers tallied a 1.88 ERA during May in 120.0 innings with just 96 hits allowed. They combined for a 12-2 record and 110 strikeouts. 

Daniel Mengden – Oakland Athletics
Mengden has made 12 starts on the season, going 6-4 with a 2.91 ERA. He picked up wins against the Dodgers and Chicago White Sox. Mengden posted one of the best Mays in the Majors, throwing 41.2 innings across six starts. He recorded a 1.51 ERA and a 4-1 record. On May 26, Mengden threw a complete game shutout, holding the Diamondbacks to two hits. The third-year player has won each of last four starts. Additionally, Mengden has walked just eight batters on the season, the lowest walk rate in the American League. 

A.J. Minter – Atlanta Braves
Minter has been a standout in the Braves' bullpen. He has two saves and seven holds on the season to go along with 22 strikeouts and a 3.57 ERA in 22.2 innings. On the season, Minter has posted a 3-1 record for the first-place Braves who went 17-12 in the month of May.

Tyler Naquin – Cleveland Indians
Naquin has appeared in 30 games for the Indians, batting .333 (25-for-79) with nine runs, one double, one home run and five RBI. In limited May action, he hit .417 (10-for-24) with six runs and a home run. After his early tear, Naquin strained his left hamstring and was put on the DL.

Ross Stripling – Los Angeles Dodgers
Stripling has been excellent for the Dodgers in both relief and starting. Stripling has recorded a 1.68 ERA in 48.1 innings with 59 punchouts and a 3-1 record. In May, he tallied a 1.20 ERA with five starts and one relief appearance. Stripling has won his last three starts striking out nine or more batter in every start. He gave up no more than one run in each of May appearances. 

Michael Wacha – St. Louis Cardinals
Wacha has started 12 games for the Cardinals posting a 7-1 record with a 2.41 ERA and 61 strikeouts. His seven wins are good for second best in the National League. In his most recent outing, he took a no-hitter into the ninth inning, topping the Pirates with eight strikeouts while scattering one hit and two walks over 8.0 innings. On May 18, Wacha struck out eight Phillies in the 50^th win of his career. In May, Wacha held opposing hitters to a .198 average and recorded a 2-0 record with a 2.02 ERA in six starts. On the season, the Cardinals are 8-3 in games started by Wacha.

Alex Wilson – Detroit Tigers
Wilson has appeared in 17 games for the Tigers, recording four holds out of the bullpen and a 4.50 ERA. He racked up 16 strikeouts in 20.0 innings of work. Wilson did not concede an earned run in four May appearances before being placed on the 10-day DL. He is expected to return in the middle part of June.