The Cal Poly baseball team had possibly its best season last year, obtaining a Division I postseason berth for the first time in program history.
So it’s no surprise that many of the players from the team were drafted and are now working through the minor league system in an effort to join their big league squads.
Former Mustangs infielder Adam Buschini was the highest Cal Poly player taken in the draft this year when he went in the fourth round to the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies. After some difficulty settling in with the Williamsport Crosscutters, batting just .163 through July, Buschini has turned the corner and raised his batting average .94 points to .252.
Joining Buschini in Williamsport is former Cal Poly closer and teammate Eric Massingham. The former Mustangs reliever has settled into a late roll for the Crosscutters, collecting four saves while allowing just a 0.76 ERA in 23.2 innings. He has collected 32 strikeouts to eight walks in 13 appearances.
He was named PSECU/Cutters Player-of-the-Week from Aug. 11 – 16 after hitting .611 during the span.
Shortstop Kyle Smith, taken in the 14th round by Cleveland, is hitting .242 in 51 games with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. Like Buschini, Smith made some adjustments and after an 11-32 stretch has raised his batting average 15 points.
Former Cal Poly pitcher Jared Eskew picked up victories in three of his first four professional starts for the Jupiter Marlins. Eskew is currently 6-1 with a 2.06 ERA for Jupiter, striking out 37 while walking just six in 39.1 innings.
Outfielder Ryan Lee, who set a school record hitting in 26 consecutive games last season, has been elevated from rookie ball to Class-A Kannapolis and is currently hitting .231 for the Intimidators in five games.
Right-hander Kevin Castner had a 59.40 ERA for the Spokane Indians of the Northwest League. He allowed 11 earned runs in 1.2 innings over four appearances. Castner is no longer listed on the Indians roster after being taken in the 26th round by the Texas Rangers.
The Mustangs had seven players chosen during this year’s MLB draft, one short of the record eight players chosen in 2008.
Cal Poly has had 14 players selected in the first 10 rounds of the last six drafts (2004-09). Three other Mustangs signed free-agent contracts with Major League organizations and three more signed deals with independent league teams.
The Mustangs have had a total of 29 players drafted since the 2004 season.