Pro baseball notebook: Palmyra’s Kroeger getting batters out in debut at Single-A level

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Jacob Kroeger’s start to a professional baseball career has been promising.

The Palmyra, Mo., product and former Maryville University All-American hurler was drafted in the 10th round of the MLB Draft by the Atlanta Braves, signed a contract and was assigned to the Single-A Augusta GreenJackets of the Carolina League.

It took three outings before he allowed a run.

Kroeger made his debut out of the GreenJackets bullpen in a 4-2 loss to the Charleston RiverDogs on Aug. 9. He went 1 ⅓ inning with one hit allowed and two walks, but stranded a pair of runners when he was summoned with two outs in the bottom of the fifth.

The left-hander worked two scoreless innings with three strikeouts in a 6-5 loss to the Fayetteville Woodpeckers on Aug. 14, and he allowed one run and one hit with one strikeout in 2 ⅓ innings in a 5-4 loss to the Woodpeckers on Aug. 18.

So far, Kroeger has a 1.59 ERA over 5 ⅔ innings with four strikeouts and a .133 opponents’ batting average.

QU’s Martin returns to Cubs’ bullpen

DES MOINES, Iowa — After a two-week stint on the development list, Iowa Cubs left-hander Riley Martin was re-activated Monday and returned to the Triple-A club’s bullpen for its series with the Toledo Mud Hens.

Martin last pitched for the Cubs on Aug. 4 before getting shut down for two weeks.

The development list was instituted in 2021 to help MLB organizations monitor Minor League prospects’ usage and development. It’s often used to help limit a pitcher’s pitch or innings count, while still allowing them to stay with their team, watch and continue learning.

The former Quincy University All-American pitcher has spent the entire season at Triple-A Iowa, appearing in 33 games with a 2-3 record, two saves, a 5.40 ERA and 66 strikeouts in 46 ⅔ innings.

QND’s Ray gets released by Dash

WINSTOM-SALEM, N.C. — Quincy Notre Dame graduate Johnny Ray was released Aug. 7 by the Winston-Salem Dash, a High-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox in the South Atlantic League.

The right-handed Ray, who was selected in the 12th round of the MLB Draft in 2021 after completing his collegiate career at TCU, had spent the entire season at Winston-Salem. He appeared in 24 games out of the bullpen with an 8.78 ERA, 42 strikeouts and 28 walks in 26 ⅔ innings.

Overall, Ray has appeared in 58 career minor-league games with a 7.75 ERA and 106 strikeouts in 72 innings. He posted to social media this week that he is a “free agent and looking for any professional opportunities.”

QU’s Croes still among American Association’s top bats

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Dayson Croes is following through on a promise.

The former Quincy University All-American infielder made the promise of a second-half power surge while playing in the American Association All-Star Game, and in the 22 games since, he has hit three home runs and smacked eight doubles and one triple. Prior to the all-star break, the second-year Winnipeg Goldeyes infielder had one home run, 11 doubles and one triple in 64 games.

Croes remains one of the league’s best hitters, sitting sixth in the league with a .327 average and tied for fourth with 109 hits. He has struck out only 36 times in 333 at-bats.

His production has helped the Goldeyes stay within a half-game of the first-place Sioux Falls Canaries in the American Association’s West Division. The regular season ends Sept. 2.