Another fun part of summer is tracking the status of the Flames players that are playing Summer league baseball.  Summer ball is a big deal, particularly for the freshman.  Many times the summer after the freshman year is a huge indicator as to whether the player will factor into the next season.  Below is an update on the players that are known to be playing.  The Flames don't have as many guys playing this year as in years past as veterans that are known commodities that are coming back are using the summer to get healthy and rest.  The Flames also have a number of guys that are preparing for the draft such as Adametz, Carter & Fluharty and then there are a number of players that have exhausted their eligibility or are recovering from injury.  Finally, pitchers that had a heavy workload (particularly freshman) will get the summer off.  

Addrian Mcneal - The middle infielder is 3/12 with 1 run scored so far while playing for the Brookhaven Bucks in the Sunbelt league. 

Three Hillier - Hillier is playing for the Forest City Owls in the Coastal Plains League.  He's hitting .194 with 3 RBI's in 31 AB's.  He's coming off a great 2022 season so I wouldn't worry too much about a slow start here.  

Nick Moran - The LHP has made 3 appearances in the NECBL for the Upper Valley Nighthawks.  So far it's been a bit of a struggle in 8 2/3 IP he's sporting a 12.46 ERA and 1 and 1 record with 6 k's and 8 BB's.  

Ryan Butler - The RHP that redshirted this past year & has looked incredible as he's pitching for Sanford in the NECBL as well.  He has recorded a 2.57 ERA in 14 IP with 13 K's and just 4 BB's.  Butler is making a case to have a role in the back end of the 23 bullpen.  

Ryan Shieh - Shieh is a Catcher who came in highly touted but struggled in limited at bats in the spring.  He's playing in the Cal Ripken League for Cropbusters Baseball.  Shieh is hitting .259 in 27 plate appearances with 2 homers and 5 RBI's.  He does have 10 BB's and just 6 K's so overall he appears to be getting on base at a pretty good clip while flashing some power.  He's tied for the team lead in HR's.  Shieh has a lot of potential but with both Betts & Hillier returning it may be difficult for him to crack the lineup as a Catcher this year.  

Cole Hertzler - Hertzler came in as a fairly highly touted 2 way player.  He didn't see any time on the mound but he get a limited number of at bats in the mid part of the season.  He's pitching for the Quakertown Blazers in the Atlantic Collegiate League and has a 3.00 ERA in 3 IP with 4 K's and 4 BB's.  At the plate he's hitting .343 with 3 HR's and 17 RBI and 15 K's and 5 BB's in 67 AB's.  Hertzler is one of my leading breakout candidates in 2023.  He will have a shot to contribute on both sides of the ball.  Hertlzer is leading the league in Hr's and RBI's.  

Max Alba - The RHP has made 3 starts this Summer.  The first was in Wilmington of the CPL and the 2 most recent have been in the draft league with West Virginia.  No stats were available but the word is he has thrown fairly well.  He will be a potential key piece to watch with the draft status.  

Dylan Cumming - The RHP is pitching for Burlington in the Appy league.  He has a 1.93 ERA in 18 2/3 IP.  Cumming is hoping to latch on with a team and keep the dream alive.  If not he may play Independent league.  Cumming was a fun player to watch and clearly loves the game. Hope he gets a shot with somebody. 

Ty Germanowski - The RHP has thrown 2 IP and has an 18 ERA.  Germanowski continues to have excellent stuff but just hasn't put it all together yet.