Liberty still has a lot of Former players in the minor leagues.  Now that we're just under 2 months into the MLB and MILB season I figured now was a good time to check in the former Flames.

DJ Artis - Artis was drafted in the 7th round of the 2018 draft by the Cubs.  He's currently on the 7 day DL and is with High A South Bend in his age 26 season.  He's hitting .331 in 21 AB's on the season with 5 stolen bases and a .481 OBP.  DJ's going to need to get it going pretty quickly as he's one of the older players at the High A level.  Injuries have sidetracked him the past few years. 

Update : The Tennessee Smokies have released DJ as of July 19.  DJ hit just .125 in 8 at bats before being released after being activated off the Injured list.  

Fraser Ellard - Ellard was drafted in the 8th round of the 2021 Draft after a phenomenal year with Liberty.  It was rumored that Ellard had a shot to start camp with the White Sox but suffered an injury right before the season.  He has a 6.75 ERA in 5 1/3 Innings with 8 strikeouts.  He has a 4.37 career ERA in just over 82 IP.  Ellard is currently in AA Birmingham here in his age 25 season.  I think Ellard has a great shot of making it to the show as a reliever as he continues to gain traction. 

Update: Ellard has a 10.80 ERA in 11 games and 10 IP to go along with 14 strikeouts.  He was just activated off the DL on July 14th so I believe those numbers may include some rehab assignment outings as well.  

Jack Degroat - Degroat has retired after being drafted in the 11th round of the 2018 draft coming off TJ Surgery.  He finished with 26 1/3 career Innings and finished at High A with a 3.76 ERA. 

Noah Skirrow - Skirrow was a victom of the COVID shortened 2020 draft that only had 5 rounds.  He signed on as a Free Agent with the Phillies where he has thrived.  Skirrow is currently in AAA Lehigh Valley in his age 24 season.  He's 4 and 1 with a 5.82 ERA in just over 43 IP. Skirrow also pitched for team Canada in the WBC.  Skirrow has a career 4.64 ERA in over 223 IP in MILB.  Skirrow has a shot to be a depth starter for the Phillies but will need to get that ERA down a bit  to avoid being stuck as a AAAA type player.  Either way, the former RHP has carved out a nice MILB career post Liberty.  

Update: Noah has a 5.69 ERA in 17 games including 13 starts at AAA.  He's pitched 80 2/3 with 57 strikeouts.  He also has a save to his credit.  

Dylan Cumming - Cumming signed on with the Giants as a free agent after a great summer league showing post Liberty last year.  Dylan is at Low A San Jose in his age 24 season and has a 2.45 ERA in 13 appearances out of the pen in just over 25 IP.  Cumming as you remember is a sinkerballer and could carve out a career as a middle inning reliever with his stuff and arm slot.  

Update : Dylan has a sparkling 2.43 ERA in 26 games with 3 starts and 3 saves.  He has 53 strikeouts in 55 2/3 innings pitched.  Dylan's stock has risen as much as anyone this year.  

Will Wagner - Wagner was drafted in the 18th round of the 21 draft by the Astros.  He's in AA Corpus Christi in his age 24 season and has now been ranked as high as #12 in the Astros system.  Wagner is hitting .270 with 2 homers and 11 RBI's with a .785 OPS.   Will has really elevated his stock since leaving Liberty.  

Update: Will broke his hamate bone early in the season and was just sent on rehab on July 21.  He was off to a great start through 85 AB's.  

Mason Fluharty - Fluharty was drafted in the 5th round of the 22 draft by the Toronto Blue Jays.  Fluharty has shot up to AA in his age 21 season in New Hampshire.  He has a sparkling .98 ERA in 18 IP's and a save.  He has 24 strikeouts in 18 IP with a .82 WHIP.  Flu looks like he's on a fast track to the big leagues as a big time matchup lefty.  

Update: Flu has a 3.26 ERA in 34 appearances spanning 38 2/3 IP with 51 Strikeouts.  He's in AA New Hampshire in the Jays system.  He continues to get rave reviews and could have an outside shot to get a look with the big league club with September roster expansion.  If not, he will most certainly get an invite to Major League Spring Training next year.  

Andrew Mcinvale - Mcinvale was taken in the 37th round of the 2019 draft by the Toronto Blue Jays.  He's in AA Northwest Arkansas with an ERA over 10 in 11 2/3 IP.  Mcinvale has a 6.20 ERA in over 120 career MILB innings and is likely in a make or break year in his age 26 season.  Mcinvale was great for Liberty in his lone season with the Flames.  

Update: Mcinvale has a 7.04 ERA in 23 IP this year including a save.  16 total appearances.  

Joe Adametz - Adametz was drafted in the 14th round of the 22 Draft by the Detroit Tigers.  Joe has yet to log any stats as he's been battling back from injury.  

Update : Joe has been on rehab assignment and has made 4 appearances including 2 starts over 8 IP.  H3 has 8 strikeouts in IP at the FCL Tigers Rookie Affiliate.  

Evan Braband - Braband was taken in the 9th round of the 2019 draft by the Miami Marlins.  He logged 13 saves but had a 5.68 ERA in over 65 IP before being released at the end of last year.  Braband was incredible out of the pen in 2019 for the Flames after transferring in.  

Max Alba - Alba was signed as a free agent by the Tigers after pitching in the MLB Draft league post Liberty last year.  Alba found something late in the year last year and it has carried over to MILB where he has a 3.66 ERA and a save in 19 2/3 in his age 23 season in A Lakeland. 

Update: Max is at A Lakeland and has a 4.99 ERA in 30 games out of the pen including 4 saves.  He has 45 strikeouts in 39 2/3 IP.  Alba has pitched much better of late and has worked himself into a role.