TAT: Hogs in the Pros

This article originally appeared on September 5, 2013 on The Arkansas Traveler website, uatrav.com.

MLB

Cody Clark – Houston Astros

After spending 11 seasons in the minor leagues, Clark finally got called up last month. He has appeared in four games for the Houston Astros, starting three of them. In 10 at bats, he still hasn’t had a hit, but he does have one walk. Defensively, he has thrown out four would-be base stealers, including the Blue Jays’ speedy Jose Reyes in his first start Aug. 25.

Logan Forsythe – San Diego Padres

Forsythe joined the Padres Major League club in June and had an immediate impact. In his first 18 games, he hit .300 with three home runs and 11 RBI and was even their leadoff batter for 15 games. However, since then, he has struggled, batting only .178 with two home runs and five RBI over his next 42 games. He has been a utility man for the Padres defensively, playing second base, shortstop, third base, left field and right field at various times this season, compiling a .979 fielding percentage.

Craig Gentry – Texas Rangers

In his fifth season with the Texas Rangers, Gentry has established himself as a speedster. He has appeared in 83 games and stolen 14 bases on 17 attempts. Despite his low batting average, .254, he has three triples and two home runs. Although he has played some left field, he has appeared mostly as a centerfielder, making several highlight catches.

Dallas Keuchel – Houston Astros

Despite playing for the worst team in baseball, Keuchel has put together a decent season. Of the Astros pitchers on the roster with at least 10 starts, he has the lowest ERA, at 4.77. In Keuchel’s 18 starts, he has a 4.39 ERA and a 2.44 strikeout to walk ratio. However, he has struggled out of the bullpen, posting a 6.75 ERA and 1.60 strikeout to walk ratio in nine appearances.

Cliff Lee – Philadelphia Phillies

The most successful former Razorback in the MLB, Lee has had another All-Star season with the Phillies. In 26 starts, he has posted an 11-6 record with a 3.09 ERA. He also has the fourth best strikeout to walk ratio in the Major Leagues, at 5.42. His best game of the season came in May, when he tossed a complete game shutout against the Marlins and allowed only three hits.

Blake Parker – Chicago Cubs

Parker only appeared in seven games for the Cubs last season, but has established himself as a reliable reliever this season. Since being called up in June, he has struck out 43 batters in 38 innings pitched. Twice this season, he has faced three batters and struck out each of them. Of the Cubs players with at least 14 innings pitched, Parker’s 2.13 ERA is the best.

Drew Smyly – Detroit Tigers

Smyly has been solid coming out of the bullpen for the AL Central-leading Tigers this season. With a 5-0 record, 2.22 ERA and two saves, the case could be made that he is their best reliever. His best game of the season came in April, when he came into a game with two outs in the first inning after the Tigers’ starter had given up nine earned runs. In 5.2 innings of relief, Smyly allowed four hits and no runs, while striking out seven batters.

Duke Welker – Pittsburgh Pirates/Minnesota Twins

With the Pirates’ bullpen running thin, they called up Welker for two games in June. He faced four batters during his time in Pittsburgh, retiring all four on 20 total pitches, including one strikeout. Welker was traded to the Twins last week as part of the deal that sent Justin Morneau to the Pirates.

NFL

Alvin Bailey – Seattle Seahawks

After playing as a guard for Arkansas, the Seahawks moved Bailey to tackle, where he is competing for a starting job. He played in all four preseason games and is listed on the second team, behind Pro Bowl left tackle Russell Okung. However, Seattle could move him to another position on the line during the season, if needed.

Jake Bequette – New England Patriots

Appearing in just three games as a rookie, Bequette had to fight for a spot on the roster this year. He collected six solo tackles and two assists during the preseason and earned a spot on the 53-man roster by recording three tackles and constantly harassing the Giants’ quarterbacks in the Patriots’ final preseason game.

Knile Davis – Kansas City Chiefs

Davis had the most electrifying preseason play when he had a 109-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against the Steelers in week 3 of the preseason. He accounted for 328 all-purpose yards for the Chiefs and is expected to have an impact on their special teams, as well as in their backfield.

Nate Garner – Miami Dolphins

Garner saw action in three of the Dolphins’ five preseason games and started the week four preseason game against the Saints. Over the last three seasons, Garner played in every game and started 13 of them. He is listed as Miami’s second team right tackle, behind nine-year veteran Tyson Clabo, who has started 91 consecutive games.

Brett Goode – Green Bay Packers

Goode has been the Packers’ starting long snapper since 2008 and he will continue long snapping for Green Bay this year.

Chris Gragg – Buffalo Bills

After hauling in five passes for 38 yards during the preseason, Gragg is listed as the third team tight end for the Bills.

Peyton Hillis – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Madden curse seems to have affected Hillis. After breaking out for 1,177 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2010 for the Browns, he has only rushed for 896 yards and four touchdowns the last two seasons. He signed a free agent contract with the Bucs in July and led the team with 147 rushing yards during the preseason, but he is still listed as the fourth-string running back.

Chris Houston – Detroit Lions

With six solo tackles, one assisted tackle and an interception this preseason, Houston will be a starting cornerback for the Lions this season. Since joining the league in 2007, he has 11 interceptions, three of which were returned for touchdowns.

Felix Jones – Pittsburgh Steelers

Jones spent his first five seasons with the Cowboys before signing a free agent contract with the Eagles. However, after only two preseason games with the Eagles, he was traded to the Steelers, where he beat out Jonathan Dwyer for a spot on the 53-man roster. With Le’Veon Bell battling an injury, Jones could compete for a starting position.

Ryan Mallett – New England Patriots

Despite former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow getting most of the attention, Mallett again won Tom Brady’s backup position. He completed 55.3 percent of his passes for 447 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Barring a Brady injury, Mallett will most likely only see mop-up duty.

Darren McFadden – Oakland Raiders

Injuries have been a problem for McFadden in his five seasons in the NFL. He has yet to play in all 16 games of a season, but when he has played, he’s been productive, averaging 4.3 yards per carry and rushing for 18 touchdowns. During the preseason, he has stayed healthy while carrying the ball only eight times for 22 yards. He also had one reception for eight yards. With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, many experts predict him to have a big year, if he stays healthy.

Jason Peters – Philadelphia Eagles

Peters did not play at all last season because of an Achilles injury, but he is back with the Eagles and listed as their starting left tackle. Peters made five consecutive Pro Bowls before his injury last year.

D.J. Williams – Jacksonville Jaguars

After being cut by the Packers, the Jaguars claimed Williams off waivers. He caught seven passes for 46 yards for the Packers during the preseason and is listed as the fourth-string tight end for the Jaguars.

George Wilson – Tennessee Titans

In eight seasons with the Bills, Wilson intercepted 12 passes and returned one for a touchdown. With the Titans, he will be a second-string safety after collecting six solo tackles and two assisted tackles in the preseason.

Jarius Wright – Minnesota Vikings

As a rookie last season, Wright did not play until week 10. When he finally got his chance, he didn’t disappoint. He caught at least one pass in each of the seven remaining games and had 22 total receptions for 310 yards. During the preseason, he caught three passes for 26 yards and is expected to start the season as a second team wide receiver, behind Greg Jennings.

Reserves and Practice Squads

The NFL suspended the Vikings’ DeMarcus Love four games for violating the performance-enhancing drugs rule and he is on the reserve/suspended list. The Vikings also have Greg Childs on their roster, but he is on the physically unable to perform list, which means he won’t be able to play or practice with the team until after their sixth game. Joe Adams was cut by the Panthers, but he cleared waivers. Carolina will retain him and place him on the reserve/injured list, so he will be eligible to return in 2014.

Three former Razorbacks didn’t make the 53-man roster for their teams, but will remain with them on the practice squad. Cobi Hamilton, Ray Dominguez and Jerry Franklin will be on practice squads with the Bengals, Cowboys and Bears, respectively. Two other former Razorbacks were released by their teams and claimed by another. Dennis Johnson was cut by the Texans, claimed by the Browns and placed on their practice squad. Ronnie Wingo, Jr. was cut by the Falcons, claimed by the Bills and placed on their practice squad.

Surprisingly, Tyler Wilson was waived by the Raiders after being beat out by Matt Flynn, Terrelle Pryor and undrafted free agent Matt McGloin. He cleared waivers and was signed to the Raiders’ practice squad.

LPGA

Stacy Lewis

Lewis has played in 19 tournaments, winning three of them. Along with her three wins, she also has 12 top 10 finishes. These performances have earned her a little over $1.3 million, the second most in the LPGA this season, and the No. 2 world ranking. Her biggest victory of the year came last month at the Women’s British Open, one of the LPGA’s five majors.