Blankenhorn at 16 HRs, Crawford to the Injured List

Here is our weekly roundup of Schuylkill County and other coal region players currently with Major League Baseball organizations in the 2024 season.

Travis Blankenhorn (Pottsville Area) – Outfield, Rochester Red Wings

Despite a rough week at the plate (4-for-21) in a series against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Blankenhorn did some yardwork, launching his 16th home run of the season.

He leads all hitters in the Nationals organization with those 16 homers. And he’s in a 5-way tie for the International League lead in round-trippers. His 48 RBI are fourth-best in the IL.

Reggie Crawford (North Schuylkill) – Pitcher, Sacramento River Cats

Crawford was placed on the 7-day injured list on June 13 with an undisclosed injury.

According to a report from Around the Foghorn, in his last appearance on June 5 against Albuquerque, Crawford’s fastball speed dropped from 97 to 93.

The Giants organization has been extra cautious with Crawford during his meteoric rise through their farm system. He has yet to pitch more than 2 innings in any single outing as a professional.

Joe Nahas (Marian Catholic) – Pitcher, Tennessee Smokies

In a game against the Biloxi Shuckers on Friday night, Nahas pitched 2.1 innings of relief in the Smokies 13-3 win.

Nahas struck out 3 and walked 1 but didn’t allow a hit while he was on the mound.

He’s lowered his ERA with Tennessee to 4.32.

Thomas Schultz (Mount Carmel Area) – Pitcher, Wilmington Blue Rocks

Schultz worked a perfect inning of relief on June 13 for the Blue Rocks in their game against the Jersey Shore BlueClaws.

He struck out 1 batter in the 8th inning as his team dropped a 5-0 decision.

Since being promoted to High-A Wilmington on June 4, Schultz has pitched 4 innings and allowed just 2 hits and no runs. In that span, he’s struck out 4 and walked just 1 batter.

Tom Reisinger (Mount Carmel Area) – Pitcher, Stockton Ports

Reisinger worked 3 innings of relief for the Ports on June 14 against the Lake Elsinore Storm.

He allowed 2 runs on 3 hits while striking out 1 and walking none in his team’s 5-2 loss.

Kaleb Sophy (Blue Mountain) – Pitcher, Glacier Range Riders

On June 9, Sophy was chased from a start after 2.1 innings, in which he allowed 7 runs on 5 hits to the Idaho Falls Chukars. He picked up his first loss of the season but his record on the mound is a respectable 2-1.

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LET US KNOW: Someone missing from this roundup who plays for a Minor League team or MLB-affiliated league with ties to the coal region? Send us an email (newscanary@gmail.com) with their name, team, and their connection to the area and we’ll add them to future roundups.