Former Mountaineer slugger Jedd Gyorko was recently described by his manager as a "monster."
Phil Plantier is a former major league player himself, now coaching at the Advanced-A level for the Podres in Lake Elsinore, California.
"The guy has a beautiful swing," Plantier told the North County Times recently in speaking about Gyorko. "For just his second year in pro ball, this kid is really an advanced hitter, a doubles machine. Plus, he takes instruction well. He listens. He works hard.
"He wants to get better," Plantier said. "He wants to play in the big leagues."
Tonight Gyorko will play in the California League All-Star game in Modesto. Gyorko is hitting .387 with 31 doubles, 15 home runs and 11 stolen bases. He leads the California League with 66 runs scored and 110 hits.
Fairmont native David Carpenter was a catcher at WVU between 2004 and 2006. Carpenter was drafted as a catcher by the Cardinals in the 12th round of the 2006 draft. He was converted by the Cardinals organization to a pitcher prior to being traded to the Astros organization last year. Now on the Astros 40 man roster, Carpenter is pitching very well at the AAA level for Oklahoma City.
Carpenter pitched a perfect 9th inning with a couple of strikeouts Monday as the RedHawks beat New Orleans 2-1. The save for Carpenter was his 6th this season. He has 16 scoreless appearances so far this season as he has struck out 17 in 16 innings of work.
Vince Belnome hit .419 while setting a school record 84 RBI during his final year at WVU in 2009. Belnome has carried on the hot hitting during his pro career. Belnome is at Double-A with the Podres organization at San Antonio in the Texas League. Belnome is hitting .320 with 17 doubles, 13 home runs and 50 RBI.
Tyler Kuhn was also a record setting hitter at WVU. Kuhn is the only player in Mountaineer history to surpass the 100 hit total in a single college season. Kuhn is with Birmingham of the Double-A Southern League. The White Sox draft pick is hitting .367 with 19 doubles, 11 stolen bases and 40 runs driven in.
The other former Mountaineers currently in the minor league include catcher Tobias Streich with the Twins organization. Streich is hitting .202 with Beloit of the Class A Midwest League.
Morgantown native Andy Altemus is pitching with the Arizona League Giants Rookie League team. Altemus is 1-2 with a 4.87 ERA in 20 innings of work.
Elkview, West Virginia native Grant Buckner will begin his pro career tonight with the Bristol White Sox of the Appalachian Rookie League. Bristol hosts Greenville in the season opener Tuesday night.