Brent Yarina, BTN.com Senior Editor, June 19, 2015
With just under a month until the MLB All-Star Game, it's time to check in on how former Big Ten players are performing.
It all begins and ends with former Minnesota pitcher Glen Perkins, the AL leader in saves (23) who boasts a sparkling 1.53 ERA and 0.99 WHIP for the surprising Minnesota Twins (36-30).
Throw Rutgers into the equation, and it's impossible not to talk about Cincinnati 3B Todd Frazier, he of 22 home runs and 46 RBI. Frazier, of course, played for the Scarlet Knights before they entered the Big Ten.
One of the game's hotter names over the last few days, ex-Indiana catcher Kyle Schwarber went 4-for-5 in his first start Wednesday and belted his first career home run Thursday.
Here's a look at the Big Ten's top performers, with stats through June 18 games.
Tanner Roark (Illinois), P, Washington Nationals – 3-2, 3.38 ERA, 1.20 WHIP (50.2 IP)
Josh Phegley (Indiana), C, Oakland A's – .286, 3 HR, 9 RBI, .850 OPS (28 games)
Kyle Schwarber (Indiana), DH, Chicago Cubs – .600, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 5 R, 1.700 OPS (3 games)
Glen Perkins (Minnesota), RP, Minnesota Twins – 23 saves, 1.53 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 26 K, (29.1 IP)
JA Happ (Northwestern), P, Seattle Mariners – 3-3, 3.79 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 57K (73.2 IP)
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And here's a look at some of the top Maryland, Nebraska and Rutgers players who played before their schools entered the Big Ten:
Brett Cecil (Maryland), RP, Toronto Blue Jays – 1-3, 4 saves, 3.86 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 24 K (21 IP)
Joba Chamerblain (Nebraska), RP, Detroit Tigers – 0-1, 1.53 ERA, 11 K, (17.2 IP)
Alex Gordon (Nebraska), OF, Kansas City Royals – .271, 8 HR, 31 RBI, 26 R, .833 OPS (59 games)
Tony Watson (Nebraska), RP, Pittsburgh Pirates – 1-1, 1.78 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 30 K (35.1 IP)
Todd Frazier (Rutgers), 3B, Cincinnati Reds – .294, 22 HR, 46 RBI, 48 R, 1.000 OPS (64 games)
