Alumni

August 2025

Every August since 2006, Bill Hickman, our Big Train historian and board member, has taken a snapshot of how many former Big Train players have been active professional baseball players. The 58 Big Train alumni now in pro ball is the highest ever.

Seven of the 58 are currently playing in the major leagues: Ty France (Toronto Blue Jays), Hunter Brown (Houston Astros), Logan Gilbert (Seattle Mariners), Nolan Schanuel (Los Angeles Angels), Alec Burleson (St. Louis Cardinals), Brandon Lowe (Tampa Bay Rays), and James Outman (Minnesota Twins). Matt Bowman, Ken Waldichuk, J.P. France, Chase Lee, James Outman, and Logan Driscoll also have big league experience and are among the 58.

After 26 seasons, a grand total of 243 Big Train alumni have played professional baseball with 25 having made it to the major leagues. Bill reports that the prevalence of Big Train alumni in the professional baseball ranks has changed dramatically over the years. In the first dozen years of tracking this measurement, we averaged 30 alumni per year in pro baseball. Over the past eight years (2018-2025), we have averaged 45 alumni per year in pro baseball. These numbers do not count two alumni now coaching in pro ball, Bill Murphy at the major league level (Astros’ pitching coach) and Brad Marcelino at the minor league level (Arizona Diamondbacks minor league hitting instructor).

We are proud that many of our former players have gone on to enjoy such success in baseball, and we are looking forward to continuing to hear good news about them. 

Manager Sal Colangelo reflects on the extraordinary success of his players: “I really enjoy teaching and inspiring others to be their best on the field. We try to create an environment that people want to be a part of, enjoy and grow within our organization. As a staff we try to provide the tools to help them be successful but setting them up for life after baseball.”

See the full list of Big Train alumni now playing professional baseball.

Written and compiled by Bill Hickman

Big Train Major Leaguers

As of August 8, 2025, there are 55 Big Train alumni playing professional baseball.

Kemp Alderman, OF (BT 2021) Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Miami Marlins - Southern Lg. - AA) .287, 97 hits, 12 HR, 45 RBI, in 89 games.

Andrew Bechtold, 3B/RHP (BT 2015) Reading Fightin Phils (Philadelphia Phillies - Eastern Lg. - AA) 0-3, 3 saves, 4.50 ERA, 32 IP, in 30 games; on injured list.

Merritt  Beeker, LHP (BT 2022) Fredericksburg Nationals (Washington Nationals.- Carolina Lg. - Lo A) 3-2, 2.12 ERA, 51.0 IP, in 29 games.
 

Matt Bowman, RHP (BT 2010-11-12) Norfolk Tides (Baltimore Orioles - International Lg. - AAA) 1-2, one save, 2.53 ERA, 21.1 IP, in 17 games; plus two stints with Baltimore Orioles (American Lg. - MLB) 0-1, 4.57 ERA, 21.2 ERA, in 18 games.

Hunter Brown, RHP (BT 2018) Houston Astros (American Lg. - MLB) 9-5, 2.47 ERA, 131 IP, 155 K, in 22 games.

Alec Burleson, OF (BT 2018) St. Louis Cardinals (National Lg. - MLB) .279, 100 hits, 14 HR, 50 RBI, in 104 games.

Brandon Cassedy, RHP (BT 2023-24) Signed with Houston Astros; assigned to FCL Astros (Fla. Complex Lg. - Rookie) season has ended, no record yet.

Everett Catlett, LHP (BT 2021) Spokane Indians (Colorado Rockies - Northwest Lg. - Hi A) 1-0, 0.90 ERA, 20 IP, in 3 games; after starting the season with Fresno Grizzlies (California Lg. - Lo A) 5-5, 3.46 ERA, 83.1 IP, in 21 games.

Brandon Clarke, LHP (BT 2022-23) Greenville Drive (Boston Red Sox - So. Atlantic Lg. - Hi A) 0-2, 4.85 ERA, 26.0 IP, in 10 games; after starting season with Salem Red Sox (Carolina Lg. - Lo A) 0-0, 0.93 ERA,  9.2 IP, in 3 games.

Chris Clarke, RHP (BT 2018) Iowa Cubs (Chicago Cubs - International Lg. - AAA) no record yet; on injured list;  after starting season with Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Chicago Cubs - Carolina Lg. - Lo A) (rehab) 1-0, 3.00 ERA, 9 IP, in 2 games; ACL Cubs (Arizona Complex Lg. - Rookie) (rehab) 0-1, 3.00 ERA, 9 IP, in 3 games; and Knoxville Smokies (Southern Lg. - AA)(rehab) 0-0, 0.69 ERA, 13 IP, in 4 games.

Jack Cone, OF/RHP (BT 2021) Lincoln Saltdogs (American Association - IND)  .197, 24 hits, 6 RBI, in 48 games.

Carter Cunningham, OF (BT 2023) Vancouver Canadians (Toronto Blue Jays - Northwest Lg. - Hi A) .204, 52 hits, 12 HR, 38 RBI, in 77 games. 

Nick Del Prado, RHP (BT 2022) Aigles des Trois-Rivieres (Frontier Lg. - IND) 1-1, 3.86 ERA, 21 IP, in 22 games; after starting season with Charleston Dirty Birds (Atlantic Lg. - IND) 2-1, 7.13 ERA, 17.2 IP, in 12 games.

Logan Driscoll, C (BT 2017) Durham Bulls (Tampa Bay Rays - International Lg. - AAA) On 60-day injured list.

Jake Eddington, RHP (BT 2021) Jersey Shore BlueClaws (Philadelphia Phillies - So. Atlantic - Lg. - Hi A) 2-1, 5.59 ERA, 19.1 IP, in 12 games; after starting season with Clearwater Threshers (Fla. State Lg. - Lo A ) 3-1, 2 saves, 5.20 ERA, 27.2 IP, in 13 games.

J. P. France, RHP (BT 2014) Sugar Land Space Cowboys Corpus (Houston Astros - PCL - AAA) (rehab) 0-0, 18.00 ERA, 2 IP, in 1 game; after starting season with FCL Astros (Fla. Complex Lg. - Rookie) 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1.1 IP, in 1 game and Corpus Christi Hooks (Texas Lg. - AA) (rehab) 0-1, 13.50 ERA, 2 IP, in 1 game.

Tyler "Ty" France, 1B (BT 2013) Toronto Blue Jays (American Lg. - MLB) .353, 6 hits, 5 runs, in 5 games; after starting season with Minnesota Twins (American Lg. - MLB) .251, 88 hits, 6 HR, 44 RBI, in 101 games.

Colby Frieda, RHP (BT 2022) Signed with New York Mets; assigned to FCL Mets (Florida Complex Lg. - Rookie), season ended, no record yet.

Patrick Galle, RHP (BT 23) Signed with Boston Red Sox. Assigned to Red Sox FCL Bridge League team.

Austin Gauthier, SS (BT 2021) Oklahoma City Comets (Los Angeles Dodgers - PCL - AAA) .252, 69 hits, 53 runs scored, 3 HR, 32 RBI, in 84 games.

Logan Gilbert, RHP (BT 2016) Seattle Mariners (American Lg. - MLB) 3-4, 3.45 ERA, 78.1 IP, 112 K, in 15 games; with stint at Tacoma Rainiers (Seattle Mariners - PCL - AAA) (rehab) 0-0, 2.79 ERA, 9.2 IP, in 3 games.

Josh Grosz, RHP (BT 2021) Spokane Indians (Colorado Rockies - Northwest Lg. - Hi A) 0-2, 9.00 ERA, 10 IP, in 2 games; after starting season with Hudson Valley Renegades (New York Yankees - So. Atlantic Lg. - Hi A) 4-8, 4.14 ERA, 87.0 IP, in 16 games.

Eddie Hacopian, 1B/2B (BT 2023) Washington Wild Things (Frontier Lg. - IND) .358, 19 hits, 7 runs, 4 RBI, in 15 games.

Davion Hickson, RHP (BT 2023) Signed with Los Angeles Dodgers; assigned to ACL Dodgers (Ariz. Complex Lg. - Rookie), season ended, no record yet.

Grayson Hitt, LHP (BT 2021) Visalia Rawhide (Arizona Diamondbacks - California Lg. - Lo A) 2-3, 4.58 ERA, 53.0 IP, in 25 games.

Jack Hostetler, RHP (BT 2023) Carolina Mudcats (Milwaukee Brewers - Carolina Lg. - Lo A) 1-1, 5.52 ERA, 14.2 IP, in 5 games; on injured list for remainder of season.

Cade Hunter, C (BT 2019) Chattanooga Lookouts (Cincinnati Reds - Southern Lg. - AA) .200, 31 hits, 2 HR, 14 RBI, in 54 games.

Brayden Jones, RHP (BT 2022) Signed with Tampa Bay Rays. Season ending injury.

Grant Knipp, C/1B/RHP (BT 2021) ACL Mariners (Seattle Mariners.- Arizona Complex Lg. - Rookie) On injured list all season.

Garrett Kueber, SS (BT 2016-17) Rocky Mountain Vibes (Pioneer Lg. - IND) .317, 70 hits, 4 HR, 48 RBI, in 60 games.

Chase Lee, RHP (BT 2019) On third stint with Toledo Mud Hens (International Lg. - AAA) 0-1, 8.10 ERA, 13.1 IP, in 9 games; plus two stints with  Detroit Tigers (American Lg. - MLB) 4-1, 4.10 ERA, 4 holds, 37.1 IP, in 32 games.

Jordan Little, RHP (BT 2022) ACL Reds (Cincinnati Reds.- Arizona Complex Lg. - Rookie) On injured list all season.

Michael Lombardi, RHP (BT 2024) ACL Royals (Kansas City Royals - Arizona Complex Lg. - Rookie), season ended, no record yet.

Brandon Lowe, 2B/OF (BT 2014) Tampa Bay Rays (American Lg. - MLB) .274, 96 hits, 20 HR, 53 RBI, in 93 games.

Brad Marcelino, Coach (BT 2002 outfielder) Arizona Diamondbacks minor league hitting instructor.  Has also been named the head coach, Great Britain World Team, which plans to participate in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Christian Martin, SS (BT 2021) Palm Beach Cardinals (St. Louis Cardinals - Florida State Lg. - Lo A) 262, 67 hits, 23 RBI, 36 runs scored, in 70 games.

Max Martzolf, LHP (BT 2023-24) New Jersey Jackals (Frontier Lg. - IND) 0-2. 7.58 ERA, 8.1 IP, in 7 games.

William "Billy" Murphy, Coach (BT 2008 pitcher) Houston Astros (American Lg. - MLB) Co-Pitching Coach

Joe Nahas, RHP (BY 2017) Washington Wild Things (Frontier Lg. - IND) 0-0, 2 saves, 4.15 ERA, 8.2 IP, in 7 games; after starting season with South Bend Cubs (Chicago Cubs - Midwest Lg. - High A) 1-2, 6.27 ERA, 18.2 IP, in 13 games. 

Luke Nowak, OF (BT 2022) Columbia Fireflies (Kansas City Royals – Carolina Lg. – Lo A) .400, 2 hits, 1 run, in 3 games.

James Outman, OF (BT 2017) Called up to Minnesota Twins August 16. St. Paul Saints (Minnesota Twins - International Lg. - AAA) .095, 2 hits, 1 HR, 2 RBI, in 5 games; after two stints with Los Angeles Dodgers (National Lg. - MLB) .103, 4 hits, 2 HR, 4 RBI, in 22 games; plus two stints with Oklahoma City Comets (L.A. Dodgers - PCL - AAA) .289, 82 hits, 20 HR, 74 RBI in 70 games.

Emilien Pitre, 2B (BT 2022) Bowling Green Hot Rods (Tampa Bay Rays.- So. Atlantic Lg. - Hi A) .264, 96 hits, 9 HR, 57 RBI, 45 runs scored, in 94 games. 

Dalton Ponce, RHP (BT 2019) Savannah Party Animals (Barnstorming Team with Savannah Bananas)  Record not available.

Peyton Prescott, RHP (BT 2024) Signed with New York Mets; assigned to FCL Mets (Florida Complex Lg. - Rookie), season ended, no record yet.

Connor Rasmussen, SS (BT 2023) Signed with Kansas City Royals; assigned to ACL Royals (Arizona Complex Lg. - Rookie), season ended, no record yet.

Erik Ritchie, LHP (BT 2022) Clearwater Threshers (Philadelphia Phillies - Fla. State Lg. - Lo A) 3-1, 8.88 ERA, 25.1 IP, in 19 games; plus a stint with FCL Phillies (Florida Complex Lg. - Rookie) 0-0, 1.80 ERA, 5 IP, in 3 games;

Kyle Robinson, RHP (BT 2021) Lansing Lugnuts (Athletics - Midwest Lg. - Lo A) 4-4, 3.57 ERA, 45.1 IP, in 9 games; plus had a stint with Midland Rockhounds (Texas Lg. - AA) 1-6, 5.29 ERA, 51 IP, in 11 games

Nolan Schanuel, 1B (BT 2021) Los Angeles Angels (American Lg. - MLB) .274, 113 hits, 55 runs, 9 HR, 46 RBI, in 111 games.

Jason Schiavone, C (BT 2022-23) Fayetteville Woodpeckers (Houston Astros - Carolina Lg. - Lo A) .166, 28 hits, 30 runs scored, 5 HR, 19 RBI, in 58 games.

Carter Spivey, RHP (BT 2019) Akron River Ducks (Cleveland Guardians - Eastern Lg. - AA) 2-1, one save, 4.20 ERA, 30 IP, in 12 games; on injured list; plus two stints with  Columbus Clippers (International Lg. - AAA) 0-0, 4.26 ERA, 6.1 IP, in 3 games.

Jonathan Stevens, RHP (BT 2024) Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (Minnesota Twins – Florida State Lg. – Lo A) 0-0, 4.91 ERA, 3.2 IP, in 2 games.

Drew Strotman, RHP (BT 2015-16) Tecoletes de los Dos Laredos "Tecos" (Mexican Lg. - IND) 2-2, 5.57 ERA, 53.1 IP, in 19 games.

Carson Taylor, C (BT 2018) Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Philadelphia Phillies - International Lg. - AAA) .714, 5 hits, 1 HR, 2 RBI, in 3 games.  On full season injured list.

Colin Tuft, C (BT 2021) Aberdeen Ironbirds (Baltimore Orioles - So. Atlantic Lg. - High A) .500, 1 hit, 2 AB, in 1 game; after starting season with FCL Orioles (Florida Complex Lg. - Rookie) .250, 2 hits, 1 RBI, in 4 games; and Delmarva Shorebirds (Carolina Lg. - Lo A) .207, 34 hits, 1 HR, 13 RBI, in 56 games.

Martin Vincelli-Simard C/IB/DH (BT 2019) Adelaide Giants of the Australian Baseball League.

Ken Waldichuk, LHP (BT 2017) Las Vegas Aviators (Athletics - PCL - AAA) (rehab) 0-4, 9.70 ERA,  21.1 IP, in 8 games; after starting season with Stockton Ports (California Lg. - Lo A) (rehab) 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 3 IP, in 1 game.

Dixon Williams, 2B (BT 2023) Augusta Greenjackets (Atlanta Braves – Carolina Lg. - Lo A) .296, 8 hits, 4 runs, 2 RBI, in 8 games.

Joey Wimpelberg, RHP (BT 2024) Signed with Detroit Tigers; assigned to Lakeland Flying Tigers (Florida State Lg. - Low A), no record yet because he is on the injured list.

Kade Woods, RHP (BT 2022) Augusta Greenjackets (Atlanta Braves – Carolina Lg. – Lo A) 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1.2 IP, in 1 game.

Justin Wylie, 2B (BT 2018) Gastonia Ghost Peppers (Atlantic Lg. - IND) .259, 76 hits,16 HR, 66 RBI, in 80 games.

654 players have played for the Big Train in our 26-year history.  Click here to see a full list of our alumni.