Bulldogs In The Pros Update

By Kyle Tatelbaum, Georgia Sports Communications

ATHENS, GA - With the 2025 professional baseball season underway, here's a look at how former Bulldogs have started in the Major Leagues (MLB) and the minors.

Three former Bulldogs appeared in the MLB during opening week, while another 14 are working their way up the professional ladder.

The Bulldogs at the MLB level include pitcher Jonathan Cannon (Chicago White Sox), infielder Kyle Farmer (Colorado Rockies) and pitcher Emerson Hancock (Seattle Mariners).

In his second season in the Majors, Cannon has pitched 24.1 innings through five starts with a 4.81 ERA, 22 strikeouts and 0-3 mark. Even with a WHIP of 1.56, the 24-year-old has been extremely effective with runners on base, holding batters to a .059 average.

After spending the last two years with the Minnesota Twins, Kyle Farmer now suits up for the Colorado Rockies, his fourth team during his nine-year career. Farmer has been swinging the bat well, hitting .284 with a .737 OPS for a Rockies team that is struggling offensively.

A 2020 first-round pick, Emerson Hancock, began the 2025 campaign on the Seattle Mariners' Opening Day roster but was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma after a rough first start. Hancock was quickly recalled after just two starts in Tacoma, where he struck out 12 in 9.2 innings with a 3.72 ERA. Hancock has bounced back nicely, delivering 5.0 innings against the Cincinnati Reds and 6.0 innings in a win against the Boston Red Sox, surrendering two runs in both outings. He has a 3.27 ERA in April.

Last Saturday, the Rockies recalled 2019 John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award winner, Aaron Schunk, from Triple-A Albuquerque after 13 games in the minors. Schunk made his MLB season debut at second base against the Washington Nationals and went 2-7 in the series with a double and a run. Currently, Schunk is hitting .300 through four games with a .700 OPS. In 39 games with 28 starts for Colorado last season, Schunk batted .234 with three doubles, two home runs and seven RBI in 94 at-bats.

Below is a summary of the Bulldogs who have played exclusively in the minors this season, including their most recent level.

TRIPLE-A
Ryan Webb began his fourth season of professional baseball with the Cleveland Guardians' Triple-A Affiliate, the Columbus Clippers. The 26-year-old Webb was extremely effective last season, starting in Double-A, where he struck out 118 batters in 106.2 innings while holding a 2.87 ERA. Webb spent the latter half of the season in AAA, where he went 2-0 with a 2.60 ERA through seven starts. He picked up where he left off, starting the 2025 campaign with batters hitting just .183 against the southpaw, while posting a 1.17 WHIP.

Pitcher Ben Harris has been a valuable reliever with the Los Angeles Dodgers Triple-A Affiliate, the Oklahoma City Comets, after spending most of the 2024 campaign in AA. The 25-year-old left-hander has appeared in seven games out of the bullpen, allowing just three runs through 9.1 innings pitched. Harris has held opposing batters to a .143 average and sports a 2.89 ERA.

DOUBLE-A
Righthander Cole Wilcox began his fourth season of professional baseball, starting with the Tampa Bay Rays Double-A Affiliate, the Montgomery Biscuits. After pitching every game of his professional career as a starter, Wilcox made his debut from the bullpen, posting a 3.68 ERA with a hold and a save in five relief appearances. Wilcox started the 2024 campaign with the Biscuits but was promoted in early August to the Triple-A Durham Bulls. The 25-year-old right-hander went a combined 10-7 with a 3.57 ERA in 28 starts with 110 strikeouts in 143.2 innings.

Will Childers began his third season of professional baseball with the Milwaukee Brewers Double-A Affiliate, the Biloxi Shuckers. Childers has been sensational in relief for the Shuckers, holding opponents to a .152 batting average with an impressive 0.75 WHIP. In seven appearances, Childers has recorded three saves and owns a 2.89 ERA. Childers battled injuries at Georgia and signed as an undrafted free agent in 2024. He was one of seven Brewers prospects in the organization selected to play in the prestigious Arizona Fall League.

Macon native Jaden Woods started his third professional campaign with the Altoona Curve, the Double-A Affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Currently, Woods owns a 3-1 record, appearing in seven games in relief. Woods was promoted to Double-A last season in June after starting the year at the High-A level with the Greensboro Grasshoppers. Woods posted a 4-3 record with a 3.75 ERA with 4 saves and 74 strikeouts through 60 innings last year.

SINGLE-A
Chandler Marsh signed with the New York Mets as an undrafted free agent on July 22, 2024, as he began his first full season of professional baseball in Single-A with the St. Lucie Mets. Marsh has been tremendous this season, not allowing a single hit or run in 9.2 innings of relief. Marsh has struck out 14 batters and surrendered just one walk, posting an eye-popping 0.10 WHIP and a 0.00 ERA.

After coming back from arm surgery, Dylan Ross began his first full professional campaign after appearing in just one game last season. Ross was promoted from the New York Mets Single-A Affiliate to the High-A Brooklyn Cyclones ahead of this season and has been excellent. In five appearances in relief, Ross limited batters to a .045 average and holds a 1.35 ERA through 6.2 innings.

The 2024 third overall pick, Charlie Condon, made his professional baseball debut last season with the Colorado Rockies High-A Affiliate. Currently, the 2024 Golden Spikes winner is on the injured list with a broken wrist but will start the season with Spokane when healthy.

A sixth-round draft pick in 2024, Corey Collins is set to begin his first full season of professional baseball in the New York Mets organization. Collins has yet to make his 2025 debut after being promoted to the High-A Brooklyn Cyclones. Last season with the Single-A Affiliate St. Lucie Mets, Collins hit .217 with a home run and three RBI in limited action.

Christian Mracna signed with the Toronto Blue Jays as an undrafted free agent on July 22, 2024, as he started his first full season of professional baseball. Mracna has made three appearances with Single-A Dunedin, walking seven batters through 1.2 innings. In six appearances with the Dunedin Blue Jays last season, the 24-year-old recorded eight strikeouts and a 1.35 ERA in 6.2 innings.

Former catcher-turned-pitcher Shane Marshall enjoyed an impressive professional debut last season with the Chicago Cubs' Single-A Affiliate, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. A former 14th-round pick in 2022, Marshall made 33 relief appearances, posting a 2-3 record with a 2.52 ERA and seven saves. In 39.1 innings pitched, he tallied 42 strikeouts and was one of seven players to be selected to play in the Arizona Fall League. Unfortunately, before he was able to make his 2025 season debut, Marshall was placed on the full season injured list.

A 22-year-old left-hander, Liam Sullivan will begin the 2025 campaign on the 60-day injured list after having his season end last April due to surgery. The pitcher made a pair of starts for the Washington Nationals Single-A Affiliate, the Fredericksburg Nationals, going 0-0 with a 1.93 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 9.1 innings.

University of Georgia Athletics

Players Mentioned

Corey Collins

Charlie Condon

Chandler Marsh

Christian Mracna

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