Jews finish Spring strong
By Scott Barancik, editor
At least 28 Jewish athletes spent time at an MLB Spring Training camp in 2024. Sixteen were there by virtue of being on a 40-man roster, five received non-roster invitations, and eight were called-up from minor-league camp. (If we discover additional call-ups, we will add them here.)
Here are some highlights:
- After a rough start that saw him hitting just .067 after six games, 3B Alex Bregman (Astros) ended the Spring on a tear, finishing among A.L. leaders in batting average (.383) and OPS (1.027), while accumulating 2 HRs, 4 doubles, and 8 RBIs.
- 2B Zack Gelof (Athletics) traveled the opposite trajectory. Twelve games into Spring, the second-year player was among MLB leaders in batting average (.412), home runs (4), and OPS (1.312), but he came back to Earth afterward. Still, Gelof finished more than respectably, mounting a .288 batting average, OPS of .928, 4 HRs, 8 RBIs, and 3 doubles. Somewhat concerning were his 20 strikeouts in 57 plate appearances.
- Garrett Stubbs, the Phillies’ beloved back-up catcher, hit .320 with a double, 3 RBIs, and .798 OPS.
- 1B Matt Mervis (Cubs/AAA) hit .286 with a .405 OBP. But he managed only one extra-base hit in 32 plate appearances before being sent back to Triple-A.
- LF RJ Schreck (Mariners/A), a second-year player called up to MLB camp on March 14, made the most of a surprising opportunity. In 7 games, he hit .429 (3-for-7) with a HR and 3 RBIs.
- P Richard Bleier (Nationals) couldn’t have done much better this Spring. In 10 appearances totaling 10.2 innings, the veteran went 1-1 with 2 holds, a 1.69 ERA, top-notch 0.75 WHIP, 9 strikeouts, and zero walks. The Nats send him to Triple-A anyway.
- P Evan Kravetz (Reds/AAA) acquitted himself well after a February 24 call-up from the minors, his first time at an MLB Spring Training camp. In five appearances covering a combined 3.2 innings, he went 2-0 with a 2.70 ERA and 0.60 WHIP, struck out 6 batters while walking none, and held opposing batters to a .167 batting average.
- P Dean Kremer (Orioles) went 2-1 in 5 starts, earning a 3.94 ERA and 1.29 WHIP on 14 strikeouts and 5 walks over a combined 14 innings.
- P Jake Bird (Rockies) finished the Spring with a 1-1 record, a save and a hold, 3.38 ERA, and 1.00 WHIP.
- P Max Lazar (Phillies/AA), who was called up to MLB Spring Training camp on March 3, maintained a 0.00 ERA over a combined 5.2 innings across 7 appearances, earning 2 saves in 2 chances and striking out 7 batters.
Four players who made it to MLB camp didn’t get playing time. They are non-roster invitees P Zack Weiss (Twins) and P Colton Gordon (Astros), and mid-Spring call-ups 2B Shawn Goosenberg (White Sox/AA) and OF Zach Levenson (Cardinals/A).
For the latest information from Jewish Baseball News, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook
You also can get selected updates via e-mail
