Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Bearcats Playing Professional Baseball - Jacob Raffaele

Bearcats playing professional baseball - Jacob Raffaele

Jacob Raffaele recently made his debut with the Australian League Baseball team, Brisbane Bandits.  The Bandits won 3 games of a four-game series from the Adelaide Bite.  Jacob was invited to pitch for a farm/development club to the Brisbane Bandits but made the Brisbane 22 man roster as one of the 10 import positions!  It is very difficult to make a roster spot as an Import Player because you usually have to have MLB affiliate experience (A-, A+, AA and MLB 40 man roster).  All players, Australian and imports, have MLB affiliation experience and using this summer ball to prep for US MLB Spring Training!  Jacob's goal is to stay up on 22 man roster all year much like Canada this summer, and if he can do that it will be a real accomplishment due to the talent there!

Game notes -
Bases loaded, two outs in 3-0 game, top 6th; Ks LH hitter on three pitches . . . Plenty of MLB scouts there!

Goes out in top of 7th to face 9, 1, 2 (LH) hitters; 1B, FO7, FO8 (both heavy balls)!  23 pitches total, 17 strikes, his last LH hitter must have fouled off about 5-7 pitches on a full count before the FO8.  Long season and he's hopeful he can keep progressing . . . 
 
Jacob posted a 3W-2L-3S, .235OBA reg season, and 1S, .215OBA in playoffs in Canada this summer for the London Majors. Jacob received invite to the Carina Red Sox in Brisbane for an opportunity to pitch his way up to ABL Brisbane Bandits. After four outings with Carina, 15.1IP, 12H, 8BB, 16K, .213OBA, he received invite to workout with Bandits. His bullpens and outing during their first Spring Training game: 8th IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 2Ks earned him the move up and opportunity!
 

Way to go Jacob.  Keep it up!!
 
Go Cats!!
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