Wilbur Delashmet
delashmet@marshall.edu

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Former Marshall baseball players have made their mark in both Major League Baseball and in the minor league system. J.D. Hammer, Kevin Shackelford, Aaron Blair, Burris Warner Tyler Ratliff and Corey Bird have all enjoyed success on the field in the next stage of their careers.
Since being called up to the show by the Cincinnati Reds in June, Shackelford has been a mainstay for the organization this season. The RHP has posted a 5.20 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 10.1 K/9 and 31 strikeouts through 27.2 innings pitched.
Since being acquired by the Philadelphia Phillies, Hammer has enjoyed success in its minor league system.
After Rhys Hoskins was called up into the league, Hammer became a top-30 prospect in the system, according to MLB.com. The righty threw 57.2 IP and posted a 1.87 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 13.3 K/9 and a 5.31 K/BB.
Bird was named the Jupiter Hammerheads’ Player of the Month for the month July.
Bird earned the award after hitting .333 over 22 games with five doubles, one triple, two home runs and 10 RBIs. The lefty posted a .288/.351.721, with 28 stolen bases and 38 walks.
Warner bounced around in the Yankees’ system over the course of 2017 and posted a 4.14 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and limited batters to a .239 batting average.
Ratliff just completed his first year in the minor leagues after being drafted by the Texas Rangers. The recent Herd graduate posted a .299/.361/.811 between rookie ball and low-A.
Lastly, Blair was called up to the Atlanta Braves for one game on July 26.
For more information about the Marshall baseball team, please follow @HerdBaseball on Twitter and Marshall University Baseball on Facebook.