Hunter Pence (Photo Courtesy of Rant Sports)

Former players in the PGCBL and current PGCBL organizations saw much success in 2014, highlighted by six players playing in the Major Leagues at some point in the season.

Hunter Pence (Schenectady Mohawks 2002) finished the 2014 season with a .277 batting average for the San Francisco Giants, who won one of the two National League wild cards. Pence slugged 20 home runs and drove in 74 runs. His 4.7 WAR was the second highest of his career and ranked in the top-15 off National League hitters. Pence was named an All-Star for the third time in his major league career.

Caleb Thielbar (Little Falls Miners 2007) finished the 2014 season with a 3.40 ERA in 54 appearances for the Minnesota Twins. His 54 appearances were the fifth-most on the Twins, as was his 3.40 ERA. Thielbar allowed just three home runs all season and had seven holds. His 31.8% ground ball rate was the lowest of his career and he walked just 16 batters.

Shae Simmons (Watertown Wizards 2010) made his major league debut on May 31 and quickly made his presence known in the Atlanta Braves’ bullpen. Simmons’ season was hindered by injuries, but in 26 appearances, he posted a 2.91 ERA and had a 9.55 K/9 rate. In his 26 appearances, all in relief, his 73.2 percent left on base percentage was the sixth lowest on the Braves.  Opponents hit just .192 off the right-hander.

Logan Darnell (Amsterdam Mohawks 2008) got his first taste of the majors in 2014, making seven appearances for the Minnesota Twins including four starts. Across AAA and MLB, Darnell posted a 4.21 ERA in 139 innings for the Twins and the Rochester Red Wings.

Cord Phelps (Amsterdam Mohawks 2006) hit .257 across two levels in 2014, including a stint with the Baltimore Orioles, who won the American League East Division. Phelps hit seven home runs and drove in 51 runs with a .358 on-base percentage.

Stefen Romero (Glens Falls Golden Eagles 2008) finished the season with a .268 batting average and 15 home runs in the Seattle Mariners’ organization, including 49 games for the Mariners. Romero drove in 47 runs and had a .775 OPS.

For more information on the PGCBL, visit www.pgcbl.com or follow the PGCBL on Twitter, @PGCBLbaseball.