LOCAL IN PROS: Grimm reflects on successful season

So how would Justin Grimm classify his first season as a professional baseball player?

“Overall, my first year was a success,” Grimm said. “I really bought into what they were teaching in the Rangers’ organization. As the year progressed, I got more and more confident with it. I got more confident in the change-up and just the mindset as well – being a starter, going at guys and learning to attack the zone.”

Grimm went 7-3 with a 3.39 ERA in 25 starts between Low-Class A Hickory (N.C.) and High-Class A Myrtle Beach. In 140 2/3 innings of work, the former Virginia High pitcher yielded 129 hits, struck out 127 and issued 48 walks.

In the process he emerged as one of the most promising prospects in the Texas farm system. He cracked Baseball America’s rankings of the Carolina League’s top-20 prospects, garnering the No. 18 spot on the list.

He ended the season on a positive note.

In his final start on Sept. 7 in a playoff game against Kinston, Grimm allowed just one run over six innings. The right-hander yielded four hits, walked four and struck out six. That was Myrtle Beach’s lone postseason victory.

Nifty Nidiffer

Marcus Nidiffer (Tennessee High) hit .230 with six home runs and 24 RBIs for the Low-Class A Cedar Rapids Kernels.

One of the highlights for the second-year pro came in late-June when he slugged two homers in a 3-1 victory over the Quad Cities River Bandits.

Barker still battling

Kevin Barker might be 36-years-old, but the guy can still hit.

The Virginia High graduate compiled a .358 batting average with 12 home runs and 79 RBIs for Guerreros de Oaxaca of the Mexican League.

Barker has appeared in 1,830 career professional regular season games and has hit 278 home runs over that span. He’s appeared in 126 big league games, his last stint in the majors coming in 2009 with the Cincinnati Reds.

Hill on DL

Sullivan East High School graduate Nick Hill spent the entire season on the disabled list for the Class AA Jackson (Tenn.) Generals thanks to elbow troubles. 

The left-handed pitcher has spent six seasons in the Seattle Mariners’ farm system and has a 10-18 career record.

Mobley moves around

Former Dobyns-Bennett High School star Chris Mobley’s season could best be described as unpredictable.

The right-handed pitcher played for four teams and two organizations in 2011, spending time in Round Rock, Tex. (AAA), Louisville, Ky. (AAA), Frisco, Tex. (AA) and closing out the year with the Class AA Carolina Mudcats.

He went a combined 5-5 with three saves and a 5.21 ERA in 50 appearances between the different stops.

“Yeah there were a lot of unexpected things and a lot of new experiences in my career,” Mobley said. “I enjoyed my time in both organizations and just tried to make the most of the situation.”

The biggest moment for Mobley came in late-May when the Texas Rangers traded him to the Cincinnati Reds.

“Luckily, there was a bunch of good guys in the organization and that made the transition easy,” Mobley said. “I just tried to come in and contribute and blend in as well as possible. It does mess up your rhythm and just to build off that, especially playing for four different teams.”

Cannon Ball

Tyler Cannon was well-traveled in 2011 as well.

The Glade Spring, Va., resident and former University of Virginia star played for three different teams in the Cleveland Indians’ organization and hit .274 with nine home runs and 58 RBIs.

He spent the bulk of the season with the High-Class A Kinston (N.C.) Indians.

Hammerin’ Hoilman

Former Science Hill High School and East Tennessee State University standout Paul Hoilman’s first season of professional baseball was solid.

Playing for the short-season advanced Boise Hawks in the Chicago Cubs’ minor league system, he hit .252 with 17 home runs and 44 RBIs in 71 games.

He led all Northwest League hitters in homers and ranked fifth in the league in RBIs.

Trent’s time

Derek Trent (Dobyns-Bennett) hit .197 with one home run and 10 RBIs in 44 games for the short-season advanced State College (Pa.) Spikes.

He connected for his first professional homer on July 1 in a game against Mahoning Valley.

Reeder report

Ex-East Tennessee State University pitcher Bo Reeder went 1-1 with a 4.56 ERA in 16 relief outings for the Pulaski Mariners of the rookie-level Appalachian League.

He finished the year strong, earning a win in his final appearance of the season.

Byrne notice

Right-handed pitcher Chas Byrne (Science Hill) proved to be a workhorse in the bullpen for the Low-Class A Kane County (Ill.) Cougars.

He went 3-3 with nine saves and a 3.93 ERA in 36 appearances. However, he finished the season on the disabled list.

Rice rolls

Science Hill High School graduate Matt Rice hit .286 with three home runs and 21 RBIs in his first season as a pro with the short-season advanced Hudson Valley (N.Y.) Renegades.

Independent champion

Former ETSU outfielder Stephen Douglas played for three independent league teams this season and helped one of those clubs win a championship.

Douglas saw time with the American Association’s El Paso Diablos and Grand Praire (Tex.) Airhogs, before finishing with the Lancaster (Pa.) Barnstormers of the Atlantic League.

He helped Grand Prairie win the league title.

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