A Look at Where Baseball's Former Bluejays Will Open the 2018 Professional Season

Omaha, Neb. --- Former Creighton lefty Ty Blach (2010-12) opened the 2018 MLB season in spectacular fashion by outdueling three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw (Los Angeles Dodgers). While Blach took his career with the San Francisco Giants to a new height, seven different Bluejays (Anthony Bemboom, Blach, David Gerber, Mike Gerber, Nicky Lopez, Jake Peter and Pat Venditte) saw action in spring training this season.

Below is a list of where all the active former Bluejays will open the 2018 season.

Anthony Bemboom (2011-12) A member of the Albuquerque Isotopes in the 2017 campaign, Bemboom opens the season with the Isotopes, the AAA affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, in 2018 as well.

Ty Blach (2010-12): He began the 2018 season with the San Francisco Giants and started Opening Day. Blach threw five scoreless innings, notching three strikeouts in the win over the Dodgers.

David Gerber (2014-17): After graduating in May, Dave saw time at three different levels of the Seattle Mariners system (Rookie, A & AA). His hard work earned an opportunity to play in an MLB spring game this March. He is currently on the Clinton Lumberkings roster, the A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.

Mike Gerber (2011-14): Playing across three levels (A+, AA & AAA) last season in the Detroit Tigers organization, Gerber was added to the 40 Man Roster at the close of 2017. Gerber is starting the 2018 campaign on the Toledo Mud Hens, the AAA affiliate of the Detroit Tigers.

Nick Highberger (2013-16): Nick's season was a limited to just 10 appearances for the Beloit Snappers due to an arm injury. Nick is currently on the Beloit Snappers roster for the 2018 season, the A affiliate of the Oakland A's.

Rollie Lacy (2014-17): One of three Bluejays selected in the 2017 MLB Draft, Lacy split time between rookie and low A for the Chicago Cubs. Rollie is on the South Bend Cubs roster, the Class A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs.

Nicky Lopez (2014-16): After splitting the 2017 season in A+ and AA for within the Kansas City Royals system, Lopez will begin the season on the Northwest Arkansas roster, the AA affiliate of the KC Royals.

Jake Peter (2012-14): Jake saw action in 120 games at AA & AAA teams of the Chicago White Sox. Jake will start the 2018 campaign with the Oklahoma City Dodgers, the AAA affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Keith Rogalla (2015-17): The third Bluejays to begin his pro career in 2017, Rogalla is currently assigned to Burlington Bees, the Class A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels.

Darin Ruf (2006-09): After eight seasons in the pro ranks, including 286 games with the Philadelphia Phillies, Ruf excelled in his first season in the Korean League. He continues the 2018 season with the Lions.

Elliot Soto (2008-10): Having just completed his eighth season in the minors, recently at the Iowa Cubs. Soto begins the 2018 season with the Albuquerque Isotopes, the AAA affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, playing alongside Anthony Bemboom.

Kurt Spomer (2009-12): Kurt spent his sixth season in the minors with both the Erie SeaWolves (AA) and the Toledo Mud Huns (AAA) in the Detroit Tigers organization. Kurt will open the 2018 season in the Tigers' extended spring training.

Pat Venditte (2005-08): Traded to the Philadelphia Phillies organization last winter, Pat appeared in 52 games for the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs in 2017. Pat signed a free agent contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in late November. Venditte is applying his trade for their AAA affiliate, the Oklahoma City Dodgers.

Daniel Woodrow (2014-16): Daniel spent his second season in the minor with the West Michigan Whitecaps, the Low-A team of the Detroit Tigers. Woodrow is on roster for the Lakeland Flying Tigers, the High-A affiliate for the Detroit Tigers.

In addition to the 14 active players, Creighton has 10 former Bluejays in the coaching ranks.

Name	Years at Creighton	Professional Organization	Position
Kimera Bartee	1991-93	Pittsburgh Pirates	First Base Coach
Vicente Cafaro	2008-09 (Player) 2015 (Coach)	San Diego Padres	Minors Infield Coordinator
Eric Campbell	1982-84	USA Baseball	General Manager National Teams
Oneri Fleita	1987-88	Philadelphia Philles	Mexico Scouting Supervisor
Jim Hendry	1983-1985 (Assistant Coach) 1985-1991 (Head Coach)	New York Yankees	Special Assistant to the GM
Steve Hinton	1989-91	Chicago Cubs	Amateur Scout
Dave McKay	1971	Arizona Diamondbacks	First Base Coach
Scott Servais	1986-88	Seattle Mariners	Manager
Tom Shafer	1991	Houston Astros	Assistant Director of International Scouting
Carson Vitale	2009	Seattle Mariners	Field Coordinator

A Look at Where Baseball's Former Bluejays Will Open the 2018 Professional Season

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