For the next few weeks, the Lakeshore Chinooks organization is giving an in-depth look on the progress the team’s alumni have made in the minor league system. Today’s report features another Wisconsin native and a member of the Chinooks inaugural season roster.
Josh Uhen is from Oshkosh, Wisconsin and attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Uhen joined Eric Semmelhack, also an alum of UWM, on the Chinooks inaugural season team in 2012. For the Chinooks, Josh appeared in 9 games, 4 starts and 5 relief appearances, and ended his one and only season with the organization with a 1-5 record and a 8.47 ERA.
Following his teammate's footsteps, Josh was the first Chinooks player selected in the 2013 MLB draft. The Milwaukee Brewers selected Uhen in the 5th round (152nd overall). By being drafted in the 5th round, Josh was selected higher than any other Chinooks player in team history.
Uhen was designated to the Brewers rookie ball team in the Arizona League. The Arizona Brewers practice and play their games at Maryvale Baseball Park located in Phoenix, Arizona. Maryvale Baseball Park is also the spring training home of the Milwaukee Brewers.
With the Arizona Brewers, the right-handed pitcher made 14 appearances, 6 starts and 8 relief appearances, and finished the 2013 season with a 2-6 record and a 4.54 ERA. In 37.2 innings of work, Uhen struck out 31 batters but gave up 23 walks.
Just like Eric Semmelhack, Chinooks fans hope they get the opportunity to see Josh wear a Milwaukee Brewers uniform and showcase his abilities at Miller Park.
The Lakeshore Chinooks are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized summer collegiate baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including MLB All-Stars Max Scherzer (DET), Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYY), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live and free of charge via the Northwoods League YouTube channel. For more information, visit lakeshorechinooks.com.
