This week’s Mallards Alumni Update features four pitchers who are making substantial impacts on minor league rosters around the country. Highlighting the group is right hander Ryan Zink. A key member of the Mallards 2004 Northwoods League Championship team, Zink made one start at the Duck Pond this season before heading to pitch for the Staten Island Yankees. Zink’s recent accomplishments along with those of other Mallards Alumni are listed below.

Casey Baron (’05,’06) Helena (Rookie League). The former Maryland Terrapin has appeared in 10 games for the Helena Brewers, posting a 3.26 ERA in 19.1 innings pitched. Used primarily as a middle reliever, Barons best performance came on August 21 when he pitched three scoreless innings and only allowed one hit against the Ogden Raptors. The crafty lefty made 11 starts for the 2006 Mallards totaling a 5-5 record and an outstanding 2.75 ERA.

Adam Mills (’05, ’06) Lowell (A-). An eighth round pick by the Boston Red Sox in the 2007 MLB Draft, Mills continues to pitch well for the Lowell Spinners. He is 3-1 with a minuscule 2.16 ERA in 33.1 innings pitched. It should also be noted that Mills ground ball percentage is an eye-popping 67 percent. On August 13 he got the win in relief during the Red Sox Futures game at Fenway Park in front of 30,000 plus fans. Mills led the Mallards in strikeouts with 53 in 2006.

Adam Tollefson (’06) Bristol (Rookie). The Evansville, IN native is playing in the Appalachian League for the Bristol Sox, supplying the team with a valuable left handed arm in the bullpen. He is 4-0 with a 3.11 ERA in 37.2 innings pitched. Tollefson’s best appearance came on August 9 when he struck out seven batters in four innings of work. He pitched in 13 games for the 2006 Mallards, posting a 0.66 ERA.

Ryan Zink (’04, ’07) Staten Island (A-). Zink is fitting in very nicely with the Class A affiliate of the New York Yankees. A 17th round draft pick this past year, Zink is 6-1 with a 3.53 ERA in 43.1 innings pitched. He hasn’t given up an earned run since August 18.

Stay tuned to Mallardsbaseball.com as we continue to showcase more talented Alumni making impacts in the baseball world.

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