https://uncwsports.com/news/2020/9/28/ba...-feel.aspx
Baseball 9/28/2020 7:31:00 PM Tom Riordan
MLB Postseason Opens Tuesday With Seahawk Feel
UNCW is represented throughout all levels and areas of professional baseball
WILMINGTON, N.C. – A grand total of six former Seahawks, including five alums, will see the fruits of their labor on display beginning on Tuesday with the Wild Card round of the Major League Baseball playoffs. From player to scout, each Seahawk has contributed to the successes of their teams.
Ryan Jeffers earned his spot on the Minnesota Twins postseason roster after hitting .273 with three home runs over the course of 55 at bats. Jeffers made his MLB debut on August 20 with a pair of hits against Milwaukee. Jeffers was named to MLB Pipeline's All-Rookie team last week.
Carl Willis is also in the postseason as the pitching coach for the Cleveland Indians. The former Seahawk is in his second tour with the Indians organization, having previously served in the same capacity from 2003-09. During his career, Willis has had four Cy Young Award winners on his staffs including CC Sabathia (2007), Cliff Lee (2008), Felix Hernandez (2010) and Rick Porcello (2016). This season, Indians' ace Shane Beiber is a front runner for the 2020 Cy Young after going 8-1 with a 1.63 earned run average and a league-leading 122 strikeouts.
As a player, Willis made seven postseason appearances for the Twins during their World Series title run during the 1991 season.
Jeff Porter, a 1997 graduate of UNCW, serves as the Athletic Training Advisor for the Atlanta Braves. The 2020 season marked his 36th with the organization and the third in his current capacity. Ported joined the Braves as an assistant athletic trainer before being named head athletic trainer in 2003.
Clinton Sewell is a member of the San Diego Padres Scouting and Player Development Staff. Sewell joined the Padres in 2019 and works in Player Development Technology and Video. Last season, Sewell worked with the Texas League champions Amarillo Sod Poodles.
Also a member of the San Diego organization is former infield standout Jake Koenig, who is the Padres scout in the Carolinas and serves as an international cross checker. Koenig played shortstop for the Seahawks in 2011 and 2012, earning All-CAA second-team honors in 2012 and helping the Seahawks to a CAA tournament championship and NCAA Regional appearance.
Rounding out the Seahawk contingent is Rob Flippo, the bullpen coordinator for the Miami Marlins, who return to the postseason for the first time since winning the World Series in 2003. Flippo was on former UNCW Head Coach Mark Scalf's staff from 1999-2001 where he served as hitting coach and worked with the program's catchers. Flippo joined the Dodgers organization in the summer of 2001 and became the Dodgers bullpen catcher in 2002. The Dodgers made 11 trips to the postseason during his time with the organization.
Postseason Schedule (Link to MLB preview)
Sept. 29 – Astros Vs. Twins (2 p.m. / ABC)
Sept. 29 – Yankees Vs. Indians (7 p.m. / ESPN)
Sept. 30 – Braves Vs. Cincinnati (Noon / ESPN)
Sept. 30 – Marlins Vs. Cubs (2 p.m. / ABC)
Sept. 30 – Padres Vs. Cardinals (5 p.m. / ESPN2)