Birmingham-Southern catcher Bruce Maxwell, the 2012 D3baseball.com Player of the Year, became one of D-III's highest-ever draft picks last season. Birmingham-Southern athletics photo

There are 58 former Division III players currently signed to affiliated baseball teams. One more former D-III player, UW-La Crosse’s Vinny Rottino, is signed to play his first season in Japan after an eight-year career in affiliated ball.

The 59 D-III current alumni are actually fewer than usual at this time of year. It is not uncommon for that number to be in the 70s. After this June’s first-year player draft and post-draft signing frenzy, that number should once again be in the 70s or higher.

Around the Nation has been tracking former D-III players in affiliated baseball on the message boards since 2009. There is always a regularly updated master list of our alumni on the most current page of the “D-3 Players in minor leagues/MLB” thread.

The master list includes links to official player information from either mlb.com or milb.com. Near the master list of current players is a regularly updated list of D-III alumni since 2009 who are no longer playing affiliated baseball.

Along with those lists, that thread also has other updates, including video links, transactions, special performances and D-III players who earn their professional leagues’ Player of the Week awards.

This is a column for those who have not seen that thread on the message board. This is a column for those who have seen the thread, too, because admit it; you have never clicked on all of the player links.

Before we get a new batch of alumni to follow in June, here are the 59 former D-III players currently in affiliated baseball, with a bit of backstory on each to get you up to speed. Please email Around the Nation with any players who should be included in the list below. Stats and teams are through April 19.

Major leagues

Charlie Furbush, St. Joseph (Maine) St. Joeseph (Maine) athletics photo

Padres OF Chris Denorfia, Wheaton (Mass.)
Path to pro ball: 19th round selection by the Reds in 2002
MLB debut: Sept. 7, 2005
MLB stats: 455 G, .285 AVG, 177 R, 26 HR, 115 RBI
MiLB stats: 744 G, .293 AVG, 433 R, 61 HR, 351 RBI
D-III highlight: 2002 All-America

Mariners RP Charlie Furbush, Saint Joseph's (Maine) (also LSU)
Path to pro ball: 4th round selection by the Tigers in 2007
MLB debut: May 23, 2011
MLB stats: 84 G, 9-13, 4.50 ERA, 138 IP, 131 K
MiLB stats: 80 G, 26-20, 3.70 ERA, 396 IP, 419 K
D-III highlight: 2006 NCBWA New England Pitcher of the Year

Chris Heisey, Messiah Messiah athletics photo

Reds OF Chris Heisey, Messiah
Path to pro ball: 17th round selection by the Reds in 2006
MLB debut: May 3, 2010
MLB stats: 353 G, .253 AVG, 126 R, 34 HR, 106 RBI
MiLB stats: 480 G, .294 AVG, 298 R, 52 HR, 241 RBI
D-III highlight: 2006 Commonwealth Conference Player of the Year

Phillies C Erik Kratz, Eastern Mennonite
Path to pro ball: 29th round selection by the Blue Jays in 2002
MLB debut: July 17, 2010
MLB stats: 76 G, .217 AVG, 20 R, 10 HR, 31 RBI
MiLB stats: 766 G, .258 AVG, 345 R, 100 HR, 382 RBI
D-III highlight: 2001-02 Old Dominion Athletic Conference Player of the Year

Rangers RP Joe Nathan, Stony Brook (then D-III)
Path to pro ball: 6th round selection by the Giants in 1995
MLB debut: April 21, 1999
MLB stats: 654 G, 51-28, 2.86 ERA, 800.1 IP, 846 K
MiLB stats: 129 G, 27-41, 4.90 ERA, 565.1 IP, 454 K
D-III highlight: First Stony Brook athlete to have his or her number retired (2006)

Jordan Zimmermann, UW-Stevens Point photo by Larry Radlof for D3sports.com

Mets C Anthony Recker, Alvernia
Path to pro ball: 18th round selection by the Athletics in 2005
MLB debut: Aug. 25, 2011
MLB stats: 31 G, .151 AVG, 7 R, 1 HR, 5 RBI
MiLB stats: 726 G, .272 AVG, 357 R, 99 HR, 386 RBI
D-III highlight: 2005 All-America

Orix Buffaloes (Japan) OF Vinny Rottino, UW-La Crosse
Path to pro ball: Signed by the Brewers as a free agent in 2003
MLB debut: Sept. 1, 2006
MLB stats: 62 G, .165 AVG, 14 R, 3 HR, 11 RBI
MiLB stats: 1140 G, .294 AVG, 633 R, 82 HR, 598 RBI
D-III highlight: 2002 Midwest Region Player of the Year

Nationals SP Jordan Zimmermann, UW-Stevens Point
Path to pro ball: 2nd round selection by the Nationals in 2007
MLB debut: April 20, 2009
MLB stats: 84 G, 27-26, 3.43 ERA, 501.1 IP, 407 K
MiLB stats: 50 G, 16-7, 2.60 ERA, 235.1 IP, 246 K
D-III highlight: 2005-06 All-America

Triple-A

Brandeis P Nelson Figueroa, Reno (Diamondbacks)
Path to pro ball: 30th round selection by the Mets in 1995
MLB debut: June 3, 2000
MLB stats: 145 G, 20-35, 4.55 ERA, 499 IP, 337 K
MiLB stats: 340 G, 141-94, 3.65 ERA, 2007 IP, 1607 K
D-III highlight: First Brandeis alum to have his or her number retired

Centenary (N.J.) P Cole Kimball, Syracuse (Nationals)
Path to pro ball: 12th round selection by the Nationals in 2006
MLB debut: May 14, 2011
MLB stats: 12 G, 1-0, 1.93 ERA, 14 IP, 11 K
MiLB stats: 172 G, 23-25, 4.36 ERA, 371.1 IP, 394 K
D-III highlight: Had 139 total K’s in two seasons

Dan Remenowsky, Ottebein Otterbein photo

Alvernia 3B Zach Lutz, Las Vegas (Mets)
Path to pro ball: 5th round selection by the Mets in 2007
MLB debut: April 24, 2012
MLB stats: 7 G, .091 AVG, 1 R, 0 HR, 0 RBI
MiLB stats: 359 G, .284 AVG, 179 R, 56 HR, 213 RBI
D-III highlight: 2007 D3baseball.com Player of the Year

Concordia Chicago P Jim Paduch, Durham (Rays)
Path to pro ball: 12th round selection by the Reds in 2003
MiLB stats: 218 G, 56-62, 4.58 ERA, 1034.2 IP, 761 K
D-III highlight: 2003 Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference Player of the Year

Linfield (also Oregon St.) P Joe Paterson, Reno (Diamondbacks)
Path to pro ball: 10th round selection by the Giants in 2007
MLB debut: April 2, 2011
MLB stats: 68 G, 0-3, 5.40 ERA, 36.2 IP, 28 K
MiLB stats: 230 G, 23-15, 2.93 ERA, 270.1 IP, 279 K
D-III highlight: 22 IP and 22 K in 2005

Otterbein P Dan Remenowsky, Charlotte (White Sox)
Path to pro ball: Signed by the White Sox as a free agent in 2008
MiLB stats: 173 G, 23-12, 2.52 ERA, 268.1 IP, 354 K
D-III highlight: 2006-08 Ohio Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year

Double-A

Linfield 3B Kelson Brown, Jamestown (Pirates)
Path to pro ball: 34th round selection by the Pirates in 2010
MiLB stats: 203 G, .281 AVG, 84 R, 2 HR, 72 RBI
D-III highlight: 2010 D3baseball.com All-America

Marietta P Mike DeMark, Midland (A's)
Path to pro ball: Signed by the Padres out of the independent Frontier League in 2007
MiLB stats: 344 G, 15-17, 2.97 ERA, 430 IP, 450 K
D-III highlight: 2004 All-America

Derek Eitel, Rose-Hulman Rose-Hulman athletics photo

UW-Whitewater P Aaron Dott, Trenton (Yankees)
Path to pro ball: 31st round selection by the Rays in 2009
MiLB stats: 97 G, 13-13, 3.47 ERA, 236.1 IP, 237 K
D-III highlight: 2009 All-America

Rose-Hulman P Derek Eitel, Mobile (Diamondbacks)
Path to pro ball: 17th round selection by the Diamondbacks in 2010
MiLB stats: 72 G, 21-23, 4.95 ERA, 360 IP, 256 K
D-III highlight: First Rose-Hulman athlete to be selected in a pro sports draft

Keystone P Sean Murphy, Stockton (A's)
Path to pro ball: 33rd round selection by the Athletics in 2010
MiLB stats: 60 G, 18-16, 4.08 ERA, 247.1 IP, 249 K
D-III highlight: 2009 All-Colonial States Athletic Conference

Whittier P Tom Vessella, Richmond (Giants)
Path to pro ball: 11th round selection by the Astros in 2006
MiLB stats: 155 G, 12-28, 5.17 ERA, 317 IP, 221 K
D-III highlight: 2006 All-America

Single-A Advanced

Keystone 1B Yazy Arbelo, Visalia (Diamondbacks)
Path to pro ball: 26th round selection by the Diamondbacks in 2010
MiLB stats: 334 G, .251 AVG, 163 R, 73 HR, 226 RBI
D-III highlight: Hit 15 HR in only D-III season, in 2010

David Colvin, Pomona-Pitzer Pomona-Pitzer athletica photo

Trinity (Texas)/Chapman (also UC Santa Barbara) 2B Ryan Cavan, San Jose Giants
Path to pro ball: 16th round selection by the Giants in 2009
MiLB stats: 469 G, .267 AVG, 267 R, 49 HR, 254 RBI
D-III highlight: Two-time All-West Region

Pomona-Pitzer P David Colvin, High Desert (Mariners)
Path to pro ball: 27th round selection by the Mariners in 2011
MiLB stats: 54 G, 7-4, 2.73 ERA, 108.2 IP, 100 K
D-III highlight: 2010 D3baseball.com All-America

Albright P Casey Lawrence, Dunedin Blue Jays
Path to pro ball: Signed by the Blue Jays as a free agent in 2010
MiLB stats: 72 G, 31-19, 3.22 ERA, 399.2 IP, 278 K
D-III highlight: 2008-09 All-Commonwealth Conference

Denison P Aidan Lucas, Palm Beach Cardinals
Path to pro ball: 27th round selection by the Cardinals in 2010
MiLB stats: 102 G, 5-6, 2.53 ERA, 135.1 IP, 132 K
D-III highlight: 2009-10 All-North Coast Athletic Conference

Tim Saunders, Marietta Marietta photo by Larry Radloff

Neumann OF Gary Mitchell, Inland Empire (Angels)
Path to pro ball: 21st round selection by the Angels in 2010
MiLB stats: 190 G, .252 AVG, 113 R, 21 HR, 99 RBI
D-III highlight: 2010 All-Mid-Atlantic Region

Marietta SS Tim Saunders, Daytona Cubs
Path to pro ball: 32nd round selection by the Cubs in 2012
MiLB stats: 54 G, .366 AVG, 45 R, 5 HR, 34 RBI
D-III highlight: 2011-12 All-America

Marietta P Mark Williams, Brevard County (Brewers)
Path to pro ball: Signed by the Brewers as a free agent in 2011
MiLB stats: 52 G, 10-11, 4.12 ERA, 148.2 IP, 132 K
D-III highlight: 2011 D3baseball.com All-America

Single-A

Tucker Healy, Ithaca Ithaca athletics photo

Babson P Andrew Aizenstadt, Lakewood (Phillies)
Path to pro ball: Signed by the Phillies as a free agent in 2012
MiLB stats: 23 G, 1-0, 3.34 ERA, 35 IP, 30 K
D-III highlight: 2008-09 All-New England Region

Marietta P Austin Blaski, Wisconsin (Brewers)
Path to pro ball: 21st round selection by the Brewers in 2012
MiLB stats: 15 G, 1-0, 3.28 ERA, 24.2 IP, 21 K
D-III highlight: 2012 D3baseball.com Pitcher of the Year

Ithaca P Tucker Healy, Beloit (A's)
Path to pro ball: 23rd round selection by the Athletics in 2012
MiLB stats: 24 G, 2-0, 2.83 ERA, 35 IP, 52 K
D-III highlight: 2009-12 All-Empire 8

St. Olaf P Ben Hughes, Ashville (Rockies)
Path to pro ball: 10th round selection by the Rockies in 2011
MiLB stats: 27 G, 6-9, 5.30 ERA, 124 IP, 108 K
D-III highlight: 2011 D3baseball.com All-America

Ben Hughes, St. Olaf St. Olaf athletics photo

Wooster P Matt Johnson, Lansing (Blue Jays)
Path to pro ball: Signed by the Blue Jays as a free agent in 2010
MiLB stats: 19 G, 1-1, 4.79 ERA, 20.2 IP, 19 K
D-III highlight: 2010 D3baseball.com All-America

Trinity (Texas) P Ben Klimesh, Dayton (Reds)
Path to pro ball: 15th round selection by the Reds in 2012
MiLB stats: 23 G, 0-3, 6.99 ERA, 28.1 IP, 38 K
D-III highlight: 2012 D3baseball.com All-America

UW-Stevens Point OF Cody Koback, Greenville (Red Sox)
Path to pro ball: 10th round selection by the Red Sox in 2011
MiLB stats: 121 G, .259 AVG, 51 R, 5 HR, 49 RBI
D-III highlight: 2011 D3baseball.com All-America

Birmingham-Southern OF Drew Leachman, Cedar Rapids (Twins)
Path to pro ball: 37th round selection by the Twins in 2011
MiLB stats: 154 G, .261 AVG, 66 R, 6 HR, 67 RBI
D-III highlight: 2011 All-America

Drew Leachman, Birmingham-Southern Birmingham-Southern photo

Birmingham-Southern C Bruce Maxwell, Beloit (A's) 
Path to pro ball: 2nd round selection by the Athletics in 2012
MiLB stats: 78 G, .283 AVG, 38 R, 1 HR, 34 RBI
D-III highlight: 2012 D3baseball.com Player of the Year

Menlo (then D3) P Chris Mazza, Cedar Rapids (Twins)
Path to pro ball: 27th round selection by the Twins in 2011
MiLB stats: 23 G, 5-2, 1.95 ERA, 37 IP, 35 K
D-III highlight: More D-III HR (14) than pitching appearances (5) in 2009-10

Chapman P Brian Rauh, Hagerstown (Nationals)
Path to pro ball: 11th round selection by the Nationals in 2012
MiLB stats: 18 G, 4-4, 3.91 ERA, 71.1 IP, 56 K
D-III highlight: 2010-12 D3baseball.com All-America

Frostburg St. P Greg Ross, Rome Braves
Path to pro ball: 18th round selection by the Braves in 2011
MiLB stats: 42 G, 14-13, 4.20 ERA, 205.2 IP, 163 K
D-III highlight: 2011 D3baseball.com All-America

Greg Ross, Frostburg State Frostburg State athletics photo

Emory P Paul Schwendel, Hickory (Rangers)
Path to pro ball: 40th round selection by the Rangers in 2012
MiLB stats: 16 G, 2-3, 2.82 ERA, 38.1 IP, 54 K
D-III highlight: 2012 All-South Region

Randolph-Macon OF Jordan Walton, Peoria (Cardinals)
Path to pro ball: Signed by the Cardinals as a free agent in 2012
MiLB stats: 55 G, .264 AVG, 15 R, 0 HR, 16 RBI
D-III highlight: 2011 D3baseball.com All-America

Wartburg P Brad Watson, Peoria (Cardinals)
Path to pro ball: 37th round selection by the Cardinals in 2011
MiLB stats: 27 G, 9-8, 4.65 ERA, 118 IP, 84 K
D-III highlight: 2011 D3baseball.com All-America

Kevin Heller, Amherst Amherst athletics photo

Single-A Short Season

Amherst OF Kevin Heller, Lowell (Red Sox)
Path to pro ball: 40th round selection by the Red Sox in 2012
MiLB stats: 19 G, .290 AVG, 14 R, 2 HR, 5 RBI
D-III highlight: Three-time All-New England Small College Athletic Conference

Old Westbury P Robert Whitenack, Mahoning Valley (Indians)
Path to pro ball: 8th round selection by the Cubs in 2009
MiLB stats: 70 G, 19-18, 4.25 ERA, 309.1 IP, 202 K
D-III highlight: 2008-09 Skyline Conference Pitcher of the Year

Rookie

Haverford 1B Jake Chaplin, AZL Dodgers
Path to pro ball: Signed by the Dodgers as a free agent in 2012
MiLB stats: 1 G, .250 AVG, 0 R, 0 HR, 2 RBI
D-III highlight: Two-time All-Centennial Conference

Jake Chaplin, Haverford Haverford athletic photo

Catholic P Justin D'Alessandro, GCL Blue Jays
Path to pro ball: Signed by the Blue Jays as a free agent in 2012
MiLB stats: 14 G, 1-0, 3.07 ERA, 14.2 IP, 12 K
D-III highlight: 70 career K in 81 IP

Macalester 2B Mitch Glasser, Bristol White Sox
Path to pro ball: 39th round selection by the White Sox in 2012
MiLB stats: [Has not played due to signing date]
D-III highlight: Two-time Jewish Sports Review All-America

Kenyon C Jack Graham, GCL Orioles
Path to pro ball: 38th round selection by the Orioles in 2012
MiLB stats: 17 G, .118 AVG, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 RBI
D-III highlight: 2012 All-North Coast Athletic Conference

UW-Stevens Point 3B Justin Jirschele, Great Falls (White Sox) 
Path to pro ball: Signed by the White Sox as a free agent in 2012
MiLB stats: 42 G, .267 AVG, 26 R, 0 HR, 27 RBI
D-III highlight: Two-time Gold Glove winner

Chris Perry, Methodist Methodist photo by David Conner II

Williams P Harry Marino, [TBD] Orioles
Path to pro ball: Signed by the Diamondbacks as a free agent in 2012
MiLB stats: 16 G, 2-0, 2.60 ERA, 17.1 IP, 19 K
D-III highlight: Tossed a no-hitter in 2012

Methodist P Chris Perry, GCL Cardinals
Path to pro ball: 17th round selection by the Cardinals in 2012
MiLB stats: [Has not played due to injury]
D-III highlight: 2012 D3baseball.com All-America

Augustana P John Peters, GCL Nationals
Path to pro ball: Signed by the Nationals as a free agent in 2011
MiLB stats: 17 G, 3-1, 4.61 ERA, 27.1 IP, 16 K
D-III highlight: Had a 17.1 IP scoreless streak in 2011

Mitchell (also Central Florida) P Anthony Santiago, Bristol White Sox
Path to pro ball: Signed by the White Sox as a free agent in 2012
MiLB stats: 8 G, 0-2, 7.62 ERA, 13 IP, 6 K
D-III highlight: 2011 All-New England Collegiate Conference in only D-III season

Not yet assigned to an affiliated team

Dan Fiorito, Manhattanville Manhattanville athletics photo

Manhattanville SS Dan Fiorito, Yankees
Path to pro ball: Signed by the Yankees as a free agent in 2012
D-III highlight: 2012 All-America

Rowan P Marc Magliaro, Rockies
Path to pro ball: Signed by the Rockies as a free agent in 2013
D-III highlight: 2011-12 All-New Jersey Athletic Conference

Middlebury P Michael Joseph, Orioles
Path to pro ball: Signed by the Orioles as a free agent in 2012
D-III highlight: 95 career K’s in 116 IP

Thiel P Bobby Hillier, Diamondbacks
Path to pro ball: Signed by the Diamondbacks as a free agent in 2013
D-III highlight: 2011 All-Presidents’ Athletic Conference

UPDATES: Mark Williams has since been promoted to Double-A Huntsville; Dan Fiorito has been assigned to Single-A Advanced Tampa.

My top 5 games of the week (April 24-30):
April 24: No. 7 UW-Whitewater vs. UW Oshkosh Completing a suspended game then another doubleheader in one day; was originally going to be complete one, plus a tripleheader. 

April 27: No. 8 Marietta vs. Baldwin-Wallace Despite declaring itself ineligible for the postseason, BW is on MC's heals in the ultimate OAC spoiler role; MC hasn't lost to BW since 2010.

April 27: No. 2 Kean vs. Rowan Top 2 in the NJAC standings; KU could have the conference title in hand before this doubleheader; RU swept KU last season; RU leads all-time series 88-42.

April 29: No. 3 Johns Hopkins vs. No. 5 Salisbury Yearly get-together; SU has won 5 of the last 8 meetings; JHU beat SU in the 2008 regional championship; postseason seeding at stake this year.

April 29: No. 6 Cortland St. vs. No. 18 Ithaca Likely top 2 in this week's New York rankings; IC beat C-St., 9-5, earlier this month; IC has allowed 36 runs in its last 13 games; C-St. has a 2.78 ERA.

My 2013 Week 9 ballot (D3baseball.com rank)
Stats, musings and folly valid through April 21
1 (4). St. Thomas – Different week, same story about unplayable conditions; has not played since April 7.
2 (1). Linfield – Swept George Fox series and clinched the NWC Pool A with a week to spare.
3 (7). UW-Whitewater – Near tripleheader with UW Oshkosh among 7 WIAC games this week.
4 (2). Kean – Impressive run through William Paterson, Ramapo; can clinch NJAC regular season this week.
5 (13). Southern Maine – 19-game winning streak snapped by Wheaton (Mass.); still the lone LEC unbeaten.
6 (3). Johns Hopkins – Gettysburg's 7-spot in the 4th cost JHU a chance at an undefeated conference season.
7 (10). Webster – Moved to 17-0 in the SLIAC with 3 comfortable wins; has lost once since March 11.
8 (11). Cal Lutheran – Wrapped up 1st SCIAC regular season title since 2001; has lost once since March 8.
9 (5). Salisbury – Won 2nd straight CAC Pool A behind its 6th shutout of the season in the CAC title game.
10 (8). Marietta – Allowed 4 runs in a doubleheader against John Carroll but only managed a split.
The rest of my ballot: Ithaca; Cortland State; Wheaton (Mass.); UW-Stevens Point; Manchester; Western New England; Keystone; Augustana; Ramapo; Wartburg; Bridgewater (Va.); Millsaps; Trinity (Texas); Huntingdon; Rowan.

Next week: Q&A with a draft guru.