Bulls Alumni in the 2017 MLB Playoffs
The Durham Bulls’ 2017 playoff run is still fresh in everyone’s mind, but tonight marks the *start of the MLB playoffs, which includes several notable Bulls’ alumni. Here’s a look at the nine former Bulls that are spread throughout the eight playoff teams.
*Yes, we said start. The Wild Card games aren’t really the postseason, in our humble opinion.
Arizona Diamondbacks: None
Boston Red Sox: LHP David Price
The 32-year-old southpaw is back in the postseason for a fifth straight year, his second straight with the Red Sox. Price made 12 total starts with the Bulls at the end of 2008 and beginning of 2009, going 2–5 with a 4.13 ERA and 42 Ks over 42.1 IP. Price has appeared in only 16 games (11 GS) for the Sox in 2017 due to several DL stints, going 6–3 with a 3.38 ERA.
Chicago Cubs: RHP Wade Davis, LHP Mike Montgomery, UTL Ben Zobrist
The Cubs are one of two teams in the playoffs with three former Bulls, with the defending World Series champions boasting arguably the most impressive set of former Durham players. Davis made 37 total starts for the Bulls between 2008 and 2009, over which time he went 14–10 with a 3.23 ERA. The 32-year-old has been the primary closer for Chicago this year, converting 32 of 33 save opportunities while striking out 79 batters over 58.2 IP.
Montgomery donned a Durham uniform for parts of 2013 and 2014, which included an I.L. Mid-Season All-Star appearance in ’14. The California native made 45 starts (and one relief appearance) for the Bulls while going 17–13 with a 4.49 ERA. This year, the left-hander has gone 7–8 with a 3.38 ERA while splitting time between the rotation and bullpen.
Zobrist spent parts of three seasons in Durham (2006, 2007, 2008), where he hit .301 in 99 total games. The utility star has played in 128 games for the Cubbies in 2017, batting .232 with 12 home runs and 50 RBI while appearing at four different positions.
Cleveland Indians: OF Brandon Guyer
Guyer and the Indians are back in the playoffs after coming up short against the Cubs in 2016. The outfielder was limited to 70 games with the Tribe this year due to a wrist injury, but when healthy hit .236 with 20 RBI. Guyer spent parts of three seasons with the Bulls (2011–2013) while also playing five games with the team on a rehab stint in 2014. Overall, the 31-year-old hit .307 over 232 games.
Houston Astros: None
Los Angeles Dodgers: INF Logan Forsythe
Forsythe hit .224 with 6 HR and 36 RBI over 119 games for the West Division champion Dodgers this year while also playing five different positions on defense. The 30-year-old made a brief pit stop with the Bulls just last year, where he went 2–5 with a HR over two rehab games.
The Dodgers also have former Bulls LHP Scott Kazmir and LHP Adam Liberatore on their 40-man roster, but neither hurler was included on the postseason roster after injury-plagued years.
New York Yankees: None
Washington Nationals: C Jose Lobaton, RHP Edwin Jackson, RHP Enny Romero
The Nationals are tied with the Cubs for the most former Bulls on their postseason roster with three. Lobaton is in his fourth season with the Nationals after being traded from the Rays in 2014. The 32-year-old catcher hit .170 with 4 HR and 11 RBI over 51 games behind the plate this year. Lobaton played in 130 total games with the Bulls from 2010 to 2011 (with 4 rehab games in 2012 as well) where he hit .269 with 15 HR and 64 RBI.
Jackson went 3–7 with a 5.55 ERA over 22 G (13 GS) for the Bulls in his lone season with the club back in 2006. Now in his second tour of duty with Washington, the 34-year-old went 5–6 with a 5.07 ERA over 13 starts totaling 71 IP for the Nationals this year.
Romero played for the Bulls primarily in 2014 and 2015, while also making a lone start for the club in 2013. The right-hander accumulated the bulk of his time in Durham in ’14, where he went 5–11 with a 4.50 ERA over 25 starts and 126 IP.
