Cards in the Majors: 2023 All-Star Break Update

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The All-Star Break for the 2023 Major League Baseball season is finally here, and several former Louisville baseball players continue to make an impact across the majors.

As of Jul. 10, there have been 12 former Cardinals play in an MLB regular season game this season: catchers Henry Davis and Will Smith; infielders Drew Ellis and Nick Solak; outfielders Adam Duvall; right-handed pitchers Nick Burdi, Zack Burdi, Bryan Hoeing, Matt Koch and Bobby Miller; and left-handed pitcher Reid Detmers.

So how have these former Cards performed up to the halfway point of the season? Take a look below:

Stats from games played through Jul. 9, 2023

Nick Burdi

Position: Right-Handed Pitcher
Years at UofL: 2012-14
Organization: Chicago Cubs

W-L	GP-GS	IP	K-BB	H	ER	ERA	WHIP
0-0	3-0	3.0	4-3	3	3	9.00	2.00

Burdi finally made his return to the mound in mid-May after having to undergo Tommy John surgery in October 2020. However, he landed on the injured list after just three relief appearances after having to undergo an emergency appendectomy. He is slated to return later this month.

Zack Burdi

Position: Right-Handed Pitcher
Years at UofL: 2014-16
Organization: Tampa Bay Rays/Los Angeles Dodgers

W-L	GP-GS	IP	K-BB	H	ER	ERA	WHIP
0-0	3-0	4.0	5-2	6	5	11.25	2.00

Burdi signed a minor league contract with the Rays in the offseason, but was later designated for assignment in late May after three relief appearances with Tampa Bay. The Dodgers claimed him off waivers, but then sent him to Triple-A after being DFA'd again.

Henry Davis

Position: Catcher
Years at UofL: 2019-21
Organization: Pittsburgh Pirates

G/AB	HR	RBI	BB	H	AVG	OBP	SLG
20/71	1	7	7	17	.239	.333	.324

The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft was called up to the majors on June 19, spending only two years in the minor leagues before making his MLB debut. While a catcher by trade, the Pirates are starting Davis out at right field and DH while he continues to work on his defense behind the plate.

Reid Detmers

Position: Left-Handed Pitcher
Years at UofL: 2018-20
Organization: Los Angeles Angels

W-L	GP-GS	IP	K-BB	H	ER	ERA	WHIP
2-6	16-16	85.2	107-32	78	41	4.31	1.28

While his win-loss record might not suggest it, Detmers is having a good season in his third year at the major league level. He has the second-best ERA in the Angels' starting rotation and the second-most strikeouts on the team, second only to AL MVP frontrunner Shohei Ohtani.

Adam Duvall

Position: Center/Right Fielder
Years at UofL: 2009-10 (JUCO)
Organization: Boston Red Sox

G/AB	HR	RBI	BB	H	AVG	OBP	SLG
32/113	6	23	9	29	.257	.328	.522

Duvall signed a one-year, $7 million deal with the Red Sox over the offseason, and was off to a red hot start before having to miss extended time due to a fractured left wrist suffered just eight games into the season. He made his return in early June, and so far has posted his best batting average since the 2019 season.

Drew Ellis

Position: Third Baseman
Years at UofL: 2015-17
Organization: Philadelphia Phillies

G/AB	HR	RBI	BB	H	AVG	OBP	SLG
8/18	2	3	4	4	.222	.364	.556

After being released by the Mariners in March, Ellis signed a minor league contract with the Phillies in mid-April, and was finally called back up on June 1. While his week and a half in Philadelphia did include a two-homer game on June 4 against the Nationals, he was sent back down to Triple-A in mid-June.

Adam Engel

Position: Center Fielder
Years at UofL: 2011-13
Organization: San Diego Padres/Seattle Mariners

G/AB	HR	RBI	BB	H	AVG	OBP	SLG
5/6	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000

Spending the first six years of his major league career with the Chicago White Sox, Engel opted to elect for free agency last offseason and signed with the Padres. After being activated from the IL in early May and going hitless over three starts and two pinch run situations, he was released in late May after being DFA'd. The Mariners then immediately signed him to a minor league contract.

Bryan Hoeing

Position: Right-Handed Pitcher
Years at UofL: 2016-19
Organization: Miami Marlins

W-L	GP-GS	IP	K-BB	H	ER	ERA	WHIP
1-2	20-6	41.2	33-18	40	21	4.54	1.39

In his second year at the major league level, Hoeing has bounced in between the starting rotation and the bullpen for the Marlins this season. He has performed much better in a relief role, as he has allowed only three earned runs in 14 appearances and 17.1 innings pitched as a reliever.

Matt Koch

Position: Right-Handed Pitcher
Years at UofL: 2010-12
Organization: Colorado Rockies

W-L	GP-GS	IP	K-BB	H	ER	ERA	WHIP
0-0	6-0	6.2	2-0	3	0	0.00	0.45

Koch signed a minor league deal with the Rockies this past offseason, but was not called back up until late June. So far, he has not allowed an earned run in any of his six relief appearances.

Bobby Miller

Position: Right-Handed Pitcher
Years at UofL: 2018-20
Organization: Los Angeles Dodgers

W-L	GP-GS	IP	K-BB	H	ER	ERA	WHIP
5-1	8-8	44.0	42-15	39	22	4.50	1.23

Miller was the first former Cardinals to make his MLB debut this season, doing so back on May 23. He dominated his first four starts, allowing only two earned runs in 23.0 innings of work (0.78 ERA), but has allowed 20 earned runs in his four starts and 21.0 innings pitched (8.57 ERA) since.

Will Smith

Position: Catcher
Years at UofL: 2014-16
Organization: Los Angeles Dodgers

G/AB	HR	RBI	BB	H	AVG	OBP	SLG
66/233	13	46	44	65	.279	.396	.494

Smith is currently having the best 2023 season out of any former Cardinal. Not only is he having his best full season since making the majors, but his OPS+ of 138 is third-best on the Dodgers, behind only Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts. He was also named a reserve catcher for the National League in the All-Star Game, becoming only the second former Cardinal (Adam Duvall, 2016) to be named an All-Star.

Nick Solak

Position: Outfielder
Years at UofL: 2014-16
Organization: Cincinnati Reds/Seattle Mariners/Chicago White Sox/Atlanta Braves/Detroit Tigers

G/AB	HR	RBI	BB	H	AVG	OBP	SLG
2/0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000

You read that right, Solak has been with five organizations so far this calendar year. The Rangers traded him to the Reds last offseason, who then traded him to the Mariners before this season. Seattle then DFA'd him and was claimed by the White Sox, who also DFA'd him and was claimed by the Braves, who also DFA'd him before finally landing with the Tigers. His two appearances on the year have been as a pinch runner once for the Braves and once for the Tigers.

(Photo of Will Smith: Jayne Kamin-Oncea - USA TODAY Sports)

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