Pro Hogs:

Former Hogs Productive On Diamond

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Drew Smyly delivers to the Texas Rangers in a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 11, 2014, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Will anyone start a Tampa Bay Rays Fan Club in Northwest Arkansas now that Drew Smyly and Logan Forsythe are on the team?

I doubt it, but it is time to check on some former Razorbacks with the major league rosters about to expand.

Forsythe was already with the Rays when Smyly was acquired in a three-team trade that sent David Price to Detroit. There were some initial complaints that Tampa Bay hadn't received enough for Price, a former Cy Young winner. But Smyly has quieted those talks with a phenomenal beginning for the Rays.

Smyly (9-10, 3.31 ERA) has allowed only three earned runs in his last four starts with the Rays, who are fourth of five teams in the American League East. He allowed only two hits against Toronto while throwing the first complete game of his career. The left-hander from Little Rock followed that up with another win when he allowed only one run in 7 innings against Baltimore.

Ironically, Smyly beat the Orioles the same night Price (12-10, 3.32 ERA) was pounded for eight runs and 12 hits in two innings against the Yankees.

"What can I say? He's been phenomenal," Tampa Bay Manager Joe Maddon said of Smyly, who was acquired along with two minor leaguers. "He's got total command of what he is doing now."

It is understandable why Detroit made the trade for Price, but the Tigers may regret parting with Smyly.

There are some other former Razorbacks who could join Smyly and Forsythe in the majors when the rosters expand on Monday. Catcher James McCann (Detroit), first baseman Andy Wilkins (Chicago White Sox), and infielders Matt Reynolds (New York Mets) and Zack Cox (Florida Marlins) could be promoted as September call-ups after productive seasons in Class AAA.

Wilkins will force the White Sox to make some decisions after a tremendous year at Charlotte, N. C., where he enters the weekend with 29 home runs, 84 RBIs and a .293 batting average. The former Razorback first baseman from Tulsa was particularly hot in July, when he hit 10 home runs and had 24 RBI during a 12-game stretch. Wilkins could be used as trade bait in the off-season for the White Sox, who are strong at first base with rookie Jose Abreu and veteran Adam Dunn. Abreu is among the leaders in the American League with 33 home runs and 96 RBI.

Wilkins could be in the majors next year with another Tulsa product, Dallas Keuchel, who has had an outstanding season with the Houston Astros. Keuchel (10-9, 3.05 ERA) recently became the first Houston left-hander to reach five complete games in a season since Mike Hampton in 1997. Unfortunately for Keuchel, the former Razorback plays on one of the worst hitting teams in the majors and he lost his fifth complete game, 3-0.

Blake Parker also plays on a bad team in Chicago, where the Cubs continue to shuffle the right-hander between Wrigley Field and Class AAA Iowa. The former Arkansas and Fayetteville standout at least earned his first major league victory before being sent back to the minors.

Jess Todd (Arizona) hopes to return the major leagues after a strong showing at Class AAA Reno, Nev., where he is on the same staff as another former Razorback, Mike Bolsinger. Todd, who has been released twice after pitching briefly for St. Louis, is 8-2 with a 3.61 ERA as a middle reliever for the Aces.

Todd, you'll remember, comprised one of the best staffs at Arkansas when he teamed with Nick Schmidt and Duke Welker, who were both released this year after struggling with arm injuries.

Former Arkansas outfielder and pitcher Brett Eibner is back in Class A after being injured while playing for Class AAA Omaha (Neb.). It is unclear whether the move is a demotion or simply a rehab assignment for Eibner, who was hitting .243 with seven home runs for the Storm Chasers. But the Kansas City Royals undoubtedly want to see more contact from Eibner, who struck out 73 times in 77 games at Omaha.

RICK FIRES IS A SPORTS WRITER FOR NWA NEWSPAPERS

Sports on 08/31/2014