A pair of former Tecumseh aces, Sam Benschoter and Cameron Wagoner, are making their climbs through their respective organizations, but starting in much different places this year.
Former Adrian College third baseman turned relief pitcher, Dugan Darnell, is almost knocking on the door of the big leagues to start the season.
Here’s a look at where Lenawee County’s minor leaguers are to start the season:
Sam Benschoter, Triple-A Louisville
The 2016 graduate and former Michigan State pitcher begins his fourth full professional season in Triple-A Louisville, an affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.
Benschoter spent most of last season in Double-A where he had his best season before getting a late season call up to Triple-A. He played for Team USA in the offseason in the Premier12 tournament and made a couple appearances for the Reds in spring training.
Benschoter made his season debut out of the bullpen on opening night for the Bats against the Memphis Redbirds. He went 2.2 innings where he set down the first six batters he faced, including the St. Louis Cardinals No. 4 prospect Jimmy Crooks, No. 5 Thomas Saggesse, No. 20 Cesar Prieto and No. 29 Michael Helman.
He came out for a third inning and recorded two outs before the Redbirds began to get soft contact against him, ending his day with two runs, on three hits and a walk while striking out three.
Dugan Darnell, Triple-A Albuquerque
The former Adrian College standout, who didn’t start closing games until his senior season with the Bulldogs, began the season strong for the Isotopes, an affiliate of the Colorado Rockies.
He got the win, tossing two shutout innings in Game 3 of the series against the Sacramento River Cats while giving up two hits and no walks and striking out three.
Darnell entered the game with two on and nobody out, but recorded two strikeouts and a line out to escape the jam unharmed. He gave up two hits to start the sixth inning, but again, came up with a big strikeout and an inning-ending double play.
Darnell spent most of last season in Triple-A and had an up and down year, but in season’s past has struggled to start out at a new level before settling in and posting impressive numbers. He has a 17-6 record all-time in the minors with a 3.84 ERA, 23 saves and 272 strikeouts to 88 walks.
Cameron Wagoner, injured list
The 2019 Tecumseh graduate and former Eastern Michigan pitcher has only pitched one full season in the minors in 2023 before tearing his UCL right before the 2024 season, which required Tommy John surgery.
Wagoner suffered a slight setback this spring, but is expected to return to the mound this summer.
Wagoner struggled to start his 2023 season, but was lights out in August, earning Midwest League Pitcher of the Month while pitching in Advanced-A Wisconsin.
The Milwaukee Brewers 11th round pick in 2022 is 9-11 with a 5.04 ERA and has 111 strikeouts to 40 walks.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Two Lenawee County pitchers begin 2025 season in Triple-A
Reporting by Kristopher Lodes, The Daily Telegram / The Daily Telegram
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
