Checking in on how Tim Elko and other former Ole Miss players are faring the in the pro ranks
The professional baseball season is a little over a month old and that makes it a good time to see how former Ole Miss players now at the next level are doing at the start of their professional career.
After having a strong start to his minor league career last Summer Tim Elko is starting off his first full professional season with more consistent play at the plate.
Through 25 games with the Birmingham Barons — the Chicago White Sox’s AA affiliate — Elko is hitting .264 (24-for-91) and has the 17th best batting average in the Southern League. His home run tally of three is tied for 11th in the league and only three back of the Southern League leading six.
Elko’s 11 runs batted in has him in the top 22 of the league and is only 11 back of the Southern League leader. He has nine extra base hits with six doubles to go with the home runs.
There are two more former Ole Miss players in the White Sox organization with Elko. Shortstop Jacob Gonzalez and catcher Calvin Harris are currently teammates on the White Sox High A team the Winston-Salem Dashers.
Through 27 games played Gonzalez has a team-leading .297 average, which is ninth best in the South Atlantic League. He has three home runs on the season, which is third best on the Dashers and nine extra bases, including five doubles and a triple, and 11 runs batted in.
Harris has played in seven games and currently has a .222 batting average with with two RBIS and a double.
Outfielder Kevin Graham is having a strong start to his first full professional season. Currently with the Arizona Diamondbacks AA affiliate the Amarillo Sodpoodles, Graham has the fourth best batting average in the Texas League at .338 (24-for-71) in 20 games played. He has 11 RBIs to go with eight extra base hits, including a home run a triple and six doubles.
Kemp Alderman’s first full season is not going as well as his former national champion teammates. Alderman was placed on the seven-day disabled list on April 9 due to a broken hamate bone in his left hand. The former Ole Miss slugger’s return is expected this month but so far he has not played in a game this season.
Another former national champion Rebel has yet to produce any 2024 stats or appearances and that is pitcher Dylan DeLucia. After suffering an injury last Summer DeLucia that led to Tommy John Surgery he is still recovering and yet to play in a game this year. In March he was assigned to Cleveland’s Single A affiliate the Lynchburg Hillcats.
Former Ole Miss closer Brandon Johnson is currently taking the mound with the Kansas City Royals High-A affiliate the Quady Cities River Bandits and sporting a sub-two earned run average of 1.93 in 10 appearances. He has 26 strikes outs and credited with two saves and a 3-1 record.
Derek Diamond is currently with the Pittsburgh Steelers High-A affiliate the Greensboro Grasshoppers. In three appearances Diamond has a 1-0 record and a 5.00 ERA to go with eight strikeouts.
