Normally I do a run down of our former players playing professional baseball before the Valley League season starts, but I was running behind this year! Since last year, we have had several players retire, get released or move on to other things from professional baseball. There are so many leagues, teams and moving parts, it’s pretty hard to keep track of everyone but I try as best I can! Once a player comes to New Market they become a part of the Rebel family, and we want to know where they go after they leave because they become a valued part of our lives! It’s always such a joy to see our players have continued success after their time with the Rebels!

This post will be a quick rundown of which players we currently have playing in professional baseball and a very brief recap of where they’ve been and how they’re doing. If any readers out there know of any Rebel alumni I have missed on the list, please comment or reach out to let me know!

I’ll start with the Rebels in Major League Baseball and make my way through the minors and Independent League players!

Brendan Donovan played for the Rebels in 2016, and had his first successful Major League season last year with the St. Louis Cardinals. He finished 2022 with a Gold Glove, and Rookie of the Year buzz. The Rebel family is very proud! He continues to do this season, and we’re having fun watching!

Reed Garrett pitched for the Rebels in 2013, and has had a successful career between the minors, Japan and Major League Baseball. He has currently just been called up to play in the Majors once more for the Baltimore Orioles. He has been pitching well so far this season in Triple-A Norfolk, and we look forward to seeing what he does in Baltimore!

Chad Kuhl played for the Rebels in 2012, and is currently on the roster for the Washington Nationals. He has also played for the Colorado Rockies and the Pittsburg Pirates, and has certainly had some success playing in Major League Baseball. Chad has had a little bit of a rough start this season with a little time on the DL, but he’s moved to the bullpen and we hope he’ll do well there! It is fun having a former Rebel playing for our closest MLB teams, and I hope some Rebel fans get the chance to see him play in DC!

Jonathan Bowlan pitched for the Rebels in 2016, and is probably our highest draft pick ever, going in the second round of the 2018 draft to the KC Royals. He has been working away in the Royals farm system since that time and has spent most of the 2023 season with Double-A Northwest Arkansas. As of yesterday June 20th, he has been called up to Triple-A Omaha, so we hope he can keep climbing his way up and having success on the mound!

Jake Washer was a catcher for the 2017 Rebels, and was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 29th round of the 2019 draft. Like Bowlan, he has been working his way up the minor league ladder, and is also currently with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. He was recently placed on the “development list”, which was a new thing for me to learn about, but hopefully he’ll be back in action soon behind the plate!

Brandon Parker was a member of our 2018 Rebels. He signed with the Atlanta Braves in 2019. He is currently playing for the High-A affiliate Rome Braves and is currently batting .174 with 2 home runs. We wish him the best in continuing his professional career!

Justin King was another member of our 2018 Championship squad. Though he was a hitter for the Rebels, he has continued his career as a pitcher. Justin has spent time in the minor league system as well as some time playing in Australia. He was signed by the Milwaukee Brewers last year, and is currently with their High-A affiliate Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, though he was recently placed on the Disabled List. We hope he’s healthy soon and continue to have success in professional baseball!

Jackson Lancaster was a member of the 2021 Rebels, and he both pitched and hit for our team successfully! He is the most recent Rebel alum to have gotten an MLB opportunity, signing this spring with the Tampa Bay Rays after having a successful season in 2022 with the Independent Ogden Raptors in the Pioneer League. He is currently with the Rookie level FCL Rays where he has pitched well in 4 appearances. We truly hope he continues to do well and have success on the mound!

Jimmy Kerrigan was an outfielder on the 2014 Rebels. Jimmy began his pro career in Independent ball, but got an opportunity with the Minnesota Twins in 2017. He was with the Twins, and worked his way up to Triple-A in their farm system before being released and moving on to the Kane County Cougars in the American Association of Professional Baseball. He is in his second season with the Cougars and has done well with them. He is currently batting .260 with 4 HR and 18 RBI. We wish him all the best in his baseball journey!

Jacob Rhinesmith was a member of the 2017 Rebels, and is another outfielder who has spent time with both MLB-affiliated and Independent teams. Jacob was drafted in 2018 by the Washington Nationals and played in their farm system up until last season. This season he is with the York Revolution in the Atlantic League. He is having a good season so far, batting .268 with 4 home runs and 25 RBI. We hope it gets even better!

Oraj Anu was an impactful hitter on our 2018 Championship team. Despite being drafted multiple times, Oraj never signed with an MLB affiliate. He completed his college career at the University of Kentucky and has taken advantage of Independent League opportunities. He is currently playing for the Sussex County Miners in the Frontier League and is batting .314 with 4 home runs and 19 RBI!

Alec Aleywine was a first baseman and pitcher for the 2017 Rebels. I lost track of him after his time in New Market, but he resurfaced again recently as a player for the Trinidad Triggers in the Pecos League out west. He also appears to be doing dual duty for the Triggers having started three games as a pitcher, and receiving 29 at bats over 11 games. He also seems to be having success in both roles holding a batting average above .300 with 3 home runs, 13 RBI and an ERA of 4 with 20 strikeouts! It’s a shame the Pecos league is so far away, because it looks like it would be fun to watch Alec on the field again!

■ Anna Kipps Lawrence