MARIETTA-Former Marietta College Pioneer shortstop Tim Saunders has earned a promotion from the Chicago Cubs after destroying pitching in his first 17 games of professional baseball.
Saunders was hitting .493 for the Cubs Arizona Rookie League team, collecting 35 hits in 71 at-bats to earn a promotion to the Cubs single A team in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Daytona is the highest level of the three single A Cubs affiliates.
Marietta College head coach Brian Brewer is not surprised in the early success of his former all-American shortstop.
Another member of the back-to-back national champion Pioneers is also doing well in his first taste of pro ball.
Right-hander Austin Blaski has a 2.84 earned run average in his first 12.2 innings of work for the Milwaukee Brewers Arizona Rookie league team.
