Aaron Heilman.

July 22, 2008

NOTRE DAME, Ind. - The professional baseball season just recently reached the midpoint of the season. Below is a recap of what former Notre Dame players playing in the professional ranks have done to this point of the season. Click on the players name to view their entire updated professional bio.

The Irish currently have three players, Craig Counsell (1989-92), Milwaukee Brewers; Aaron Heilman (1998-01), New York Mets; and Brad Lidge (1997-98), Philadelphia Phillies; playing in Major League Baseball. All three are right in the middle of playoff runs. The Brewers sit 2.0 games behind the NL Central leading Chicago Cubs, while the Mets and Phillies are tied for the NL East lead. Milwaukee and St. Louis are tied for the NL Wild Card. Philadelphia and New York are just 3.0 games back.

Notre Dame has another five players on the brink of the big leagues in Triple-A.

Craig Counsell
Milwaukee Brewers
MLB

Aaron Heilman
New York Mets
MLB

Brad Lidge
Philadelphia Phillies
MLB

Matt Macri
Rochester Red Wings
Triple-A International League

Chris Michalak
Albuquerque Isotopes
Triple-A Pacific Coast League

Jeff Samardzija
Iowa Cubs
Triple-A Pacific Coast League

Brant Ust
Tacoma Rainiers
Triple-A Pacific Coast League

Craig Cooper
San Antonio Missions
Double-A Texas League

Grant Johnson
Tennessee Smokies
Double-A Southern League

Jeff Manship
New Britain Rock Cats
Double-A Eastern League

Brian Stavisky
Arkansas Travelers
Double-A Texas League

John Axford
Brevard County Manatees
Class A Advanced Florida State League

Dan Kapala
Staten Island Yankees
Class A Short-Season New York-Penn League

Wade Korpi
Jamestown Jammers
Class A Short-Season New York-Penn League

Chris Niesel
Mahoning Valley Scrappers
Class A Short-Season New York-Penn League

David Phelps
Staten Island Yankees
Class A Short-Season New York-Penn League

Kyle Weiland
Lowell Spinners
Class A Short-Season New York-Penn League

Joey Williamson
Asheville Tourists
Class A South Atlantic League

Brett Graffy
Bristol Sox
Rookie Appalachian League

Brett Lilley
Johnson City Cardinals
Rookie Appalachian League