Triple-A All-Star one of 22 Bears in pro baseball

Former Baylor all-Big 12 infielder Mark Saccomanno drove in the winning run in Wednesday night’s Triple-A All-Star Game (video available here), capping off a big first half for the former letterwinner. Through July 20, Saccomanno was hitting .294 and ranked among the league’s top 10 with 27 doubles (tied for ninth), 22 home runs (third) and 68 RBI (seventh).

Saccomanno is one of 22 former Baylor baseball players active in professional baseball. (Click on any player’s name to see his stats and more.) He is joined by Michael Griffin (Reds) and Steven White (Yankees) at the AAA level, one step away from the big leagues. Former first-round pick Mark McCormick (Cardinals) leads a host of Bears at AA that also includes Kyle Reynolds (Cubs), Kevin Russo (Yankees), Drew Sutton (Astros), Cory VanAllen (Nationals), Sean Walker (Astros) and Abe Woody (Diamondbacks).

Four more Baylor alums are active in A-ball: Zach Dillon (Orioles), Seth Fortenberry (Yankees), Jeff Mandel (Nationals) and Tim Matthews (Rockies). Last but not least, four Bears drafted just last month are playing at lower levels: Nick Cassavechia (Tigers), Randall Linebaugh (Reds), Mace Thurman (Reds), and just-signed Beamer Weems (Padres).

Of course, there are also the four Bears in the Major Leagues right now — American League Rookie of the Year candidate David Murphy (Rangers), catcher Kelly Shoppach (Indians), and veteran pitchers Jason Jennings (Rangers) and Kip Wells (Rockies).

Sic ’em, baseball Bears!