2016 Alum Kreidler Makes MLB Debut

Infielder Ryan Kreidler became the 19th former AppleSox player to appear in an MLB game when he made his major-league debut for the Detroit Tigers on Sep. 2.

Kreidler is the second member of the 2016 AppleSox to make his WCL debut in less than a week after Michael Toglia debuted for the Colorado Rockies on Aug. 30.

Kreidler suited up for the AppleSox six summers ago prior to his freshman year at UCLA. He hit .183 in 44 games in WCL play but also hit .294 in five non-league games. Kreidler’s most memorable performance of the 2016 season came in his second-to-last game of the summer when he went 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored on Aug. 6 against Bellingham. He finished tied for fourth in the WCL with 31 runs scored.

Kreidler also play summer college baseball the next two years by suiting up for the Mankato MoonDogs of the Northwoods League in 2017 and then the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod League in 2018.

The Tigers selected Kreidler in the fourth round of the 2019 MLB First-Year Player Draft after three strong years at UCLA. Kreidler combined to slash .261/.351/.409 with 51 extra-base hits in 170 games for the Bruins. He finished his collegiate career strong with an impressive junior year in 2019. Kreidler opened the season on a 16-game hitting streak and went on to bat .300 with 18 doubles in 63 games.

Kreidler did not pick up a hit in his major-league debut but bounced back the next night to go 2-for-3 with an RBI against the Kansas City Royals. He started in each of the first three games that he appeared in over the weekend.

Toglia and Kreidler may not be the last members of the 2016 AppleSox to appear in an MLB game. Outfielder Matt Frazier (Pittsburgh Pirates), pitcher Casey Legumina (Minnesota Twins) and outfielder Jeremy Ydens (Washington Nationals) are all at least at the High-A level of the minor leagues.

To learn more about other AppleSox players to appear in an MLB game please visit applesox.com/applesox-in-the-pros.