Sweeney, Schebler begin pro baseball careers

The minor league baseball season is rapidly coming to a close, but for two former Cedar Rapids preps, their careers have just begun.

Former Cedar Rapids Jefferson shortstop Kellen Sweeney is hitting .267 in 16 games for the Gulf Coast League (Rookie) Blue Jays. A second-round draft pick of the Jays in June, Sweeney has been playing third base.

He has one home run and seven RBIs in 45 at-bats. Most impressively, he has more walks (15) than strikeouts (12).

Former Cedar Rapids Prairie prep Scott Schebler signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers at the deadline two weeks ago and has gotten in five games for the Arizona Rookie League Dodgers. He is 5-for-17 with an RBI in his young professional career.

An outfielder, Schebler played one season at Des Moines Area Community College. He had committed to Wichita State but got a $300,000 signing bonus as a 26th-round draft pick.

One of Schebler's teammates for the AZL Dodgers is former Cornell College pitcher Chris Handke. The 6-foot-10 Handke is 1-0 with a 4.03 earned run average in 15 relief appearances. In 22.1 innings, he has allowed just 20 hits and struck out 20, though he has 18 walks.

Other minor leaguers of interest:

Lucas O'Rear (UNI/Arizona League Reds): 1-1 record, 4.38 ERA in eight games.

Zach Robertson (Iowa/Jamestown Jammers): Has pitched for three teams in Florida Marlins system, totaling a 1-1 record, 1 save and 2.79 ERA in 15 games).

Kurtis Muller (Iowa/Arizona League Reds): Outfielder is hitting .317 in 49 games with 22 RBIs and seven steals.