With the 2021 World Series marking the end of this year's season, we look back on the accomplishments of USF Baseball alumni in the professional ranks. 

Adam Cimber, Miami Marlins/Toronto Blue Jays

One of the top relievers in all of Major League Baseball, Adam Cimber began the year with the Miami Marlins, posting a 2.88 ERA in 33 appearances without surrendering a single home run. A midseason trade landed him with the Toronto Blue Jays, where his ERA dropped to 1.69 and a 30:5 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 37.1 innings, including one save. He ranked in the 96th percentile in barrel % surrendered. All told, Cimber struck out 51 hitters in 71.2 innings this season as the Blue Jays were part of a competitive playoff push within the AL East. His peripheral numbers include a 3.07 FIP, a 1.07 WHIP and a 2.26 ERA. 

Bradley Zimmer, Cleveland Indians 

In his fifth big league season, Zimmer saw action in 99 games with a career-high 348 plate appearances for Cleveland. He tied his personal-best with eight homers, none more significant than his final one off brother Kyle in late September. He also hit a ball 471 feet to dead center field in August. Zimmer ranked in the 97th percentile in sprint speed, 94th percentile in outs above average, and the 91st percentile in maximum exit velocity amongst all big league hitters in 2021, slashing .227/.325/.344 and swiping 15 bags. 

Kyle Zimmer, Kansas City Royals

In his third big league season, the elder Zimmer took the mound 52 times, including two starts for the Kansas City Royals. He racked up a career-high 46 strikeouts in 54 innings, earning a pair of saves and four wins to his name. Zimmer finished the year in the 66th percentile in fastball velocity across the majors, with a 4-1 record, a 4.82 FIP and a 1.41 WHIP. 

Thomas Ponticelli, Cleveland Indians organization

Playing primarily for the Akron RubberDucks, the Indians' Double-A affiliate in 2021, Thomas Ponticelli had a memorable season. His 2.96 ERA ranked in the top-5 across all Indians minor leaguers, accentuated by a 1.18 WHIP across 92.1 innings and 82 strikeouts. Ponticelli's campaign included 12 starts and seven wins to his record, while his lone appearance with High-A Lake County featured four shutout innings and five strikeouts. 

Dominic Miroglio, Arizona Diamondbacks organization

Miroglio, a former UCLA and USF catcher, spent the 2021 season with the Amarillo Sod Poodles, the Double-A affiliate for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He made 59 appearances at catcher, 11 at first base and 17 as the team's designated hitter, slashing .247/.336/.429 while managing the Sod Poodles' pitching staff behind the plate. At the dish, he drew 37 walks, knocked in 37 runs and hit 11 home runs. 

Rob Emery, San Francisco Giants organization

Another former catcher for the USF Baseball program, Rob Emery did it all in 2021. Across 28 games with two affiliates for the San Francisco Giants, Emery slashed .326/.417/.506, good for a .923 OPS. His totals, just a year after his departure from the Dons, included four homers and 13 RBI, highlighted by a pair of solo shots for the San Jose Giants, the Single-A minor league champion. Emery also played 23 games for the Eugene Emeralds, a team that captured the High-A minor league title. 

Joey Steele, Miami Marlins organization

A four-year reliever during his time at USF, Joey Steele spent the majority of the season with the Jupiter Hammerheads, the Low-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. Arguably the best reliever on the team, Steele was called upon for 33.1 innings across 20 appearances, finishing with a sparkling 1.89 ERA. He struck out 61 compared to just nine walks, with a career-best 0.87 WHIP. He also spent time at High-A with the Beloit Snappers, pitching 13 innings and averaging a strikeout per frame. Overall, Steele was the winning pitcher in three contests while saving five games, all for the Hammerheads. 

Jack Winkler, Oakland Athletics organization

Of all the former Dons now in the professional ranks, perhaps no one had a more hectic year than infielder Jack Winkler. After a stellar senior season and a 10th round selection of the Oakland Athletics in the 2021 MLB Draft, Winkler joined former teammate Nick Yovetich with the St. Cloud Rox summer team. By the fall, he reported to Oakland's Arizona Complex League team, seeing action in nine games for the Athletics before finishing the year with the Stockton Ports. Winkler's bat produced six extra-base-hits and five RBI to kick off his professional career, while his versatility on the left side of the infield makes him a premier candidate for a promotion in 2022. 

Alex Pham, Baltimore Orioles organization

One of USF's most dominant relievers in recent memory, Alex Pham joined the Baltimore Orioles organization after being selected in the 18th round of this year's draft. Similarly to Winkler, Pham bounced from a summer league team (Wareham Gateman) to Baltimore's Florida Complex League to the Delmarva Shorebirds, the Orioles' Low-A affiliate who finished 16 games above .500. Across the professional ranks, Pham was inserted into 11 games, striking out 12 hitters and walking just three. 

Landen Bourassa, Winnipeg Goldeyes

A 2021 All-WCC Second Team honoree, Landen Bourassa made the trip up north to begin his professional career with the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the American Association's North Division. He followed up a lights-out senior season, highlighted by one of the greatest performances in program history against Portland, with eight strong starts for the Goldeyes, going 4-0 with a 2.63 ERA across 41 innings. 

Tyler Villaroman, Hamburg Stealers

Former Dons outfielder Tyler Villaroman went overseas to Germany to begin his baseball career. One of the fastest players in USF history, Villaroman stole 10 bases across 16 games for the Hamburg Stealers (appropriately named) while reaching base at an eye-opening .508 clip (.407/.508/.704 slash during the regular season). Out of the leadoff spot, Villaroman was a table-setter with 27 hits and six walks, striking out just twice. 

Scott Parker, Hamburg Stealers 

Not one but two former Dons found themselves on the Hamburg Stealers in 2021, as pitcher Scott Parker joined Villaroman as a key contributor on the field and a coach for the Stealers' youth program off. In addition to coaching and pitching, Parker worked in the sales department for Under Armour Golf while completing his Master's Degree in Sport Management from USF. 

Nico Giarratano, Durango Generales

A former minor leaguer with the San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics, Nico Giarratano spent his final professional season in Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (LMB) with the Durango Generales. As one of six players on the team to reach 200 at-bats on the year, slashing .249/.302/.309 across 464 innings. He committed just six errors on the infield while playing exceptional defense, before transitioning to a full-time career with Gradum Gswing in Florida.