UMES Hawk alum Jesse Stinnett signs with Colorado Rockies

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — Former University of Maryland Eastern Shore baseball pitcher Jesse Stinnett signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies on August 15th.

Stinnett competed for the Hawks during the 2014 and 2015 seasons. In those two years he placed himself in the record books on The Shore, where he stands first in WHIP (1.26), second in ERA (3.58), tied for fourth in wins with ten, seventh in strikeouts (128) and eighth in strikeouts per nine (6.74).

During the 2015 campaign, the Hawks earned their highest ever conference win total, going 14-10 against the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). Stinnett went 6-2 in conference that season with a 1.80 ERA and 54 strikeouts over 60 innings pitched.

"It's been a long, bumpy road, but it's a dream come true." Stinnett said. "My time at Maryland Eastern Shore was amazing. It was great to play at a high level against big schools and to win right away. It's definitely helped me in the long run."

After signing with Colorado, Stinnett was assigned to the Grand Junction Rockies out of the Pioneer League. In six appearances this season, he pitched 13 innings with 14 strikeouts and a 4.15 ERA. On September 4th, he earned his first minor league win against the Orem Owlz, and went six innings in his first career start on September 6th.

"I've enjoyed working with our pitching coach [Doug Jones]. He's introduced some new adjustments and mechanics and it's all starting to click." Stinnett said.

Prior to his time in affiliated ball he pitched for the Santa Fe Fuego of the Pecos League and the Utica Unicorns of the United Shore Baseball League.

"What's really cool about Jesse making the minors is that it shows our guys if you succeed, the opportunities will come." Head Baseball Coach Brian Hollamon said. "As we continue to raise the level of play here, there will be athletes who will have to chance to make the jump to the professional ranks."

According to records the last Hawk to play in affiliated minor league baseball was Ira Smith. The two-time NCAA batting champion competed in the minors from 1990-1998, reaching the Triple-A level. He would go on to play five seasons independently, joining several other Hawks who also played independent ball, including Chuck Pickard, Ricky Farley, Karim Gonzalez and Tre-Von Johnson to name a few.

Stinnett's breakthrough also makes him one of 18 former MEAC players active in the minor leagues. Two former MEAC standouts - Rayan Gonzalez of Bethune-Cookman and Aubrey McCarty of Florida A&M - are also competing in the Colorado Rockies organization.

By Matt McCann
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE HAWKS SPORTS INFORMATION