Seven Alumni Played Pro Ball in 2024

RIO GRANDE VALLEY – Seven former The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) baseball student-athletes competed professionally in 2024, including Brandon Pimentel (2022-23), Kevin Stevens (2020-22), CJ Valdez (2024), Colten Davis (2019-23), J.C. Ariza (2021-23), Roberto Gonzalez (2023), and Kris Massey (2023).

Brandon Pimentel (2022-23)

Fredericksburg Nationals (Class A, Carolina League)

Brandon Pimentel, who primarily played first base and left field for UTRGV from 2022-23, played the 2024 season with the Fredericksburg Nationals (Class A, Carolina League) of the Washington Nationals organization, where he hit .274/.329/.393, going 115-for-420 with eight home runs, 22 doubles, two triples, 85 RBI, 49 runs scored and 18 stolen bases in 111 games.

Pimentel spent the 2023 season with the Florida Complex League Nationals (Class R), where he hit .371/.463/.629, going 13-for-35 with one home run, four doubles, one triple, 14 RBI, eight runs scored and four walks in 10 games.

Pimentel signed with the Washington Nationals organization on July 25, 2023.

Kevin Stevens (2020-22)

Somerset Patriots (Class AA, Eastern League)

Kevin Stevens, who pitched for UTRGV from 2020-22, spent the 2024 season with the Somerset Patriots (Class AA, Eastern League) of the New York Yankees organization. He went 4-0 with seven saves, two holds, and a 2.54 ERA, striking out 56 while scattering 29 hits and 16 walks in 39.0 innings across 31 appearances.

Stevens missed the 2023 regular season due to injury before joining the Mesa Solar Sox of the Arizona Fall League and posting a 2.45 ERA with 10 strikeouts in 7.1 innings across nine appearances.

In 2022, after striking out one batter in one-third of an inning for the Florida Complex League Yankees, Stevens was promoted to Class A Tampa where he posted a 2.08 ERA in four games, striking out two in 4.1 innings

Stevens signed with the New York Yankees organization on July 19, 2022.

CJ Valdez (2024)

Fargo-Morehead RedHawks (American Association)

After serving as an everyday started for the Vaqueros at third and second base in 2024 C.J. Valdez signed with the independent Fargo-Morehead RedHawks of the American Association and hit .233/.293/.384, going 54-for-232 with eight home runs, 11 doubles, 34 RBI, 29 runs scored and five stolen bases in 66 regular season games.

Colten Davis (2019-23)

Fargo-Morehead RedHawks (American Association)

After pitching for the Vaqueros from 2019-23, Colten Davis signed with the independent Fargo-Morehead RedHawks of the American Association for the 2023 stretch run. This past season, Davis made 20 starts, going 7-6 with a 4.25 ERA. In 108.0 regular season innings, he struck out 83. He also posted a 3.85 ERA in two postseason starts.

As a rookie in 2023, Davis went 7-0 with a 2.15 ERA in nine games (five starts). He struck out 33 in 46.0 innings while scattering 29 hits. He added seven more strikeouts in 6.0 innings during his lone postseason start.

J.C. Ariza (2021-23)

Grand Junction Jackalopes (Pioneer League)

After pitching for the Vaqueros from 2021-23, J.C. Ariza signed with the Yolo High Wheelers of the Pioneer League, an MLB partner league. He appeared in 13 games (five starts), striking out 21 in 25.2 innings. Ariza was traded to the Grand Junction Jackalopes, also of the Pioneer League, on July 29 earning two wins in nine games (five starts) and striking out 26 in 29.1 innings.

Roberto Gonzalez (2023)

Lexington Legends (Atlantic League)

After largely playing third base, outfield, and designated hitter for the Vaqueros in 2023, Roberto Gonzalez made his professional debut in 2024, starting the season with the Great Falls Voyagers of the Pioneer League, an MLB partner league. He hit .274/.375/.382, going 15-for-55 with six doubles, nine RBI, seven runs scored and three stolen bases in 15 games. Gonzalez was released on June 11 and signed with the Idaho Falls Chukars, also of the Pioneer League, on June 21. He hit .462/.497/.606 for the Chukars, going 61-for-132 with two home runs, 11 doubles, one triple, 35 RBI, 25 runs scored and one steal in 31 games. Gonzalez was traded to the Lexington Legends of the Atlantic League on August 8 and finished the season hitting .245/.307/.353, going 25-for-102 with one home run, six doubles, one triple, nine RBI, 12 runs scored and four stolen bases in 29 games.

Kris Massey (2023)

Northern Colorado Owlz (Pioneer League)

Kris Massey, who pitched for UTRGV in 2023, played his second season with the Northern Colorado Owlz of the MLB affiliated Pioneer League in 2024. He went 2-0 while striking ou 22 in 22.2 innings scross 22 appearances.

Last season, Massey made 21 appearances, striking out 29 in 20.0 innings.