Axelrod recalled, Crumlich signs

Former UC Irvine pitcher Dylan Axelrod was recalled Tuesday by the Chicago White Sox, while D.J. Crumlich, a senior shortstop for the Anteaters in 2012, has signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.

It’s the third stint in the major leagues for Axelrod, who spent part of the 2011 baseball season with the White Sox, who also promoted him for a time earlier this season. The 6-foot, 195-pound right-hander was 0-1 with a 3.52 earned-run average in three games, including one start, in his first big-league assignment this season.

Axelrod is 1-1 with a 3.08 ERA in seven major-league appearances, including four starts, overall. He has allowed 27 hits and posted 25 strikeouts and 12 walks in 26 1/3 career innings in the majors.

In 11 appearances for the Triple-A Charlotte Knights this season, Axelrod was 5-4 with a 3.18 ERA. He was scheduled to start for the International League team on Tuesday, before being recalled. In 68 innings with Charlotte, he had struck out 66, walked 18 and given up 59 hits. He had one complete game in 11 starts.

Axelrod, who will be 27 on July 30, played the 2006 and 2007 seasons for the Anteaters, helping them reach the College World Series as a senior. He his career statistics at UCI included a record 9-7 and a 4.22 ERA. He appeared in 62 games, including five starts. He finished with 122 strikeouts in 121 2/3 innings at UCI.

He was drafted in the 30th round by the San Diego Padres in 2007.

Crumlich, a four-year starter, was the Big West Conference Defensive Player of the Year and a second-team all-conference performer as a senior, when he led the team in batting average (.324) hits (72) and runs (39). He had a .969 fielding percentage, eight stolen bases and 23 multiple-hit games.

He helped UCI reach the NCAA Regionals his first three seasons and a Super Regional appearance in 2011. His career numbers at UCI include 45 doubles (tied for No. 5 in school annals), 139 runs (No. 4 at UCI) and a .296 average.

Crumlich was selected in the ninth round of the First-Year Player Draft in June. He was also drafted by the Pirates in 2011, when he was a 38th-round choice. He jumped 856 spots in the 2012 draft.

Crumlich was one of two Anteaters drafted in 2012. Mark Trentacosta, a junior left-handed pitcher used primarily in relief, signed earlier with the St. Louis Cardinals, who selected him in the 34th round.

— Barry Faulkner