Longpre making most of his promotion to Florida

GLENDALE — The following are updates on area athletes playing minor league baseball.

Bryan Longpre (Crescenta Valley High, 2005) pitcher, Dunedin Blue Jays: Longpre, a former All-Area member, is steadily making progress since signing as a free agent with the Toronto Blue Jays in June. Beginning his professional career with the Gulf Coast Blue Jays this season, the Cal State Northridge graduate proceeded to go 1-1 with eight saves and a 3.63 earned-run average in 15 appearances.

Longpre’s body of work earned him a promotion. He was called up to Dunedin, the Class A advanced team in the Florida State League, on Aug. 15.

Longpre, 23, made his debut with Dunedin on Friday against the Gulf Coast League Braves. He pitched a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one hit and striking out one in Dunedin’s 6-1 win against the Braves.

In 17 overall appearances with both teams, Longpre is 1-1 with eight saves and a 3.44 ERA. In 20 1/3 innings, he’s struck out 22 and allowed 23 hits and 12 runs (eight earned).

Dunedin is 24-33 and in last place in the league’s North Division. The Jays were rained out Tuesday night against the visiting Lakeland Flying Tigers.

Jason Hirsh (St. Francis High, 2000) pitcher, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees: The right-hander was placed on the seven-day disabled list Aug. 18 and is eligible to come off it today.

Hirsh, who was named the International League’s Pitcher of the Week for the period of Aug. 2-8, had won his last four starts and has been one of the most consistent pitchers this season for the Yankees.

Hirsh’s last start came Aug. 16 against the Toledo Mud Hens. The California Lutheran University graduate improved to 9-7 after he threw five innings of two-run ball, allowing four hits and four walks while striking out two batters.

Hirsh sports a 3.96 earned-run average in 25 appearances, including 18 as a starter. In 120 1/3 innings, Hirsh has struck out 94 and walked 39. He’s yielded 101 hits and 55 runs (53 earned) for Scranton/Wilkes Barre, the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre is 77-51 and in first place in the league’s North Division.

Bill Spottiswood (Glendale Community College, 2005) Visalia Rawhide pitcher: Spottiswood last pitched Thursday for the Rawhide, who are the Class-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The right-hander tossed a scoreless ninth inning in Visalia’s 9-6 loss to the San Jose Giants.

Spottiswood allowed two hits and struck out the side. On the season, Spottiswood is 5-5 with four saves and a 4.83 earned-run average. He’s struck out 62 and surrendered 34 runs (32 earned) in 59 2/3 innings.

Through Monday, the Rawhide are 28-28 and are in fourth place in the California League’s North Division.