From Montlake to the Minors: How the Huskies Are Faring in Pro Ball
A look at how former Washington Huskies like Cam Clayton and Willie MacIver are performing in the MLB and minor leagues during the 2025 season.
On July 14, the newest member of the professional diamond dawgs punched his ticket to the show. Senior pitcher Max Banks was selected in the 14th round of the MLB Draft by the Chicago White Sox at pick number 406.
A year prior, a fellow Husky heard his name called in the 14th round. Shortstop Cam Clayton was selected by the Miami Marlins and is putting together a solid campaign so far in 2025 with the Jupiter Hammerheads — the A affiliate of the Marlins.
In 2023, six more Huskies were selected in the MLB Draft and another from the 2018 class finally made it to The Show. So, with the baseball season in full swing (no pun intended), how are the newest Pro Dawgs doing in their young careers?
Willie MacIver: Athletics (MLB)
It was a long road for the former ninth round pick in 2018 by the Rockies to make it to the top. Seven seasons, 571 minor league games, and even a trip to the 2021 Futures Game later, MacIver finally made his dreams come true with the Athletics.
The 28-year-old catcher earned his call-up after mashing in 42 games at AAA this season — a .363 average and .984 OPS propelled MacIver to the major-league roster.
MacIver played his first game with the A’s on May 5 and recorded his first hit, a single, in four at-bats. In 17 games with the A’s MacIver is hitting a respectable .245 with a pair of home runs and an OPS+ of 102, two percent better than league average.
Cam Clayton: Miami Marlins (A)
As mentioned previously, after a slow start in Rookie Ball, Clayton has found his groove with the Hammerheads. In 38 games, Clayton sports a .264 average with three home runs, 18 RBI, and .805 OPS.
After being a primary shortstop with Washington and winning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year award in 2024, Clayton has been tossed all over the diamond with Jupiter. The 23-year-old has played first base, second base, shortstop, and third base so far this season.
Will Simpson: Tampa Bay Rays (AA)
Selected in the 15th round of the 2023 draft by the then-Oakland Athletics, Simpson was quickly dealt to the Tampa Bay Rays for starting Pitcher Jeffrey Springs in 2024.
A stellar 2024 saw Simpson crush 18 home runs with 90 RBI and an .860 OPS in 127 games across A+ and AA. Simpson’s production landed him on the Rays’ top 30 prospects list, ranked at No. 29.
However, in 75 games so far in AA for the Montgomery Biscuits Simpson has struggled. The first baseman is hitting just .206 and is slugging just .269 with five home runs.
Other Notable Names
Johnny Tincher: Cleveland Guardians (A+)
In 95 games in A+ for the Cleveland Guardians affiliate, Lake County, Tincher has struggled, hitting just .195 and a .601 OPS.
Stu Flesland: Colorado Rockies (A+)
In 47.1 innings so far in 2025 for the Spokane Indians, Flesland sports a 5.71 ERA with 40 strikeouts.
Coby Morales: New York Yankees (AA)
The former 18th round pick has put up respectable numbers in 79 games across A+ and AA in 2025, possessing a .241 average with six home runs and 39 RBI and 14 stolen bases.