The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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72 THE WOLVERINE SEPTEMBER 2018 MICHIGAN IN THE PROS After competing with Miami throughout this year's NBA Summer League, though, the organization de- cided not to renew his contract. The 23-year-old earned some im- pressive accolades during his four years at Michigan, earning All-Big Ten third-team honors in 2016 as a junior and second-team accolades as a senior in 2017. He helped the Wolverines to a regular-season conference title and the Elite Eight in 2014, and a Big Ten Tournament championship and the Sweet 16 in 2017. The NHL DYLAN LARKIN CASHES IN ON CONTRACT WITH THE RED WINGS On Aug. 10, the Detroit Red Wings re-signed former U-M icer Dylan Larkin (2015) to a five-year, $30.5 mil- lion contract. The 22-year old had an outstand- ing campaign last year in Detroit, leading the team with a career-high 63 points, while his 16 goals were third on the squad. The former Wol- verine has now compiled 56 goals and 140 points over his three-year NHL tenure, and has competed in at least 80 games each season. Detroit selected Larkin with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft, and he went on to score a ca- reer-high 23 goals and become an All-Star in his debut campaign. "It's a huge honor to be playing in my hometown and to have this commitment of five years,'" he said after signing. "This money is life- changing, but it's a chance to have a contract when you're in your prime." Such a hefty deal will bring lofty expectations for the young NHL standout, but he said he is ready to accept those challenges. "I want to earn this and make the team proud," he stated. "I want this to be something they look back on, and they say they made the right move to sign me to five years. "There's a bit of pressure there, but it's still the game I love, and I can't wait to start up. Now I want to win and get the fans back, make them happy and get back in the playoffs." The MLB RICH HILL CONTINUING HIS DOMINANT WAYS Former Wolverine left-handed pitcher Rich Hill has been on an ab- solute tear since mid-July for the Los Angeles Dodgers. After struggling mightily in April and May — an ERA of 6.00 in the for- mer and 6.52 in the latter — and deal- ing with injury setbacks throughout much of June, Hill has finally re- gained his form. Ever since his ERA sat at a dismal 4.64 mark following his July 10 start in which he allowed four earned runs, the southpaw has been lights out. He has lowered his tally more than an entire run (3.57 as of Aug. 14), and hasn't surrendered more than two earned in any of his six starts since that juncture. The Dodger 's final stat line for the month of July saw him throw 26 innings while yielding just seven earned runs, equating out to a 2.42 ERA and a 3-1 record. August has been much of the same. The veteran has tossed 17 innings, surrendered five earned runs, and compiled a 2.60 ERA. Durability has been a major issue for the 38-year-old throughout his entire career (he has thrown more than 100 innings just three times dur- ing his 14-year MLB tenure), but Hill has shown more than enough stam- ina as of late. The former Michigan Man went at least six innings in five of his last seven outings through Aug. 14, and has helped keep the Dodgers right in the thick of the National League West race, where they sit one game behind the first-place Arizona Dia- mondbacks. FORMER WOLVERINES ON MLB ROSTERS Through Aug. 13 • Rich Hill (Played at U-M from 2000-02), SP, Los Angeles Dodgers: Has posted a 5-4 record and 3.57 ERA for the 64-56 Dodgers … Started 16 of the 17 contests he's appeared in, and his 85 innings were the fifth most on the team … Has recorded 90 strikeouts while limiting opponents to 77 hits and a .238 batting average. • Ryan LaMarre (2008-11), OF, Chi- cago White Sox: Was claimed off waivers from the Minnesota Twins July 9 and has impressed in the seven games he has appeared in with the 42-76 White Sox … Owns a .278 average in 18 at-bats in the Windy City, and a combined .265 batting average and .315 on-base percentage on the year, to go along with nine RBI. • Clayton Richard (2005), SP, San Di- ego Padres: Has notched a 7-10 record and a 5.13 ERA for the 48-73 Padres … Led the team in starts (24), innings pitched (142) and wins … In fact, his 24 starts are tied for the third most in the National League and his 142 frames thrown are the ninth most. ❏ Henry Poggi • NFL On Aug. 1, the New England Patriots signed the former U-M full- back to a deal, where he will spend training camp attempting to make the 53-man roster. Poggi played at Michigan from 2013-17 and went undrafted upon graduation, but was signed by the Oak- land Raiders May 7 before being released June 22. He received one carry for two yards in the Patriots' 26-17 preseason victory over the Washington Redskins Aug. 9. Channing Stribling • NFL The Los Angeles Chargers signed the cornerback to a deal Aug. 2. Stribling went undrafted after his senior season at Michigan in 2016, but spent time on practice squads with the Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers last season. Mason Cole • NFL He will begin his rookie campaign as the Arizona Cardinals' start- ing center (according to The Arizona Republic) after incumbent starter A.Q. Shipley tore his ACL. Arizona selected Cole in the third round of this year's NFL Draft, after he started all 51 games of his four-year Ann Arbor tenure. HEADLINERS Former Michigan athletes in the news this month