Tidewater Drillers Alumni
The Tidewater Drillers are proud of the many former players who have continued their baseball careers beyond youth baseball. Over the years, Driller alumni have competed at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels, representing both their teams and the values developed through the program.
While every player’s journey is unique, the Drillers remain committed to providing a strong foundation that supports long-term growth, opportunity, and personal development.
Notable Alumni
The Tidewater Drillers are proud to have supported players who have advanced to the highest levels of the game and who continue to represent the Drillers community through their careers and ongoing involvement with the organization.
Ryan Zimmerman
Ryan Zimmerman is one of the most recognizable alumni in Tidewater Drillers history. Ryan Zimmerman played 16 seasons for the Washington Nationals of MLB. Zim graduated from Kellam High School and played collegiately at the University of Virginia. A first round MLB draft pick and fourth overall pick, he was a 2-time All-Star, Gold Glove Award winner, 2-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and World Series Champion with the Nationals. Zim retired in 2022 and his number 11 was retired by the Nationals on June 18, 2022, making him the first Nationals player to receive that honor. Now, Ryan devotes much of his time to multiple charities including his own ziMS Foundation, dedicated to treating and curing multiple sclerosis, as his mother was diagnosed with MS in 1995.
Chris Taylor
A Cox High School graduate, Taylor played his college baseball at the University of Virginia and was drafted in the fifth round of the 2012 MLB draft by the Seattle Mariners. Traded to the LA Dodgers in 2016, Chris has been an All-Star (2021), World Series Champion (2020) and National League Championship Series MVP (2017). Of note, Chris hit a two-out, two-run walk-off home run against the Cardinals in the National League Wild Card game. And just a few days later, hit three home runs in Game 5 of the NLCS against the Braves, becoming the first player in MLB history to hit three home runs in an elimination game. Now in his ninth big-league season, Taylor continues to be a versatile impact player for the Dodgers.
Mark Reynolds
Drafted in the 16 th round of the 2004 MLB draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks, Mark Reynolds played 13 years in MLB for eight different teams. Mark graduated from First Colonial High School and played his college ball at the University of Virginia. Known for his power and defensive versatility, Mark played both third base and first base in the majors, and between 2009 and 2011, he finished in the top ten home run totals.
Daniel Hudson
A native of Virginia Beach, Daniel Hudson graduated from Princess Anne High School where he led the Cavaliers to the 2005 Virginia State Championship. He played collegiately for Old Dominion University, where he was drafted in fifth round of the 2008 MLB draft by the Chicago White Sox. Hudson made his major league debut in September of 2009 and has played for the White Sox, Diamondbacks, Pirates, Dodgers, Blue Jays, Nationals, and Padres. Notably, Hudson not only won a World Series with the Washington Nationals in 2019, but was on mound to close out the bottom of the 9th inning of the deciding Game 7 against the Houston Astros, striking out two of the three batters he faced. Hudson currently pitches for the Dodgers.
Justin Bristow
A native of Richmond, Justin Bristow graduated from Mills E. Godwin High School before playing college baseball at Auburn University and East Carolina University. Justin was drafted in Round 5 of the 2008 MLB Draft by the Chicago Cubs and played four seasons of minor league baseball.
Steven Harris
A 2002 graduate of Kellam High School, Steven Harris played collegiately at Old Dominion University before signing professionally with the Chicago Cubs in 2005. Steven advanced to single A with Peori before retiring.
Matt Hudgins
A graduate of Kellam High School, Matt Hudgins played college baseball at Virginia Military Institute and Old Dominion University before signing with the Chicago Cubs organization in 2007. Matt played one year of minor league baseball before finishing his career with one year of independent baseball with the Kalamazoo Kings.
Kurt Isenberg
Kurt Isenberg was a minor league baseball player for the San Diego Padres. Kurt played at James Madison University, where he was drafted in the 4th round of the 2003 MLB Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays. After being traded several times, he finished his career as a pitcher in Double-A in 2008. Kurt continues his affiliation with the club today as a baseball coach within the Drillers organization.
Justin Jones
Justin Jones graduated from Kellam High School and was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2002 MLB Amateur Draft by the Chicago Cubs. Ranked as the Cubs #2 prospect in 2003, Justin played for the Cubs, Twins, and Nationals organizations over a eight-year minor league career.
Robert Morey
Robert Morey graduated from Cape Henry High School and attended the University of Virginia, where he played baseball from 2008-2010. Drafted in the 5th round of the 2010 MLB Draft by the Miami Marlins, Robert played six seasons of minor league ball.
Brooks Sinnen
A three-time All-Beach district selection at Kellam High School, Brooks Sinnen played his college baseball at Old Dominion.
Sam Sinnen
A Kellam High School graduate, Sam Sinnen was a first team All-Tidewater selection in 2013 and helped lead Kellam to a runner-up finish in the State Championship as a junior. He played his college baseball at Old Dominion where was a two-time second team All Conference USA selection.
Kurt Sinnen
Kurt Sinnen led his alma mater, Kellam High School, to the 2012 Virginia State AAA Regional title and a runner-up finish in the State Championship. An All-Beach District catcher and first baseman, Kurt went on to play collegiately at Old Dominion.
Jason Taylor
A graduate of Kellam High School, Jason Taylor was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2006 MLB Draft by the Kansas City Royals. Jason played four years in the Royals minor league system before playing three years of independent baseball.
Marvin “Towny” Townsend
Drafted three time professionally as a player, Marvin “Towny” Townsend founded the very first baseball camps in the state of Virginia and is known as the founding father of travel baseball in Virginia. Citing avoid in local playing opportunities for more advanced players, in 1992, he created Tidewater’s first American Athletic Union (AAU) team, the Blasters. Needing opponents, he encouraged his friend Matt Sinnen to launch a rival program, the Tidewater Drillers. Townsend was diagnosed with throat cancer in the fall of 2001. Aggressive treatment was thought to have successful, but the cancer returned in 2005. He passed in April 2007. In honor of his lifelong devotion to local players and the game of baseball, Towny’s number 9 has since been retired by the Drillers organization.
Beamer Weems
Beamer Weems graduated from Princess Anne High School in 2005 and played collegiately at Baylor University. Drafted in the 8th round of the 2008 MLB Amateur Draft by the San Diego Padres, Beamer played six seasons in the minor leagues for the Padres and Rangers organizations.
David Winfree
A native of Virginia Beach, David Winfree played ten seasons for the Twins, Mariners, Yankees, and Diamondback organizations in the minor leagues batting .274 over 809 games. David was drafted in the 13th round by the Twins out of high school in 2003.
College & Next Level Alumni
Former Tidewater Drillers have gone on to compete at colleges and programs across multiple levels of baseball. The list below highlights players who continued their careers beyond youth baseball through dedication, development, and opportunity.
Alumni are listed by High School graduation year. This list will continue to grow as alumni information is updated.
| Graduation Year | Player Name | College/ Program | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Jack Gross | Sewanee: The University of the South | NCAA D.III |
| 2023 | Peter Philips | Virginia Military Institute (VMI) | NCAA D.I |
| 2023 | Nick Poole | James Madison University | NCAA D.I |
| 2022 | Ben Adams | Richard Bland College | NJCAA |
| 2022 | Kristian Barcroft | Ferrum College | NCAA D.III |
| 2022 | Dylan Blazer | Christopher Newport University | NCAA D.III |
| 2022 | Harrison Didawick | University of Virginia | NCAA D.I |
| 2022 | Jeffrey Forbes | Thomas Nelson Community College | NJCAA |
| 2022 | Trevor Selph | Eastern Mennonite University | NCAA D.III |
| 2022 | William Wian | Randolph-Macon College | NCAA D.III |
| 2022 | Carson DeMartini | Virginia Tech | NCAA D.I |
| 2022 | Kyle Edwards | Old Dominion University | NCAA D.I |
| 2021 | Nick Hawley | Virginia Military Institute (VMI) | NCAA D.I |
| 2021 | Bryce Jones | Old Dominion University | NCAA D.I |
| 2021 | Gavin Spencer | Christopher Newport University | NCAA D.III |
| 2021 | Roberto Velasquez | Bryant & Stratton College | NJCAA |
| 2020 | Jordan Wall | Roanoke College | NCAA D.III |
| 2019 | Aaron Morse | North Carolina Central University | NCAA D.I |
| 2013 | Turner Bishop | Old Dominion University | NCAA D.I |
| 2013 | Kurt Sinnen | Old Dominion University | NCAA D.I |
| 2013 | Sam Sinnen | Old Dominion University | NCAA D.I |
| 2009 | Chris Taylor | University of Virginia | NCAA D.I |
| 2008 | Blake Boyce | Campbell University | NCAA D.I |
| 2008 | Seth Cutler-Voltz | Virginia Commonwealth University | NCAA D.I |
| 2008 | Ben Tomchick | Old Dominion University | NCAA D.I |
| 2007 | Robert Morey | University of Virginia | NCAA D.I |
| 2005 | Justin Bristow | Auburn University | NCAA D.I |
| 2005 | Beamer Weems | Baylor University | NCAA D.I |
| 2005 | Daniel Hudson | Old Dominion University | NCAA D.I |
| 2004 | Steve Augone | Greensboro College | NCAA D.III |
| 2003 | Brooks Sinnen | Old Dominion University | NCAA D.I |
| 2003 | Matt Hudgins | Virginia Military Institute (VMI) | NCAA D.I |
| 2002 | Steven Harris | Old Dominion University | NCAA D.I |
| 2001 | Mark Reynolds | University of Virginia | NCAA D.I |
| 2001 | Ryan Zimmerman | University of Virginia | NCAA D.I |
| 1999 | Kurt Isenberg | James Madison University | NCAA D.I |
MLB Drafted Players
The Tidewater Drillers are proud to have supported players who have been selected in the Major League Baseball Draft. Being drafted reflects years of dedication, development, and competitive experience, and represents an important milestone in a player’s baseball journey.
While each path is unique, these selections highlight the long-standing commitment of the Drillers program to preparing athletes for opportunities at the highest levels of the game.
Listed by MLB Draft year.
| Draft Year | Player Name | MLB Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Hunter Gregory | Toronto Blue Jays |
| 2019 | Vinnie Pasquantino | Kansas City Royals |
| 2017 | Zach Rutherford | Tampa Bay Rays |
| 2012 | Chris Taylor | Seattle Mariners |
| 2008 | Justin Bristow | Chicago Cubs |
| 2008 | Daniel Hudson | Chicago White Sox |
| 2008 | Beamer Weems | San Diego Padres |
| 2007 | Robert Morey | Tampa Bay Rays |
| 2006 | Jason Taylor | Kansas City Royals |
| 2005 | Ryan Zimmerman | Washington Nationals |
| 2004 | Mark Reynolds | Arizona Diamondbacks |
| 2003 | David Winfree | Minnesota Twins |
| 2003 | Kurt Isenberg | Toronto Blue Jays |
| 2002 | Justin Jones | Chicago Cubs |
Drillers Alumni Community
Former Tidewater Drillers remain an important part of our organization long after their playing days. Many alumni continue to stay connected by mentoring players, supporting the program, attending events, and contributing to the ongoing success of the Drillers community.
We take pride not only in where our players go, but in the relationships and values that continue well beyond the field.
Alumni Update:
If you are a former Tidewater Drillers player and would like to update your college placement, professional experience, or current involvement with the program, we would love to hear from you. Please reach out through our Contact page so we can keep our alumni records current. -> Contact