South Dakota State Alumni Report | MLB | Aug. 16–22, 2026
Cole Irvin Is Making a Major League Case in Oklahoma City
Cole Irvin is pitching like a man with something to prove — and Triple-A hitters are paying the price.
The veteran left-hander picked up another win for the Oklahoma City Dodgers this week, his Pacific Coast League-leading 11th of the season, while tossing 6 2/3 innings in his latest start. The outing also lowered his ERA, adding a sharper edge to what has already been a dominant campaign for the SDSU alum.
Irvin's workload and consistency are the kinds of numbers that force front-office hands. He's not a prospect padding stats — he's a polished veteran who has logged MLB time and is currently outpitching nearly everyone in the PCL. The Dodgers, perennially short on pitching depth, would be hard-pressed not to take a serious look if the wins continue. For Jackrabbit fans, it's one of the more compelling alumni storylines in the minors right now.
Also in the Dodgers organization, Blake Treinen began a rehab assignment at the Class-A level this week. The hard-throwing right-hander has been working his way back from injury, and the rehab stint is an early-stage step toward a return to Los Angeles. No timeline has been confirmed, but the assignment signals the organization believes Treinen is trending in the right direction.
Thielbar Navigating a Rough Stretch on the North Side
Caleb Thielbar's week in Chicago was a microcosm of his season: brief outings, some strikeouts, and runs that hurt.
The Cubs left-hander appeared twice during the period. Against the Cardinals on Sunday, Aug. 16, Thielbar worked 2/3 of an inning but surrendered two earned runs, pushing his ERA to 5.54. He was back on the mound Wednesday against the White Sox, getting just two outs — striking out one batter while the ERA settled at 5.35 across two separate box score entries for that date.
At 5.35, Thielbar's ERA reflects a reliever who has been caught in unfavorable situations more often than not. The strikeout rate shows the stuff is still there, but the margins in late-inning relief are thin, and the numbers haven't gone his way in this stretch. The Cubs, fighting for relevance in the NL Central, need more from their bullpen arms — and Thielbar will need a run of clean innings to stabilize his footing on the roster.
The Big Picture
South Dakota State's MLB footprint this week ran the full spectrum: a minor league ace on the cusp of a call-up, a high-profile arm grinding through rehab, and a big-league reliever working through a tough patch. Irvin's ascent in the PCL is the headline — and if the Dodgers come calling, Brookings will have plenty to celebrate.
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