International League names players of the week
Published on July 9, 2007 under International League (IL1) News Release
The International League announced today that Louisville shortstop Pedro Lopez and Durham pitcher Jae Seo have been named the League's Batter and Pitcher-of-the-Week for the period from July 2-8. Seo becomes the fourth Durham pitcher to be named IL Pitcher-of-the-Week this year, joining Jason Hammel (April 5-15), Andy Sonnanstine (April 23-29), and Mitch Talbot (May 21-27). Bulls outfielder Justin Ruggiano was also named Batter-of-the-Week for the week of May 28-June 3. Pedro Lopez is the first member of the Louisville Bats to be so honored this season.
One of the International League's hottest hitters since late June has been Louisville shortstop PEDRO LOPEZ. Beginning with a two-hit night on June 22, Lopez has hit safely in 12-straight games, eight of which have been multiple-hit efforts. This week alone, Lopez collected 12 hits in 22 at-bats to lead the League with a .545 batting average, a .607 on-base percentage, and a .773 slugging percentage. Lopez was rewarded for his hot streak yesterday when he received the second call to the Major Leagues of his career. Lopez, who played in two games for the Chicago White Sox in 2005, was promoted yesterday to the Cincinnati Reds (he did not play). Lopez played in six games during the week with the Louisville Bats, twice collecting two hits and twice collecting three.
23-year-old Pedro Lopez was hitting .242 with 11 RBI in 41 games with the Charlotte Knights when he was claimed off of waivers by the Reds on May 21. Since being assigned to Louisville, Lopez has hit .339 with 17 RBI in 34 games with the Bats. Lopez is in the midst of his seventh professional season. He was originally signed by the White Sox as a nondrafted free agent following the 2000 season. Lopez is a native of Moca, Dominican Republic.
Durham right-hander JAE SEO won a pair of starts this week to push his Triple-A record to 3-1 since being outrighted from Tampa Bay in mid-June. Seo was a stingy hurler this week, allowing only one run on ten hits and two walks in 12.1 innings pitched against two 1st place IL clubs. On Monday, Seo beat the Toledo Mud Hens, holding the League's highest scoring offense to just four hits and one run in 6.2 innings as the Bulls went on to win 3-1. Five days later Seo took the hill in Buffalo, where he blanked the Bisons for 5.2 innings, scattering six hits and striking out five. Seo has now won three of his last four outings. His two victories this week helped Durham improve its record to 47-44 heading into the All-Star Break, putting the club in a position to make a second-half run (currently 4.0 GB of IL South leader Richmond).
30-year-old Jae Seo began the 2007 campaign in the Tampa Bay starting rotation, but was designated for assignment June 2 after posting a 3-4 record with a 8.13 ERA. Ten days later he accepted an assignment to Durham. Seo has played in parts of six seasons in the Major Leagues with the Mets (2002-05), Dodgers (2006), and Devil Rays (2006-07). Seo is a native of Gwangju, South Korea.
International League Stories from July 9, 2007
- Jae Seo wins Pitcher of the Week Award - Durham Bulls
- International League names players of the week - IL1
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
