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MWL1 Fort Wayne TinCaps

Eight Alums Make League Prospect Lists

October 19, 2009 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Fort Wayne TinCaps News Release


Fort Wayne, Ind. - As the Major League Baseball playoffs continue into the League Championship Series, Fort Wayne alumni continue to make names for themselves. RHP Ernesto Frieri became the 87th Fort Wayne alum to play in Major League Baseball while two products of the Summit City were included on MLB post-season rosters. In addition, eight alums were listed among their respective leagues' "Top 20 Prospects" lists by Baseball America.

"We have future major-leaguers on the field every night and that's part of the fun of coming to TinCaps games," TinCaps president Mike Nutter said. "We're glad to showcase these quality athletes for our fans and we're extremely proud when they thrive in the major leagues."

Frieri, 24, made his major-league debut with the San Diego Padres on September 26, firing a perfect inning at Arizona with a pair of strikeouts. He also notched a scoreless frame October 2 against San Francisco. Frieri pitched out of the Fort Wayne bullpen in 2006 and 2007. In 2007, he went 1-2 with a 2.64 ERA with Fort Wayne before a promotion to Advanced-A.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles Angels OF Torii Hunter and Minnesota Twins INF Michael Cuddyer, both Fort Wayne products, made post-season appearances this year. Hunter spent 1994 and 1995 in Fort Wayne; Cuddyer played in the Summit City in 1998 and 1999. Both were drafted in the first round by the Twins. Cuddyer filled in admirably at first base for Minnesota when Justin Morneau went down with a back injury, batting .278 with 18 home runs after the All-Star break.

In the minor leagues, eight Fort Wayne alums were named to the Top 20 Prospects lists in their respective leagues by Baseball America. RHP Mat Latos, a member of the 2009 TinCaps, headed up the honors, being named the top prospect in the Double-A Texas League before a promotion to the major leagues. INF/OF Kyle Blanks, who played in Fort Wayne in 2006, was listed as the No. 8 prospect in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. In the Advanced-A California League, RHP Wynn Pelzer (No. 8), INF James Darnell (No. 10) and LHP Cory Luebke (No. 12) were among the Top 20 Prospects. RHP Dexter Carter was named the No. 15 prospect in the Class-A South Atlantic League; he joined the TinCaps midway through this season as part of the Jake Peavy trade.

In the Midwest League, three TinCaps were ranked among the Top 20: RHP Simon Castro (No. 7), OF Jaff Decker (No. 8) and Darnell (No. 15).

The Fort Wayne TinCaps' 2010 schedule is now available. Visit TinCaps.com for more information.

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Midwest League Stories from October 19, 2009


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