CalL1 Inland Empire 66ers

Former 66ers Among Top-10 Dodger Prospects

Published on December 4, 2009 under California League (CalL1)
Inland Empire 66ers News Release


SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. - Three former Inland Empire 66ers players were named among the top-10 prospects in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization by Baseball America, including two who suited up for the team during the 2009 season.

Right-handed pitcher Chris Withrow (#2) and outfielder Trayvon Robinson (#9) spent the majority of 2009 with Inland Empire, while infielder Ivan DeJesus, Jr. (#8) was with the team in 2007. Baseball America publishes an annual top-10 list of each major league organization.

Withrow was the highest-ranking pitcher in L.A.'s minor league chain. The big righty appeared in 19 games for the 66ers this past season (16 starts), going 6-6, 4.69 ERA. He struck out 105 batters in only 86 innings of work before earning a late-season promotion to double-A Chattanooga, where he posted a 2-2, 3.95 mark in six starts. Withrow was a 1st round pick of the Dodgers out of high school in 2007 but injuries limited him to only 13 innings of professional work heading into last year. In his first start of the season he threw five no-hit innings against Rancho Cucamonga. He struck out 10 batters in three other starts before his promotion. He allowed two runs or less while working at least five innings in nine of his 19 outings with Inland Empire.

Robinson repeated the California League in 2009 and enjoyed a breakout summer that included a late-season promotion to double-A. The Los Angeles native set career-highs across the board with the 66ers, batting .306-15-54 to go along with 28 doubles and 43 stolen bases, which ranked second in the Cal League and included a five-steal performance on July 30. He added a pair of homers and four steals in his brief time in double-A. Robinson had hit just 12 total homeruns over his first four years in the minor leagues. His performance earned him a spot on the Dodgers 40-man roster in November.

DeJesus was the Dodgers Minor League Player of the Year in 2008 but suffered a broken tibia in his right leg this past March in a spring training "B" game. He was limited to four late-season games in the Rookie-level Arizona League. Had he not been injured, the son of the former big leaguer of the same name would have likely spent most of the season at triple-A Albuquerque. DeJesus played in 121 games for the 66ers in 2007, batting .287-4-52 while drawing 57 walks and compiling a solid .371 on-base percentage.

The 66ers begin their 2010 season on April 8 at Rancho Cucamonga. The home opener will be April 12 versus the High Desert Mavericks. Full and mini season ticket plans are now on sale with prices starting at just $36. Also, be sure to check out www.sixtysixers.com for information on a special 66ers holiday gift pack.

Check out the Inland Empire 66ers Statistics

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California League Stories from December 4, 2009


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