FSL1 Fort Myers Mighty Mussels

Miracle rained out; three players called up to Double-A

Published on June 22, 2005 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News Release


FORT MYERS, FL (June 22, 2005) - The Fort Myers Miracle remember opening day of the Florida State League season when they were rained out at Sarasota. The second half of the season started the same way as the Miracle and Lakeland Tigers were rained out on Wednesday at Hammond Stadium. The game will be made up as part of a double header on August 19 beginning at 5:05 p.m. Hurricane Awareness Night is now rescheduled for Wednesday, June 29. On top of all that, the Miracle are sending three players, left-handed pitchers Errol Simonitsch and Glen Perkins as well as All-Star centerfielder Denard Span to Double-A New Briatin.

Simonitsch, who pitched Tuesday night for the Miracle giving up just one run in seven innings, was spectacular all season long. The 22-year-old was a sixth round pick of the Twins in 2003. He was tied for second in the league in wins, going 8-3 with a 2.69 ERA (5th). He tossed two complete games (T2nd) and was tied for first in the league in shutouts with one. In 80.1 innings pitched he walked just 12 and struck out 72.

The 22-year-old Perkins was a first round pick and 22nd overall player chosen in the 2004 draft by the Twins. He began the season on the DL, but mowed down FSL hitters during his 10 appearances (nine starts). He was 3-2 with a 2.13 (3rd) in 55.0 innings. He struck out 66 while walking just 13 and the opposition hit a measly .205 against him.

The 21-year-old Span was a first round pick (20th overall) by the Twins in 2002. He was selected as one of the three Miracle All-Stars this season while leading the league in hitting, .335, with one home run and 19 RBI. He led the league in on-base percentage at .410. Span led the club in runs (38) and was tied for the team lead in triples (three) and stolen bases (13).

The Miracle added three players to the roster, left-handed pitchers Justin Jones, Jan Granado and right-handed pitcher Peter Tautor.

The 20-year-old Jones came over to the Twins organization as part of the four team trade in 2004 between the Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox, Montreal Expos and Twins. Jones was a second round pick of the Cubs in 2002. Last season at Low-A Quad Cities he was 0-2, 5.31 in 20.1 innings. He spent his time before the trade at the Cubs Low-A affiliate in Lansing where he was 3-3, 3.78 in 64.1 innings. He spent the beginning of the season at extended spring with an elbow injury.

The 22-year-old Granado was a rule V pick up by the Twins in 2004 from the Cincinnati Reds organization. He pitched seven games for the Miracle earlier in the season going 4-0, 0.68. In 13.1 innings pitched he walked two and struck out 10 while the opposition hit just .213 against him. He was called up to Double-A New Britain on May 3. While with the Rock Cats he was 2-2, 5.61 in 12 games. In 25.2 innings he walked nine and struck out 19 while opponents hit .286 against him.

The 23-year-old Tautor was signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2003 by the Twins. This season with the Miracle he was 0-0, 20.57 in eight games before being sent down to extended spring on May 22. In seven innings he walked 10 while striking out five and the opposition hit .364 against him.

The Miracle head out on the road to take on the Clearwater Threshers Thursday night beginning at 7:05 p.m. The Miracle send RHP Adam Harben (5-4, 2.97) to the hill.

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Florida State League Stories from June 22, 2005


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