Sports stats

SL1 Birmingham Barons

Barons Release Roster

April 5, 2010 - Southern League (SL1)
Birmingham Barons News Release


HOOVER, AL - When the Birmingham Barons announced their 2009 roster last April, most assumed they would be strong contenders to win the first-half title. Few, however, could have predicted a 48-21 record that would ultimately grow into a franchise best 92-47 mark by season's end.

Seven members of the 2009 Barons squad would see Major League action during the 2009 season. Gordon Beckham, Tyler Flowers, Daniel Hudson, Jayson Nix, Jhonny Nunez and Aaron Poreda all suited up for the White Sox in 2009 after calling Birmingham home while Beckham, Donny Lucy, Nix and Sergio Santos will all open the 2010 season in a White Sox uniform. In addition, Brandon Allen made his Major League debut for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Six members of the 2009 Barons roster were named the White Sox top-10 prospects for 2010. Flowers (2), Hudson (3), Jordan Danks (5), Dayan Viciedo (7), Clevelan Santeliz (9) and Miguel Gonzalez (10) all cracked the Sox top-10 prospect list one year after playing in Birmingham. In addition, 13 players from the 2009 Barons squad made it into the top-30 prospects, including Santos (12), Stefan Gartrell (13), C.J. Retherford (14), Lucas Harrell (16), Christian Marrero (20), Nunez (21) and John Shelby III (24). The number does not include Allen, Beckham, John Ely or Poreda - four players who began last year in the top- 11 prospects - due to either prospect eligibility requirements or trade.

Here is a look back at last year's top-10 prospects, and where they will be at the start of 2010:

Gordon Beckham: The top prospect in the Chicago White Sox farm system a year ago, Beckham has entrenched himself as the everyday second baseman for the big league club. The former Baron needed just 45 minor league games (38 at Birmingham) to stamp his ticket to Chicago. He went on to hit .270 with 14 home runs, 28 doubles and 63 RBI in 103 games. Both the Players Association and The Sporting News awarded him as the American League Rookie of the Year. He will open the season in Chicago.

Dayan Viciedo: The Cuban Tank, as came to be known, spent 2009 not just getting acclimated to a new organization, but to a new country. It didn't take Viciedo long to become acclimated to Southern League pitching. He hit .280 with 12 home runs, 20 doubles and 78 RBI. He will begin 2010 in Charlotte.

Aaron Poreda: No pitcher in the 2009 White Sox farm system had the potential to dominate any outing like Poreda did. With an overwhelming fastball from the left side, Poreda went 5-4 with 69 strikeouts and a 2.38 ERA for Barons before becoming the 41st Barons player to go straight from Birmingham to Chicago. He would go on to duplicate the same success for the big league club, going 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA in 10 relief appearances before being sent to San Diego as the center piece of the Jake Peavy trade at the deadline. Now a member of the Padres organization, Poreda will begin 2010 pitching for organization's Triple A affiliate in Portland.

Tyler Flowers: Acquired from the Atlanta Braves in a November trade, Flowers proved the White Sox organization right in 2009. The power-hitting catcher hit .302 with 13 home runs, 18 doubles and 43 RBI before a mid-season promotion landed him in Charlotte. After a brief September call-up with the White Sox, Flowers will begin the 2010 season back in Charlotte. He is still regarded as the future catcher for the big league club.

Brandon Allen: Considered the White Sox first baseman of the future at the beginning of 2009, Allen did nothing but cement his place as a future Major Leaguer during the 2009 season. The powerful left-handed hitter hit .290 with 7 home runs, 12 doubles and 35 RBI for the Barons before earning a promotion to Charlotte following the season's first half. Allen would find himself traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks following the promotion and would hit .324 with 12 home runs and 32 RBI in 38 games for Arizona's Triple A team in Reno. He finished the season on the Diamondbacks roster but will open 2010 back in Reno.

John Shelby III: Though his 2008 season earned him recognition as the Chicago White Sox Minor League Player of the Year, Shelby struggled at times during his first season in Birmingham. The former Kentucky product hit .243 with 10 home runs, 32 doubles and 43 RBI in 2009. He will begin the season back in Birmingham this year, trying to duplicate his 2008 success that saw him ascend as the Sox top centerfield prospect.

The Birmingham Barons will open the 2010 season on Thursday, April 8 when the Carolina Mudcats visit Regions Park. First pitch for the opening night contest is set for 7:05 PM. Tickets are available online, over the phone or by visiting the Joe Drake Ticket Office at Regions Park.

Check out the Birmingham Barons Statistics



Southern League Stories from April 5, 2010


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.

Other Recent Birmingham Barons Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central