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SL1 Southern League

Develop More, Pay Less

August 6, 2003 - Southern League (SL1) News Release


The Major League Baseball trading deadline has come and gone with one trend becoming more and more evident, saving money. Many of the trades involved large amounts of cash exchanging hands to even out the deals instead of the traditional swapping of talent. This new trend obviously sends a message that the organizations are tired of losing money and are looking to build a championship caliber team from within. This can only mean one thing: the development of minor league talent today is more pertinent than possibly ever before.

Major league organizations seemed to have come to a realization when their teams are not progressing. Instead of trying to field a competitive team each year, they are now turning to their minor league systems to find out who can make it at the major league level. They understand that they might sacrifice a few seasons in order to become a contender, but if they become a contender, it will all have been worth it. Besides, they will save money in the meantime.

A majority of organizations are now trying to clear out their best players in return for some prospects and cash considerations to ease the blow of their lackluster attendance. Many of the organizations seem to feel comfortable enough with their player development system that they can afford to accept cash instead of prospects, who oftentimes do not amount to what they should anyway.

The Cincinnati Reds, a Southern League affiliate, dealt three of their top players, Aaron Boone to the Yankees, Jose Guillen to the A's, and Scott Williamson to the Red Sox. They did receive a few prospects from Oakland, and the Yankees' top pitching prospect, Brandon Claussen, but the trades with Boston and New York were made primarily because both clubs can afford to give the Reds the kind of money they needed. Cincinnati obviously feels that its player development system will prepare players like Brandon Larson, Felipe Lopez, and Rainer Olmedo for the everyday grind of the major leagues. With Stephen Smitherman, who hit the game-winning home run in the Futures Game, in Chattanooga, as well as pitching prospect Josh Hall, the Cincinnati future is looking brighter than many are currently anticipating. 2003 draftee, Ryan Wagner, just picked up his first major league win, and has allowed just three hits in the first games of his career. Cincinnati would not have been likely to pull off these trades and gain some monetary relief without its strong support and belief in its player development system.

The same can be said for organizations all over the major leagues. Pittsburgh is currently taking on a similar tactic. They were able to get rid of the contracts of Kenny Lofton, Aramis Ramirez, Scott Sauerbeck, and Jeff Suppan for a marginal amount of talent in return, but plenty of cash. Once again, Pittsburgh is going to rely on its inner talent and development to get them back to a championship caliber. The problem is that the Pirates have been trying to get there for the past ten years, and are just now getting on the right track instead of overpaying for players like Derek Bell and Kevin Young to get them over the top. Just like in Cincinnati, the fans are becoming impatient.

Even large market organizations like the Rangers are looking at how much a strong player development system can turn them back into a playoff contender. Although they have more money than clubs like Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, much of their budget has been put into the contracts of Alex Rodriguez and Chan Ho Park. They were able to send Carl Everett to the White Sox for some much needed pitching depth in their minor league system. They were also able to trade one of their abundance of outfield prospects, Ryan Ludwick, for pitcher Ricardo Rodriguez, who was high on the Cleveland Indians' prospect charts to enter the season. Although they could not get Juan Gonzalez or Rafael Palmeiro to waive their no trade clauses to go to a contender, the Rangers still have their hearts in the right place, the minor leagues.

This year's draft gives even more evidence to the changing trend of the game. Organizations are not necessarily looking for the next superstar anymore, but for quality players that have proven themselves and will mesh nicely as a team. Clubs are now trying to utilize the draft to make themselves better instead of searching for an 18-year-old diamond in the rough. College players with a seemingly more accurate ceiling led the way in the draft as opposed to the high school kids with an unknown ceiling. The college athletes have faced better competition, and their make-up is much easier for scouts to read. The draft once again shows that minor league development is where Major League Baseball is turning for long-term help.

It appears that organizations are beginning to realize that large contracts can hinder more than help the ball club. Everyone now wants to be the next Oakland Athletics of today and Cleveland Indians of the early 1990's. Build from within and trade what you have to get what you need for the future. Now organizations have just added money into the equation. They are trying to build themselves up enough to where their systems can produce enough talent to replace the Jason Giambi's, Albert Belle's, and Manny Ramirez's who leave when their contracts are up while not lose anything monetarily in the meantime. It is the ideal model of baseball to rely on the importance of developing minor league talent, but it is also a great risk to take a step back to move two steps forward. Some organizations will produce great talent at the minor league level, but others will simply have nothing more than the right mindset with a jaded view of their talent. Minor League Baseball is where the future lies once again, but for how long before the pressure to win overtakes the patience to win.

Southern League Personalities

Dave Krynzel
Outfielder, Huntsville Stars

The Milwaukee Brewers love what they see in Dave Krynzel. The brass think Krynzel is a Kenny Lofton-type player and they have him slated to take over the Milwaukee's centerfield position in 2005 if not sooner. The fleet-footed outfielder is having an outstanding season in the Southern League, having been selected to play in both the Southern League All-Star Game and the Major League All-Star Futures Game. Krynzel is currently leading the Southern League in stolen bases (38), triples (9), and is third in runs (61).

With the Brewers heading towards a youth movement, is there added motivation knowing that the opportunities in the major leagues will be greater for you?

There is definitely added motivation knowing that if I keep working hard, practicing, and learning this game, there will be a future for me in the big leagues.

What was your reaction when you found out you would be playing in the Major League Futures Game in Chicago?

I felt it was a great honor to be chosen out of Milwaukee's organization. We have a lot of future big league all-stars in this organization. I was very lucky to have that opportunity to play with all the players in that game. The whole trip was just so amazing and a thrill for me to be a part of. It is definitely something for other players to look forward to.

What were you able to take away from the Futures Game experience?

I found out that even though I play for the love of playing baseball, this game can give you so much back in return if you play the game how it should be played, no matter what!

Obviously the Futures Game is a much bigger stage than the Southern League All-Star Game, but how did the two compare? What was your impression of the SL All-Star Game this year?

Both of the games were outstanding. You were treated so well at both events. People and teammates looked up to you, they were both just so fun to be a part of. The SL All-Star Game was a great event with a lot of great players. It gave me a chance to talk and joke around with the guys that I've been playing against this whole season. Such fun trips, both of them.

After already clinching a spot in the Southern League Playoffs, how have things changed in the approach to the second half of the season?

Even with a spot in the playoffs, we're all going out everyday and playing to win. Our team really hates losing and would much rather win the second half than lose it.

Huntsville is loaded with prospects that figure into the future of the Milwaukee organization. Is that exciting to your clubhouse knowing that you could have a long future together?

Our team gels so well together that it would be great if the guys on our team had a real long future of playing together. The make-up of this team is outstanding.

Being a former first round pick, do you feel any added pressure to perform?

I haven't been asked that question since rookie ball (haha). No, there is no added pressure.

What has been your most difficult adjustment to professional baseball?

Realizing that each season is a marathon, you really have to stay focused throughout each day of games, practices, fielding drills, bus rides, eating well, and getting enough sleep. Especially remember to have FUN! There's so much more in a baseball player's life than just playing nine innings of baseball every night. It's going to be hard, but you have to accept the facts of every aspect of baseball, and just go with them. Baseball is a great lifestyle if you know what you are doing.

Southern League News and Notes

Long-time voice of the Birmingham Barons, Curt Bloom, has signed a representation agreement with San Diego-based Sports and Entertainment Firm KVA (Kurt Varricchio & Associates). The agreement comes three weeks after the Barons' radio broadcaster made a special guest appearance as the play-by-play announcer for the Montreal Expos/Atlanta Braves series at the beginning of July.

The Jacksonville Suns surpassed the all-time Jacksonville baseball attendance record during the team's last home stand of July. The Suns 2003 attendance figure has surged to 296,850 through 54 openings for an average of 5,497 fans per game. The previous attendance record was 254,882, set in 1998, when the Suns advanced to the Southern League Finals and featured current major leaguers Gabe Kapler and Robert Fick.

Mobile BayBears' closer won the Rolaids Relief Award for the Southern League in July. Tucker edged out Tennessee Smokies' closer Mike Lyons with 27 saves and a record of 2-4.

Greenville Braves' third baseman James Jurries was named the Topps Southern League Player of the Month for July. The Southern League All-Star hit .396

A week after throwing a perfect game in his AA debut, Orlando Ray's pitcher Chad Gaudin continued his meteoric rise becoming the youngest player in the major leagues when he was promoted to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Gaudin, 20, made his major league debut August 1 against the Kansas City Royals pitching 2.1 innings, surrendering one run on four hits while striking out three.

The Mobile BayBears along with Mitchell Homes gave away a $125,000 home for a second consecutive year on Saturday August 2. Amy Vanderschoot, 36, of Mobile was the lucky winner of the promotion.

Inspirational teen Ryan Cockrell will be back on the mound for the first time in more than a year to throw out the first pitch before the Greenville Braves' game against the Orlando Rays on August 7. Cockrell has undergone three brain surgeries after being struck by a batted ball that crushed the right side of his skull while playing with a High School Junior Varsity team.

Actor Mark Harmon is returning to Hank Aaron Stadium on August 9 for the annual Mark Harmon and Friends Celebrity Baseball Game against the Homers, a team with a roster of players from local businesses. Among those who will play on Harmon's team are former big league players Wally Joyner and Rick Sutcliffe, and San Diego Padre's general manager Kevin Towers.

Clubhouse Chatter

BIRMINGHAM BARONS

OF JEREMY REED went 10-for-46 in 12 games through July 23 after starting his stint with Birmingham 34-for-68...2B TOMMY NICHOLSON laced a 10th-inning RBI single to beat Tennessee, 2-1, July 20. RHP BYEONG AN carried a no-hitter into the seventh and RHP SCOTT DUNN, who fanned the first four batters he faced, picked up the win with two scoreless innings...LHP NEAL COTTS allowed two runs and three hits with no walks and five strikeouts over seven innings in a 2-1 loss to Chattanooga on July 23 to drop to 8-5, 2.30 ERA. It was his third straight losing start.

OF JEREMY REED went 3-for-4 with a pair of home runs and a career-best six RBI in a 7-6 victory at Mobile July 29. Reed drilled his first-ever grand slam in the fourth...LHP NEAL COTTS allowed just one hit over seven innings but allowed five walks and three runs in a 4-2 loss to Mobile on July 28. He fanned nine as he dropped his fourth straight start, falling to 8-6 with a 2.41 ERA overall...OF JUAN PINIELLA homered in the bottom of the ninth and pinch-hitter CHAD DURHAM hit a sacrifice fly later in the frame to defeat Mobile, 7-6, on July 27...RHP ENEMENCIO PACHECO went 4-0 with a 2.96 ERA in nine games June 29-July 29 (51.2 IP, 50 H, 21 R, 17 ER, 18 BB, 38 SO) to improve to 9-2 with a 2.82 ERA overall...RHP SCOTT DUNN (3-1, 1.69 ERA), traded to the Angels on July 29, did not allow a run in his last seven outings (10 IP, 7 H, 4 BB, 12 SO), picking up three wins and a save.

CAROLINA MUDCATS

1B PAT MAGNESS homered in the top of the ninth inning to lift the Mudcats over Jacksonville, 3-1, July 21. LHP TODD MOSER, who was just activated after 15 days on the disabled list with a blister, left after four innings (3 H, 1 R) with another blister injury...1B CHRIS ASHBY doubled home a run and OF TOMMY BOST hit a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning to beat Orlando, 4-3, on July 22. Ashby had three hits, including a homer, and Bost homered and took a two-run home run bid away with his glove in the seventh...RHP DENNY BAUTISTA struck out 11 batters over seven innings of scoreless, three-hit ball in a 4-3 win at Jacksonville on July 18. He suffered his first loss in six starts on July 23 when he allowed six runs over 5 1/3 innings against Orlando to drop to 4-1, 3.09 ERA.

2B JESUS MEDRANO homered in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the Mudcats over Jacksonville, 6-5, July 27. Medrano, who had not hit a home run in his previous 169 at-bats, ripped a one-out offering over the left field fence. Medrano also singled and scored in a three-run first frame, going 3-for-5 in the contest...LHP TODD MOSER (4-3, 3.22 ERA) was placed on the disabled list with a blister. He was forced to leave three of his previous four starts with the problem...SS JOSH WILSON's eighth-inning sacrifice fly beat Jacksonville, 2-1, on July 28. C JOSH WILLINGHAM returned from missing 31 games recovering from knee surgery, and homered in his second at-bat back. Wilson also played 26 straight games without an error through July 30...RHP DONNIE BRIDGES was 6-0 over 13 games from May 19-July 30, and he was batting .400 (16-40) for the season with nine doubles...RHP NIC UNGS surrendered seven runs in the first inning, left after two innings (8 H, 9 R, 1 BB, 1 SO) in a 9-0 loss to Orlando on July 24 to drop to 0-3 with a 6.43 ERA in his first four starts.

CHATTANOOGA LOOKOUTS

RHP JOSH HALL tossed a complete game and struck out a season-high 13 batters to help the Lookouts defeat Mobile, 5-1, July 18. A seventh-round selection of the Cincinnati Reds in the 1998 draft, Hall allowed a run and scattered four hits in nine innings. Five nights later, he allowed an unearned run and four hits with seven strikeouts over seven innings in a 2-1 win at Birmingham to improve to 6-7, 2.85 ERA...RHP BOBBY BASHAM lost four straight starts June 19-July 19 (19 IP, 35 H, 24 R, 18 ER, 6 BB, 10 SO) to drop to 5-9, 5.32 ERA. Basham has struggled this season after pitching three straight shutouts for Daytona last season. He was pounded for six runs and 10 hits over 4 1/3 innings on July 19 at Mobile. It was the sixth straight start in which he had allowed five or more runs (28.1 IP, 56 H, 36 R, 29 ER).

3B EDWIN ENCARNACION re-joined the club from Potomac (.321, 6 HR, 29 RBI in 58 games) and went 3-for-17 in his first four games back. Encarnacion was batting .214 in 36 games for the Lookouts. He traded places with 3B MARK SCHRAMEK (.177, 0 HR, 10 RBI), who was sent to Potomac. The 2002 first-round pick fanned 55 times in 141 at-bats...RHP BOBBY BASHAM (5-10, 5.17 ERA) was sent to Potomac and replaced by LHP TY HOWINGTON (7-7, 3.53 ERA). Basham lost his last five starts, surrendering 28 runs in 25 innings. Howington, a 1999 first-round pick, was 4-2 with a 1.65 ERA in his last eight starts. However, he was pasted for four runs and seven innings in a loss to Huntsville on July 29 but did fan six...OF STEPHEN SMITHERMAN re-joined the club from Louisville (.127, 0 HR, 5 RBI in 17 games) and went 6-for-13 in his first three games...RHP TRAVIS THOMPSON threw seven scoreless innings (3 H, 1 BB, 5 SO) in a 5-0 win against Huntsville July 27 to improve to 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA since his promotion from Potomac.

GREENVILLE BRAVES

RHP BUBBA NELSON allowed a run and five hits over five innings in a 1-0 loss to Orlando on July 21 to drop to 7-9, 3.13 ERA...Pinch hitter JASON FITZGERALD drew a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat Orlando, 1-0, on July 18. RHP MATT BELISLE (7 IP, 9 H, 0 BB, 7 SO) and RHP ROMAN COLON (2 IP, 3 H) combined on a 12-hit shutout. It was Colon's 10th win of the season...3B JAMES JURRIES finished 5-for-5 with a double and RBI in a 5-3 win against Jacksonville on July 23. It was the fourth game this season that Jurries had four hits or more.

OF RYAN LANGERHANS (.253, 6 HR, 38 RBI) was promoted to Richmond...RHP ADAM WAINWRIGHT didn't snap his winless streak, but he allowed two runs and two hits over seven innings in a no-decision against Jacksonville on July 25. 3B RAMON CASTRO had an RBI single and 1B JAMES JURRIES singled home two in the eighth inning for a 4-2 win. Wainwright is winless since June 8, a span of eight starts. Jurries went 14-for-25 from July 23-27...RHP BUBBA NELSON allowed a run and six hits over seven innings in a 4-2 win against Jacksonville on July 26 to improve to 8-9 with a 3.02 ERA...OF CHARLES THOMAS hit two triples and a double on July 28 in a 1-0 win at West Tenn...LHP CHRIS WATERS allowed seven runs and nine hits over two innings in a 9-8 loss against Jacksonville on July 24.

HUNTSVILLE STARS

RHP JASON SHELLEY tossed a shutout and struck out 10 batters in his Class AA debut to help the Stars sweep a doubleheader from West Tenn, 1-0, July 20. Shelley, who began the season with Rockford in the independent Frontier League, allowed three singles, did not issue a walk, and recorded at least one strikeout in six of seven innings to earn the win. Originally drafted as an outfielder by the Atlanta Braves in 1992 and released in 1994, the 28-year-old California native threw just 87 pitches to earn the win, retiring nine straight between the second and fifth innings and setting down seven in a row to close out Huntsville's third complete game. Shelley had dominated the last 1 1/2 seasons in the independent Frontier League before signing with the Stars, recording a 16-6 record with a 2.51 ERA and 238 strikeouts in just 28 starts. He was 7-1, 0.85 ERA in 10 starts this season for Rockford...In Huntsville's 10-0 victory in the first game of the doubleheader, LHP JEFF HOUSMAN, who was recently recalled from Beloit, pitched six scoreless innings to earn the win in his Class AA debut. A 33rd-round pick of the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2002 draft, Housman yielded just one hit, issued a pair of walks, and induced 12 groundouts for the win. In 20 appearances with Beloit this season, the 6-3 southpaw recorded a 1.81 ERA and held opponents to a .231 batting average before skipping a minor-league level to join Huntsville...RHP PEDRO LIRIANO threw six scoreless innings (4 H, 2 BB, 8 SO) in a 6-0 win against Tennessee July 22 to improve to 6-10, 3.22 ERA.

LHP LUIS MARTINEZ (8-5, 2.58 ERA) was promoted to Indianapolis. He was leading the league in strikeouts (116) and walks (54). The 23-year-old pitched 12 1/3 scoreless innings in his first two AAA starts...1B BRAD NELSON, who led the minor leagues with 49 doubles and 116 RBI last season, joined the club from High Desert (.311, 1 HR, 18 RBI in 41 games) and went 4-for-23 in his first six games playing left field. He missed seven weeks with a broken hamates bone...RHP BEN HENDRICKSON tossed five scoreless innings with six strikeouts on July 28 in a win against Chattanooga to improve to 5-3 with a 2.57 ERA. The next night, RHP PEDRIO LIRIANO tossed five hitless innings of one-hit ball with five strikeouts in a 4-1 win against the Lookouts to improve to 7-10 with a 3.07 ERA. Liriano pitched six scoreless frames in his previous outing...3B COREY HART belted a grand slam in the eighth inning to beat Chattanooga, 7-3, on July 28. Hart hit .533 (16-30, 6 2B, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 3 SB) in eight games July 22-29. He was leading the league in RBI (78), was second in hits (112) and tied for third in doubles (29).

JACKSONVILLE SUNS

The club broke the franchise attendance record of 254,882 set in 1998...RHP EDWIN JACKSON allowed a run and three hits over six innings with six strikeouts but was not involved in the 3-1 loss to Carolina on July 21...RHP HEATH TOTTEN won his fourth straight decision and improved to 4-0 lifetime against Carolina when he allowed one run over seven innings in a 3-2 win July 19. He carried a two-hit shutout into the seventh...RHP JOEL HANRAHAN pitched three-hit ball over seven innings against Carolina on July 20 and left with a 4-0 lead, but the pen couldn't hold and OF REGGIE ABERCROMBIE pulled out a 5-4 win with a 10th-inning RBI single.

RHP EDWIN JACKSON allowed two runs -- one earned -- and three hits over seven innings in a no-decision against Greenville on July 26. He walked none and fanned eight. 3B BRENNAN KING made an error in the bottom of the 10th inning to allow the deciding run to score in the 3-2 loss to Carolina...RHP JOEL HANRAHAN struck out 10 batters (5 IP, 7H, 1 R) in a no-decision at Greenville on July 25. Through July 30, he was leading the league in ERA (2.37)...SS NICK THEODOROU, who recently re-joined the club from Las Vegas, hit two doubles on July 28 in a 2-1 loss at Carolina. Theodorou went 3-for-10 in his first four games.

MOBILE BAYBEARS

RHP JUSTIN GERMANO was promoted from Lake Elsinore (9-5, 4.23 ERA) and allowed five runs -- four earned – and nine hits over seven innings in a loss to Huntsville on July 17. He lost his second start six nights later to West Tenn (6.1 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 2 ER)...RHP CHRIS ROJAS fanned six straight batters, a 2003 Southern League high but was not involved in the decision, a 3-2 loss to West Tenn on July 22. Rojas allowed two runs and four hits with nine strikeouts in five innings...C HUMBERTO QUINTERO reached base safely by hit or walk in 20 consecutive games June 24-July 20 (29-70, 9 2B, 12 RBI)...3B RICO WASHINGTON went 3-for-5 with a double, homer and four RBI on July 20 in a 9-5 win against Chattanooga.

RHP JUSTIN GERMANO allowed a run and five hits in 7 1/3 innings in a no-decision against Birmingham on July 28. He was 0-2 with a 3.10 ERA in his first three starts...2B JAKE GAUTREAU made two errors in the third inning that helped Birmingham score two runs in a 7-6 loss on July 27. Two nights earlier, Gautreau singled home the winner in the 10th inning to beat West Tenn, 2-1. C HUMBERTO QUINTERO snapped a scoreless tie in the top of the ninth with an RBI single. RHP CHRIS OXSPRING started and pitched seven scoreless innings (3 H, 4 BB, 5 SO). He's 7-1 with a 2.37 ERA in 11 starts after posting a 4.50 ERA in 22 relief outings. The 26-year-old Australian allowed just nine runs in the first five innings of his starts...1B JON KNOTT hit a go-ahead, two-run single in the bottom of the eighth inning to cap a four-run rally to beat Birmingham, 4-2, on July 28...OF FREDDY GUZMAN was batting .305 with 14 steals in his first 18 games since joining the club.

ORLANDO RAYS

Following up on his perfect game, RHP CHAD GAUDIN pitched four scoreless innings in a tilt with Greenville on July 21. OF J.J. GOMES had a fourth-inning sac fly to provide the offense in the 1-0 win. RHP TRAVIS MINIX picked up the win with three scoreless innings and RHP JOHN BENEDETTI pitched two scoreless frames for the save...RHP JOSH PARKER suffered his second loss in nine appearances with the Rays when he allowed two ninth-inning runs in a 4-3 loss to Carolina on July 22. Parker, who posted four saves and a 3.75 ERA in his first nine games, had 16 saves and a 1.38 ERA for Bakersfield...LHP JON SWITZER pitched eight innings of four-hit ball (0 BB, 5 SO) but the club lost, 1-0 to Greenville on July 18 when RHP DAN GUILLORY walked in the decisive run in the bottom of the ninth.

RHP CHAD GAUDIN tied a season high with 11 strikeouts over eight scoreless innings in a 7-1 victory over Tennessee July 27. Gaudin, who struck out five consecutive batters between the fourth and the fifth frames, allowed a run and six hits with a lone walk to improve to 2-0 with a 0.47 ERA in his first three career starts at the Class AA level. The 20-year-old, who recorded the first perfect game in the Southern League in nearly 33 years back on July 15, did not allow a run over his first 13 frames in the circuit until surrendering an RBI single in the third inning...2B JOEY GATHRIGHT was promoted from Bakersfield (.324, 0 HR, 23 RBI, 57 SB) and went 4-for-15 in his first four games. He left the California League first in steals, sixth in OBP (.406) and seventh in batting...3B JUAN SALAS went 4-for-5 with two RBI in a 7-1 win against Tennessee on July 27...SS FRANK MOORE hit a two-run single during a five-run seventh in a 7-6 win against Tennessee in the first of two on July 29. The Rays stroked six straight singles to pull out the win...RHP JOSE VERAS threw seven scoreless innings (5 H, 2 BB, 6 SO) in a 9-0 win against Carolina July 24.

TENNESSEE SMOKIES

OF SCOTT KRAUSE drew a bases loaded walk in the 11th inning to beat Birmingham, 5-4, on July 18...RHP RETT PARROTT allowed a run and five hits over six innings with seven strikeouts in a 3-1 win against Mobile to improve to 8-9, 3.27 ERA. He had allowed three runs in his last three starts...2B CAO COSME did not commit an error in 20 consecutive games June 30-July 23. In addition, he was leading the league in hits (109) and doubles (30).

RHP RHETT PARROTT (8-9, 3.27 ERA), a 2001 ninth-round draft pick, was promoted to Memphis. He allowed three runs in his last three starts with the club...LHP JUAN PENA allowed six runs in the second inning and didn't survive the inning (1.2 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB) in a 6-4 loss to Orlando on July 26 to drop to 2-4, 3.71 ERA in 11 starts...OF KEVAN BURNS ripped a pair of singles during a six-run fourth inning in a 7-6 loss to Orlando on July 29...Through July 30, OF PAPO BOLIVAR had played 82 straight games without an error.

WEST TENN DIAMOND JAXX

RHP SERGIO MITRE (6-7, 3.79 ERA) was promoted to Chicago and was pasted for eight runs in 3 2/3 innings in a loss to Atlanta July 22...RHP JAE-KUK RYU allowed eight runs and eight hits over 3 2/3 innings in a loss to Huntsville on July 20 to drop to 1-1, 7.16 ERA...RHP JOHN WEBB (4-8, 4.39 ERA) was placed on the disabled list with an arm injury...3B BRENDAN HARRIS hit a two-run single in the top of the ninth inning to beat Carolina, 3-1, on July 17...OF JACKSON MELIAN, who hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning, singled in the winner in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat Mobile, 3-2, on July 22. Starter RHP WILTON CHAVEZ fanned 13 batters and allowed two runs and four hits over seven innings in his first game for the club after joining the club from Iowa (7-7, 4.49 ERA). He struck out the side three times. Chavez and RHP EMMANUEL RAMIREZ, who earned the win with scoreless innings in the eighth and ninth, combined to fan seven straight batters. The next night, RHP MIKE NANNINI struck out 12 batters (7 IP, 4 H, 1 R) in a 3-1 win against Mobile July 23. He fanned 13 and 11 batters earlier this season.

SS RYAN THERIOT singled home the winner in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat Greenville, 5-4, on July 27...RHP EMMANUEL RAMIRES fanned four batters in the eighth inning, but he allowed two unearned runs in the inning, a 4-2 loss to Greenville on July 26. He's the second player in the league to fan four in an inning this season. Ramires combined with RHP WILTON CHAVEZ to fan seven straight batters on July 22 against Mobile...RHP JAE-KUK RYU pitched seven scoreless innings (3 H, 2 BB, 5 SO) in a no-decision against Mobile July 25 and RHP JON LEICESTER pitched six scoreless innings of relief (6 H, 1 BB, 5 SO) in a 3-1 win against Greenville on July 29...In his last six AA starts, RHP SERGIO MITRE went 2-1 with a 1.27 ERA to improve to 6-7 with a 3.64 ERA overall.

SL BC Powder Hitter/Pitcher of the Week

Hitter of the Week (July 18 – July 24)

Dernell Stenson – Chattanooga Lookouts

Chattanooga Lookouts' first baseman Dernell Stenson was named the BC Powder Southern League Hitter of the Week. Stenson hit .440 (11-for-25), drove in seven runs and scored six times. The Southern League All-Star smacked seven extra-base hits including four doubles and three home runs. For the week, the 25-year-old had a .960 slugging percentage and a .440 on-base percentage. The Cincinnati Reds claimed Stenson off waivers in 2003 and placed him on their 40-man roster. The Boston Red Sox originally selected Stenson in the third round of the June 1996 draft. He resides in La Grange, GA.

Pitcher of the Week (July 18 – July 24)

Josh Hall – Chattanooga Lookouts

Chattanooga Lookouts' starter Josh Hall was honored as the BC Powder Southern League Pitcher of the Week after two impressive wins. The righthander picked up his first win of the week July 18 with a nine-inning complete-game victory over the Mobile BayBears where he struck out 13. Hall earned his second victory of the week July 23 with a solid seven-inning performance against the Birmingham Barons where he surrendered no earned runs on four hits. For the week, the 22-year-old pitched 16 innings, surrendering one earned run on eight hits while striking out 20 and only walking three. The Cincinnati Reds selected Hall in the seventh round of the June 1998 draft. He resides in Lynchburg, VA.

Hitter of the Week (July 25 – 31)

Corey Hart – Huntsville Stars

Huntsville Stars' third baseman Corey Hart was named the BC Powder Southern League Hitter of the Week. Hart hit .500 (11-for-22), drove in nine runs and scored nine times. The Southern League All-Star smacked five extra-base hits including four doubles and a home run. For the week, the 21-year-old had a .818 slugging percentage and a .571 on-base percentage. Hart is ranked as the fifth best prospect in the Milwaukee Brewers' organization by Baseball America. The Brewers selected Hart in the 11th round of the June 2000 draft. He resides in Bowling Green, KY.

Pitcher of the Week (July 25 – 31)

Travis Thompson – Chattanooga Lookouts

Chattanooga Lookouts' starter Travis Thompson was honored as the BC Powder Southern League Pitcher of the Week. The righthander handcuffed the Huntsville Stars for seven innings on July 27 to earn the win. The 26-year-old gave up no runs on three hits while striking out five and walking one. The Cincinnati Reds selected Thompson as a non-drafted free agent out of East Carolina University in 1999. He resides in Matthews, NC.

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Southern League Stories from August 6, 2003


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