Former Pelicans Enjoying Success in Higher Levels

Published on May 2, 2005 under Central Baseball League (Central League)
Pensacola Pelicans News Release


Pensacola, FL – Last year, four Pelicans topped the Central League. Now they are competing at higher levels including the Eastern League (AA) and the prestigious Mexican League (AAA).

Centerfielder Rafael Alvarez, rightfielder Andy Wilson, right-handed pitcher Josh Kranawetter and left-handed pitcher Phil Devey all started their 2004 seasons with the Pelicans before being signed by major league organizations.

2004 Central League Player of the Year Rafael Alvarez posted outstanding numbers in 2004 for the Pelicans before he was picked to play in the Mexican League (AAA) with the Laguna Cowboys. He is currently hitting .333 with five doubles, one triple and one homerun. Alvarez has 11 RBI, a slugging percentage of .600 and has scored 12 runs.

For the Pelicans in 2004, Alvarez led the league, hitting .353 and an on-base percentage of .468 for the year. He also knocked 21 doubles, three triples, 12 homeruns and 52 RBI. His 20 stolen bases were good enough for the team high and he scored 60 runs.

Andy Wilson finished the season with the Pelicans before being picked up by the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he is currently playing for the Lynchburg Hillcats in the Carolina League. In seven games, he is hitting .333 with two doubles, one triple, two RBI and has scored seven runs. Wilson was named the 2004 CBL All-Star MVP after he went 2-for-2 with four RBI in the mid-summer classic.

Hard-throwing Josh Kranawetter was picked up by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays after dominating the first half of the 2004 season. He is currently playing for the Visalia Oaks in the California League.

For the Pelicans, Kranawetter had a team and league best ERA of 1.77 with 69 strikeouts which was good enough for the team high and was second best in the CBL. Kranawetter was twice named the CBL SportsTicker Pitcher of the Week for his performances on the mound.

Of all the Pelicans to move onward and upward, left-handed pitcher Phil Devey was the first in 2004 to be signed by a Major League organization. Just one month into the season, the Seattle Mariners picked Devey up where he played for the San Antonio Missions. He is currently playing for the Portland Sea Dogs of the Eastern League where he has a 2.19 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 12 innings pitched. At the early part of the 2004 season with the Pelicans, Devey led the Pelicans and the league with a 1.46 ERA.

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Central Baseball League Stories from May 2, 2005


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