SL1 Southern League

Future Has a Southern Appeal

Published on July 22, 2003 under Southern League (SL1) News Release


The 2003 Major League Baseball All-Star Futures Game on July 13, 2003 was packed full of excitement as well as players with Southern League ties. In all, there were thirteen players on the rosters that had played in the Southern League within the past calendar year, eleven of whom spent part of this season here. Only six of those players currently call the Southern League home, but that just speaks to the amount of talent that the league churns out. Add Dontrelle Willis to the list and that makes twelve players from 2003 Southern League rosters who were invited to U.S. Cellular Field for the All-Star festivities.

With more than one-quarter of the rosters consisting of either current or former Southern Leaguers, it was no surprise that the game was started, decided, and finished with a southern appeal. Neal Cotts of the Birmingham Barons was named the starter for the United States and was quite impressive in his only inning, despite allowing a run. After allowing a lead-off double on the first pitch of the game and a steal of third, Cotts nearly fought his way out of a jam. He settled in to strike out the next two batters before battling and eventually walking Pete LaForest, formerly of the Orlando Rays, and allowing an RBI single after another battle with Dodgers' outfield prospect, Franklin Gutierrez, who figures to grace the Jacksonville Suns' roster in the future. Cotts showed tremendous poise and composure and looks as if he will have many more starts at Comiskey Park in his bright future.

Down 1-0, Dave Krynzel of the Huntsville Stars led off the bottom of the first with a walk for the United States. He promptly stole second before erasing the World Team's only lead when he scored on a single by the game MVP, Grady Sizemore from Akron of Eastern League (Cleveland Indians). The next few innings were highlighted by solo home runs for Sizemore and for Alexis Rios (Toronto Blue Jays) of the World Team. Adam LaRoche, formerly of the Greenville Braves, hit a single and Stephen Smitherman, formerly of the Chattanooga Lookouts, stroked a double in the third inning. J.J Hardy, currently of Huntsville, also punched out a single in the fourth inning.

Current and new Carolina Mudcats' pitcher, Denny Bautista, was called upon by the World Team in the bottom of the fifth inning to hold the game at a 2-2 tie. He did walk one batter, but was electrifying in striking out two batters in his inning of work. The real Southern League fireworks were still to come in the bottom of the sixth and top of the seventh innings.

With the game tied at two, Smitherman, who was dominant for the first three months of the Southern League season before promotions landed him in Triple-A Louisville, lined a 2-2 pitch over the left-field wall to put the United States on top. For the game, Smitherman was 2 for 3 with a double and game-winning home run, RBI, and runs scored.

Although Smitherman put the United States ahead, it was up to the pitching to shut down the World in the final inning of the seven-inning contest.

Fittingly, the game was put into the hands of the Southern League. First came Chris Narveson of the Tennessee Smokies to record the first two outs of the inning, including a strike out. Then with just one out left the United States called upon Royce Ring of the New York Mets, who was also a top closer for the Birmingham Barons in 2003 before being involved in the White Sox trade for Roberto Alomar. Ring recorded the final out and the save to preserve the win and Smitherman's game-winning home run.

The World Team featured just three players to have ties to the Southern League, but the United States featured ten, many whom contributed a large role in the victory. In all, the Southern Leaguers contributed four of the team's six hits, two of the team's three walks and runs scored, and of course, the game-winning RBI. Although Ring is the one who gets official credit for the save, the Southern League can also proudly claim that its members combined for the final inning closeout.

If this game is any indication, those who pass through the Southern League are going to have an impact on Major League Baseball. The game also featured current Southern League Umpires Cameron Keller and Scott Kennedy. Here is a complete list of those who have graced the Southern League rosters in the past calendar year and where they are now, as well as those five prospects who figure to hit the southern diamonds in the future:

Player Current Southern League Team
Denny Bautista Carolina Mudcats
Neal Cotts Birmingham Barons
J.J Hardy Huntsville Stars
Edwin Jackson Jacksonville Suns
Dave Krynzel Huntsville Stars
Chris Narveson Tennessee Smokies

Player Southern League Team Current Team
Khalil Greene Mobile BayBears Portland (AAA)
David Kelton West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (2002) Iowa (AAA)
Pete LaForest Orlando Rays Durham (AAA)
Adam LaRoche Greenville Braves Richmond (AAA)
Rene Reyes Carolina Mudcats (2002) Colorado Springs (AAA)
Royce Ring Birmingham Barons Binghamton (AA)
Stephen Smitherman Chattanooga Lookouts Louisville (AAA)

Prospects Projected SL Team Current Team
Josh Barfield Mobile BayBears Lake Elsinore (A)
Edwin Encarnacion Chattanooga Lookouts Potomac (A)
Franklin Gutierrez Jacksonville Suns Vero Beach (A)
Felix Pie West Tenn Diamond Jaxx Lansing (A)
Scott Thorman Greenville Braves Myrtle Beach (A)

Debut is Simply Perfect

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays were right on in their feeling that Chad Gaudin was ready for a promotion from Class-A Bakersfield to Double-A Orlando. On July 15, Gaudin made quite a statement in his Double-A debut. In Game 1 of a doubleheader against Jacksonville, Gaudin threw just the second perfect game in Southern League history. It took him just 78 pitches, 56 of which were strikes, to complete the seven-inning game and preserve a 1-0 victory over Jacksonville's Joel Hanrahan, who also went the distance. He also struck out nine during the memorable and historic performance, which thwarted him into the record books alongside Charles Swanson of the Montgomery Rebels. Swanson pitched a nine-inning perfect game against Savannah on August 14, 1970.

Gaudin is a 20-year-old righthander, whom the Devil Rays' selected in the 34th round of the 2001 draft. He turned down a scholarship to attend NCAA baseball powerhouse, LSU, and elected to sign with the Devil Rays. His 2.26 ERA during his inaugural 2002 season was ranked 10th in Minor League Baseball. He was ranked by Baseball America as Tampa Bay's 22nd best prospect entering the 2003 season, and continues to exceed expectations.

Southern League News and Notes

Greenville Braves' July 10th game against the Carolina Mudcats was the first of seven Thursday G-Braves games to be televised throughout the Southeast on CSS (Comcast Sports Southeast).

The Tennessee Smokies lost lefthander Rick Ankiel for the season due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. The former big leaguer had compiled a 2-6 record with a 6.29 ERA at the time of his injury. Ankiel, who began the season in the bullpen, had put together his best three starts of the season before going down.

Former baseball great Vida Blue was in Birmingham July 11 for the game against the Barons and the Mobile BayBears. The former Cy Young winner and MVP was on hand for Vida Blue bobblehead giveaway night. A six-time all-star, the former Birmingham A's star threw out the ceremonial first pitch and signed autographs for fans.

The Carolina Mudcats lost starters on July 11 when the Florida Marlins traded first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, outfielder Will Smith, and pitcher Ryan Snare to the Texas Rangers for reliever Ugueth Urbina.

St. Louis Cardinal Chris Carpenter was in Tennessee for a rehab assignment. On July 14 he pitched against the Greenville Braves.

A week after being named the MVP of the Southern League All-Star Game, Jacksonville Suns' second baseman Victor Diaz was traded to the NY Mets. Diaz, along with Suns' teammate Jose Diaz (no relation) were sent to the Mets for slugging outfielder Jeromy Burnitz.

Topps Southern League Player of the Month Stephen Smitherman hit the game winning home run as the U.S. Team beat the World Team in the Major League All-Star Futures Game. Smitherman, who was named to the West Team for the Southern League All-Star game and was challenging for the Southern League Triple Crown while playing for the Chattanooga Lookouts, was promoted to the Cincinnati Reds briefly before being optioned to AAA Louisville.

Southern League umpires Scott Kennedy and Cameron Keller appeared on national television July 14 when they suited up to work the Century 21 Home Run Derby in Chicago as part of Major League Baseball's All-Star festivities and the highlight of Gatorade All-Star Workout Day. The two Southern League crew chiefs, who were selected to work the All-Star Futures Game on Sunday, remained in Chicago and judged home runs to be fair or foul for the long ball show down at U.S. Cellular Field.

Dontrelle Willis, who started the season in the Southern League going 4-0 with a 1.49 ERA, continued his meteoric rise to stardom when he was selected to appear in the Major League All-Star Game. The phenom is 9-1 with a 2.08 ERA for the Florida Marlins. Willis, who was interviewed by Joe Morgan and Alex Rodriguez during the Home Run Derby live on ESPN, said he was so happy to be there and couldn't believe the national attention he is getting considering he was just recently taking long bus rides from Zebulon to Birmingham.

Twenty-four (24) former Southern Leaguers played in the 74th Major League All-Star Game on July 15 including 13 Southern League graduates on the American League squad and 11 on the National League Team. American League: Brett Boone (Huntsville), Carlos Delgado (Knoxville), Brendan Donnelly (Chattanooga), Jason Giambi (Huntsville), Eddie Guardado (Nashville), Roy Halladay (Tennessee), Ramon Hernandez (Huntsville), Esteban Loaiza (Carolina), Edgar Martinez (Chattanooga), Magglio Ordonez (Birmingham), Alex Rodriguez (Jacksonville), Jason Varitek (Port City), and Vernon Wells (Knoxville). National League: Aaron Boone (Chattanooga), Shawn Chacon (Carolina), Marcus Giles (Greenville), Luis Gonzalez (Columbus), Andruw Jones (Greenville), Javy Lopez (Greenville), Mark Prior (West Tenn), Jason Schmidt (Greenville), Woody Williams (Knoxville), Dontrelle Willis (Carolina), and Kerry Wood (Orlando).

Orlando Rays' pitcher Chad Gaudin made Southern League history against Jacksonville July 15, tossing a 7-inning perfect game in his Class AA debut, leading Orlando to a 1-0 win over the Suns at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. The perfect game was just the second in the Southern League's illustrious history. The only other Southern League perfect game came over 30 years ago when Charles Swanson of the Montgomery Rebels tossed a 9-inning perfect game against Savannah on August 14, 1970.

Clubhouse Chatter

BIRMINGHAM BARONS

LHP RYAN MEAUX was promoted from Winston-Salem (1-3, 1.15 ERA, 10 SV) and allowed one unearned run and four hits over three innings in his first two outings...RHP TETSU YOFU pitched a three-hitter over eight innings and struck out six in a 10-0 win against Huntsville on July 3..LHP NEAL COTTS walked six over 4 1/3 innings and allowed two runs and two hits in a 12-7 loss to Jacksonville on July 4. Cotts started and pitched a 1-2-3 first inning for the West club in the league all-star game four days later...OF JEREMY REED carried a 14-game hitting streak into the all-star break and was 32-for-64 since joining the club from Winston-Salem. He also stole seven bases. 1B GABE ALVAREZ entered the break on an 11-game hitting streak.

RHP KRIS HONEL was promoted from Winston-Salem (7-5, 2.43 ERA) and and had a no-decision on July 12 at Chattanooga (5.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO)...LHP NEAL COTTS allowed a run in one inning as the starter in the July 13 Futures Game...RHP RYAN MEAUX pitched 8 2/3 innings of one-hit, scoreless relief in his first five outings...OF JEREMY REED (17 games) and 1B GABE ALVAREZ (14 games) had hit streaks snapped in mid-July. Reed was batting .435 with a 1.073 OPS through his first 23 games with the club.

CAROLINA MUDCATS

SS JOSH WILSON's 11th-inning triple brought home the winner in a 9-8 win against Orlando on July 6...RHP DENNY BAUTISTA punched out four batters in the second inning of a 15-4 win against Orlando on July 5 (5.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2BB, 8 SO) to improve to 3-0, 1.53 ERA...LHP RYAN SNARE allowed just a run and five hits with no walks and eight strikeouts in a 1-0 loss to Orlando on July 4...RHP MIKE FLANNERY pitched two scoreless innings to record the win in the July 8 league all-star game. 2B DREW NILES went 2-for-5 with two runs and OF MATT PADGETT went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Each player added a double. Padgett entered the break on an 11-game hitting streak.

RHP NICK UNGS was promoted from Jupiter (8-3, 1.99 ERA) and allowed two runs and four hits over six innings in a loss to West Tenn. Ungs was leading the Florida State League in ERA when promoted...OF MATT PADGETT hit safely in 14 straight games (21-57, 4 2B, 2 HR, 16 RBI) June 23-July 12, raising his average from .268 to .287...Through July 16, SS JOSH WILSON was tied for second in the league in hits (97), was third in doubles (27) and fifth in extra-base hits (36).

CHATTANOOGA LOOKOUTS

OF STEPHEN SMITHERMAN (.318, 16 HR, 59 RBI) was promoted to Louisville. He hit .370 with runners in scoring position and two out...RHP DUSTIN MOSELEY allowed two hits and an unearned run with a walk and six strikeouts in a 2-1 win against West Tenn on July 4 but got a no-decision. Moseley, who entered the break leading the league with 106 innings, posted a 5.05 ERA in 11 starts during May/June after posting a 2.18 ERA in April. Moseley was promoted to Louisville on July 8...RHP SCOTT DUNN allowed a hit but struck out the side in his one inning in the July 8 all-star game...LHP CLAYTON ANDREWS was promoted from Potomac (5-3, 3.91 ERA) and pitched seven scoreless innings in a no-decision at West Tenn on July 5. It was his second appearance for the Lookouts.

OF BRAD CORRELL went 2-for-2 with a walk and delivered a grand slam in the third inning of a 7-6 win against West Tenn on July 13. Correll was batting .213 with two homers in his first 14 games since joining the club from Dayton (.283, 8 HR, 48 RBI)...RHP DUSTIN MOSELEY returned from Louisville and was beaten 4-3 by Birmingham on July 14. Moseley allowed four runs and fanned eight over 6 2/3 innings. Moseley for the season is 13-for-37 with a homer and nine RBI with the bat...SS SANTIAGO PEREZ scored a run in eight consecutive games July 6-16 (10-26, 3 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 3 SB). He drove in five runs with a double and homer in a July 12 win against West Tenn...SS RAINER OLMEDO returned from Cincinnati on July 15 and went 3-for-4 with two doubles the next night against Birmingham.

GREENVILLE BRAVES

3B JAMES JURRIES singled home the winner in the bottom of the ninth to beat Tennessee, 2-1, on July 6. He had a pair of doubles the night before...RHP ADAM WAINWRIGHT lost his fifth straight start, 7-4, to Tennessee on July 5 (3.2 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 3 SO). He's posted a 7.99 ERA over those starts to drop to 5-7 with a 4.01 ERA overall. Wainwright started the league all-star game three days later and fanned two batters during a 1-2-3 first inning.

OF CORY ALDRIDGE homered with one out in the top of the ninth inning to beat Tennessee, 4-3, on July 15...3B RAMON CASTRO hit a pair of home runs (2-4, 4 RBI) on July 14 in a 9-4 win at Tennessee. Castro had not homered in any of his previous 28 games with the club...3B BRYON JEFFCOAT was promoted from Myrtle Beach (.240, 1 HR, 9 RBI) and went 2-for-5 in his first five games.

HUNTSVILLE STARS

22-year-old LHP PEDRO LIRIANO allowed an unearned run and three hits over six innings but suffered a 6-4 loss to Mobile on July 5 to drop to 5-9, 2.96 ERA. He was tied for the league-lead in losses at the break...SS J.J. HARDY hit .444 (12-27) with four doubles and seven RBI in six games June 28-July 4. At the break, he was seventh in slugging (.494), ninth in batting (.305) and ninth in on-base percentage (.398)...LHP LUIS MARTINEZ went 3-0, 2.74 ERA in his five starts prior to the all star break to improve to 8-4, 2.56 ERA. He was leading the league in strikeouts (106).

LHP LUIS MARTINEZ allowed just first and third-inning singles over seven scoreless innings in a no-decision against Mobile on July 14. He left with a 1-0 lead but the Stars lost, 2-1, in the ninth. Martinez, who leads the league with 113 strikeouts through July 16, has allowed more than three runs in just four of his 19 starts...RHP BEN HENDRICKSON allowed just two runs and 10 hits over 19 innings in winning three straight starts June 24-July 12. He pitched six scoreless innings (4 H, 1 BB, 4 SO) in a 4-3 win at Tennessee on July 12. Hendrickson has gone 4-1 with a 2.25 ERA in seven starts overall...1B RYAN GRIPP homered July 11 & 12 at Tennessee.

JACKSONVILLE SUNS

OF REGGIE ABERCROMBIE went 10-for-16 with nine runs in four games through July 3-6. He hit a pair of home runs and drove in three runs on July 3 in a 5-3 win against Greenville. Abercrombie has been very streaky, having gone through a 2-for-22 slump previous to the four games and 2-for-23, 2-for-20 and 3-for-17 slumps earlier this season...RHP JOEL HANRAHAN went 3-0 with a 3.52 ERA in four starts June 20-July 6 (23 IP, 27 H, 12 R, 9 ER, 11 BB, 17 SO). He entered the all-star break second in the league with nine wins.

RHP HEATH TOTTEN tossed his second career shutout as the Suns blanked Orlando, 5-0, July 10. Totten, who retired the first 10 batters he faced, scattered four hits and struck out five en route to his second straight complete-game win. Totten was 3-0 with a 1.67 ERA in his last four starts after starting the season with three wins in his first 15 starts...RHP ALFREDO GONZALEZ (4-4, 5.47 ERA) was promoted to Los Angeles to replace Kevin Brown...RHP JOEL HANRAHAN allowed a run and five hits over seven innings and struck out seven but lost, 1-0, to Orlando in the first of two on July 15...2B VICTOR DIAZ, traded to the Mets in the Jeromy Burnitz deal, homered in three straight games July 11-13 at Orlando before departing...SS MIKE COLLINS hit .098 (5-51, 6 SO) in 17 games June 18-July 16 to drop his season average to .234 in 69 games.

MOBILE BAYBEARS

OF FREDDY GUZMAN was promoted from Lake Elsinore (.285, 2 HR, 22 RBI, 49 SB) and went 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI in his first game...LHP CORY STEWART pitched one-hit ball over five scoreless innings to beat Huntsville, 6-4, on July 5 and improve to 8-5, 3.13 ERA. Stewart was tagged with the loss in the July 8 all-star game when he allowed five runs -- three earned -- and six hits in 2/3 innings...C HUMBERTO QUINTERO hit .459 (17-37, 5 2B, 12 RBI) in 11 games June 22-July 4.

3B RICO WASHINGTON had two hits and two RBI in a seven-run ninth frame to lift the BayBears over Birmingham, 8-6, July 10. He singled and scored to lead off the inning and hit a two-run double that capped the comeback...1B DANNY BRAVO had a three-run double in the frame...OF VINCE FAISON hit a two-run double in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat Huntsville, 2-1, on July 14. LHP CORY STEWART allowed an unearned run and three hits over 6 1/3 innings with nine strikeouts in a no-decision...RHP CHRIS OXSPRING went 3-0 with a 2.01 ERA in four starts June 21-July 13 (22.1 IP, 13 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 14 BB, 26 SO). He pitched six scoreless innings (3 H, 5 BB, 5 SO) in a 9-0 win against Birmingham on July 13. Oxspring was 6-1 with a 2.45 ERA in his first nine starts after 22 relief outings.

ORLANDO RAYS

SS JACE BREWER (.231, 3 HR, 16 RBI) was placed on the disabled list with a fractured rib...RHP MATT WHITE didn't get through the second inning on July 3 in a 7-4 loss to Chattanooga in the second game of a doubleheader (1.2 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 1 SO)...DH DAN DEMENT hit a pair of home runs on July 6 in a 9-8 loss at Carolina.

RHP JOSE VERAS fanned four batters in the first inning but lost 5-1 to Jacksonville on July 13 (4.1 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 6 SO). He's the fifth pitcher to accomplish the feat in the minor leagues this season...RHP CHAD GAUDIN tossed the second perfect game in league history as he stopped Jacksonville, 1-0, in the first game of a doubleheader on July 15. Making his first start after being called up from Bakersfield, Gaudin, a 34th-round pick in 2002, struck out nine in the seven-inning game. Charles Swanson threw the first perfect game in the Southern League, accomplishing it for Montgomery on August 14, 1970...OF JESUS FELICIANO hit safely in 11 straight games (17-37, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 2 SB) June 29-July 13, raising his average from .200 to .304.

TENNESSEE SMOKIES

2B CAO COSBE singled in the winner in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat Carolina, 5-4, on July 3...RHP MIKE LYONS pitched a scoreless inning and struck out one to record the save in the July 8 all-star game. 1B BUCKY JACOBSEN went 2-for-4 with two runs...The Smokies entered the all-star break with 14 second half wins in 18 games...LHP RICK ANKIEL (2-6, 6.29 ERA) is out for the rest of the season with a torn ligament in his left elbow.

RHP JULIO VILLALON struck out 11 batters (6 IP, 5 H, 3 R) in a 4-3 loss against Huntsville on July 12. He struck out the side in the second and fifth innings...The club did not commit an error in five straight games July 11-14...C YADIER MOLINA returned from his sprained ankle but extended his hitting slump to 9-for-67 through July 16...RHP NICK STOCKS won four straight starts June 27-July 16 (23.1 IP, 18 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 6 BB, 12 SO) to improve to 8-4, 4.17 ERA.

WEST TENN DIAMOND JAXX

OF JASON DUBOIS went 3-for-4 with a single, double, homer and three RBI in a 7-5 win for the West in the Southern League All-Star Game on July 8...RHP MIKE NANNINI struck out 11 batters (7 IP, 8 H, 3 R) in a no-decision against Chattanooga on July 6. Nannini, who fanned 13 two starts earlier, ranked ninth in the league in strikeouts (86) at the all-star break.

1B DONNIE HOOD was promoted from Lansing (.317, 9 HR, 32 RBI) and went 3-for-17 in his first six games...RHP SERGIO MITRE was 2-1 with a 1.46 ERA over his last five starts to improve to 6-7 with a 3.79 ERA overall. He ranked seventh in the league with 98 strikeouts through July 16...OF JACKSON MELIAN hit .400 (20-50, 4 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 1 SB) in 17 games June 21-July 14.

SL BC Powder Hitter/Pitcher of the Week

Hitter of the Week (July 4 – July 10)

Carlos Maldonado – Birmingham Barons

Birmingham Barons' catcher Carlos Maldonado was named the BC Powder Southern League Hitter of the Week. Maldonado hit .429 (6-for-14), drove in nine runs and scored five times. The Southern League All-Star smacked three extra-base hits including two doubles and one home run. For the all-star shortened week, the 24-year-old had a .785 slugging percentage and a .500 on-base percentage. The Chicago White Sox signed Maldonado as a free agent in 2003. Originally signed by the Seattle Mariners in 1995 at the age of 16 as a non-drafted free agent, Maldonado resides in Maracaibo, Venezuela.

Pitcher of the Week (July 4 – July 10)

Heath Totten – Jacksonville Suns

Jacksonville Suns' pitcher Heath Totten was honored as the BC Powder Southern League Pitcher of the Week. The righthander handcuffed the Orlando Rays July 10 picking up the win. Totten tossed a complete game four-hit shutout striking out five and walking no one. The Los Angeles Dodgers selected Totten in the fifth round of the June 2000 draft out of Lamar University. He resides in Lumberton, TX.

Hitter of the Week (July 11 – 17)

Gabe Alvarez – Birmingham Barons

Birmingham Barons' first baseman Gabe Alvarez was named the BC Powder Southern League Hitter of the Week. Alvarez hit .319 (7-for-22), drove in 12 runs and scored six times. The Southern League All-Star smacked five extra-base hits including two doubles and three home runs. For the week, the 29-year-old had a .818 slugging percentage and a .464 on-base percentage. The Chicago White Sox signed Alvarez as a free agent in 2003. Alvarez was originally selected in the second round of the June 1995 draft out of the University of Southern California. He resides in San Gabriel, CA.

Pitcher of the Week (July 11 – 17)

Chad Gaudin – Orlando Rays

Orlando Rays' starter Chad Gaudin was honored as the BC Powder Southern League Pitcher of the Week after throwing a perfect game in his AA debut. Just promoted from Class A Bakersfield, the righthander totally dominated the Jacksonville Suns for a complete seven innings on July 15. Pitching the first game of a doubleheader, Gaudin needed only 78 pitches, 56 for strikes to completely master the Suns. The 20-year-old struck out nine of the 21 outs en route to the second perfect game in Southern League history. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays selected Gaudin in the 34th round of the June 2001 draft. He resides in Harahan, LA.

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Southern League Stories from July 22, 2003


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