IL1 International League

Mendez, Heilman Capture IL Honors

Published on May 5, 2003 under International League (IL1) News Release


The International League announced today that Ottawa first baseman Carlos Mendez and Norfolk pitcher Aaron Heilman have been named the League's Batter and Pitcher-of-the-Week for the period of April 28- May 4. Both are the first members of their respective teams to be honored with one of the IL's weekly awards this season.

The Ottawa Lynx are riding a 6-game winning streak thanks to the efforts of first baseman CARLOS MENDEZ. The 28-year-old went 0-4 last Monday in Ottawa's only loss of the week, a 2-0 defeat in Syracuse. The club's current winning run began on Tuesday as Mendez went 2-4 and broke a 2-2 tie with an RBI single in the eighth inning. Carlos was an offensive force in Wednesday's 15-5 pasting of the SkyChiefs. The native of Venezuela went 4-6 with a pair of home runs (his first of the season), a two-run triple, and a single, collecting six RBI and scoring three times in the win. The Toledo Mud Hens came to town Thursday and Mendez had a three-run homer against his former mates (he played for Toledo in 2000 & 2001) to lead the Lynx to a 6-5 win. In Friday's 6-3 victory, the right-hander had a pair of singles and two RBI. He followed that performance with a double and a walk in Saturday's win, then went 2-4, scored, and drove in a run as Ottawa completed the series sweep with a 9-2 decision yesterday. With a .448 average and 13 RBI on the week, Mendez moved onto the IL leaderboard in several categories. He paces the loop with 43 hits, is tied for first with 10 doubles (with teammate Luis Matos), and is in the top five with 15 extra-base hits (2nd), 24 RBI (3rd), and a .368 average (4th). Carlos has collected a hit in 25 of 29 games this season and already has 14 multi-hit games.

Mendez is currently in his 13th professional season and sixth year at the Triple-A level. He joined the Baltimore organization in the off-season after playing in the Kansas City (1991-99), Detroit (2000-01) and Oakland (2002) systems. Last year, Mendez hit .324 with 26 doubles, 12 HR, and 74 RBI for Triple- A Sacramento (PCL). He was a key performer for the Toledo club during his only other seasons in the IL, averaging 24 doubles, 19 HR, and 74 RBI in two seasons with the team.

Norfolk right-hander AARON HEILMAN turned in a pair of impressive performances for the Tides this past week, allowing no runs in two starts. The 24-year-old first took the mound on Tuesday against rival Richmond, scattering four hits over five innings. Heilman struck out seven (tying his season high) and left with a 1-0 lead but did not receive a decision as the R-Braves rallied for 9 runs in the final two innings. He returned to action yesterday in Pawtucket combining with a pair of relievers as the Tides shut out the PawSox 8-0. The Logansport, IN resident worked the first seven innings, allowing just 3 hits and striking out four to pick up his fourth win of the young season. Aaron leads the IL with 35 strikeouts and 40.2 innings pitched and is tied for second with four victories.

Heilman is one of the bright young stars of the New York Mets' organization and entered the season rated the #3 Prospect in the system by Baseball America. He had an outstanding senior season at Notre Dame, going 15-0 (in 15 starts) and posting a 1.74 ERA and 110 strikeouts before being selected by New York with the 18th selection in the 2001 June Draft. He completed his first full professional season in 2002, pitching for both Double-A Binghamton and the Tides. In a combined 27 games, he went 6-7 with a 3.64 ERA and 132 strikeouts in 146 innings pitched.

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International League Stories from May 5, 2003


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