Pair of Hickory All-Stars Promoted

June 26, 2008 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release

Hickory's Miles Durham and Jose De Los Santos have been promoted to Class-A Advanced Lynchburg after All-Star first halves with Hickory. Joining the duo is infielder Victor Alvarez, also heading to Lynchburg following an earlier stint this year with the Double-A Altoona Curve.

Durham receives his promotion in his third year in the Pittsburgh Pirates system, having played for the short-season Williamsport CrossCutters and State College Spikes in 2006 and 2007, respectively. After combining for just three home runs and 28 RBI in his first two years, the 25-year-old Durham has exploded for 14 home runs, 57 RBI and a .348 average. He leaves Hickory leading the team in games, at-bats, average, runs, home runs, doubles, RBI, hits, on-base percentage and slugging percentage.

Durham was one of two Crawdads to homer twice in a game this season, pulling off the feat on two occasions, and he also notched hitting streaks of nine, 11, 12 and 14 games, the last of which will remain active. His move to Lynchburg represents the highest level he's reached yet, matching his brother Tyler, who reached high-A in the St. Louis Cardinals organization.

De Los Santos, meanwhile, started 58 games at shortstop for Hickory, earning all-star recognition in the league's first half. He leaves having led the Crawdads in stolen bases with 14.

Alvarez totaled seven hits, five runs and five RBIs in 15 games with Hickory this season.

Replacing the trio are a triad of infielders: Greg Picart from Lynchburg, Jordy Mercer from the State College Spikes and Mercer's State College teammate Matthew Hague. Picart hit .145 with six RBIs and four doubles in 25 games with the Hillcats, while Mercer was Pittsburgh's third-round draft pick earlier this month and Hague a ninth-round selection.

The Crawdads return home from an eight-game road trip to begin a nine-game homestand Friday.

For tickets and more information on upcoming promotions, call the Crawdads at (828) 322-3000.

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