Parker and Higgins called up to Boise
Published on August 8, 2007 under Northwest League (NWL1)
Boise Hawks News Release
BOISE, ID - Right-handed pitchers Blake Parker and Yuri Higgins have been called up to Boise from the Mesa Cubs.
Parker was drafted by the Cubs in the 16th round of the 2006 draft. Coming into this season, he had hit .224 in 46 minor league games with Peoria and Mesa including 2 HR's and 18 RBIs. The former catcher has since been converted to pitching. In 11 games with the Mesa Cubs this season, he's compiled a 1-0-2 record with a 1.80 ERA. In 15.0 innings pitched, he's struckout 14 and opponents are hitting just .185 against him. The Fayetteville, AR native attended the University of Arkansas and was selected as an Arizona League post-season all-star in 2006.
Higgins, from Tampa, Fla., appeared in 24 games for the University of South Florida Bulls this season, making five starts and posting a 5-4 record. He struck out 81 batters and allowed only 40 earned runs in 76 innings for a 4.74 ERA. Higgins also made four saves for the Bulls in his senior season. Higgins, who is 15th on the school's all-time strikeouts list, recording 194 in four seasons with the Bulls, posted two 10-strikeout games this season. After signing with the Cubs in the 38th round of this year's draft, he's appeared in just 1 game for the Mesa Cubs before getting the call up to Boise. The right-hander recorded a 1-0 record in Mesa with a 6.75 ERA in 1.1 innings pitched, recording 0 strikeouts. Opponents hit .200 against him.
To make room for Parker and Higgins on the Hawks' roster, Al Alburquerque has been called up to Peoria and Julio Castillo has been assigned to Mesa.
Alburquerque was 3-2 with the Hawks and had posted a 3.75 ERA (good for 6th in the Northwest League). He also recorded 49 strikeouts (3rd best in the NWL).
Castillo struggled in Boise, going 0-4 with a 5.48 ERA. In 7 appearances with the Hawks, opponents hit .270 against him.
The Hawks are in their 21st season of Northwest League play. The club has won 6 NWL Championships, the most recent banner coming in 2004. Season, mini-pack, and single game tickets for Hawks' games are available at 322-5000. Don't stand in line. Purchase and print your tickets from home @ BoiseHawks.com. Go Green!
Northwest League Stories from August 8, 2007
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- Hawks use eight run inning to polish Emeralds - Boise Hawks
- Parker and Higgins called up to Boise - Boise Hawks
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