EL1 Portland Sea Dogs

Pedroia promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket

June 22, 2005 - Eastern League (EL1)
Portland Sea Dogs News Release


The Boston Red Sox have announced that infielder Dustin Pedroia has been promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket. Hanley Ramirez has been activated from the disabled list.

In 66 games with the Sea Dogs Pedroia is fifth in the league in hitting at .324, he has 19 doubles, 2 triples, 8 homeruns, 40 RBI, and 7 stolen bases. Pedroia is rated as the #6 prospect in the Red Sox organization by Baseball America. Baseball America also rated Pedroia as having the "Best Strike Zone Discipline" in the Red Sox system.

Pedroia was Boston's first pick (2nd round, 65th overall) of the June 2004 draft. Last season Pedroia split time between Single-A Augusta and Single-A Sarasota, hitting a combined .357 in 42 games with 3 homeruns and 19 RBI.

Ramirez had been sidelined since June 12th with a mild lower back strain. In 52 games with the Sea Dogs in 2005, Ramirez is hitting .274 with 8 doubles, a league leading 7 triples, 2 homeruns, 20 RBI, and 15 stolen bases. He is ranked as the top prospect in the Red Sox organization by Baseball America.

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HANLEY RAMIREZ SELECTED TO MLB FUTURES GAME Todd Claus Named as a Coach

Portland Sea Dogs shortstop Hanley Ramirez was selected today to play in the 2005 XM Satellite Radio All-Star Futures Game in Detroit, Michigan on Sunday, July 10th. In addition, Sea Dogs manager Todd Claus was selected as a coach for the All-Star event. The team is selected by Major League Baseball in conjunction with Baseball America.

The XM Satellite Radio All-Star Futures Game features the top prospects in Minor League Baseball, with a team of U.S.-born players competing against players from around the world, as a showcase of the great international talent throughout baseball. Every Major League organization is represented with at least one player. Ramirez and Claus will be members of the World team.

Ramirez entered the 2005 season rated as the # 1 prospect in the Red Sox organization for the third consecutive year by Baseball America and as the #10 prospect in all of minor league baseball. Baseball America also rated Ramirez as the "Best Athlete," "Fastest Base Runner," "Best Defensive Infielder," and "Best Infield Arm" in the Red Sox minor league system in 2005. Ramirez was named the Red Sox Base Runner of the Month for May 2005. In 52 games with the Sea Dogs in 2005, Ramirez is hitting .274 with 8 doubles, a league leading 7 triples, two homeruns, 20 RBI, and 15 stolen bases.

Ramirez was signed by the Red Sox as non-drafted free agent on July 2, 2000. The 21 year-old from Santo Domingo, Dominic Republic was named the Boston Red Sox Minor League Player of the Year for Single-A Sarasota in 2004. He was selected to the 2004 Florida State League All-Star Game. Ramirez was added to the Red Sox 40-man roster on November 20, 2004.

Todd Claus has led the Sea Dogs to Northern Division best record of 37-30, including a ten game winning streak to open the 2005 campaign. Claus is in his first season as the Sea Dogs skipper replacing Ron Johnson who was promoted to Triple-A. The 2005 season is the fourth season as a minor league manager for Claus, the second in the Red Sox organization, and the first at the Double-A level. Claus, 35, managed the Single-A Sarasota Red Sox in 2004 and posted a 76-61 (.555) record.

Prior to joining the Red Sox organization in 2004, Claus spent his entire baseball career in the Anaheim Angels system where he served as a minor league player, scout, hitting coach, and manager.

In addition to being named a coach for the Futures Game, Claus will manage the Eastern League Northern Division All-Star team for the 2005 Hannaford Eastern League All-Star game which will take place on July 13th at Hadlock Field in Portland, Maine.

The Taco Bell All-Star Sunday is the first of three days of All-Star events at Comerica Park in Detroit culminating with the 76th Major League Baseball All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 12th.

Last season Sea Dogs pitcher Juan Perez was selected to the World Team. In 2003 Kevin Youkilis, Jorge De La Rosa, and Sea Dogs Manager Ron Johnson were all named to the Futures Game. Other Sea Dogs to be named to the event were A.J. Burnett and Pablo Ozuna in 1999.

Complete Futures Game rosters are available at www.minorleaguebaseball.com




Eastern League Stories from June 22, 2005


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