SL1 Southern League

Southern Bases

Published on June 24, 2003 under Southern League (SL1) News Release


Growing from Mudcat to Marlin

By: Jason Testa

In his first six starts of the season, Dontrelle Willis proved he was one of the elite pitchers in the Southern League. Now he is becoming one of the better stories in baseball for the Florida Marlins.

When injuries struck three-fifths of the Marlins' rotation early in the season, they were forced to look to Willis for some aid. A.J. Burnett is lost for at least this season, while Josh Beckett and Mark Redman were experiencing the disabled list. The 21-year-old Willis was determined to prove he belongs in the big leagues. He has become the most effective member of the Marlins' pitching staff and has helped them in their climb back to the .500 mark.

After going 4-0 with a 1.49 ERA for the Carolina Mudcats, Willis made his major league debut on May 9 against the Colorado Rockies. The result was a no decision in which he gave up three runs over six innings, but struck out seven. Five days later, he garnered his first major league win against San Diego. He allowed three runs over five innings while striking out seven yet again. His third start, May 20 at Montreal, was very shaky as he allowed five runs through three innings of work on his way to his first major league loss. Since that game, Dontrelle Willis has been in a league of his own.

His next two starts against the Reds put him on the map. In both games, Willis gained the victory while shutting down a team that is in the thick of the National League Central race. The first of those two starts was eight innings of shutout ball, while in the second start he yielded just one run over seven innings. In fact, his line against the Reds reads:

15 IP, 11 hits, 1 run, 4 walks, 17 strikeouts, 0.60 ERA.

Although it is hard to imagine him getting any better, he inexplicably has. After his improbable work against the Reds he went on to earn two more victories, including seven more shutout innings versus the American League West powerhouse Oakland Athletics. The other victory was a solid six and two-thirds innings of work against the Milwaukee Brewers.

He burst on the national scene on June 16 when he flirted with a no-hitter versus the division rival, New York Mets and future Hall of Famer Tom Glavine. Willis won the pitcher's duel by allowing just one hit and one walk on his way to his first career complete game shutout. After the game, the Mets' lineup was baffled by the "funky" delivery of the young star, but was hesitant to give him too much credit. Catcher Vance Wilson said "His windup obviously is a little tricky, but his fastball was straight, and once you picked up the ball, you could see it pretty well" and "Not taking anything away from him, you can see the ball, but it's a matter of getting at-bats against him." His teammates, however, were quite impressed with the phenom's performance. First baseman Derek Lee said, "That's one of the most impressive games I've seen. It ranks up there with A.J.'s no-hitter," referring to A.J. Burnett's no-hitter against San Diego in 2001.

His next start came on June 21 against the Devil Rays where his outing was cut short due to rain. Nonetheless, he still came out as the victor posting his second straight complete game shutout, albeit through just five innings. The scariest part of the game was that Willis allowed just two hits and one walk while admitting he did not have his best stuff. If that was the case, I am sure the Devil Rays want no part of his best stuff. After the game, Marlins' manager Jack McKeon was quick to praise his young star, "That's the sign of a good pitcher, a guy who can go out there, not have his best stuff and still get the hitters out." During his last six starts he is 6-0 with an ERA of 0.84 in 42 2/3 innings of work and three of the four runs allowed in that span were in the start against Milwaukee.

Dontrelle Willis has become this year's Mark Prior. After just six starts with the Southern League's West Tenn Diamond Jaxx last season, Prior jumped into the Cubs' rotation to stay. In case the Cubs' fans were not yet aware, Willis was in your organization before the 2002 season. He was traded to the Marlins in the deal that brought Antonio Alfonseca and Matt Clement to Chicago. The Marlins were highly criticized for the trade at the time, but now it is those whose hearts belong to the Cubbies dreaming of a young rotation featuring Kerry Wood, Mark Prior, and Dontrelle Willis.

Willis came into the season as the Marlins' top pitching prospect, and fourth overall prospect, just three spots behind the newest Mudcat to Marlin, Miguel Cabrera. Cabrera had been arguably the Southern League's top player for the first two-and-a-half months of the season. He batted .365 with 10 home runs and 59 RBI and was in the top two in many of the Southern League's offensive categories before his call-up on June 19. In his first game as a Marlin, he hit a two-run walk-off home run in the 11th inning against the Devil Rays. Then two days later he hit the go-ahead triple and scored on a sac fly.

Willis and Cabrera are showing a promising future for the Marlins' organization and extend the pride of the Southern League yet another level. Cabrera was a sure-fire Southern League All-Star and Willis likely would have made the team. Now Willis just might be pitching his way to the Major League All-Star Game in, where else, Chicago. Albeit not Wrigley Field, but still too close to the Cubs' home.

Southern League Personalities

Larry Ward
Radio Broadcaster, Chattanooga Lookouts

Larry Ward, Director of Broadcasting, has been the "voice" of the Lookouts for 14 years. Larry acts both as a play-by-play announcer for radio broadcasts and the traveling secretary for the team during the season. Larry is the front office's direct link to the Reds and the players that spend their summer with the Lookouts. Larry has traveled almost 150,000 bus miles during his tenure and his love for the game is evident in all he does for the Chattanooga organization. Larry lives in Harrison, Tennessee with his wife Nelle, and daughter Megan.

How did you get your start as a radio broadcaster in professional baseball?

I worked part time doing the Portland Beavers in 1978, and did about forty to fifty games. I paid my own expenses to travel a hundred miles round trip, but it paid off. The following spring they offered me a full time job in Tucson doing the Toros, and I worked there for the 1979-80 seasons. The rest is history.

What is your favorite part about being a broadcaster in Minor League Baseball?

The game broadcast is certainly the reward for all of the other hats you have to wear in this industry. I guess I was fortunate that I had already been in broadcasting for nearly eight years before getting a full time baseball job. Today, most of the guys & gals are just getting out of college and need to earn better money than what I did when I started. They also do not have the "hands on" experience that I was able to get.

What is the toughest aspect of your job?

Keeping your sanity during a five-month season with travel, family, players and games to be juggled. While all of your friends or other staff people get to lead a normal life with days off, etc., you're at the ballpark. My job here is a little more involved than a lot of announcers in that I also handle all travel, hotel, meal money, player arrangements when they are moved by the Reds, hire clubhouse managers and bat boys, plus sell in the off season. It's more in a management capacity than just "the broadcaster." There aren't too many people that would take all of that on but you can see why the broadcast becomes the most favorite part of this job.

What is the fondest memory to this point of your baseball career?

My Dad was a hard working farmer and rancher while I was growing up. He worked us hard but also followed us in everything we did especially during the summer playing baseball. He really did not understand how this radio thing worked until one night in 1980 at Portland. I was doing the Tucson broadcasts but my folks, who live in Oregon, were at the game. It was a Hall of Fame Night promotion and the really big guns were on hand. Joe DiMaggio was one of those. I finally got up enough nerve to ask him to sit in on my broadcast and he agreed. The press box was field level then, right behind home plate. I had three chairs and asked my Dad to sit in one and told him we were going to have several guests but did not tell him who. DiMaggio had been his idol when he was a kid. When Joe walked in and sat down, my Dad was in total awe. I taped that segment and gave it to my Dad of which he still plays today for people. During the commercial break he and DiMaggio carried on like they were old friends. He said to me later that he now understood what the reward was in doing the broadcasts. Another was the "Cheap Seats" video participation as the Umpire, and of course the nine no-hitters behind the mic.

Of the thousands of players you have seen come up through the minors, who are some that you have enjoyed watching the most?

Chronologically, Danny Heep, Alan Knicley, Andres Galarraga, Edgar Martinez, Reggie Sanders, Trevor Hoffman, Frank Kremblas, Brian Lane, Freddie Benevides, Pokey Reese, Chad Mottola, Aaron Boone, Tom Nevers, Ben Broussard, Gookie Dawkins, Adam Dunn, Austin Kearns and several hundred others that I could mention.

How do you think things are shaping up for the Chattanooga Lookouts in the second half of the season?

The biggest thing will be to have the same team for at least three weeks in a row. Most of the guys are only a third of a page with their transactions and I am almost on my second. The bullpen has got to get consistent with their work and the starters have to work into the seventh inning with success. Hitting has not been a problem with this club but pitching has. Scoring five to eight runs a game should be enough, and so far there are nights when ten runs aren't enough to win.

Who are some of the players that fans should be excited to come out and see at BellSouth Park the rest of the way?

Stephen Smitherman will be a force with power and his continued learning in the outfield. Mark Shramek joined us late in the first half but should produce a lot of excitement. Andrew Beattie is a gamer that keeps you on the edge of your seat every night. Scott Dunn is starting to get better out of the bullpen. Basham, Koronka, Moseley, Mottl and Hall are all good young pitchers that hopefully will improve as we go into the second half. But win or lose, fans will get a charge every night watching Southern League baseball and the great talent that we all have.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?

Take this game for what it is and not what you think it should be. There are times when it is grand and spectacular but then so is life. A day at a time, a game at a time, and a friendship to both the game and player. Respect both, work with both and not just for yourself. I guess at my age it is easier said than done because I can remember getting similar advice twenty years ago and it finally sunk in. Work hard, have fun, be respectful. Finally, if you are in this game just for the money, you're in it for all the wrong reasons. This is a labor of love career. Ask my wife, she'll tell you all about the sacrifices that have to be made.

Southern League News and Notes

Los Angeles Dodgers' outfielder/first baseman Daryle Ward was in Jacksonville for a rehabilitation assignment with the Suns for a series with the Greenville Braves June 13-16. Ward is suffering from right wrist tendonitis and has not played for the Dodgers since May 28.

Chattanooga Lookouts had a real scare in the seventh inning of their June 12 game against the Carolina Mudcats when start leftfielder Stephen Smitherman dropped to his knees and collapsed. Members of teams, trainers and medical personnel on hand came to his rescue. Smitherman, who is a diabetic, was given some food and drink before he got to his feet and walked to the Lookouts' clubhouse on his own.

Carolina Mudcats' third baseman Miguel Cabrera was pulled from the June 19 game against the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx in the top of the fifth inning when the Florida Marlins made the call that they were promoting the super prospect to the big leagues. Cabrera, who was having an MVP season in the Southern League, made his major league debut the next night against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and did not disappoint. The 20-year-old smacked a walk-off, game-winning extra-inning home run to propel the Marlins to the 3-1 win. Cabrera became only the third player in Major League Baseball history to hit a game-ending home run in his major league debut.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society named Greenville Braves' General Manager Steve DeSalvo as the organization's 2003 Man of the Year. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's mission is to cure Leukemia, Lymphoma, Hodgkin's Disease and Myeloma and to improve the quality of life for patients and families.

Florida Marlins' pitcher Josh Beckett will make a rehab start with the Carolina Mudcats on June 26 at Five County Stadium against the Mobile BayBears. A former highly touted prospect, Beckett was the second overall pick in the in the 1999 draft.

The Greenville Braves will be hosting a 3-day "Salute to America" over Independence Weekend. Organizers' efforts include two fireworks spectaculars, free flags and ceremonies honoring military.

The Tennessee Smokies in association with LTD Athletics are going to present a Mock Spring Training where area youngsters can experience Spring Training like the pros, with the pros. On July 7 at Smokies Park, children ages 11-14 will participate in a two-day clinic run by Smokies' players. The clinic will include strength and conditioning exercises, agility drills and position specific drills.

Eight current Southern Leaguers were selected to play in the RadioShack Futures All-Star Game as part of Major League Baseball's All-Star Weekend at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago. Birmingham Barons' pitchers Neal Cotts and Royce Ring, Jacksonville Suns' pitcher Edwin Jackson, Huntsville Stars' shortstop J.J Hardy and outfielder Dave Krynzel along with Chattanooga Lookouts' Stephen Smitherman will all suit up for the U.S. Team. Carolina Mudcats' pitcher Denny Bautista and West Tenn Diamond Jaxx pitcher Angel Guzman will pitch for the World Team. Also participating in the game are former Southern League players Dan Haren (Tennessee), Khalil Greene (Mobile), Adam LaRoche (Greenville), and Rene Reyes.

Southern League umpires Cameron Keller and Scott Kennedy have been selected to the 4-man umpiring crew for the RadioShack Futures Game. Keller and Kennedy will also participate in the Major League Baseball All-Star Home Run Derby presented by Century 21 and airing nationally on ESPN on July 14 at 7:00 P.M.

Clubhouse Chatter

BIRMINGHAM BARONS

RHP TETSU YOFU, who had lost his last three starts, faced the minimum through 5 2/3 innings and allowed a run and four hits over six innings in a 5-1 win against Huntsville on June 11...LHP JIM BULLARD allowed no earned runs in nine consecutive games May 22-June 10 (14.2 IP, 15 H, 3 R, 6 BB, 7 SO)...OF CHAD DURHAM did not commit an error in 52 consecutive games April 13-June 11.

LHP ROYCE RING, who had allowed just two earned runs in 30 1/3 innings, was tagged for four runs and six hits as he blew a save and lost, 8-6, to Chattanooga on June 14...C CARLOS MALDANADO had a two-run single, OF JUAN PINIELLA and SS GUILLERMO REYES had one-run singles during a four-run eighth inning in a 6-4 victory over Chattanooga on June 16. Piniella hit safely in 11 straight games (17-39, 3 2B, 3 RBI, 3 SB) June 2-16, raising his average from .254 to .298.

CAROLINA MUDCATS

C JOSH WILLINGHAM was promoted from Jupiter (.264, 12 HR, 34 RBI, 9 SB) and singled home two runs in the sixth inning to snap a 3-3 tie in a 6-4 win against Tennessee on June 5. At the time of his promotion, Willingham, a converted third baseman, was third in the Florida State League in homers, doubles (17), OBP (.422) and slugging (.522). Willingham went 8-for-16 with with three homers and nine RBI in his first five games...OF CHRIS AGUILA (.311, 8 HR, 32 RBI) was placed on the disabled list with an injured right hand...PH JOSH WILSON doubled home the game-winner in the top of the ninth inning to beat Chattanooga, 9-8 on June 11, and clinch the first half division title...RHP MIKE FLANNERY picked up saves in five straight games June 2-9. He pitched hitless ball and walked just one.

OF BILLY HALL connected on a game-ending home run in the 10th inning to propel the Mudcats over Tennessee, 7-5, on June 14. It was his first homer in 134 at-bats this season...RHP DONNIE BRIDGES tossed his seventh career shutout and drove in three runs to help the Mudcats defeat Tennessee, 7-0, in a rain-shortened contest on June 15. Bridges allowed a pair of hits, issued five walks and struck out three batters in a season-high seven innings to win his third consecutive decision...The Mudcats won the first half Eastern Division championship...C BRANDON HARPER's seventh-inning, two-run homer gave the Mudcats a 2-1 win against Tennessee on June 13. The homer capped a 13-game stretch in which he went 15-for-37...C JOSH WILLINGHAM (.500, 3 HR, 9 RBI) was placed on the disabled list and was undergoing knee surgery. C DENNIS ANDERSON was promoted from Jupiter (.292, 0 HR, 15 RBI)...RHP AARON SMALL, who had lost four straight starts, pitched five shutout innings to beat West Tenn, 2-0, on June 18.

CHATTANOOGA LOOKOUTS

3B MARK SCHRAMEK, a 2002 first-round pick, was promoted from Dayton (.296, 3 HR, 37 RBI) and went 3-for-29 with 10 strikeouts in his first seven games...OF GUYE SENJEM went 76 at-bats without an RBI until he hit a three-run, pinch homer in the sixth inning of a 9-4 win at Huntsville on June 8...SS WILMY CACERES stole three bases on June 10 in a 7-6 loss against Carolina.

C CREIGHTON GUBANICH had a two-run pinch single, SS WILMY CACERES had a sacrifice fly and OF DERNELL STENSON an RBI single during a four-run ninth inning that beat Birmingham, 8-6, on June 14. Stenson went 4-for-5 with two doubles and an RBI the next night in an 11-3 win at Birmingham. Stenson hit .396 (19-48) with 16 RBI in 12 games from June 5-16...3B MARK SCHRAMEK, a 2002 first-round pick, went 2-for-33 with nine strikeouts in eight games from June 6-13, and he was just 6-for-45 since joining the club early this month.

GREENVILLE BRAVES

OF BILL MCCARTHY homered in the sixth and hit a run-scoring single in the seventh to tie the game, and OF JASON FITZGERALD singled home the winner to beat Orlando, 7-6, in the second of two on June 7. MCCARTHY went 9-for-14 with seven RBI in four games June 7-9...RHP ADAM WAINWRIGHT allowed a run and four hits over 5 2/3 innings to win his fourth straight decision in a 6-3 win against Orlando on June 8. The 21-year-old has gone 4-0 with a 2.23 ERA in his last eight starts with 43 strikeouts in 44 1/3 innings...RHP ROMAN COLON pitched seven scoreless innings (5 H, 2 BB, 6 SO) in a 2-1 win at Tennessee on June 10. He improved to 6-3 with a 3.66 ERA.

33-year-old RHP CHUCK SMITH, signed by the Braves as a free agent, combined with four relievers on a three-hit, 5-0 shutout on June 16. Smith, making his first start of the season, allowed two hits and struck out six batters without a walk over 5 2/3 innings...OF CORY ALDRICH hit a two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning to beat Tennessee, 5-4, on June 12 in a game suspended from the night before. C JAN BOSCAN hit a grand slam and LHP CHRIS WATERS pitched 6 2/3 innings in a 7-0 win in the regular game.

HUNTSVILLE BRAVES

RHP MIKE JONES allowed five runs -- two earned -- and nine hits over six innings in a 5-1 loss to Birmingham on June 11 to drop to 6-2 with a 2.43 ERA. It was his first loss since April 17 and only the second time all season he had allowed more than four runs...RHP PEDRO LIRIANO allowed two runs -- one earned -- and five hits over seven innings but lost 2-1 to Birmingham on June 9 to lose his third straight start to fall to 4-7, 2.67 ERA. He fanned five and did not walk a batter...OF DAVE KRYNZEL was selected Brewers Minor League Player of the Month for May (.347, 33-95, 17 BB, 13 SB).

LHP LUIS MARTINEZ pitched six scoreless innings (3 H, 1 BB, 7 SO) in a 5-2 win against West Tenn on June 13...LHP DEREK LEE went 4-0, 3.72 ERA in five games May 25-June 15 (29 IP, 30 H, 14 R, 12 ER, 9 BB, 19 SO). His nine wins led the league through June 18. Martinez, Lee, RHP MIKE JONES and RHP PEDRO LIRIANO combined to allow three runs or fewer in 40 of their 51 starts, posting a 24-14 record. Liriano had accounted for half of the losses.

JACKSONVILLE SUNS

2B VICTOR DIAZ homered in the top of the 14th inning to beat Mobile, 2-1, on June 8. Diaz, who won batting titles in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League and the low level Class A South Atlantic League in his first two professional seasons, homered five times in 11 games. 3B BRENNAN KING homered in the ninth to force extra innings...OF REGGIE ABERCROMBIE snapped a 2-for-23 slump which included 12 strikeouts with a single, double and grand slam in a 14-3 thumping at Orlando on June 11...RHP JOEL HANRAHAN pitched a two-hitter for seven innings and allowed one run with seven strikeouts in a 2-1 win against Mobile on June 8. Hanrahan hasn't allowed more than two earned runs in any of his last six starts.

RHP BRIAN STEFFEK (0-1, 0.99 ERA, 10 SV) was promoted from Vero Beach and allowed three runs in 1/3 of a inning in his first appearance...RHP TOMMY FARMER threw seven scoreless innings (1 H, 2 BB, 5 SO) in a 4-1 win against Greenville June 15 to improve to 5-5, 3.74 ERA...RHP HEATH TOTTEN went 0-6, 5.48 ERA in eight games May 8-June 16 (44 1/3 IP, 57 H, 33 R, 27 ER, 5 BB, 29 SO) to fall to 3-8, 4.55 ERA. He lost his last four starts...After batting .256 in April, 2B VICTOR DIAZ hit .343 in May and .367 this month (thru June 18). The 21-year-old entered this season with a .320 average in his first two years.

MOBILE BAYBEARS

LHP CORY STEWART fanned seven of the first nine batters and pitched hitless ball for 5 2/3 innings as he beat Jacksonville, 1-0, in the first of two on June 7. Stewart walked three and fanned nine and LHP RUSTY TUCKER pitched the seventh for his 16th save. SS KHALIL GREENE singled in the only run in the first inning. Greene (.275, 3 HR, 20 RBI) was then promoted to Portland...1B JON KNOTT and 3B RICO WASHINGTON homered June 9 & 10 at West Tenn. Knott was leading the league in home runs (16) through June 11.

LHP CORY STEWART matched a season-high with 10 strikeouts as the BayBears pounded West Tenn, 9-1, on June 12. The 23-year-old allowed a run and scattered four hits in seven innings, retired 14 batters in a row at one point and struck out five consecutive batters. Stewart, released by the Reds in March of 2001, leads the club with six wins, a 2.96 ERA and a league-best 90 strikeouts in 73 innings...OF JON KNOTT launched a leadoff, game-winning homer in the bottom of the ninth inning, sending the BayBears past Orlando, 3-2, on June 15. He added another homer the next night and was leading the loop with 19 through June 18. Knott has hit 10 at home, nine on the road, three in April, nine in May and seven in June.

ORLANDO RAYS

RHP BRIAN STOKES (2-5, 3.20 ERA) was placed on the disabled list with an elbow injury which may require surgery...RHP JIM MAGRANE pitched seven scoreless innings (6 H, 0 BB, 5 SO) in a 4-0 win against Jacksonville June 10 to improve to 6-3 with a 4.13 ERA...OF MATT DIAZ was leading the league in batting (.383) and on-base percentage (.444) when he was promoted to Durham. Diaz singled and scored in his debut with the Bulls June 9.

1B DAN GRUMMITT homered and drove in three runs in a 3-2 victory over Mobile on June 16. Two nights earlier, he connected on a grand slam and solo homer in a 5-1 win at Mobile...RHP JIM MAGRANE struck out 10 batters (7.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R) in a no-decision at Mobile June 15, a 3-2 loss...After hitting his 11th homer of the season on June 1, OF J.J. GOMES had gone 15 straight without a longball through June 18. He was 10-for-10 in stolen base attempts and had fanned 82 times in 228 at-bats.

TENNESSEE SMOKIES

RHP JOSH PEARCE (2-1, 4.09 ERA) was promoted to Memphis...LHP RICK ANKIEL allowed six runs and seven hits but struck out six batters over 5 2/3 innings in a 6-1 loss to Greenville on June 9. He was 0-4 with a 10.58 ERA in 11 games April 23-June 9 (24.2 IP, 29 H, 29 R, 29 ER, 32 BB, 27 SO)...3B COREY ERICKSON hit safely in 10 straight games (15-38, 5 2B, 2 HR, 13 RBI, 2 SB) May 29-June 8, raising his average from .186 to .250...RHP JASON ISRINGHAUSEN (2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 SO) and C JOE GIRARDI (4-10) completed rehab stints and joined the Cardinals.

3B COREY ERICKSON homered in the top of the ninth inning to tie Carolina, 5-5 on June 14, but the Mudcats prevailed, 7-5. Erickson hit .333 (19-for-57, 5 2B, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 2 SB) in 16 games May 29-June 14...LHP RICK ANKIEL was 0-3, 9.72 ERA in seven starts since joining the rotation. He had allowed 29 walks and 29 hits in 25 innings with 28 strikeouts.

WEST TENN DIAMOND JAXX

RHP ANGEL GUZMAN allowed two runs and four hits over 6 2/3 innings and struck out seven in a 6-2 win against Mobile on June 9. He had allowed three runs and fanned 26 in his last three starts covering 21 2/3 innings...RHP MIKE NANNINI (CG, 7 IP, 7 H, 1 R), LHP FELIX SANCHEZ (4 IP, 1 H, 0 R), in his first start of the season, and two relievers held Birmingham to one run in a twinbill sweep on June 8. SS PEDRO LIRIANO went 4-for-4 in the nightcap and SS JOSH ARTEAGA went 2-for-2 in the opener...RHP DAVID CASH did not allow a run in 10 games May 20-June 11 (10.1 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 13 SO), saving five games.

RHP JOHN WEBB allowed two earned runs and five hits over 5 2/3 innings and added a home run to beat Huntsville, 5-3, on June 16. Webb improved to 3-7, 4.34 ERA and raised his average to .304...RHP SERGIO MITRE struck out 11 batters (7 IP, 6 H, 2 R) in a 2-0 loss against Carolina on June 18..RHP ANGEL GUZMAN allowed two runs or fewer in four consecutive starts May 29-June 14 (28.2 IP, 19 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 6 BB, 31 SO), going 2-1...OF RAY SADLER hit .386 (22-57, 5 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 3 SB) in 18 games May 31-June 18 to raise his average to .303. He had not committed an error all season in 66 games.

SL BC Powder Hitter/Pitcher of the Week

Hitter of the Week (June 6-June 12)
Bill McCarthy – Greenville Braves

Greenville Braves' outfielder Bill McCarthy was named the BC Powder Southern League Hitter of the Week for his outstanding offensive week. McCarthy hit .440 (11-for-25), drove in eight runs and scored seven times. The leftfielder smacked six extra-base hits with four doubles and two home runs. For the week, the 23-year-old had a .840 slugging percentage and a .500 on-base percentage. McCarthy is ranked by Baseball America as the 30th best prospect in the Atlanta Braves' organization. The Braves selected McCarthy in the 6th round of the June 2001 draft out of Rutgers University. He resides in Sewell, NJ.

Pitcher of the Week (June 6-June 12)
Cory Stewart – Mobile BayBears

Mobile BayBears' starting pitcher Cory Stewart was honored as the BC Powder Southern League Pitcher of the Week after picking up two wins. The tall lefthander beat the Jacksonville Suns on June 7 pitching 5.2 innings of no-hit baseball, surrendering no runs and striking out nine. He returned to the mound on June 12 to pick up the win against the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx after giving up one run on four hits in seven innings of work. He struck out 10 and walked no one. For the week, the 23-year-old pitched 12.2 innings, giving up one run on four hits while striking out 19 and walking three. Stewart was originally selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 27th round of the June 1998 draft before signing as a free agent with the San Diego Padres in 2001. He resides in Boerne, TX.

Hitter of the Week (June 13-June 19)
Ray Sadler – West Tenn Diamond Jaxx

West Tenn Diamond Jaxx outfielder Ray Sadler was named the BC Powder Southern League Hitter of the Week. Sadler hit .421 (8-for-19), drove in two runs and scored four times. The centerfielder smacked six extra-base hits with four doubles and two home runs. For the week, the 22-year-old had a .947 slugging percentage and a .500 on-base percentage. Sadler is ranked by Baseball America as the 28th best prospect in the Chicago Cubs' organization. The Cubs selected Sadler in the 30th round of the June 1999 draft out of Hill (TX) Junior College. He resides in Waco, TX.

Pitcher of the Week (June 13-June 19)
Tom Farmer – Jacksonville Suns

Jacksonville Suns' starting pitcher Tom Farmer was honored as the BC Powder Southern League Pitcher of the Week after an impressive win against the Greenville Braves on June 15. The righthander handcuffed the Braves for seven innings, surrendering no runs on one hit while striking out five and walking two. Farmer was originally selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 7th round of the June 2001 draft before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2002. He resides in Miami, FL.

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Southern League Stories from June 24, 2003


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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