SL1 Southern League

Southern Bases

Published on July 6, 2003 under Southern League (SL1) News Release


Is West the Best?

By: Jason Testa

The first half of the Southern League season has come and gone with the Carolina Mudcats and Huntsville Stars clinching their berths in the postseason. July has arrived, which means it is time for the much anticipated 2003 Southern League All-Star Game. The July 8 game is set for a tentative 7:05 p.m. start at the brand new, state-of-the-art, Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. The inaugural season for this facility has been a success and has taken a commanding lead in the Southern League attendance rankings.

Catching the Home Run Derby before the game should be a fantastic display. The East will feature Bucky Jacobsen of the Tennessee Smokies, Victor Diaz of host team Jacksonville Suns, and Matt Padgett of the First Half Eastern Division Champion Mudcats. The West will load up with Corey Hart of the First Half Western Division Champion Stars, Jon Knott of the Mobile BayBears, and Dernell Stenson of the Chattanooga Lookouts. These stars will prelude what should be a classic East vs. West duel for the 5th straight year.

1999 marked the first year in which the Southern League All-Star Game adopted the East vs. West format. Since that fateful year, the Eastern Division has seen been introduced to the losing end of the All-Star tradition four consecutive times, due in large part to a Birmingham Barons' outfielder. In all four contests, the game's Most Valuable Player Award has been earned by an outfielder representing the Birmingham organization.

Jeff Inglin took home the M.V.P. honors in both 1999 and 2000 as he led the Western Division to three-run victories of 5-2, and 6-3 respectively. Inglin became the first and only player to ever win this honor in back-to-back years.

In 2001, Joe Borchard narrowly beat out current Toronto Blue Jays' second baseman, Orlando Hudson for the award. Borchard went 2 for 5 with a double and a home run in leading the West to a three-run rally in the bottom of the tenth inning for a 4-3 victory. He also had two R.B.I. and a run scored to become the third consecutive Barons' outfielder to bring home the award.

The 2002 game was Alex Fernandez's turn to keep up the reputation the Birmingham outfield had earned. Not only did he win M.V.P. honors, but he left Sevierville, Tennessee as the Southern League Home Run Derby Champion as well. His two hits and two R.B.I. were the most on either team as he also stole a base in leading the West to a 4-1 victory, and marked the East's fourth consecutive defeat.

The East is hungry for a victory and is looking to change the trend set over the past four years. One trend that will change is that this season's game will not feature a Birmingham outfielder, but the bats of Gabe Alvarez and Carlos Maldonado, or the arms of Neal Cotts and Jeff Bajenaru are surely capable of bringing an M.V.P. award to Birmingham for the fifth straight time. As always the game will feature future major leaguers. The 2002 Southern League All-Star Game saw members such as Aaron Cook, Jason Young, DeWayne Wise, Miguel Olivo, Jake Peavy, Josh Stewart, and J.J. Trujillo appear at the major league level. The Southern League has already seen 2003 stars such as Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera make their impressions on the big leagues. The next star just might be in Jacksonville on July 8.

2003 Southern League All-Star Game

The top players in the Southern League will gather at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, home of the Jacksonville Suns in Jacksonville, FL, on July 8 as the Eastern Division All-Stars battle the Western Division All-Stars. Southern League fans will have the opportunity to see future stars of Major League Baseball showcase their skills, as the Southern League's best players take the field for the eighth consecutive Southern League All-Star Game.

Numerous events are planned for this year's three-day All-Star festivities. On Monday July 7, the Suns' brass will host a Riverboat Cruise on the St. John's River, which winds through downtown Jacksonville. Team personnel will welcome All-Stars on Tuesday afternoon with a Gameday luncheon at the Adam's Mark Jacksonville featuring special guests. Preceding the game, the All-Stars will compete in an on-field Home Run Derby and an autograph session. Players scheduled to appear in the Home Run Derby include Southern League home run leader Jon Knott of Mobile, 2000 derby winner Bucky Jacobsen of Tennessee and Milwaukee Brewers' top prospect Corey Hart of Huntsville. Other events include a VIP Pre-Game Party and Post-Game Party.

The Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville is a brand new $34 million state-of-the-art stadium, which was built near Alltel Stadium and adjacent to the soon-to-be completed indoor arena as part of the Better Jacksonville Plan. The facility, which accommodates more than 11,000 fans, embodies the old-time baseball feel while embracing the modern amenities of today's sports venues.

The Southern League All-Star game is scheduled to begin at 7:05 p.m. eastern time.

2003 Southern League All-Stars

Eastern Division All-Star Team

*OF Chris Aguila – Carolina Mudcats
.311, 55 G, 38 R, 11 2B, 8 HR, 32 RBI

Ranks fifth in the SL with a .311 batting average...Led Double-A Portland of Eastern League in hitting in 2002...Had fifteen outfield assists and only three errors in 133 games in 2002...Selected by the Marlins in the third round of the 1997 draft. Resides in Reno, NV.

INF Caonabo Cosme – Tennessee Smokies
.309, 45 R, 99 hits, 26 2B, 3 3B, 5 HR, 36 RBI

Leads the SL with 99 hits...Ranks second in the SL with 26 doubles...Ranks fourth in the SL with 34 extra-base hits...Ranks seventh in the SL with a .309 batting average...Had 50 extra-base hits for Modesto of the California League in 2002...Signed by Cardinals as a free agent in 2002...Originally signed by the Oakland Athletics as a non-drafted free agent at the age of 16 in 1995...Resides in La Vega, DR.

INF Victor Diaz – Jacksonville Suns
.288, 20 2B, 2 3B, 7 HR, 46 RBI

Named Gulf Coast League All-Star in 2001 and South Atlantic League All-Star in 2002...Named Best Batting Prospect, Best Infield Arm, and Most Exciting Player in South Atlantic League in 2002...Ranked by Baseball America as the 12th best prospect in the Los Angeles Dodgers' organization. Selected by the Dodgers in the 37th round of the 2000 draft out of Grayson County (Texas) Junior College...Resides in Chicago, IL.

RHP Tommy Farmer – Jacksonville Suns
5-7, 3.65 ERA, 93.2 IP

Combined to make 25 starts for three different clubs in 2002...Selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 7th round of the 2001 draft out of the University of Miami...Traded to the Dodgers in July, 2002...Resides in Crestwood, IL.

LHP Sean Fesh – Carolina Mudcats
7-1, 5 SV, 1.39 ERA, 29 G, 45.1 IP, 45 K, .216 OPP AVG.

Named BC Powder Southern League Pitcher of the Week (April 3-10), (April 18-24)...Has a career ERA just above 3.00...Involved in 12-player trade with former National League MVP Ken Caminiti sending them from the Astros to the Padres in 1994...Signed by Marlins as a free agent in 2002...Originally selected by Houston Astros in 61st round of 1991 draft...Resides in Bethel, CT.

RHP Mike Flannery – Carolina Mudcats
5-3, 11 SV, 3.09 ERA, 35 IP, 30 K

Led Florida Marlins' organization with 58 games and 26 saves in 2002...had 2.21 ERA for Jupiter of the Florida State League in 2002...Selected by the Marlins in the 33rd round 1999 draft out of Gloucester County (N.J.) Junior College...Resides in Collings Lakes, NJ.

***RHP Bartolome Fortunato – Orlando Rays
4-2, 2.57 ERA, 28 G, 42 IP, 47 K

Went 3-0 with a 2.10 ERA, held opponent's to a .180 batting average and struck out 34 in just 26 IP in 2002...Signed by the Devil Rays as a non-drafted free agent in 1996...Resides in Santo Domingo, DR.

RHP Joel Hanrahan – Jacksonville Suns
8-3, 2.52 ERA, 96.1 IP, 85 K

Ranks third in the SL with a 2.52 ERA...Led Los Angeles Dodgers' organization with 149 strikeouts in 2002...Ranked by Baseball America as the 8th best prospect in the Los Angeles Dodgers' organization. Selected by the Dodgers in the second round of the 2000 draft...Resides in Norwalk, Iowa

C Brandon Harper – Carolina Mudcats
.287, 9 2B, 2 HR

Missed 2002 season due to shoulder surgery...selected by Marlins in the 4th round of the 1997 draft out of Dallas Baptist University...Resides in Houston, TX.

RHP Edwin Jackson – Jacksonville Suns
4-6, 3.54 ERA, 94 IP, 97 K

Ranks fifth in the SL with 97 strikeouts...Named to U.S. Team for 2003 Major League All-Star Futures Game...Named BC Powder Southern League Pitcher of the Week (May 16-22)...Ranked by Baseball America as the 3rd best prospect in the Los Angeles Dodgers' organization...Ranked by Baseball America number 99 in the top 100 prospects in baseball...Selected by the Dodgers in the sixth round of the 2001 draft...Resides in Columbus, GA.

INF Bucky Jacobsen – Tennessee Smokies
.301, 57 R, 17 2B, 19 HR, 54 RBI, .581 Slug %

Leads the SL with 57 runs...Ranks second in the SL with 19 home runs...Ranks second in the SL with a .581 slugging percentage...Ranks third in the SL with 37 extra-base hits...Southern League Home Run Derby Champion and All-Star outfielder for Huntsville in 2000...Baseball America Class-A All-Star and Midwest League All-Star outfielder in 1998...Signed by the Cardinals as a free agent in 2002...Originally selected by the Brewers in the seventh round of the 1997 draft out of Lewis-Clark State College...Resides in Hermiston, OR.

INF James Jurries – Greenville Braves
.283, 42 R, 19 2B, 7 HR, 31 RBI

Named BC Powder Southern League Hitter of the Week (May 9-15)...Named 1999 NCAA Freshman of the Year...Selected as a 2002 third team All-American ...Selected by the Braves in the sixth round of the 2002 draft out of Tulane University...Resides in Lake Jackson, TX.

OF Ryan Langerhans – Greenville Braves
.264, 22 2B, 2 3B, 6 HR, 36 RBI

Greenville's Player of the Year in 2002...Made one-game Major League Debut on April 28, 2002...Named Best Defensive Outfielder in Carolina League in 2001...Named 2001 Carolina League Year-end All-Star...Ranked by Baseball America as the 20th best prospect in the Atlanta Braves' organization...Currently on Atlanta's 40-man roster...Selected by the Braves in the third round of the 1998 draft...Resides in Round Rock, TX.

RHP Mike Lyons – Tennessee Smokies
2-3, 23 SV, 2.39 ERA, 37.2 IP, 45 K, .219 OPP AVG.

Leads the SL with 23 saves...Ranks second in the SL with 41 games...Named BC Powder Southern League Pitcher of the Week (April 25-May 1)...Won Rolaids Relief Man Competition for the Southern League in April...Signed as free agent from Sioux Falls of the independent Northern League in 2002...Did not play baseball in 2000 or 2001 seasons...Originally selected by the New York Mets in the 20th round of the 1996 draft...Resides in Altamonte Springs, FL.

RHP Jim Magrane – Orlando Rays
8-4, 3.53 ERA, 94.1 IP

Played in Southern League All-Star Game in 2001... Nephew of Tampa Bay's television broadcaster and former major leaguer Joe Magrane...Signed by the Devil Rays as a non-drafted free agent in 1999 out of the University of Iowa...Resides in Ottumwa, Iowa.

OF Bill McCarthy – Greenville Braves
.261, 18 2B, 2 3B, 6 HR, 41 RBI

Named the BC Powder Southern League Hitter of the Week (June 6-12)...Carolina League All-Star outfielder in 2002...Ranked by Baseball America as the 30th best prospect in the Atlanta Braves' organization...Selected by the Braves in the sixth round of the 2001 draft out of Rutgers University...Resides in Sewell, NJ.

C Yadier Molina – Tennessee Smokies
.248, 9 2B, 1 HR, 29 RBI

Led Midwest League catchers in assists (140) and double-plays (9) while throwing out 52% of base-stealers in 2002...Ranked by Baseball America as the 10th best prospect in the St. Louis Cardinals' organization... Selected by the Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2000 draft...Brother of Anaheim Angels' catchers Bengie and Jose Molina...Resides in Vega Alta, PR.

INF Drew Niles – Carolina Mudcats
.297, 43 R, 13 2B, 3 HR, 26 RBI

Had 8 triples in just 86 games for Double-A Portland of the Eastern League in 2002...Selected by the Marlins in the 29th round of the 1998 draft out of Bowling Green University...Resides in Irmo, SC.

OF Matt Padgett – Carolina Mudcats
.279, 41 R, 16 2B, 12 HR, 53 RBI

16 home runs ranked second on Double-A Portland in 2002...Accounted for 149 runs in 125 games while batting .293 for Brevard County in 2001...2000 Howe Sportsdata Star of Stars...Selected by the Marlins in the 5th round of the 1998 draft out of Clemson University...Resides in Lexington, SC.

LHP Jon Switzer – Orlando Rays
6-8, 4.04 ERA, 98 IP, 2 CG

Leads the SL with 2 complete games...Tied for fifth among starters in Minor League Baseball by averaging 11.24 strikeouts per nine innings in 2002...Limited left-handers to just one extra-base hit in 74 at-bats and a .216 batting average for Bakersfield of the California League in 2002...Ranked by Baseball America as the 7th best prospect in the Orlando organization...Selected by the Devil Rays in the 2nd round of the 2001 draft out of Arizona State University...Resides in Houston, TX.

RHP Jose Veras – Orlando Rays
4-7, 3.50 ERA, 92.2 IP, .217 OPP AVG.

Led Class A Bakersfield with 153 IP and finished second with 138 strikeouts in 2001...Devil Rays' Minor League Pitcher-of-the- Month for June, 2001...Led Appalachian League with 14 starts in 1999...Signed by the Devil Rays as a non-drafted free agent in 1998...Resides in Santo Domingo, DR.

RHP Adam Wainwright – Greenville Braves
5-7, 4.01 ERA, 89.2 IP, 81 K

Played for the U.S. Team in the 2002 Major League Baseball All-Star Futures Game...Led Atlanta Braves' organization with 167 strikeouts in 2002...Named Best Fastball in Carolina League in 2002...Named Best Pitching Prospect in South Atlantic League in 2001...Led South Atlantic League and broke Macon's club record with 184 strikeouts in 2001...Ranked by Baseball America as the number one prospect in the Atlanta Braves' organization...Ranked by Baseball America number 18 in the top 100 prospects in baseball...Selected by the Braves in the first round (29th overall) of the 2000 draft...Resides in St. Simons, GA.

INF Josh Wilson – Carolina Mudcats
.283, 47 R, 26 2B, 5 3B, 2 HR, 44 RBI

Ranks second in the SL with 26 doubles...Named Marlins' Organizational Player-of-the-Month in June, 2001...NY-Penn League All-Star shortstop in 2000...Ranked by Baseball America as the 10th best prospect in the Florida Marlins' organization...Currently on Florida's 40-man roster...Selected by the Marlins in the third round of 1999 draft...Resides in Pittsburgh, PA.

* - on disabled list
** - promoted
*** - traded

Western Division All-Star Team

RHP – Mike Adams – Huntsville Stars
3-4, 9 SV, 3.53 ERA, 30 G, 51 IP, 55 K, .206 OPP AVG.

Held opponents to a .211 batting average in his first two years of professional baseball...Ranked by Baseball America as the 20th best prospect in the Milwaukee Brewers' organization...Signed by the Brewers as a non-drafted free agent out of Texas A&M University-Kingsville in 2001...Resides in Sinton, TX.

INF Gabe Alvarez – Birmingham Barons
.310, 22 2B, 7 HR, 39 RBI

Ranks sixth in SL with .310 batting average...Hit 20 home runs in just 67 games for Triple-A Toledo in 1998...Signed as free agent in 2003...Selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 1997 expansion draft...Originally drafted by the San Diego Padres out of the University of Southern California in 1995...Resides in San Gabriel, CA.

RHP Jeff Bajenaru – Birmingham Barons
4-2, 2 SV, 2.95 ERA, 29 games, 39.2 IP, 39 K, 2 HR allowed

Did not pitch in 2002 due to injury...Had 51 strikeouts in 40 innings pitched for Winston-Salem of the Carolina League in 2001...Signed by the White Sox as a non-drafted free agent out of the University of Oklahoma in 2000...Resides in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.

INF/OF Andrew Beattie – Chattanooga Lookouts
.264, 43 R, 20 2B, 4 HR, 27 RBI

Hit career-high 15 home runs and accounted for 130 runs in just 92 games for Stockton of the California League in 2002...Selected by the Reds in the 35th round of the 1998 draft out of St. Petersburg (Florida) Junior College...Resides in Clearwater, FL.

**RHP Eric Brown – West Tenn Diamond Jaxx
5-0, 1 SV, 2.93 ERA, 36 G, 43 IP, 36 K, 1 HR allowed

Held opponents batting average below .170 and posted a sub-1.00 ERA in 48 games between two levels of Class-A ball in 2002...Signed as a non-drafted free agent out of Rutgers University in 2001...Resides in Basking Ridge, NJ.

LHP Neal Cotts – Birmingham Barons
8-3, 1.97 ERA, 73 IP, 99 K's, .179 OPP AVG.

Leads SL with a 1.97 ERA...Ranks third in SL with 99 strikeouts...Named to the U.S. Team for the 2003 Major League Baseball All-Star Futures Game...Ranked by Baseball America as the 11th best prospect in the Chicago White Sox organization...Traded to the White Sox in 2002...Originally selected by the Oakland Athletics in the second round of the 2001 draft out of Illinois State University...Resides in Lebanon, IL.

OF Jason DuBois – West Tenn Diamond Jaxx
.290, 18 2B, 9 HR, 45 RBI

Ranks fourth in SL with .403 on-base percentage...Named BC Powder Southern League Hitter of the Week (April 11-17)...Returned to Cubs in March, 2003 after being selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2002 Rule V draft...Selected by the Cubs in the 14th round of the 2000 draft out of Virginia Commonwealth University...Resides in Virginia Beach, VA.

RHP – Scott Dunn – Chattanooga Lookouts
3-2, 8 SV, 3.79 ERA, 31 G, 40.1 IP, 54 K's, .211 OPP AVG.

Struck out 114 batters in 110 innings pitched for Chattanooga in 2002...Went 7-2 for Chattanooga in 2001...Went 11-3 for Clinton of the Midwest League in 2000...Selected by the Reds in the 10th round of the 1999 draft out of the University of Texas...Resides in San Antonio, TX.

INF Mike Dzurilla – West Tenn Diamond Jaxx
.274, 12 2B, 2 3B, 9 HR, 32 RBI

Accounted for 99 runs for Daytona of the Florida State League in 2002...Selected by the Cubs' out of St. John's University in the 7th round of the 1999 draft...Resides in Bayside, NY.

**RHP Dave Gil – Chattanooga Lookouts
1-2, 11 SV, 3.09 ERA, 29 G, 43.2 IP, 35 K's

Went 10-4 with 103 strikeouts in 111 IP for Chattanooga in 2002...Selected by the Reds out of the University of Miami in the 3rd round of the 2000 draft...Resides in Miami, FL.

INF J.J. Hardy – Huntsville Stars
305, 44 R, 17 2B, 9 HR, 47 RBI

Ranks eighth in SL with .305 batting average...Named to the U.S. Team for the 2003 Major League Baseball All-Star Futures Game...Named Best Defensive Shortstop in California League in 2002...Ranked by Baseball America as the sixth best prospect in the Milwaukee Brewers' organization...Selected by the Brewers in the second round of the 2001 draft...Resides in Tucson, Arizona. INF Corey Hart – Huntsville Stars
.290, 21 2B, 8 HR, 65 RBI, 15 SB

Leads SL with 65 RBI...Named to California League Year-end All-Star in 2002...Named High Class A Year-end All-Star by Baseball America in 2002...Named Best Batting Prospect in California League in 2002...California League All-Star first-baseman in 2002...Ranked by Baseball America as the fifth best prospect in the Milwaukee Brewers' organization...Ranked by Baseball America number 91 in the top 100 prospects in baseball...Selected in the 11th round of the 2000 draft...Resides in Bowling Green, KY.

RHP Mike Jones – Huntsville Stars
7-2, 2.47 ERA, 94.2 IP, 4 HR allowed

Ranks second in SL with 2.47 ERA...Named BC Powder Southern League Pitcher of the Week (May 2-8)...Led Milwaukee Brewers' organization with 132 strikeouts in 2002...Ranked by Baseball America as 2nd Best Prospect in Milwaukee Brewer's organization...Ranked by Baseball America number 56 in the top 100 prospects in baseball...Selected in the first round (12th overall) of the 2001 draft...Resides in Phoenix, Arizona.

UTL Jon Knott – Mobile BayBears
.247, 51 R, 22 2B, 20 HR, 59 RBI, .531 Slug %

Leads SL with 20 home runs...Leads SL with 42 extra-base hits...Ranks third in SL with 59 RBI...Ranks third in SL with 51 runs...Ranks fifth in SL with .531 slugging percentage...Led San Diego Padres' organization with .339 average, 167 hits, 267 total bases, and 46 doubles in 2002...Ranked by Baseball America as the 22nd best prospect in the San Diego Padres' organization...Signed by the Padres as a non-drafted free agent in 2001 out of Mississippi State University...Resides in Nokomis, FL.

OF Dave Krynzel – Huntsville Stars
.314, 53 R, 7 3B, 2 HR, 27 RBI, 30 SB

Leads SL with 30 stolen bases...Leads the SL with seven triples...Ranks second in the SL with 53 runs...Ranks fourth in the SL with a .314 batting average...Ranks fourth in the SL with 90 hits...Ranks fourth in the SL with a .400 on-base percentage...Named to the U.S. Team for the 2003 Major League Baseball All-Star Futures Game...Led Milwaukee Brewers' organization with 42 stolen bases and 15 triples in 2002...Pioneer League All-Star outfielder in 2000...Ranked by Baseball America as the 7th best prospect in the Milwaukee Brewers' organization...Selected by the Brewers in the first round (11th overall) in 2000...Resides in Henderson, NV.

**LHP Derek Lee – Huntsville Stars
11-3, 3.40 ERA, 87.1 IP, 1 CG

Leads the SL with 11 wins...Southern League All-Star pitcher for Huntsville in 2000...Went 11-3 with a 2.54 ERA in 2000...Pioneer League All-Star in 1997...Selected by the Brewers out of Texas Christian University in the 27th round of the 1996 draft...Resides in Fort Worth, TX.

C Carlos Maldonado – Birmingham Barons
.285, 70 G, 14 2B, 2 HR, 38 RBI

Accounted for 108 runs in 116 games of Double-A Round Rock in 2000...Hit .308 for Wisconsin of the Midwest League in 1999...Signed as a free agent in 2003...Originally signed by the Mariners at the age of 16 as a non-drafted free agent in 1995...Resides in Maracaibo, Venezuela.

LHP Luis Martinez – Huntsville Stars
8-4, 2.56 ERA, 102 IP, 106 K, 4 HR allowed

Leads the SL with 106 strikeouts...Ranks fourth in the SL with a 2.56 ERA...Named BC Powder Southern League Pitcher of the Week (April 11-17)...Ranked by Baseball America as the 22nd best prospect in the Milwaukee Brewers' organization...Currently on Milwaukee's 40-man roster...Signed by the Brewers at the age of 16 as a non-drafted free agent in 1996...Resides in Boca Chica, DR.

RHP Matt Parker – Huntsville Stars
5-3, 4 SV, 2.51 ERA, 25 G, 61 IP

Named BC Powder Southern League Pitcher of the Week (May 23-29)...Went 13-6 for High Desert of the California League in 2001...Traded to the Brewers in 2000...Originally selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 31st round in 1999 out of Mercer University...Resides in Hartsfield, GA.

C Humberto Quintero – Mobile BayBears
.296, 12 2B, 1 HR, 27 RBI

Named Best Defensive Catcher in Carolina League in 2002...Traded to the Padres in 2002...Originally signed by the Chicago White Sox as a non-drafted free agent in 1997...Resides in Maracaibo, Venezuela.

***LHP Royce Ring – Birmingham Barons
1-4, 19 SV, 2.52 ERA, 35.2 IP, 44 K's

Rank third in the SL with 19 saves...Named BC Powder Southern League Pitcher of the Week (May 9-15)...Named to the U.S. Team for the 2003 Major League Baseball All-Star Futures Game...Ranked by Baseball America as the 10th best prospect in the Chicago White Sox organization...Named 2002 first team All-American...Selected by the White Sox in the first round (18th overall) in 2002 out of San Diego State University...Resides in La Mesa, CA.

**OF Stephen Smitherman – Chattanooga Lookouts
.318, 43 R, 87 hits, 17 2B, 2 3B, 16 HR, 54 RBI, .569 Slug %

Ranks third in the SL with a .318 batting average...Ranks third in the SL with 16 home runs...Ranks third in the SL with a .569 slugging percentage...Ranks third in the SL with 35 extra-base hits...Named the Topps Player-of-the-Month for the Southern League in June...Named BC Powder Southern League Hitter of the Week (May 30-June 5)...Named to the U.S. Team for the 2003 Major League Baseball All-Star Futures Game...Named to the California League Year-end All-Star Team in 2002...Named to the High Class A Year-end All-star Team by Baseball America in 2002...Led Cincinnati Reds' organization with 36 doubles and 246 total bases in 2002...Named Best Defensive Outfielder in the Midwest League in 2001...California League All-Star outfielder in 2000...Ranked by Baseball America as the 13th best prospect in the Cincinnati Reds' organization...Currently on Cincinnati's 40-man roster...Selected by the Reds in the 23rd round in 2000 out of the University of Arkansas-Little Rock...Resides in Hartshorne, OK.

DH Dernell Stenson – Chattanooga Lookouts
.301, 43 R, 90 hits, 21 2B, 11 HR, 64 RBI

Ranks second in the SL with 64 RBI...Ranks fourth in the SL with 90 hits...Ranks ninth in the SL with a .301 batting average...Hit 23 home runs in 98 games for Triple-A Pawtucket in 2000...Hit 24 home runs for Double-A Trenton of the Eastern League in 1998...Named to the Howe Sportsdata All-Teen Team and was an Eastern League All-Star outfielder in 1998...Claimed by Reds off waivers from Red Sox in March, 2003...Currently on Cincinnati's 40-man roster...Originally selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 3rd round of the 1996 draft...Resides in La Grange, GA.

LHP Cory Stewart – Mobile BayBears
8-5, 3.13 ERA, 89 IP, 102 K, .201 OPP AVG.

Ranks second in the SL with 102 strikeouts...Named BC Powder Southern League Pitcher of the Week (June 6-June 12)...Named to the Midwest League All-Star team, but did not play in the game due to promotion in 2002...Ranked by Baseball America as the 10th best prospect in the San Diego Padres' organization...After missing entire 2000 season with shoulder injury was released by Reds and played for Independent Amarillo of the Texas-Louisiana League in 2001...Signed by Padres as a free agent in 2001...Currently on San Diego's 40-man roster...Originally selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 27th round in 1998...Resides in Boerne, TX.

LHP Rusty Tucker – Mobile BayBears
1-3, 22 SV, 3.80 ERA, 39 G, 42.2 IP, 55 K

Ranks second in the SL with 22 saves...Ranks third in the SL with 39 games...Won Rolaids Relief Man Competition for the Southern League in June...Named to the Midwest League Year-end All-Star Team in 2002...Named Best Reliever in the Midwest League in 2002...Led San Diego Padres' organization with 27 saves in 2002...Ranked by Baseball America as the 9th best prospect in the San Diego Padres' organization...Selected by the Padres in the 21st round in 2001 out of the University of Maine...Resides in Gloucester, MA.

RHP – John Webb – West Tenn Diamond Jaxx
4-8, 4.35 ERA, 17 G, 101.1 IP

Following Tommy John Surgery in 2001, held opponents to a .207 batting average and struck out 65 batters in 58 innings pitched for Daytona of the Florida State League in 2002...Ranked by Baseball America as the 20th best prospect in the Chicago Cubs' organization...Selected by the Cubs' in the 19th round of the 1999 draft out of Manatee (Florida) Community College...Resides in Pensacola, FL.

* - on disabled list
** - promoted
*** - traded to the NY Mets

2003 Southern League All-Star Managers

Eastern Division Manager

Tracy Woodson – Carolina Mudcats

Tracy Woodson was named the manager of the Eastern Division All-Star Team. Woodson guided the Carolina Mudcats to an Eastern Division first-half championship with a record of 42-26. The Mudcats dominated the Southern League during the first half, being in first place every day of the half while producing two big leaguers in Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera. This is Woodson's first season in the Florida Marlins' organization after managing in the San Diego Padres' farm system the last two seasons, guiding the Mobile BayBears to a 65-73 record in 2001 and the Fort Wayne Wizards of the Class A Midwest League to a 69-68 record in 2002. Woodson was drafted in the third round of the 1984 draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers and was a member of the 1988 World Series Champion Dodgers under Tommy Lasorda. Woodson was also selected to be a coach for the World Team in this year's RadioShack Futures All-Star Game as part of Major League Baseball's All-Star Weekend in Chicago.

Western Division Manager

Frank Kremblas – Huntsville Stars

Frank Kremblas was named manager of the Western Division All-Star Team. In his second year at the helm of the Huntsville Stars, Kremblas led the Stars to a first-half Western Division Championship with a record of 40-28. This is Kremblas' fourth season as a manager or coach in the Milwaukee Brewers' farm system. Last year, Kremblas guided the Stars to a 70-69 overall record. Before joining the Brewers' organization, Kremblas was with the Montreal Expos' chain from 1997 to 1998. Kremblas was drafted in the 23rd round of the 1989 draft by the Cincinnati Reds and spent eight years in that organization before ending his playing career in Triple-A Louisville in 1996. Kremblas was also selected to be a coach for the U.S. Team in this year's RadioShack Futures All-Start Game as part of Major League Baseball's All-Star Weekend in Chicago.

John Woods – Crew Chief

John Woods is currently in his sixth season as a minor league umpire. He is in his second full season with the Southern League. He previously umpired in the Florida State, Midwest, Northwest, and Arizona Leagues as well as in independent Northern and Texas-Louisiana Leagues. Woods is a resident of Phoenix, AZ.

James Roebuck

James Roebuck is currently in his fifth full season as a minor league umpire. He is in his second season with the Southern League. He previously umpired in the Appalachian, Gulf Coast, South Atlantic, and Florida State Leagues. Roebuck is a resident of Connelly Springs, NC.

Garrett Watson

Garrett Watson is currently in his fifth season as a minor league umpire. He is in his first full season with the Southern League. He previously umpired in the California, Midwest, Northwest, and Arizona Leagues. Watson is a resident of Las Vegas, NV.

Southern League News and Notes

Former World Series MVP and New York Yankees hero Scott Brosius threw out the first pitch before the Huntsville Stars' game against the Carolina Mudcats on June 24. Brosius played for the Stars in 1989 and 1990 before going onto a prosperous 11-year big league career.

Florida Marlins' pitcher Josh Beckett made a major league rehab start for the Carolina Mudcats on June 26. Beckett pitched four innings, gave up two runs on four hits and struck out seven. The 23-year-old has been on the disabled list since May 9 with a right elbow sprain.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays released John Rocker on June 27. The former major league closer had struggled in his comeback attempt, holding a 0-1, 9.15 ERA record in 23 appearances with the Orlando Rays. In 19.2 innings, the 28-year-old Rocker allowed 23 hits and 23 runs while walking 26 and striking out 20.

The Chattanooga Lookouts had their one-millionth fan to pass through the turnstile at BellSouth Park June 27. The Lookouts have played at BellSouth Park since 2000. The millionth fan received a price package including a big screen TV and home theatre system.

The San Diego Padres' June 28 tryout camp at Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile was rained out. The tryout camp was rescheduled for July 10.

Greenville Braves' fans will have a chance to get an autograph from former Atlanta Braves' shortstop Jeff Blauser on Saturday July 5. A 13-year major league veteran who played for Greenville in 1987, Blauser is now a roving minor league instructor for the Braves. Blauser is in town for the series against the Tennessee Smokies working with G-Braves infielders.

Birmingham Barons' radio Broadcaster Curt Bloom is heading to the big leagues. The 16-year veteran of Minor League Baseball and 12-year veteran of the Barons will be calling four games for the Montreal Expos as they play the Atlanta Braves July 3-6.

Mobile BayBears' closer Rusty Tucker was the Rolaids Relief Award winner for the Southern League for the Month of June. Tucker compiled 26 points with a 1-0 record and eight saves.

Former Chattanooga Lookouts' star Stephen Smitherman was named the June Topps Player of the Month for the Southern League. Smitherman hit .320 (32-for-100), drove in 23 runs and scored 21 times. He smacked seven doubles, a triple and six home runs. Smitherman was promoted to the Cincinnati Reds on June 28 before being optioned to AAA Louisville this week.

Clubhouse Chatter BIRMINGHAM BARONS

LHP NEAL COTTS, who missed three starts with a sore shoulder, returned and pitched four scoreless innings on June 23 in a no-decision against Mobile. The 23-year-old (7-2, league-best 1.98 ERA) was selected to participate in the Futures Game...OF JEREMY REED was promoted from Winston-Salem (.333, 4 HR, 52 RBI, 27 SB) and went 9-for-25 with three steals in his first seven games. The 2002 second-round draft pick was leading the Carolina League in RBI (52), was second in batting (.333), third in on-base percentage (.431) and fifth in stolen bases (27)...LHP ROYCE RING was selected to play in the Futures Game during All-Star week in Chicago in mid-July. He failed to retire a batter, allowing two runs, four hits and a walk in the seventh inning and took the 8-7 loss in the second of two on June 20. After allowing one run in his first 28 outings, Ring had allowed seven runs in his last five games. In the first game, OF DARRON INGRAM snapped a 1-1 tie with an RBI single in the top of the ninth and SS JOSH SHAFFER delivered a two-run double in a 4-1 win against Orlando on June 20...RHP KRIS MCWHIRTER accomplished a rare feat when he fanned the side in the first and second innings of a no-decision against Mobile on June 24 (3.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 B, 7 SO)...22-year-old LHP BYEONG AN was promoted from Winston-Salem (8-4, 3.16 ERA) and pitched six scoreless innings (6 H, 3 BB, 1 SO) in a 2-1 win at Orlando in the first of two on June 21. An was tied for second in the Carolina League in wins when promoted.

CAROLINA MUDCATS

2B JESUS MEDRANO, out 22 games with a lower back injury, was activated and went 2-for-18 upon his return through June 25...RHP DENNY BAUTISTA threw six scoreless innings in his debut to lead the Mudcats over Huntsville, 5-3, June 23. Bautista, who was 8-4 with a 3.18 ERA in 14 outings with Jupiter before his promotion, allowed three hits, issued a pair of walks and struck out five to earn the win in his fifth consecutive start. A native of the Dominican Republic, the 20-year-old was signed by the Florida Marlins in the spring of 2000 for $350,000. He has been selected to appear in the Futures Game during all-star week...3B DREW NILES, replacing the promoted Miguel Cabrera, committed errors in the eighth and 10th innings that led to two runs and a 3-2 loss to West Tenn on June 21...1B ADRIAN GONZALEZ snapped a 2-2 tie with a 13th-inning RBI single as the Mudcats beat Huntsville, 6-2, on June 22.

CHATTANOOGA LOOKOUTS

RHP RYAN WAGNER, the Reds first-round draft pick this month, signed and pitched three scoreless innings with one hit allowed and four strikeouts in his first three games. The University of Houston product set a new NCAA Division I record with 16.9 SO/9 IP...OF STEVE SMITHERMAN was selected to play in the Futures Game during All-Star week in Chicago in mid-July...OF DERNELL STENSON hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in the top of the ninth inning to lift the Lookouts to a 5-2 victory over the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx on June 25. OF ANDREW BEATTIE finished the scoring with a solo shot. Stenson has hit two home runs in five appearances as a pinch-hitter and improved to .404 (36-for-89) with five home runs and 50 RBI with runners in scoring position. The 25-year-old was leading Chattanooga with 57 RBI and was batting .330 (29-for-88) this month through June 25...RHP DAVE GIL did not allow a run in 12 games May 25-June 25 (12 IP, 9 H, 6 BB, 17 SO).

GREENVILLE BRAVES

RHP BO NELSON pitched a four-hitter over seven shutout frames in a 5-0 win against Huntsville on June 21 to improve to 6-6 with a 3.17 ERA. He walked three and fanned four. He's allowed five runs in his last four starts...RHP ADAM WAINWRIGHT allowed four runs over five innings in a 4-3 loss to Tennessee on June 24. The 21-year-old has gone 0-3 with an 8.36 ERA in his last three starts...OF JASON FITZGERALD, a former first-round pick of the Indians, hit .390 (23-59, 5 2B, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 4 SB) in 18 games June 5-23. Fitzgerald was batting .308 in 50 games through June 25.

HUNTSVILLE STARS

RHP BEN HENDRICKSON was reinstated from the disabled list and pitched a one-hitter for six scoreless innings (2 BB, 2 SO) in a 5-3 win against Carolina on June 24 to improve to 2-1, 2.84 ERA. Hendrickson had been out since May 18 with an elbow strain...SS J.J. HARDY and OF DAVE KRYNZEL were selected to play in the Futures Game during All-Star week in Chicago in mid-July. Hardy drew a bases-loaded walk in the top of the ninth to snap a 3-3 tie and 3B COREY HART hit a two-run double to finalize the 6-3 win over Greenville in the second of two on June 20. Hart had five RBI in the twinbill...SS CHRIS BARNWELL had an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning to tie Carolina, 2-2, on June 22, an 6-2, 13-inning loss...RHP KEN RAY, a former top prospect with the Royals, was 2-0 with a 1.31 ERA with one save in his first 10 outings. The 28-year-old, who has not played in an affiliated league since 2000, emerged as a top prospect when he posted a 1.82 ERA at Rockford in the Midwest League in 1994. He entered this season 42-45 with a 4.61 ERA. Ray pitched in the Western and Atlantic Leagues last season.

JACKSONVILLE SUNS

RHP EDWIN JACKSON was selected to play in the Futures Game during All-Star week in July...OF SHANE VICTORINO singled home the game winner in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat Orlando, 4-3, on June 23. Victorino went 3-for-3 and stole three bases the next night in a win over the Rays...C TONY SOCARRAS hit a three-run homer and SS GOOKIE DAWKINS belted a grand slam during a 10-run fifth inning that beat Orlando, 10-5 on June 25. RHP JOEL HANRAHAN allowed one earned run over six innings to improve to 8-3 and lower his ERA to 2.27 -- second best in the league. Dawkins also homered June 22 & 23 against the Rays. In his first 28 games with the club, Dawkins was batting .247 with four homers.

MOBILE BAYBEARS

C HUMBERTO QUINTERO hit a two-run single in the bottom of the seventh inning to snap a 5-5 tie in a 7-6 win against Birmingham on June 24...RHP J.J. TRUJILLO joined the club from Portland (1-1, 5.63 ERA, 3 SV) and was 1-0 with a save and five scoreless innings in his first three games. The 27-year-old saved 20 games for the BayBears last season and had a minor league-high 42 saves at Fort Wayne in 2000...2B JAKE GAUTREAU hit a pair of home runs (2-4, 4 RBI) on June 19 in a 5-3 win at Chattanooga. The 2001 first-rounder was still batting only .246 with 68 strikeouts in 63 games through June 25 and was batting just .189 with two extra-base hits and 18 strikeouts in 53 at-bats against fellow lefthanders.

ORLANDO RAYS

RHP SCOTT AUTREY was promoted from Charleston-SC (9-3, 2.61 ERA) and allowed three runs and seven hits over six innings with two walks and five strikeouts in a no-decision against Jacksonville on June 23. The 21-year-old Autrey, who was promoted over the Bakersfield club, was tied for the South Atlantic League lead in wins when promoted...1B DAN GRUMMITT hit a game-tying RBI single and OF JESUS FELICIANO drew a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the seventh to beat Birmingham, 8-7, in the second of two on June 20...RHP MATT WHITE, a former first-round pick, was 0-3 with a 6.07 ERA in his first six starts. He had allowed 35 hits, 28 runs and 19 walks in 29 2/3 innings.

TENNESSEE SMOKIES

RHP JULIO VILLALON tossed eight scoreless innings to lead the Smokies in a 5-0 blanking of Greenville June 22. Villalon, whose contract with Duluth-Superior of the independent Northern League was purchased by the St. Louis Cardinals on July 26, 2002, allowed only three hits, issued a pair of walks and struck out three batters to win his second straight start. Villalon has allowed just one run in 14 2/3 innings in his first two starts after making one start for West Palm...C YADIER MOLINA hit an 11th-inning, RBI single to beat Jacksonville, 4-3, on June 21. Molina as 6-for-54 from June 6-25...LHP RICK ANKIEL hit a pinch-hit homer in the eighth inning in a 9-0 win against Greenville on June 23. RHP RHETT PARROTT pitched a four-hitter over seven innings to improve to 5-7 with a 3.48 ERA. Ankiel tossed seven scoreless innings and struck out a season-high 12 batters to help the Smokies blank the Greenville Braves, 2-0, on June 25.

WEST TENN DIAMOND JAXX

RHP MIKE NANNINI struck out a career-high 13 batters and retired 14 straight at one point to lead the Diamond Jaxx in a 6-2 victory over Chattanooga on June 24. A supplemental first-round selection (37th overall) of the Houston Astros in the 1998 draft, Nannini allowed two runs and scattered five hits in eight innings to snap a personal two-game skid. Nannini was 15-5 with a 2.70 ERA at Lexington in 2001 before falling to 7-10 with a 5.81 for Round Rock last season. He was traded to the Cubs at the end of the season in the Tom Gordon deal...RHP ANGEL GUZMAN was selected to play in the Futures Game during All-Star week in Chicago in mid-July. The 21-year-old pitched seven shutout innings of three-hit ball in a 1-0 win against Carolina on June 20 and had allowed four runs in his last 35 2/3 innings with 37 strikeouts.

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Southern League Stories from July 6, 2003


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