PCL1 Salt Lake Bees

Stingers say goodbye to Amezaga and Jenks

Published on December 21, 2004 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Salt Lake Bees News Release


ANAHEIM, CA—Last week two former Stingers, infielder Alfredo Amezaga and right-handed pitcher Bobby Jenks, were claimed off waivers from the Angels. The Chicago White Sox claimed Jenks on December 17 after he was designated for assignment by the Angels in order to add Cuban infielder Kendry Morales to the 40-man roster. Amezaga was claimed on December 17 by the Colorado Rockies. He was designated for assignment on December 14 when the Angels signed right-handed pitcher Paul Byrd to a one-year deal.

Amezaga, 26, played in 264 games with the Stingers over last four seasons (2001-2004). He batted .259 (35/135) with 15 runs scored and 14 RBI in 32 games with the Stingers last season. Amezaga's best year came in 2003 when he batted .347 (110/317) with 55 runs scored, 20 doubles, five triples, three home runs, 45 RBI and 14 stolen bases in 75 games with Salt Lake. His .347 clip led all of the Angels' minor leaguers in 2003 and he was named the Angels' Organization Player of the Month for both April and May. He posted a 22-game hitting streak from April 20- May 15. Amezaga is ranked fifth on the Salt Lake career franchise record list with 1170 at bats and 18 triples. Amezaga played shortstop and was part of the Stingers' exciting double-play combination with Chone Figgins at second base in 2002.

Originally selected by the Angels in the 13th round of the 1999 free agent draft, Amezaga owns a career .209 (44/211) batting average with 30 runs scored, four home runs and 20 RBI in 122 Major League games. The Obregon, Sonora, Mexico native batted .278 (325/1170) with 175 runs scored and 126 RBI in 264 games over the last four seasons for the Stingers.

Jenks, 23, posted a 0-1 record and 8.76 ERA (12.1 IP – 12 ER) with 19 hits allowed, 15 runs allowed, six walks and 13 strikeouts in only three games with the Stingers in 2004. He was placed on the disabled list on April 20 with a stress reaction in his right elbow. Jenks had surgery in May and had screws inserted into his right elbow in a similar procedure former Stinger Derrick Turnbow had done on his elbow. Jenks made one start for Rancho Cucamonga and allowed eight earned runs on five hits and seven walks in 3.2 innings on June 27. He missed the rest of the season to rehab his elbow.

Originally selected in the fifth round of the 2000 free agent draft, Jenks was ranked as Anaheim's fifth best prospect by Baseball America for 2004. The big 6'3" 270-pound hurler currently resides in Bothell, WA with his wife Adele and two children, Cuma and Nolan.

For more information, check out www.stingersbaseball.com.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from December 21, 2004


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