SL1 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

Suns named minors' most talented team

Published on August 23, 2005 under Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release


The Suns were named the Most Talented Team in Minor League Baseball by Baseball America in the publication's latest issue, dated Aug. 29-Sept. 11, 2005. Chad Billingsley, Andy LaRoche and Russell Martin adorn the cover. The Suns' roster has featured eight of the Dodgers' Top 10 prospects, as rated by Baseball America. Also, pitchers Derek Thompson, Jonathan Broxton and Edwin Jackson have been promoted to Los Angeles.

The Baseball America article lauds third baseman Andy LaRoche, shortstop Joel Guzman, second baseman Delwyn Young and first baseman James Loney, stating "Dodger fans can and will compare such a grouping to L.A.'s all-time infield of Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, Ron Cey and Bill Russell." That quartet ascended through the Dodgers farm system and formed the longest-running infield in Major League history, helping win a World Series and four NL pennants.

"As a baseball operation, we are seeking to carry on the Dodgers' long tradition of developing top-notch players," said Paul DePodesta, Dodger Executive Vice President and General Manager. "This honor directly reflects on the job that amateur scouting director Logan White and player development director Terry Collins and their entire staffs have done in finding and cultivating the talent of these young players."

Jacksonville's 2005 team was compared by Baseball America to other talent-rich minor league teams of the past decade such as the 1995 Columbus Clippers, whose members included Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera, the 1998 Huntsville Stars (Eric Chavez, Ramon Hernandez, Tim Hudson and Miguel Tejada) and the 1998 New Britain Rock Cats (Cristian Guzman, Torii Hunter, Jacque Jones, Doug Mientkiewicz and A.J. Pierzynski).

This year's Suns have been one of the hottest teams in professional baseball lately, recently coming off a 12-game winning streak and already securing a Southern League playoff spot by virtue of having won the South Division first-half championship.

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Southern League Stories from August 23, 2005


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