Thursday, April 13, 2000
19 keep
big-league
hopes alive
Pro baseball players with Hawaii
Statistics of Hawaii's minor league players By Al Chase
connections are holding their own
within their organizations
Star-BulletinNineteen baseball players with Hawaii ties went to spring training and, for the first time in several years, none were released.
Nine players have been promoted, four start the 2000 season where they finished 1999 and six are in extended spring training.
Third baseman Chris Truby, a Damien graduate, moved up to New Orleans, Houston's Triple A team in the Pacific Coast League.
Molokai's Keith Luuloa, who plays all infield positions, returns to the PCL with Edmonton, Anaheim's top farm team.
Both players spent time in their respective big league camps. Darren Blakely, the former University of Hawaii outfielder, also spent three weeks in the Angels' camp.
He is assigned to Erie, Pa., in the Double A Eastern League.
Also winning promotion to Double A are outfielder Jason Ross (Hawaii) and right-hander Jeff Martin (Kailua High School). Ross is with Atlanta's Greenville, S.C., (Southern League) team. Martin is a reliever for Altoona, Pa., Pittsburgh's Double A team.
Four pitchers who played rookie ball last summer advanced to the Single A California League.
Former UH left-hander Dusty Bergman is with Lake Elsinore (Angels). Corey Miller (UH), a right-handed closer, is assigned to Visalia (Athletics).
San Francisco sent right-handers Jerome Williams (Waipahu) to San Jose and Fletcher Lee (Kaiser) to Bakersfield.
Williams, who performed well in instructional league, is listed in Baseball America as the fourth best Giants' prospect.
Chad Santos (St. Louis) is with Kansas City's Charleston, W.Va., team in the Single A South Atlantic League.
Tyler Yates, Mike McCutcheon and Jay Spurgeon remain at the Single A level.
Yates (Waimea, Hawaii-Hilo), a right-hander, is with the A's California League team in Modesto.
The left-handed McCutcheon is with Arizona's South Bend, Ind., team (Midwest League).
Spurgeon, a right-hander in Baltimore's system, is at Frederick, Md., in the Carolina League
Outfielder Shane Victorino (St. Anthony) is in extended spring training with Los Angeles.
Also in extended spring training are former St. Louis infielder Jandin Thornton-Murray (Chicago Cubs) and right-hander Hawkeye Wayne (Seattle), who played for Iolani and Columbia University.
Kyle Kawabata (Kailua, Washington State) is recovering from surgery to repair a partial rotator cuff tear in his right shoulder. When ready, he'll join Philadelphia's Reading, Pa., team in the Eastern League.
Right-hander Kaipo Spenser (St. Anthony, Arizona State), will join Kinston, N.C., Cleveland's Single A team in the Carolina League when he is ready.
Left-hander Paul Ah Yat (Iolani, UH) broke the thumb on his pitching hand in spring training and will have to wait until that heals before Pittsburgh assigns him.
Mark Johnson made his major league pitching debut Friday against Baltimore.
Johnson is the 25th player with Hawaii ties and eighth ex-Rainbow to play in the major leagues.
STATISTICS
Paul Ah Yat, Ht: 6-1. Wt: 186. Throws: Left. Bats: Right.Pitching record
Year, Team, League G IP W L Pct. H ER BB SO ERA 1996-Erie, New York-Penn 26 27 2/3 1 1 .500 24 10 6 34 3.25 1997-Augusta, South Atlantic 29 90 5 1 .833 82 29 16 119 2.90 1997-Lynchburg, Carolina 6 48 5 1 .833 37 7 4 38 1.31 1998-Lynchburg, Carolina 14 102 1/3 6 3 .667 95 31 13 77 2.73 1998-Carolina, Southern 13 84 1/3 5 5 .500 84 34 21 60 3.63 1999-Altoona, Eastern 16 95 1/3 8 4 .667 86 32 30 90 3.02 1999-Nashville, Pacific Coast 13 64 2/3 4 3 .571 75 41 24 41 5.71 Minor League totals 117 512 1/3 34 18 .654 483 184 114 459 3.23 Notes
Drafted in the 21st round by the Pittsburgh Pirates, June 5, 1996. Signed June 11, 1996.
Named the Carolina League Pitcher of the Week (July 31-August 6, 1997) and (August 14-20, 1997).
Named to the Northern team for the Carolina League 1998 all-star game.
Named Eastern League Pitcher of the Week (April 20-25, 1999).
Statistical notes
Led the Carolina League in shutouts (3) and tied for third in complete games (4) in 1998.
Dusty Bergman, Ht: 6-4. Wt: 200. Throws and bats: Left.Pitching record
Year, Team, League G IP W L Pct. H ER BB SO ERA 1999-Boise, Northwest 15 74 1/3 5 5 .500 102 54 18 46 6.54 Minor League totals 15 74 1/3 5 5 .500 102 54 18 46 6.54 Notes
Drafted in 6th round (191st overall) by the Anaheim Angels, June 2, 1999. Signed June 5,.1999.
Statistical notes
Led Boise in hits allowed (102) and earned runs (54) in 1999.
Darren Blakely, Ht: 6-1. Wt: 195. Throws: Right. Bats: Both.Batting Record
Year, Team, League G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI Avg 1998-Boise, Northwest 71 267 50 74 9 6 5 33 .277 1999-Lake Elsinore, California 124 510 88 128 38 10 12 63 .251 Minor League Totals 195 777 138 202 47 16 17 96 .260 Notes
Drafted in 5th round (151st overall) by the Anaheim Angels, June 2, 1998. Signed June 11, 1998.
Statistical notes
Led Boise in strikeouts (69) in 1998.
Led Lake Elsinore in runs scored (88) in 1999. Finished second in strikeouts (159), tied for third in triples (10) and was fourth in doubles (38) in the California League in 1999.
Stole 9 bases for Boise in 1998 and 23 for Lake Elsinore in 1999.
Kyle Kawabata, Ht: 6-0. Wt: 195. Throws and bats: Right.Pitching Record
Year, Team, League G IP W L Pct. H ER BB SO ERA 1995-Batavia, New York-Penn 18 32 2/3 2 0 1.000 34 13 5 30 3.58 1996-Batavia, New York-Penn 25 28 1 2 .333 21 6 7 24 1.93 1997-Piedmont, Carolina 44 62 2/3 9 5 .643 45 10 3 75 1.44 1998-Clearwater, Florida State 53 64 2/3 4 3 .571 63 19 16 49 2.64 1998-Reading, Eastern 7 7 1/3 1 0 .000 14 3 2 2 3.68 1999-Clearwater, Florida State 33 47 3 1 .750 36 6 10 37 1.15 1999-Reading, Eastern 8 12 0 0 .000 20 8 2 7 6.00 Minor League totals 188 254 1/3 20 11 .645 233 65 55 224 2.30 Notes
Drafted in 30th round by the Philadelphia Phillies, June 2, 1995. Signed June 9, 1995.
Named Batavia's top relief pitcher in 1996.
Named Piedmont's Most Valuable Pitcher in 1997.
Named to the Florida State League all-star team as a relief pitcher in 1998.
Named to the West Division team for the 1999 Florida State League all-star game.
On disabled list, June 28-July 22, 1999, and August 9, 1999 to end of season.
Statistical notes
Tied with two others for most saves (18) in New York-Pennsylvania League in 1996.
Finished second in saves (33) in the Florida State League in 1998.
Recorded 20 saves for Batavia in 1996, 16 for Piedmont in 1997, 33 for Clearwater in 1998 and 7 for Clearwater in 1999.
Fletcher Lee, Ht: 6-1. Wt: 190. Throws and bats: Right.Pitching record
Year, Team, League G IP W L Pct. H ER BB SO ERA 1999-Salem-Keizer, Northwest 26 37 2/3 2 1 .667 33 13 20 34 3.11 Minor League totals 26 37 2/3 2 1 .667 33 13 20 34 3.11 Notes
Drafted in 13th round (408th overall) by the San Francisco Giants, June 2, 1999. Signed June 4, 1999.
Statistical notes
Had 5 saves for Salem-Keizer and led the team in games pitched (26) in 1999.
Keith Luuloa, Ht: 6-0. Wt: 185. Throws and bats: Right.Batting record
Year, Team, League G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI Avg. 1994-Angels, Arizona 28 97 14 29 4 1 1 10 .299 1995-Lake Elsinore, California 102 380 50 100 22 7 5 53 .263 1996-Midland, Texas 134 531 80 138 24 2 7 44 .260 1997-Midland, Texas 120 421 67 115 29 5 9 59 .273 1998-Midland, Texas 130 479 85 160 43 10 17 102 .334 1998-Vancouver, Pacific Coast 8 30 4 10 1 0 0 3 .333 1999-Edmonton, Pacific Coast 115 396 54 113 23 1 4 46 .285 Minor League totals 637 2,334 354 665 146 26 43 317 .285 Notes
Drafted in the 33rd round by the California Angels, June 4, 1993. Signed May 24, 1994.
Named to the Texas League Western Division all-star team (replaced an injured player) in 1996.
Played for the California Angels in the Hall of Fame Game at Cooperstown, N.Y., August 5, 1996.
Named to the American League team for the 1998 Double A All-Star Game.
Named to the Texas League Western Division all-star team in 1998.
Statistical notes
Led the Texas League in at bats (531) in 1996.
Led Midland in games played (134) and runs scored (80) and was second in hits (138), walks (47) and strikeouts per plate appearances (11.02) in 1997.
Led the Texas League in extra base hits (70), was third in batting (.334) and RBIs (102), tied for third in triples (10), was fourth in hits (160) and on-base percentage (.419) and tied for fourth in slugging percentage (.572) in 1998.
Stole 3 bases for the Angels in 1994, 1 for Lake Elsinore in 1995, 4 for Midland in 1996, 7 for Midland in 1997, 6 for Midland and 1 for Vancouver in 1998, and 7 for Edmonton in 1999.
Jeff Martin, Ht: 6-1. Wt: 200. Throws and bats: Right.Pitching record
Year, Team, League G IP W L Pct. H ER BB SO ERA 1995-Royals, Gulf Coast 11 55 3 1 .750 35 9 11 53 1.47 1996-Wilmington, Carolina 5 20 1/3 0 1 .000 24 11 5 12 4.87 1997-Lynchburg, Carolina 24 115 1/3 8 10 .444 139 74 48 101 5.77 1998-Lynchburg, Carolina 2 6 0 0 .000 6 6 5 5 9.00 1998-Pirates, Gulf Coast 1 1 0 0 .000 4 0 0 0 0.00 1999-Hickory, South Atlantic 13 24 0 2 .000 19 5 8 23 1.88 1999-Lynchburg, Carolina 10 30 2/3 2 1 .667 34 19 13 27 5.58 Minor League totals 66 252 1/3 13 15 .448 261 124 90 221 4.40 Notes
Drafted in 8th round by the Kansas City Royals, June 1, 1995. Signed June 7, 1995.
Traded by the Kansas City Royals along with third baseman Joe Randa and pitchers Jeff Granger and Jeff Wallace to the Pittsburgh Pirates for shortstop Jay Bell and first baseman Jeff King, December 13, 1996.
Statistical notes
Led the Gulf Coast League in earned run average (1.47) in 1995.
Mike McCutcheon, Ht: 5-11. Wt: 158. Throws and bats: Left.Pitching record
Year, Team, League G IP W L Pct. H ER BB SO ERA 1996-Diamondbacks, Arizona 14 18 1/3 0 1 .000 9 1 7 18 0.49 1997-South Bend, Midwest 31 105 2/3 7 5 .583 104 40 49 67 3.41 1998-South Bend, Midwest 13 49 1/3 3 3 .500 53 20 22 32 3.65 1998-Lethbridge, Pioneer 17 64 2/3 5 3 .625 66 39 34 40 5.43 1999-El Paso, Texas 3 8 2/3 1 1 .500 7 6 9 8 6.23 1999-South Bend, Midwest 28 88 6 2 .750 87 39 36 74 4.00 Minor League totals 78 334 2/3 22 15 .595 326 145 157 239 3.90 Notes
Drafted in 23rd round by the Arizona Diamondbacks, June 5, 1996. Signed July 18, 1996.
Statistical notes
Led South Bend in walks (49) in 1997.
Had 2 saves for the Diamondbacks in 1996 and 1 save for South Bend in 1997.
Corey Miller, Ht: 5-8. Wt: 161. Throws and bats: Right.Pitching record
Year, Team, League G IP W L Pct. H ER BB SO ERA 1999-Athletics, Arizona 18 23 2 0 1.000 15 2 9 28 0.78 1999-So. Oregon, Northwest 5 12 1 1 .500 5 3 2 10 2.25 Minor League totals 23 35 3 1 .750 20 5 11 38 1.29 Notes
Signed as a nondrafted free agent by the Oakland Athletics, June 4, 1999.
Named to the Arizona League All-Star team as the right-handed relief pitcher in 1999. Miller led the league with 11 saves.
Jason Ross, Ht: 6-4. Wt: 215. Throws and bats: Right.Batting record
Year, Team, League G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI Avg. 1996-Danville, Appalachian 43 149 26 40 8 1 3 20 .268 1996-Macon, South Atlantic 5 19 2 3 0 0 1 3 .158 1997-Macon, South Atlantic 112 430 70 111 20 5 9 59 .258 1998-Danville, Carolina 115 378 36 80 14 3 6 34 .212 1999-Myrtle Beach, Carolina 133 482 80 129 23 13 12 64 .268 Minor League totals 408 1,458 214 363 65 22 31 180 .249 Notes
Drafted in the 11th round by the Florida Marlins, June 5, 1995. Did not sign.
Drafted in the 13th round (382 overall) by the Atlanta Braves, June 4, 1996. Signed June 9, 1996.
Statistical notes
Led the Carolina League in triples (13) in 1999.
Led Myrtle Beach in stolen bases (31) and strikeouts (136) and tied for lead in runs (80) in 1999.
Stole 6 bases for Danville, 1 for Macon in 1996, 16 for Macon in 1997, 11 for Danville 1998, and 31 for Myrtle Beach in 1999.
Chad Santos, Ht: 6-1. Wt: 215. Throws and bats: Left.Batting record
Year, Team, League G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI Avg. 1999-Royals, Gulf Coast 48 177 20 48 9 0 4 35 .271 Minor League totals 48 177 20 48 9 0 4 35 .271 Notes
Drafted in the 22nd round (661st overall) by the Kansas City Royals, June 2, 1999. Signed June 8, 1999.
Statistical notes
Finished second in RBIs (35) in the Florida State League in 1999.
Led the Royals in strikeouts (54) and stole 1 base for the Royals in 1999.
Kaipo Spenser, Ht: 6-3. Wt: 220. Throws and bats: right.Pitching record
Year, Team, League G IP W L Pct. H ER BB SO ERA 1998-Kinston, Carolina 13 67 2 6 .250 74 28 23 31 3.76 1998-Columbus, So. Atlantic 11 55 1 7 .125 66 38 32 36 6.22 1999-Kinston, Carolina 35 72 3 4 .429 65 26 22 46 3.25 Minor League totals 59 194 6 17 .261 205 66 77 113 4.27 Notes
Drafted in 16th round by the Cleveland Indians, June 5, 1996. Signed July 2, 1996.
On the disabled list all of 1996 and 1997.
Jay Spurgeon, Ht: 6-6. Wt: 225. Throws and bats: right.Pitching record
Year, Team, League G IP W L Pct. H ER BB SO ERA 1997-Bluefield, Appalachian 9 35 1 1 .500 35 13 14 32 3.34 1998-Delmarva, So. Atlantic 27 136 1/3 11 3 .786 112 40 48 103 2.64 1999-Frederick, Carolina 26 146 6 9 .400 176 77 53 87 4.75 Minor League totals 36 171 1/3 12 4 .750 147 53 62 135 2.78 Notes
Drafted in 27th round by the Houston Astros, June 3, 1994. Did not sign.
Drafted in 8th round by the Baltimore Orioles, June 3, 1997. Signed June 24, 1997 for $87,000.
Statistical notes
Finished 8th in ERA (2.64) in the South Atlantic League and led Delmarva in wins (11) in 1998.
Jandin Thornton-Murray, Ht: 6-0. Wt: 190. Throws and bats: Right.Batting record
Year, Team, League G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI Avg. 1999-Cubs, Arizona 34 112 12 23 2 1 0 4 .205 Minor League totals 34 112 12 23 2 1 0 4 .205 Notes
Drafted in the 14th round (440th overall) by the Chicago Cubs, June 2, 1999. Signed June 7, 1999.
Chris Truby, Ht: 6-2. Wt: 190. Throws and bats: Right.Batting record
Year, Team, League G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI Avg. 1993-Astros, Gulf Coast 57 215 30 49 10 2 1 24 .228 1993-Osceola, Florida State 3 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 1994-Quad City, Midwest 36 111 12 24 4 1 2 19 .216 1994-Auburn, New York-Penn 73 282 56 91 17 6 7 61 .323 1995-Quad City, Midwest 118 400 68 93 23 4 9 64 .233 1996-Quad City, Midwest 109 362 45 91 15 3 8 37 .251 1997-Quad City, Midwest 68 268 34 75 14 1 7 46 .280 1997-Kissimmee, Florida State 57 199 23 49 11 0 2 29 .246 1998-Kissimmee, Florida State 52 212 36 66 16 1 14 48 .311 1998-Jackson, Texas 80 308 46 89 20 5 16 63 .289 1998-New Orleans, Amer. Assoc. 5 17 6 7 1 1 1 1 .412 1999-Jackson, Texas 124 465 78 131 21 3 28 87 .282 Minor League totals 782 2,852 434 765 152 27 95 479 .268 Notes
Signed by the Houston Astros as a nondrafted free agent, August 25, 1992.
Named the Most Valuable Player in the New York-Penn League in 1994.
Named the third baseman on the 1994 New York-Penn League All-Star Team.
Named to Baseball America's Short Season All-Star Team in 1994.
Named the Florida State League Hitter of the Week (April 20-26). He was 10-for-23 (.323) with 3 doubles, 4 home runs, 12 RBIs and an .806 slugging percentage in 7 games.
Statistical notes
Led the New York-Penn League in runs scored (56), hits (91), runs batted in (61), extra base hits (30), total bases (141) and sacrifice flies (8) and finished sixth with a .323 batting average in 1994.
Led Kissimmee in slugging percentage (.594) in 1998.
Led Jackson in at bats (464), runs (78), total bases (242), home runs (28), RBIs (87) and sacrifice flies (12) in 1999.
Stole a team-high 16 bases for the Astros in 1993; 20 for Auburn in 1994; 1 for Quad City in 1`994; 27 for Quad City in 1995; 6 for Quad City in 1996; 13 for Quad City and 8 for Kissimmee in 1997; 6 for Kissimmee, 8 for Jackson and 1 for New Orleans in 1998, and 20 for Jackson in 1999.
Shane Victorino, Height: 5-9. Weight: 165. Throws and bats: Right.Batting record
Year, Team, League G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI Avg. 1999-Great Falls. Pioneer 55 225 53 63 7 6 2 25 .280 Minor League totals 55 225 53 63 7 6 2 25 .280 Notes
Drafted in the 6th round (194th overall) by the Los Angeles Dodgers, June 2, 1999. Signed June 8, 1999.
Statistical notes
Led Great Falls in runs (53) and stolen bases (20) in 1999.
Hawkeye Wayne, Ht: 6-1. Wt: 205. Throws and bats: right.Pitching record
Year, Team, League G IP W L Pct H ER BB SO ERA 1999-Everett, Northwest 15 33 2/3 0 2 .000 34 31 32 34 8.29 Minor League totals 15 33 2/3 0 2 .000 34 31 32 34 8.29 Notes
Drafted in 11th round (335th overall) by the Seattle Mariners, June 2, 1999. Signed June 11, 1999.
Jerome Williams, Ht: 6-3. Wt: 190. Throws and bats: right.Pitching record
Year, Team, League G IP W L Pct H ER BB SO ERA 1999-Salem-Keizer, Northwest 7 37 1 1 .500 29 9 11 34 2.19 Minor League totals 7 37 1 1 .500 29 9 11 34 2.19 Notes
Drafted in supplemental round (39th overall) by the San Francisco Giants, June 2, 1999. Signed July 10, 1999.
Tyler Yates, Ht: 6-4. Wt: 225. Throws and bats: right.Pitching record
Year, Team, League G IP W L Pct H ER BB SO ERA 1998-Athletics, Arizona 15 23 0 0 .000 28 10 14 20 3.91 1998-So. Oregon, Northwest 2 2 1/3 0 0 .000 2 0 0 1 0.00 1999-Visalia, California 47 82 1/3 2 5 .286 98 50 35 74 5.47 Minor League totals 64 107 2/3 2 5 .286 128 60 49 95 5.02 Notes
Drafted in 23rd round (675th overall) by the Oakland Athletics, June 3, 1998. Signed June 10, 1998.
Statistical notes
Had 2 saves for the Athletics and 1 for Southern Oregon in 1998, and 4 for Visalia in 1999.
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