“He’ll have one more year at the University of Minnesota, and then he’s going to have a choice,” Minnesota coach Tim Brewster said. “He’s going to have a choice between playing Major League Baseball or in the National Football League. And that’s really exciting for Eric.”

Full Article:

http://www.kansan.com/stories/2008/dec/30/gopher_receiver_choose_nfl_or_mlb/?news

Photo courtesy of The University Daily Kansan/Ryan McGeeney

Dylan Lindsay has been signed up by Kansas City Royals after being spotted by a scout last year.

Dylan, 17, who plays for Easterns and Boksburg Cardinals, will move to Arizona in 2010 after finishing matric next year. Scout Mike Randell, who signed up the teenager from Brakpan in October this year, said it was the pitcher and all rounder’s “good arm and speed” that had impressed him.

Randell first noticed Lindsay in April last year and has been tracking him since.

“He just seems to have blossomed over the past year. It’s been amazing seeing him grow and develop,” said Randell.

He said Lindsay had been given a “great deal”, but refused to divulge the exact value of the contract. Randell said he seldom discovered such unique talent — Lindsay is only the fourth South African teen since 1999 to land such a prestigious contract — and that he was hopeful that the youngster would embrace the opportunity.

Lindsay, who returned from Perth yesterday after playing an international Friendship Tournament, said he could still not believe his luck. For him the game was always about having fun, but since signing up, he has had to change his mind-set.

“It’s a chance of a lifetime and I have to work hard to make it there among the big names,” he said. “I know it’s not going to be easy, but I’m going to work and play extra hard to make it.”

Lindsay joins the senior SA baseball team for training in mid-January and if selected he will represent the country in Arizona in March.

Lindsay’s mother Tracey Lindsay said it had always been her son’s wish to one day rub shoulders with international baseball stars. She said his ultimate dream was to play for the New York Yankees.

Photo by Raymond Preston

Courtesy of The Times

The RiverHawks announced Wednesday that they have signed Lozano, an infielder, and Petika, an outfielder. In addition, they released pitcher James Cramphin.

Lozano hit .329 with three home runs and 22 RBI in 53 games for the Panthers last season. Lozano, the team’s leadoff hitter, stole 11 bases in 12 tries. Lozano committed just five errors and had a .974 fielding percentage. Lozano appeared at every infield spot but first base and at all three outfield positions.

Petika hit .303 with five home runs and 37 RBI and usually hit in the middle of the order. He did not commit an error in 104 total fielding chances.

“Both players have had outstanding collegiate careers and I’ve had outstanding references from coaches and scouts and I’m hoping they can fill some of the holes we have,” owner and director of baseball operations Dave Ciarrachi said.

Cramphin, who has spent his entire two-year professional career with the RiverHawks, was 3-4 with nine saves and a 6.17 ERA in 34 appearances last season.

Media Release: Rockford RiverHawks

The East Texas Pump Jacks today announced that their second season will kick off on that date, as the team released its full schedule for the 2009 campaign. The Jacks will open the season at home against the expansion Victoria Generals, pitting the circuit’s two newest teams against each other.

The regular season comes to a close on Saturday, August 8, in McKinney against the defending champion Marshals.

The season will once again span 48 regular season games, evenly split between home and road games. With five teams in the league, the Pump Jacks will play each opponent twelve times, usually in two-game series.

At the end of the regular season, the league’s top four teams will be seeded for the TCL playoffs. The regular season champions will face the #4 seed, with the second- and third-place teams playing in the other series. The fifth-place team will not advance to the playoffs.

The two series winners will then face off in the TCL Championship Series. All postseason series are best-of-three affairs, with each participating team guaranteed at least one home game per series.

The Jacks’ home schedule is sure to excite fans. It features five Friday home games, when the team expects to repeat the wildly successful Fireworks Friday series. Last season, fans were treated to a spectacular fireworks show following Friday home games.

East Texas also has five home games on Thursday nights, when fans will be treated to a return of Thirsty Thursdays. The popular promotion offers fans twelve-ounce draft beers for just one dollar and soft drinks for only fifty cents.

Fans can expect giveaways and other exciting promotions on the four Saturday home games during the 2009 season. The Pump Jacks will announce events and promotions in the coming months, with a full promotional schedule to be released in the spring.

Younger Pump Jacks fans have their own reason to cheer for the new schedule. The team will use several off-days to host baseball camps for youth players, teaching both the basics and advanced skills to aspiring ballplayers. The camps will be conducted by the Pump Jacks coaching staff and players, so youngsters will receive instruction from players who could soon be in the major leagues. More information about Pump Jacks camps will be released next month.

The Pump Jacks will also make available ticket packs featuring some of the team’s most attractive promotions. Fans will be able to purchase ticket packs that will include fireworks, giveaways, and Thirsty Thursdays, ensuring that they don’t get shut out of the team’s biggest nights. Details on Pump Jacks ticket packs will be announced shortly.

The Pump Jacks full season schedule is available for download on the team’s official web site, pumpjacksbaseball.com, or by clicking here.

With Christmas right around the corner, the Jacks will announce a week-long “Season of Savings” merchandise special on Thursday morning. Keep in mind that with any merchandise purchased during the holiday season, fans will receive a 10% discount on season tickets. Also, fans who buy season tickets as a gift will be given a presentation-quality gift certificate so you have something to give your favorite Pump Jacks fan during the holiday season. More information on season tickets, which start at just $105 for adults and $85 for children and seniors – can be found by clicking here.

Media Release: East Texas Pump Jacks

The 24-year-old Gonzalez, who will begin his third year of pro ball when the Outlaws report for spring training in May, divided time last season between the RiverHawks and the Brockton Rox of the independent Can-Am League - in a combined 66 games, Tony hit .277 with six homers and 29 runs batted in. After joining Rockford in early July, Gonzalez hit a solid .312 with five homers and 26 RBI.

The southern California native was selected from Fullerton’s Sunny Hills High School by the San Francisco Giants in the 23rd round of the 2003 amateur draft, but opted to play college ball, first at the University of New Orleans and later Crichton College in Memphis, Tennessee.

In 2007, Gonzalez made his pro debut with Brockton, and though he played in just 62 games, won the Can-Am League’s Rookie of the Year award by batting .298 with eight home runs and 38 RBI.

Caughey leaves the Outlaws after putting up the best numbers of his eight-year professional career (an 8-5 record and a league-leading 2.51 ERA), culminating in Trevor winning the GBL’s Pitcher of the Year award.

The former Baltimore Orioles farmhand was also named to Baseball America’s All-Independent League first team and was among the magazine’s top Indy prospects for 2009.

Media Release: Chico Outlaws

Coleman, along with members of the Witchita State baseball team, put on a clinic Friday for over 120 kids at Augustana College. And while baseball isn’t exactly on most people’s minds in late November, Coleman knows the importance of keeping kids motivated during the winter months.

Full Article:

http://www.keloland.com/Sports/NewsDetail7981.cfm?Id=0,77112

Last year pitcher Nick Blackburn was Baseball America’s top Twins prospect. Blackburn won 11 games for the Minnesota Twins in 2008.

Baseball America’s Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player’s long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel. All players who haven’t exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched (without regard to service time) are eligible. The publication also ranked the players with the best tools in the organization. Players that have worn a Miracle uniform are listed in bold.

TOP 10 PROSPECTS

1.Aaron Hicks, of…Twins selected Hicks 14th overall in the June 2008 MLB Draft.

2. Ben Revere, of…Twins selected Revere 28th overall in the June 2007 MLB Draft. The speedy outfielder could see time in Fort Myers in 2009.

3. Wilson Ramos, c…named to the post-season Florida State League All-Star team. He hit .288 with 13 home runs and 78 RBI in 126 games with the Miracle in 2008. Ramos was recently added to the Twins 40-man roster.

4. Jose Mijares, lhp…spent part of 2008 with the Miracle, after pitching in Fort Myers in 2005 and 2006. Battling back from injury, the left-hander pitched 10 1/3 innings compiling a 2.61 ERA. The Caracas, Venezuelan native was promoted to Minnesota in September and become a key cog in the bullpen during the pennant race.

5. Danny Valencia, 3b…The University of Miami product began the year in Fort Myers and picked up a mid-season All-Star spot and a call up to New Britain. He led the league at the time of his departure with a .344 batting average. The 24-year old hit five home runs and drove in 44 runs, over 60 games with the Miracle.

6. Anthony Swarzak, rhp…Spent portions of the 2005, 2006 and 2007 seasons pitching at Hammond Stadium. He won 11 games in 2006 helping the Miracle to the Florida State League playoffs.

7. Shooter Hunt, rhp…selected by Twins with the 31st overall pick in the 2008 June MLB Draft. Hunt was tabbed an All-American at Tulane in 2008.

8. Kevin Mulvey, rhp…acquired as part of Johan Santana trade with the New York Mets in January. Went 4-1 after the AAA All-Star break.

9. Carlos Gutierrez, rhp…The former Miami Hurricane was the 27th overall pick in the June 2008 MLB draft. He posted a 3-1 record with a 2.10 ERA, striking out 19 in 25 2/3 innings.

10. Angel Morales, of…named Baseball America Rookie All-Star after hitting .301 with 15 home runs at Elizabethton.

BEST TOOLS

Best Hitter for Average
Ben Revere

Best Power Hitter
Chris Parmelee

Best Strike-Zone Discipline
Aaron Hicks

Fastest Baserunner
Ben Revere

Best Athlete
Aaron Hicks

Best Fastball
Carlos Gutierrez

Best Curveball
Shooter Hunt

Best Slider
Bobby Lanigan

Best Changeup
Deolis Guerra

Best Control
Bradley Tippett

Best Defensive Catcher
Wilson Ramos

Best Defensive Infielder
Matt Tolbert

Best Infield Arm
Yancarlos Ortiz

Best Defensive Outfielder
Aaron Hicks

Best Outfield Arm
Aaron Hicks

Media Release: Fort Myers Miracle

The 2008 First-Year Player Draft featured a variety of prospects with familiar last names. From sons to brothers, nephews and cousins, all parts of the baseball (and football) family tree were selected in the never-ending quest to uncover the next major league superstar.

BaseballdeWorld takes a look at the 2008 new recruits and their baseball relatives:

Austin Yount (Robin Yount)
A 12th round selection by the Dodgers, the Stanford third baseman is the nephew of the former Brewers great. Robin was a two-time AL MVP and a 1999 Hall of Fame inductee who finished his career with 3,142 hits.

Jeremy Barfield (Jesse & Josh Barfield)
An eighth round slection by Oakland, the San Jacinto College outfielder is the son of Jesse, who led the AL with 40 dingers in 1986. He was also a two-time Gold Glove winner who slugged 241 carrer home runs. Josh, his brother, batted .280 with 13 homers in 2006 with San Diego.

Beau Brett (George Brett)
A 29th round pick by the Royals, the Ferris (WA) High first baseman is the nephew of the former Kansas City Hall of Fame third baseman. George was a 13-time All-Star who p[osted a .305 career batting mark while compiling 3,154 hits.

Jemile Weeks (Richie Weeks)
The first round pick of the Athletics, the University of Miami second baseman is the brother of Richie, who was the second overall pick of the Milwaukee Brerwers in 2003.

Jordan Danks (John Danks)
A seventh round draft choice of the White Sox, the University of Texas outfielder is the brother of John who is currently in the starting rotation for the same franchise.

Cutter Dykstra (Lenny Dykstra)
A second round draft choice of the Brewers, the Westlake [CA] High outfielder is the son of Lenny, who was a member of the 1986 World Series Champion New York Mets. He also was a runner-up in the 1993 NL MVP voting and finished his career with 1,298 hits.

Chad Gross (Kevin Gross)
Selected in the 28th round by the Yankees, the Cuesta College (Calif.) outfielder is the son of a former major league pitcher. His father, Kevin, was a NL All-Star in 1988 who finished his career with 142 wins.

Devaris Strange-Gordon (Tom Gordon)
The Seminole Community College shortstop was chosen in the fourth round by the Dodgers and is the son of a potential future Hall of Fame pitcher. His father, Tom, won 17 games with the Royals in 1989 and has 137 career wins to go along with 157 career saves.

Kyle Long (Howie Long)
A 23rd round draft pick of the White Sox, the St. Anne’s Belfield (Va.) left-hander is the son of a former NFL great. His father, Howie, was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection who was a member of the 1984 Super Bowl Champion Oakland Raiders.

Jesse Orosco (Jesse Orosco)
A 38th round selection of the Arizona D-backs, the Grossmont College right-hander is the son of the majors all-time pitching-appearance leader. His father, Jesse, made 1,252 appearances and finished with 87 career wins and 144 career saves.

Patrick Palmeiro (Rafael Palmeiro)
The Heritage (TX) High third baseman was a 22nd round by the Pirates. He is the son of Rafael, a five-time batting champion who belted 569 career homers and stroked 3,020 career hits.

Riley Welch (Bob Welch)
The Oakland A’s 34th round pick, the Desert Mountain (Ari.) High right-hander is the son of a Cy Young Award winning hurler. His father, Bob, won 211 career games and captured the AL Cy Young Award in 1990 with 27 victories.

This is a BaseballdeWorld original article.

The Pirates inked the raw 18-year-old switch-hitter in October after watching him in a showcase of African and Europan prospects in Pisa, Italy this past summer.

Just 5 feet 9, 165 pounds, Ngoepe’s hometown is Randburg - a suburb of Johannesburg. The athletic teen will play for South Africa in the 2009 World Baseball Classic this spring before reporting to the Pirates where in all likelihood he will begin his professional career in the Gulf Coast Rookie League with Bradenton.

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

“These signings are a testament to our scouting efforts in the Dominican Republic, as we continue to bolster the ever-growing stable of International talent in our Minor League system,” said Brown.

“Encarnacion has the potential to develop into a solid fourth starter. At 16 years of age, he is already throwing his fastball in the upper 80s, low 90s. Bernabel is a quality two-way player with projectable power, and Rodriguez is a strong defensive outfielder with a quick left-handed stroke.”

Brown and assistant director of scouting and national crosschecker Kris Kline recently scouted all three players at the Loma del Sueno complex in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic.

The Nationals have had recent success recruiting and signing International prospects, evident by consecutive Dominican Summer League championships in 2007-08. They have signed 11 International free agents this year, 10 from the Dominican Republic and one from Venezuela.

Media Release: Washington Nationals