Hurricanes in Pro Ball: June Update
June 22, 2010
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – More than 30 former Hurricanes are currently playing professional baseball in the United States, and about half of that group is currently in the Major Leagues or in Triple-A. Nine former `Canes are currently playing at the big league level, including recent call-ups Jon Jay (St. Louis) and Danny Valencia (Minnesota).
Since being called up this year for the first time in their careers, Jay and Valencia have both thrived with their respective teams, as both are hitting over .290 and contributing on a daily basis heading into the mid-way point of the MLB season.
In addition to the early success that Jay and Valencia have enjoyed, former `Cane and current Marlin Gaby Sanchez is off to a more impressive start in his first full year as a big leaguer. Serving as Florida’s regular first baseman this season, Sanchez is hitting .290 with seven homers and 30 RBI and is gaining early attention for NL Rookie of the Year honors. Aubrey Huff leads San Francisco with 12 homers and ranks eighth in the NL with a .307 average while Ryan Braun is having another solid campaign, hitting .304 with 45 RBI en route to another likely all-star nod.
In the minor leagues, Jemile Weeks, Kyle Bellamy, Yonder Alonso, and Blake Tekotte are among those having solid seasons. Yonder Alonso (Reds) has already moved up to Triple-A Louisville where he has 18 RBI in 38 games, Jemile Weeks (A’s) is in Double-A Midland and hitting .304, while Blake Tekotte (Padres) and Kyle Bellamy (White Sox) are both having solid seasons at the Single-A advanced level. Tekotte is hitting .312 with eight homers, and 21 stolen bases in Lake Elsinore while Bellamy is 4-0 with a 1.47 ERA in Winston-Salem.
Below are some of the top performers among former `Canes in pro ball this season (statistics as of June 21). For a full listing of former Hurricanes in the pros, click here.
Major League Baseball
Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers (at UM from 2003-05)
– Hitting .304 with 10 homers, 45 RBI and 44 runs scored in 2010
– Was a 2009 National League All-Star (started in right and batted clean-up)
Aubrey Huff, San Francisco Giants (at UM from 1997-98)
– Hitting .307 with 12 homers, 37 RBI and 40 runs scored in 2010
– Leads the Giants in homers, ranks second in hitting
Gaby Sanchez, Florida Marlins (at UM from 2003-04)
– Hitting .290 with seven homers, 30 RBI and 34 runs scored
– An early candidate for 2010 National League Rookie of the Year
Others: Chris Perez, Cleveland Indians (at UM from 2004-06) – 0-2, 2.73 ERA, 26.1 IP, 19 K, 6 saves; Pat Burrell, San Francisco Giants (at UM from 1996-98) – .341, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 6 runs, 14 GP with the Giants
Recent MLB call-ups
Jon Jay, St. Louis Cardinals (at UM from 2004-06) – Was hitting .328 with three homers, 23 RBI and 23 runs scored with Triple-A Memphis Redbirds before recently being called up to the St. Louis Cardinals where he’s hitting .302 in 43 at-bats.
Danny Valencia, Minnesota Twins (at UM from 2005-06) – Was hitting .292 with 24 RBI and 22 runs scored with the Rochester Red Wings before recently being called up to the Minnesota Twins where he’s hitting .317 in 41 at-bats.
Triple-A
Brendan Katin, Milwaukee Brewers/Nashville Sounds (at UM from 2004-05)
– Hitting .253 with 7 homers, 20 RBI and 16 runs scored in 24 games
Cesar Carrillo, San Diego Padres/Portland Beavers (at UM from 2004-05)
– Is 4-5 with a 4.60 ERA, striking out 41 in 76 1/3 innings this year
Others: Kevin Howard, St. Louis Cardinals/Memphis Redbirds (at UM from 2000-02) -.252, 3 homers, 15 RBI, 16 runs, 51 GP; Yonder Alonso, Cincinnati Reds/Louisville Bats (at UM from 2006-08) – .236, 2 HR, 18 RBI, 13 runs, 37 GP; Paco Figueroa, Baltimore Orioles/Norfolk Tides (at UM from 2002-05) – .286, 0 HR, 5 RBI, 7 runs, 1 SB, 22 GP. (Was hitting .306 with 10 RBI in 28 games with the Bowie Baysox before being called up).
Double-A
Carlos Gutierrez, Minnesota Twins/New Britain Rock Cats (at UM from 2005-08)
– Owns a 2-5 record with a 4.90 ERA, striking out 49 in 75 1/3 innings
Jemile Weeks, Oakland Athletics/Midland Rock Hounds (at UM from 2006-08)
– Hitting .304 with 2 homers, 13 RBI and 18 runs scored in 26 games
Others: Danny Figueroa, Baltimore Orioles/ Bowie Baysox (at UM from 2002-05) – .226, 0 HR, 12 RBI, 17 runs, 4 SB, 34 GP
Single-A Advanced
Kyle Bellamy, Chicago White Sox/Winston-Salem Dash (at UM from 2007-09)
– Is 4-0 with a 1.47 ERA, striking out 44 and earning two saves in 36 2/3 innings of work
Blake Tekotte, San Diego Padres/Lake Elsinore Storm (at UM from 2006-08)
– Hitting .312 with 8 homers, 27 RBI, 40 runs scored and 21 stolen bases in 58 games
Others: Mark Sobolewski, Toronto Blue Jays/Dunedin Blue Jays (at UM from 2007-08) – .261, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 2 runs scored, 6 GP. (Was hitting .313 with 24 RBI, in 44 games with the Lansing Lugnuts before being called up).
Single-A
Jason Hagerty, San Diego Padres/Fort Wayne Tin Caps (at UM from 2007-09)
– Hitting .249 with five homers, 37 RBI and 28 runs scored in 59 games
Others: Ryan Jackson, St. Louis Cardinals/Quad City River Bandits (at UM from 2007-09) – .251, 1 HR, 17 RBI, 39 runs scored, 63 GP; John Housey, Seattle Mariners/ Clinton LumberKings (at UM from 2007-09) – 4-3, 4.04 ERA, 33 K in 35 2/3 IP.
