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2009-2010 news, features and published photos  |  view more from: 2008  |  2007



Griffey's legacy extends to Minors

With Ken Griffey Jr. ending a storied 22-year Major League career on Wednesday, it's hard to remember just where it all began over two decades ago. 

Cast your ballot for Triple-A stars
NEW YORK -- Voting has begun for the 2010 Triple-A All-Star Game. Fans have their say as to who makes the journey to Allentown, Pa., on July 14. 

Royals prospect Duffy returns to club
Danny Duffy, one of the Royals' top pitching prospects, returned to baseball Wednesday, ending a leave of absence he began in March when he reassessed his desire to play..

Wieters, Price became Draft steals
It's hard to imagine more hype surrounding a draft prospect than 2009 No. 1 overall selection Stephen Strasburg, but fans and front offices were buzzing …

Braves' Redmond throws no-hitter
Todd Redmond threw his hands in the air before being mobbed by his teammates near the mound after pitching the first no-hitter in Gwinnett Braves' history exactly a month after his teammates were held hitless.

Yanks' Sanit suspended 50 games
NEW YORK -- Yankees Minor League reliever Amauri Sanit was suspended 50 games on Friday after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.

Pimentel throws six hitless innings
Stolmy Pimentel can't be perfect every night. But he came as close as he could Thursday, with his second no-hit six-inning stint of the season en route to Class A Advanced Salem's 2-1 win over Winston Salem.

McPherson dazzles in hitless effort
Kyle McPherson is back to his old habits. McPherson struck out nine and walked one over seven hitless innings for his third win as Class A West Virginia one-hit Lexington... 

Matzek dominates in his pro debut
It's been nearly a year since Tyler Matzek heard his name called as the Rockies' first pick in the 2009 Draft. On Monday, he finally got his chance to take the mound. 

Tomlin continues strong start

Josh Tomlin didn't have his best stuff when he took the mound to begin Friday's game. After walking a pair of batters, he recalled a chat with his catcher, Indians top prospect...

Three Braves prospects suspended

NEW YORK -- Three Braves prospects, all infielders with Class A Advanced Myrtle Beach, were suspended on Friday for using performance-enhancing substances. 

Miracle's Harrington suspended

Twins' Minor Leaguer Mike Harrington was suspended for 50 games Thursday after testing ...

Yankees extend contract with SWB

The road to the Bronx will continue to go through northern Pennslyvania for years to come. 

Erlin pitches five perfect innings
A year ago, Robbie Erlin was looking forward to his high school graduation. Erlin continued his early Minor League success Tuesday, striking out nine over five perfect innings in his first career start …

Iglesias impressing with hot bat
Every night is a new experience for Jose Iglesias. The Cuban defector -- with $6 million in the bank -- has begun his Minor League career in Portland, Maine this year, learning the game, a new language and the pressure of a new life and career. 

Bulls return to legendary ballpark
The Bulls returned home on Monday, giving fans a unique chance at going back in time, if only for nine innings. 

Actor Ferrell pitches for Express
Round Rock fell to Nashville, 3-1, on Thursday night, but it was the debut of the team's newest reliever that had fans buzzing. Billy Ray "Rojo" Johnson, wearing No. 99 and adorned with glitzy necklaces…

Former first-rounder Willems retires
In a week that saw two former Nationals first-round picks promoted, a third has apparently decided to hang it up. Colton Willems, Washington's first-round pick in the 2006 Draft…

Harrison suspended 100 games
Phillies prospect Fidel Hernandez, a Florida State League All-Star in 2009, was suspended 50 games on Tuesday after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. 

Drabek wins third straight at Double-A

Kyle Drabek is healthy and confident, pitching exactly the way the Blue Jays hoped when they acquired him during the offseason.

D-backs cut Brito following suspension

NEW YORK -- The Arizona Diamondbacks have voided the contract of a young Dominican prospect after he was suspended Monday afternoon for performance-enhancing drug use. 

Omaha pitcher Bostick suspended
NEW YORK -- Former sixth-round pick Adam Bostick was suspended 50 games on Thursday for violating the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

Rattlers fall one out shy of Class A no-no
Jake Odorizzi was a first-round pick by Milwaukee in 2008. (Chris Proctor/Four Seam Images) When Jake Odorizzi walked back into the dugout for the eighth inning Friday night, he glanced…

Arrieta sharp again in second start
Arrieta split the 2009 season between Double-A Bowie and Norfolk. (Megan Morrow/Norfolk Tides) Jake Arrieta is in no rush this season. At least, when he's on the mound. Arrieta (1-0)…

Texas League should offer big talent
Fans already may have forgotten who claimed Texas League glory last season -- Midland won its second title in five years -- but that is the nature of the Minor Leagues…

Dominican prospects suspended
NEW YORK -- A pair of Yankees Minor Leaguers were among four Dominican Summer League players suspended on Wednesday for performance-enhancing drugs, days after Commissioner Bud Selig…

Rangers' Gutierrez suspended 50 games
NEW YORK -- Rangers prospect Danny Gutierrez, who was recently named a "Rising Star" in the Arizona Fall League, was suspended after testing positive for an amphetamine, a performance-enhancing substance. 

Path of the Pros: Ted Lilly
Ted Lilly may not be well known for his summer as the ace of the Yakima Bears' pitching staff in 1996. In fact, he's probably even lesser known for his other hidden talents. "He was a Wiffle ball maniac," said Joe Vavra…

Minors, Negro Leagues grew together
The faded green right field seats at Birmingham's Rickwood Field tell a story that only those who've sat there can truly understand. America's oldest ballpark was the one-time home...

Path of the Pros: Fausto Carmona

Fausto Carmona wrapped up a sterling 2003 season with 17 wins and a 2.06 ERA at Class A, but there were still some questions surrounding the young Dominican right-hander.

Orioles righty Parker suspended

NEW YORK -- Orioles Minor Leaguer Brian Parker was suspended for 50 games on Thursday for his second positive test for a drug of abuse.

Buffalo to host 2012 All-Star Game
The Triple-A All-Star Game is returning to its origins in 2012.

A's MVP Desme retires for priesthood
Grant Desme, one of he Oakland A's top outfield prospects, has retired to pursue a career as a priest. The slugging 23-year-old, who won Arizona Fall League MVP honors in 2009, has decided to join the priesthood.

Chicago's Negron suspended 50 games

NEW YORK -- Former first-round pick and two-time Southern League All-Star Miguel Negron was one of three Minor Leaguers suspended for drug usage on Friday.

Path of the Pros: Kevin Kouzmanoff

Kevin Kouzmanoff emphatically ended his Minor League career in late 2006, a moment he still finds hard to believe. The young Indians prospect, hitting .353 ...
From DANNY WILD, MLB.com,  16 Dec 2009

Path of the Pros: Prince Fielder
Prince Fielder doesn't want anyone to know what's going on in his mind. A typically loose, smiling slugger, he's been known to erupt, ripping into ...
From DANNY WILD, MLB.com,  25 Nov 2009

Tigers' Bourquin suspended 50 games
NEW YORK -- Former Tigers second-round pick Ron Bourquin was suspended for 50 games on Thursday after testing positive for a banned substance. The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced today that Bourquin has received a 50-game suspension, ... From DANNY WILD, Minor League Baseball News,  19 Nov 2009

Scheppers, Teagarden excited for '10
Tanner Scheppers and Taylor Teagarden were in two very different places a few months ago, but both have teamed to provide the Rangers with a ...
From DANNY WILD, MLB.com,  19 Nov 2009

Morel homers in AFL Finals preview
Brent Morel was relaxing at home last month following a few weeks of instructional league when his phone rang. Buddy Bell, the White Sox director of ...
From DANNY WILD, MLB.com,  18 Nov 2009

Kennedy happy with progress in AFL
Ian Kennedy can relate to a lot of Yankees fans. He's watched veteran Andy Pettitte grind out innings and big wins in the Bronx for a few years and he's been ...
From DANNY WILD, MLB.com,  17 Nov 2009

Astros' Lopez tosses four hitless innings
Wilton Lopez is likely done pitching this fall and he ended his second Arizona Fall League campaign with his best effort of the season. Lopez, who reached the Majors with ...
From DANNY WILD, MLB.com,  16 Nov 2009

Lemon's slam sweet for Surprise
Marcus Lemon said he doesn't keep track of his stats. "Except home runs," he admitted with a laugh. "I know how many of those I've hit, I don't hit too many." ...
From DANNY WILD, MLB.com,  12 Nov 2009

Mets' Davis pacing himself for success
The Mets surely could use a young, power-hitting first baseman, but Ike Davis knows the quickest way to Citi Field is by taking things ...
From DANNY WILD, MLB.com,  11 Nov 2009

D-backs' Augenstein learning in AFL
It's been nearly six months since Bryan Augenstein fought his nerves in his Major League debut in Phoenix. The 23-year-old was back in town and on ...
From DANNY WILD, MLB.com,  10 Nov 2009

Giants, Lookouts earn top praise
The San Jose Giants and Chattanooga Lookouts will be the center of attention in Indianapolis next month when the clubs are presented with two of Minor League Baseball's top trophies. The Giants, who were California League champions in 2009, were ...
From DANNY WILD, Minor League Baseball News,  10 Nov 2009

Buente showing Marlins his stuff
For Jay Buente, every strikeout in Arizona this fall moves him a little closer to a roster spot in Florida next spring. "I'm definitely confident I can ...
From DANNY WILD, MLB.com,  9 Nov 2009

Singleton remains productive in AFL
Steve Singleton may not be the biggest name in the Twins' system, but he's hoping to change that in the coming months. "Everyone here is somebody in ...
From DANNY WILD, MLB.com,  4 Nov 2009

Path of the Pros: Adam Dunn
It was a towering, 400-foot home run in the summer of 2001 that, appropriately, introduced Adam Dunn to much of the baseball world. Dunn, a 6-foot-6, ...
From DANNY WILD, MLB.com,  4 Nov 2009

Garrison on the road back in AFL
Steve Garrison has promised himself he won't dream about his future with the Padres, but it's becoming a little harder to keep in the back of his mind. "I'm ...
From DANNY WILD, MLB.com,  3 Nov 2009

May's big day highlights progress
Lucas May is in his second stint in the Arizona Fall League, and he knows the Dodgers are keeping a watchful eye on his progress behind the plate. "The thing that Joe Torre wants is good, solid, consistent catching, so that's my main focus right now," ... From DANNY WILD, MLB.com,  2 Nov 2009

Giants' Posey wins '09 Spink Award
Giants catcher Buster Posey, who ascended from Class A Advanced San Jose to the Majors in less than six months, was named the winner of the 50th annual J.G. Taylor Spink Award as the Topps/Minor League Player of the Year for 2009 on Tuesday. Posey, 22, ... From DANNY WILD, Minor League Baseball News,  29 Oct 2009

Desme strikes again, homers twice
Temperatures in Phoenix may not quite as hot as usual, but Grant Desme is certainly heating things up. Desme went yard for the 10th time in 10 games to lead the Phoenix Desert Dogs ...
From DANNY WILD, MLB.com,  28 Oct 2009

Ashley's walk-off slam lifts Dogs
Good things happen when you eat with the team's hottest hitter. "He's my favorite player right now," Rays prospect Nevin Ashley said of teammate Grant ...
From DANNY WILD, MLB.com,  26 Oct 2009

D-backs' Allen snaps slump in win
Off to a slow start by most standards, Brandon Allen said he's not even keeping track of his results so far in the Arizona Fall League. "I don't pay attention ...
From DANNY WILD, MLB.com,  22 Oct 2009

Henley seeking consistency in AFL
Cardinals prospect Tyler Henley homered and knocked in three runs Wednesday as the Surprise Rafters held on for a 10-9 victory over the Peoria Saguaros. Henley ...
From DANNY WILD, MLB.com,  22 Oct 2009

Heisey heating up in Fall League
Reds prospect Zack Cozart hit a go-ahead two-run single to highlight a six-run ninth inning Tuesday as the Peoria Saguaros rallied for an 11-8 victory over the Phoenix Desert Dogs. Cozart's line drive to center field off Sam Demel plated fellow Reds ... From DANNY WILD, MLB.com,  20 Oct 2009

Carter to attend Hall of Fame ceremony
Gary Carter, the Mets' Hall of Fame catcher who spent time as both a player and a manager in the Florida State League, will attend the circuit's inaugural Hall of Fame induction ceremony next month in Daytona Beach, Fla. Former Mets player, ... From DANNY WILD, Minor League Baseball News,  20 Oct 2009

Sizemore stays hot in Javelinas' win
Scott Sizemore may not have homered for the third straight day Monday afternoon, yet he still managed his most productive effort of the fledgling AFL season. ...
From DANNY WILD, MLB.com,  19 Oct 2009

Path of the Pros: Lance Berkman
Lance Berkman made his way to Kissimmee, Fla. in the summer of 1997 with something to prove. Houston's No. 1 pick in the '97 Draft walked onto the field ...
From DANNY WILD, MLB.com,  16 Oct 2009

Former second-round pick Powell dead at 35
Brian Powell, who pitched in over 200 Minor League games from 1995-2005, died Monday in Tallahassee, Fla., from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the Post-Searchlight of Bainbridge, Ga. Georgia native spent parts of 11 seasons in the ...  From DANNY WILD, Minor League Baseball News,  7 Oct 2009

Path of the Pros: Chris Carpenter
It took less than four years for Chris Carpenter to rise from a high school mound to the Majors, a 22-year-old prospect thrown into a rotation alongside Cy Young Award winners Roger Clemens and Pat Hentgen in 1997. Righty has ... From DANNY WILD, Minor League Baseball News,  7 Oct 2009

Orioles prospect Ouellette arrested for DUI
Orioles prospect Ryan Ouellette was arrested and charged with driving while under the influence on Sunday night after crashing his pickup truck and ...
From DANNY WILD, MLB.com,  29 Sep 2009

Yourkin, Defenders hold off Aeros
Matt Yourkin held the season in his left hand Friday night, entering in the eighth inning of a must-win playoff game for the Connecticut Defenders in enemy territory. Connecticut escapes trouble in ninth to force Game 4 Matt Yourkin took the ... From DANNY WILD, Minor League Baseball News,  19 Sep 2009

Drive stay alive in Sally League
Casey Kelly's RBI single highlighted a go-ahead rally in Greenville's critical Game 3 win Thursday night, but he was quick to shift the credit to his pitchers. Kelly collects clutch single in three-run inning to avoid sweep Will Middlebrooks is ... From DANNY WILD, Minor League Baseball News,  17 Sep 2009

Tampa, Staten Island win championships
Trent Lare ended the season in Tampa, nearly three months after starting it on Staten Island. He proved a good luck charm for both teams as the Yankees ...
From DANNY WILD AND JOHN TORENLI, MLB.com,  17 Sep 2009

Yanks rally, win New York-Penn title
Soaked in sparkling apple cider and screaming as loud as he could, Ben Watkins was just one of many Staten Island Yankees savoring yet another championship Wednesday night. Ben Watkins got the win in the clincher, allowing one hit over five ... From DANNY WILD, Minor League Baseball News,  16 Sep 2009

De Los Santos' walk-off stuns Sox
Jose De Los Santos got a little help from the dugout on the biggest hit of his career Tuesday night. First homer in four years gives Hillcats 2-0 series lead The Hillcats mob Jose De Los Santos after beating Salem on his walk-off homer Tuesday. ...  From DANNY WILD, Minor League Baseball News,  16 Sep 2009

Hillcats ride momentum in Mills Cup opener
Chase d'Arnaud and the Hillcats haven't gotten much rest lately, but that's a good thing. Three RBIs from d'Arnaud help Lynchburg stave off Salem Chase d'Arnaud's two-run double sparked a go-ahead rally in the third. ... From DANNY WILD, Minor League Baseball News,  14 Sep 2009

Defenders, Aeros duel in Eastern League
As the 2009 postseason unfolds, follow along with MiLB.com as the Minors' best teams face off in an attempt to take home their league's crown. Akron returns to Championship Series for fifth straight season Akron's Lonnie Chisenhall and ... From DANNY WILD, Minor League Baseball News,  14 Sep 2009

Snyder shines in surprise start
When Connecticut ace Madison Bumgarner got the call from San Francisco, Ben Snyder knew he was suddenly in a big position. Steps in for Bumgarner, takes shutout into ninth inning Ben Snyder started in place of ace Madison Bumgarner on Wednesday ... From DANNY WILD, Minor League Baseball News,  9 Sep 2009

Top of the class: MiLB's stat leaders
Jon Gaston and Mitch Jones became an unlikely pair this summer, combining to hit 70 homers to top the leaderboard as the Minors' best power hitters. Albuquerque's Mitch Jones and Lanceaster's Jon Gaston took distinct paths to the top... From DANNY WILD, Minor League Baseball News,  8 Sep 2009

Spotlight on prospects in EL playoffs
As the 2009 season winds down, follow along with MiLB.com as the Minors' best teams face off in an attempt to take home their league's crown. Santana, Gomez, Guerra aim to claim top prize Jeanmar Gomez and MVP Carlos Sanatan hope to lead Akron ... From DANNY WILD, Minor League Baseball News,  8 Sep 2009

Spotlight on pitchers in Eastern League playoffs
As the 2009 season winds down, follow along with MiLB.com as the Minors' best teams face off in an attempt to take home their league's crown. Drabek, Bumgarner, Gomez, Guerra aim to claim top prize Jeanmar Gomez and Madison Bumgarner hope to ... From DANNY WILD, Minor League Baseball News,  8 Sep 2009


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