Crawdads Alumni Report October 20
Sunday, October 20
BIRTHDAYS:
Jonathan Albaladejo ('03, P) turns 31. The native of Vega Baja, PR was the Pirates 19th round pick in 2001 out of Miami Dade Community College. He made 29 appearances (20 starts) for Hickory and went 12-5 with a save and a 3.11 ERA. He also had five complete games that season, which is tied for the most in a season. In 139 innings, Albaladejo struck out 110, walked 19 and allowed 53 runs (48 earned) on 114 hits. He also owns the lowest walks-per-nine innings ratio for a season at 1.23 and is second in WHIP (0.96). Albaladejo was released by the Pirates in 2007 and was claimed by the Nationals. He made his major league debut with Washington on 9/5/07. Albaladejo spent parts of three seasons with the Yankees (2008-10), including a 32-games stint in 2009 with the world champs. While with the Yankees AAA club at Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre in 2010, Albaladejo set an International League record with 43 saves and was named by Baseball America and milb.com to their respective all-star teams. He pitched with Yomiuri in Japan in 2011, then with the Diamondbacks AAA team with Reno in 2012, which won the AAA championship. Albaladejo pitched this season at AAA- New Orleans (Miami).
Ronald Guzman ('13, 1B) turns 19. The native of La Vega, DR was signed as an international free agent by the Rangers in 2011. During an injury-plagued 2013 season with Hickory, Guzman batted .272 with eight doubles, four homers and 26 RBI in 49 games.
MAJOR LEAGUES
AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES:
Mike Rojas ('95, Manager/ Bullpen Coach- Detroit): Detroit 2 Boston 5. The Red Sox took the best-of-seven series 3-2.
OFFSEASON LEAGUES:
ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE:
Surprise 7 Glendale 0: Ryan Rua ('13, 2B/ Surprise) 0-5, 4 K.
Bill Richardson ('10-'12, Manager/ Mesa): Salt River 8 Mesa (7-2-1) 2.
DOMINICAN WINTER LEAGUE:
Cibao 1 Licey 2: Hanser Alberto ('11, IF/ Cibao); Leury Garcia ('09-'10, SS/ Cibao) 0-4, 2 K/ Jurickson Profar ('11, SS/ Licey) 1-3, BB, R; Jairo Asencio ('05-'06, P/ Licey) 1 IP, 1 K, win (1-0).
Escogido 2 Oriente 4: Carlos Pimentel ('09, P/ Escogido) 1.2 IP, 1 H, 4 BB, 3 K.
MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE:
Guasave 5 Culiacan 4: Humberto Cota ('99, C/ Culiacan) 1-5, 2-run HR (1) in the sixth; Mario Valdez ('95, 1B/ Culiacan) 0-1.
Hermosillo 7 Obregon 1: Christian Villanueva ('11, 3B/ Obregon) 0-5, 2 K.
VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE:
Anzoategui 1 Zulia 6: Jose Castillo ('00, SS/ Anzoategui) 0-4, K.
Lara 8 La Guira 2: Luis Sardinas ('12, SS/ La Guira) 2-5, R.
Magallanes 4 Aragua 5: Teodoro Martinez, ('11, OF/ Aragua) 0-1, K; Jonel Pacheco ('07, OF/ Aragua) 1-4, R, 3 K.
Saturday, October 19
HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY:
Luis Sardinas ('12, SS/ La Guira) had two hits, including an RBI single in the eighth for the go-ahead run in LaGuira's 9-7 win over Aragua in the Venezuelan Winter League. He finished the game 2-for-5 with a steal and scored two runs.
BIRTHDAYS:
Jose Bautista ('02, 3B) turns 33. The native of Bani, D.R. was the Pirates 20th round pick in 2000 out of Chipola College, FL. Bautista batted .301 in 129 games for Hickory with 26 doubles, three triples, 14 homers and 57 RBI. He also walked 67 times, which is fifth most in a season for Hickory and his .402 on base pct. is seventh best. Bautista played in 124 games at third base, the most by any Crawdads player in a season. The Baltimore Orioles picked Bautista off the Pirates roster in the 2003 "Rule 5" draft and he made his debut with the club on 4/4/04. Bautista had a wild 2004 season in which he was claimed off waivers by Tampa Bay, purchased by Kansas City, traded to the NY Mets, and then traded back to the Pirates on July 30. From then until mid-2008 Bautista bounced between the Pirates and their minor league affiliates at AA- Altoona and AAA- Indianapolis. He was traded to Toronto in August 2008 and has since blossomed into one of the game's best sluggers. Bautista was named the American League's Hank Aaron Award winner in 2010 and 2011, both seasons which he led the league in home runs and set the Blue Jays' team record with 54 home runs in 2010. Bautista has named to the American League All-Star team the last four seasons, the past three as a starter in the outfield. He has been named the AL player of the month five times and the league's player of the week four times.
Rajai Davis ('02-'03, OF) turns 33. The native of New London, CT was the Pirates 38th round pick in 2001 out of the University of Connecticut-Avery Point. He joined the Crawdads for six games in 2002 before becoming the starting CF for the team in 2003. Overall in 131 games, Davis batted .309 with 21 doubles, seven triples, six homers and 54 RBI. Davis also stole 40 bases and scored 84 runs. His 112 singles are the fourth-most in a season for Hickory. He is also seventh in triples, and 10th in hits (146) and steals. Davis made his debut with the Pirates on 8/14/06 and spent parts of two years with the club. He was sent to San Francisco on 7/31/07 as part of the deal that brought Matt Morris to the Pirates. The Oakland A's claimed him on waivers in April 2008, who then traded him to Toronto during the offseason. Davis has been a terror on the base paths with 268 career steals, the most in the majors by a former Crawdads player. He has finished second in the American League in steals three out of the last four seasons, including the last two.
Ryan Ledden ('00, P) turns 36. The native of Lilburn, GA was obtained by the Pirates in a trade with Tampa Bay in 2000. He pitched in 30 games out of the bullpen for Hickory and went 1-2 with seven saves and a 3.35 ERA. In 45.2 innings, Ledden struck out 37, walked 25 and allowed 25 runs (17 earned) on 39 hits. He moved up to high A- Lynchburg to finish out the 2000 and played his final pro season there in 2001. Ledden was an assistant coach for Brookwood High School (GA) from 2004-2012. During his tenure there, Brookwood won the state AAAAA championship in 2008 and was the runner up in 2012.
Chance Sossamon ('12, P) turns 24. The native of Webb City, MO was the Rangers 21st round pick in 2011 out of Wichita St. University. He came to Hickory late in mid-2012 and had a 9.22 ERA in ten games out of the pen. In 13.2 innings, Sossamon struck out 11, walked 15, and allowed 17 runs (14 earned) on 20 hits. He was released by the Rangers after the season.
OFFSEASON LEAGUES:
ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE:
Surprise 11 Mesa 9: Will Lamb ('11-'12, P/ Surprise) 2.2 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 4 K, HB; Nick McBride ('11-'12, P/ Surprise) 1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 K, HR, balk; Jorge Alfaro ('12-'13, C/ Surprise) 3-5, R, RBI, SB, scored the go-ahead run in the ninth/ Bill Richardson ('10-'12, Manager/ Mesa) (7-1-1).
DOMINICAN WINTER LEAGUE:
Licey 1 Escogido 4: Jurickson Profar ('11, SS/ Licey) 1-3, 2B, RBI, K.
MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE:
Guasave 0 Culiacan 3: Humberto Cota ('99, C/ Culiacan) 0-4, 2 K.
VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE:
Anzoategui 2 Zulia 5: Jose Castillo ('00, SS/ Anzoategui) 1-4, two-run HR (1) in 6th, K.
Aragua 7 La Guira 9: Jonel Pacheco ('07, OF/ Aragua) 2-4, BB, 2 R
Magallanes 8 Lara 1: Rougned Odor ('12, 2B/ Magallanes) 0-1.
Friday, October 18
HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY:
Jorge Alfaro ('12-'13, C/ Surprise) went 2-for-4 with a triple, an RBI and scored two runs to lead Surprise to a 10-5 win over Scottsdale.
BIRTHDAYS:
Chris Bass ('01, '03, 1B-3B) turns 32. The native of Madison, IN was the Pirates ninth round pick in 2000 out of Madison Consolidated High School. In his two seasons with the Crawdads, Bass batted .257 with 41 doubles, four triples, 19 homers and 113 RBI. His 15 sac flies are the most in team history. He is fifth overall in RBI and doubles, sixth in total bases (41), seventh in hits (208) and eighth in games played (229). Bass moved over to the Florida Marlins chain and played for high A-Jupiter in 2004 and AA- Carolina in 2005 before leaving the game.
Miguel De La Cruz ('01-'03, 1B-3B) turns 34. The native of Santo Domingo, D.R. was signed by the Pirates as an international free agent in 1997. In 146 games over parts of three seasons, De La Cruz batted .236 with 20 doubles, two triples, six homers and 41 RBI. After skipping the 2004 season, he had a brief stint with Delmarva (low A-Baltimore) in 2005 before his release.
Jason Landreth ('00, 1B-OF) turns 38. The native of Sacramento, CA signed with the Pirates as a free agent after playing with Lubbock in the independent Texas-Louisiana League. In 72 games, Landreth batted .304 with 16 doubles, four triples, four homers and 41 RBI. Among players with 150 or more plate appearances, his .417 on base pct. is the seventh best in a season, sixth best overall. He was released after the season and played for Solono in the independent Western League in 2000-2001, then for San Angelo in the Central League in 2003. He returned to San Angelo in 2008 for three seasons.
Taber Lee ('03, SS) turns 33. The native of Olympia, WA was the Pirates third round pick in 2002 out of San Diego St. In 115 games, Lee batted .247 with 19 doubles, five triples, five homers and 29 RBI. He remained in the Pirates organization through 2007, when he played with AA- Altoona and AAA- Indianapolis. Lee had one final season in 2009 in Italy, where he played for Reggio Emilia.
Joe Van Meter ('10-'11, P) turns 25.The native of Oyster Bay, NY was the Rangers 21st round pick in 2010 out of Virginia Commonwealth. He pitched in two games with Hickory late in 2010 before spending all of 2011 with the club. Overall in 41 games (eight starts), Van Meter was 5-6 with five saves and a 4.04 ERA. In 84.2 innings, he struck out 67, walked 35 and allowed 42 runs (38 earned) on 81 hits. Van Meter split the past two seasons with high A-Myrtle Beach and AA-Frisco before the Rangers released him. He finished out the season at AA- Montgomery in the Tampa Bay Rays chain.
TRANSACTIONS:
Matt Capps ('04-'05, P) re-signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians and received an invitation to spring training. Capps set out much of the year after arm surgery early this season.
MAJOR LEAGUES
AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES:
Mike Rojas ('95, Manager/ Bullpen Coach- Detroit): Boston 4 Detroit 3. The Red Sox lead the best-of-seven series 3-2.
OFFSEASON LEAGUES:
ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE:
Scottsdale 5 Surprise 10: Matt West ('09-'10, 3B/ Surprise) 2/3 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 HR; Ryan Rua ('13, 2B/ Surprise) 0-3, B, 2 R, 2 K.
Bill Richardson ('10-'12, Manager/ Mesa): Mesa (7-0-1) 6 Peoria 1.
MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE:
Culiacan 2 Navojoa 3 (Game 1): Carlos Rivera ('99, 1B/ Culiacan) 1-3, 2B, RBI, K. Culiacan 4 Navojoa 3 (Game 2): Carlos Rivera 0-0, HBP, R.
VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE:
Anzoategui 7 Lara 5: Jose Castillo ('00, SS/ Anzoategui) 1-4, 2 RBI/ Romulo Sanchez ('05-'06, P/ Lara) 1/3 IP, 1 BB.
Aragua 3 Margarita 1: Jonel Pacheco ('07, OF/ Aragua) made a defensive appearance.
Caracas 5 La Guira 4: Ronald Uviedo ('07-'08, P/ Caracas) 3 IP, 1 H, win (1-0)/ Luis Sardinas ('12, SS/ La Guira) 0-4, K.
Magallanes 2 Zulia 1: Rougned Odor ('12, 2B/ Magallanes) made a defensive appearance; Tomas Telis ('11, C/ Magallanes) 1-4.
Thursday, October 17
BIRTHDAYS:
Hanser Alberto ('12, IF) turns 21. The native of San Francisco de Macoris, D.R. was signed by the Rangers as an international free agent in 2010. In 62 games with Hickory, Alberto batted .337 with 17 doubles, a triple, four homers and 38 RBI. He also stole 15 bases and scored 37 runs. Among hitters with 150+ plate appearances, the SAL all-star is ninth overall in team history in batting average and eighth in a season. He received a mid-season promotion to high A-Myrtle Beach in 2012 and split time this season between AA- Frisco and the Pelicans.
Jorge Cortes ('02-'03, OF) turns 33. The native of Maracaibo, Venezuela was signed by the Pirates as an international free agent in 1997. After a 17-game stint with Hickory in 2002, the SAL all-star returned to the Crawdads the next season and led the team to the playoffs. During that season, Cortes batted .325 with 24 doubles, two triples, eight homers and 66 RBI in 98 games. For his efforts he was named the SAL most valuable player. He currently holds the club record in on base pct. at .427 and is ninth in batting avg. Cortes stayed in the Pirates organization through 2005 and made it to AA-Altoona before joining a succession of clubs as a free agent. After a season at AA- Corpus Christi (Houston) in 2006, he went to the Cubs in 2007 and reached the AAA level for the first time when he played for Iowa. Cortes returned to the Pirates at AAA- Indianapolis in 2008, his last tenure with an affiliated team. Since then, he has played for various independent league and Mexican League teams, and spent part of this season at Somerset in the Atlantic League.
Jason Lakman ('96-'97, P) turns 37. The native of Woodinville, WA was the White Sox seventh round pick in 1995 out of Woodinville High School. He joined the Crawdads for part of 1996 and all of 1997 and made a total 40 starts. Overall, Lakman went 10-15 with a 4.74 ERA and three complete games. In 218.1 innings he struck out 211, walked 113 and allowed 137 runs (115 earned) on 205 hits. Lakman is third overall in games started and walks allowed, fourth in strikeouts and wild pitches (41), fifth in earned runs allowed, sixth in runs allowed, seven in innings pitched and losses. He is tied for the most starts in a single-season (27), third in wild pitches (24), fourth in strikeouts (16) and walks allowed (70). Lakman went on to spend three more seasons with the White Sox chain, split between high A- Winston-Salem and AA- Birmingham. He was released in 2000 and signed up with the Orioles and made it to AAA- Rochester in 2001, his last stint with an affiliated team. Lakman went on to pitch with Duluth (Northern-Ind.) in 2002 and Victoria (Canadian-Ind.) in 2003. He made a brief comeback in 2008 at St. George in the independent Golden League.
Victor Payano ('12, P) turns 21. The native of San Juan de la Maguana, D.R. was signed by the Rangers as an international free agent in 2010. Payano pitched in 25 games (20 starts) for Hickory and went 6-8 with a 4.63 ERA and a save. He also pitched a complete-game, five-inning shutout that season. The SAL all-star struck out 97, walked 62, and allowed 61 runs (54 earned) on 97 hits in 105 innings. Payano pitched this season at high A-Myrtle Beach.
Joe Sutton ('98, C) turns 39. The native of Clarksburg, WV was the White Sox 18th round pick in 1996 out of West Virginia Wesleyan College. In 76 games with Hickory, Sutton batted .231 with 14 doubles, two triples, four homers and 22 RBI. He was released after the season and did not play again professionally.
Matt Swanson ('06, P) turns 31. The native of Los Gatos, CA was the Pirates 13th round pick in 2005 out of the University of California-Berkeley. He made 48 appearances out of the bullpen (sixth most in a season) and went 4-4 with 11 saves and a 4.61 ERA. In 52.2 innings, Swanson struck out 43, walked 27 and allowed 33 runs (27 earned) on 57 hits. He went on to pitch for high A- Lynchburg in 2007 before he was released.
Chris Tremie ('93, C) turns 44. The native of Houston, TX was the White Sox 39th round pick in 1992 out of the University of Houston. Tremie batted .187 in 49 games with six doubles, a triple, a homer and 17 RBI. He went on to become the first Crawdad player to make it to the major leagues when he debuted with Chicago on 7/1/95. Tremie stayed with the White Sox organization through 1996 at AAA-Nashville before he spent a season with AA- Reading (Philadelphia) in 1997. He got his second major league stint in 1998, this time with the Rangers. Tremie also had big league appearances with the Pirates in 1999 and Houston in 2004. His final season came in 2005 with the Astros AA club at Round Rock. Tremie became a hitting coach in the Cleveland Indians chain at short-season Mahoning Valley in 2006, then a manager in the system starting in 2007 at low A-Lake County. He won his first league title in 2012 when he took AA-Akron to the Eastern League championship. He managed this season at AAA- Columbus.
MAJOR LEAGUES
AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES:
Mike Rojas ('95, Manager/ Bullpen Coach- Detroit): Boston 3 Detroit 7. The Tigers and Red Sox are tied 2-2 in their best-of-seven series.
OFFSEASON LEAGUES:
ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE:
Bill Richardson ('10-'12, Manager/ Mesa): Mesa (6-0-1) 3 Peoria 1.
MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE:
Culiacan 8 Navojoa 6 (13 innings): MarioValdez ('95, P/ Culiacan) 1-1, 2B.
VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE:
Anzoategui 2 Caracas 12: Jose Castillo ('00, SS/ Anzoategui) 2-3, BB.
Aragua 6 Margarita 1: Mark Hamburger ('09, P/ Aragua) 2 IP, 1 BB, 2 K.
La Guira 4 Lara 2: Hector Nelo ('10, P/ La Guira) 1 IP, 1 H; Luis Sardinas ('12, SS/ La Guira) 1-4, BB, 2 R.
Magallanes 3 Zulia 2: Rougned Odor ('12, 2B/ Magallanes) 1-3.
Wednesday, October 16
BIRTHDAYS:
Pedro Demorejon ('96, P) turns 39. The native of Miami, FL was the 42nd round pick of the White Sox in 1995 out of the University of Miami. He made 17 appearances (one start) and went 1-2 with a 4.43 ERA. In 42.2 innings, Demorejon struck out 34, walked 22 and allowed 26 runs (21 earned) on 45 hits. He was released after the season.
Josias Manzanillo ('02, rehab) turns 46. The native of San Pedro de Macoris, D.R. pitched one game for the Crawdads as part of an injury rehab assignment. In his two-inning stint, he allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and struck out one. Mazanillo returned to the Pirates to finish out the 2002 season. He then pitched one season each at Cincinnati (2003) and Florida (2004) before he finished his career in 2005 with Puebla of the Mexican League.
MAJOR LEAGUES
AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES:
Mike Rojas ('95, Manager/ Bullpen Coach- Detroit): Boston 1 Detroit 0. Boston leads the best-of-seven series 2-1.
OFFSEASON LEAGUES:
ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE:
Surprise 9 Salt River 2: Nick McBride ('11-'12, P/ Surprise) 1.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 K, win (1-0); Jorge Alfaro ('12-'13, C/ Surprise) 2-3, BB, 2 R, RBI; Ryan Rua ('13, 2B/ Surprise) 1-5, 2 R, RBI, K.
Bill Richardson ('10-'12, Manager/ Mesa): Scottsdale 4 Mesa (5-0-1) 7.
VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE:
Anzoategui 6 Caracas 5: Jose Castillo ('00, SS/ Anzoategui) 0-4, 2 K.
Aragua 4 Margarita 3: Jonel Pacheco ('07, OF/ Aragua) 0-4, 3 K.
Magallanes 7 Zulia 4: Rougned Odor ('12, 2B/ Magallanes) 2-3, BB, R.
Tuesday, October 15
BIRTHDAYS:
Garret Carlson ('95, P) turns 40. The native of Spokane, WA was signed by the White Sox as a non-drafted free agent out of the University of Notre Dame. He pitched in three games out of the bullpen and allowed six runs in 1.2 innings (32.40). Carlson struck out two, walked four and gave up two hits. He pitched for rookie affiliate Bristol before he was released.
Adam Virchis ('96-'98, P) turns 40. The native of San Diego, CA was the White Sox eighth round pick in 1995 out of San Diego St. He pitched in parts of three seasons, making 50 appearances (five starts), and went 11-12 with two saves and a 3.46 ERA. In 145.2 innings, Virchis struck out 95, walked 41 and allowed 66 runs (56 earned) on 140 hits. He pitched for AA- Birmingham and AAA- Charlotte in 1999 before he was released. Virchis has been a scout for the White Sox since 2004.
OFFSEASON LEAGUES:
ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE:
Salt River 3 Surprise 2: Matt West ('09-'10, 3B/ Surprise) 1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K.
Bill Richardson ('10-'12, Manager/ Mesa): Mesa (4-0-1) 7 Scottsdale 6.
Monday, October 14
BIRTHDAYS:
Joel Garber ('96, P) turns 40. The native of Manhattan Beach, CA was the 32nd round pick of the White Sox in 1995 out of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. He went 1-1 with two saves and a 4.03 ERA in 17 games (one start). In 51.1 innings, Garber struck out 46, walked 16 and allowed 26 runs (23 earned) on 60 hits. He was released after the season.
Mickey McKinion ('93-'94, P) turns 40. The native of Wilmer, AL was the White Sox seventh round pick in 1992 out of Montgomery High School in Wilmer. McKinion pitched in 45 games (15 starts) and went 5-13 with a save and a 5.08 ERA. In 125.2 innings, he struck out 108, walked 54 and allowed 92 runs (71 earned) on 131 hits. McKinion was released after the season.
Hector Ortiz ('09, Manager) turns 44. The native of Rio Pedras, P.R. was the Crawdads first manager with the Rangers affiliation and led the team to a 63-76 record. He has been the Rangers catching coordinator the past two seasons.
MAJOR LEAGUES
AMERICAN LEAGUE:
Mike Rojas ('95, Manager/ Bullpen Coach- Detroit): Detroit 5 Boston 6. The Tigers and Red Sox are tied 1-1 in their best-of-seven series.
OFFSEASON LEAGUES:
MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE:
Mazatlan 6 Culiacan 5: Carlos Rivera ('99, 1B/ Culiacan) 1-4, 2-run HR, K.
VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE:
Caracas 2 La Guira 6: Ronald Uviedo ('07-'08, P/ Caracas) 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 K/ Hector Nelo ('10, P/ La Guira) 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB; Luis Sardinas ('12, SS/ La Guira) 2-3, 3B, BB, 2 R, RBI, SB.
Lara 2 Aragua 6: Mark Hamburger ('09, P/ Aragua) 2 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 1 K; Teodoro Martinez, ('11, OF/ Aragua) 0-3.
Margarita 5 Anzoategui 3: Jose Castillo ('00, SS/ Anzoategui) 1-4, 2 K.
Zulia 4 Magallanes 6: Rougned Odor ('12, 2B/ Magallanes) defensive appearances.