Ems Alumni Head To Major League Spring Training
Friars Invite Seven Former Players Including Antonelli and Venable
EUGENE - The San Diego Padres have released a list of 23 players who have been invited to Major League Spring Training. The list features seven former Emeralds including Matt Antonelli (2006) and Will Venable (2005).
Antonelli, the Padres 1st round pick in the 2006 First Year Player Draft, spent last season between Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore and Double-A San Antonio. He hit .314-14-54 in 82 games with the Storm before his promotion to the Alamo City. With the Missions, Antonelli hit .294-7-24 in 49 contests. With the Emeralds in 2006, Antonelli hit .286 with no homers and 22 RBI in 55 games. He ranked second in the NWL in walks (46), on-base percentage (.426) and stolen base percentage (.900).
Venable, the Padres 7th round selection in the 2005 First Year Player Draft, spent last season with Double-A San Antonio of the Texas League. With the Missions, Venable hit .278-8-68 in 134 games. Venable stole 21 bases and struck out only 84 times in 553 plate appearances. For his efforts Venable was named to the Texas League Post-Season All-Star Team. With Eugene in 2005, Venable appeared in 42 games hitting .216 with two home runs and 14 runs batted in.
Also invited to Major League Spring Training were C Nick Hundley (2005), C Jose Lobaton (2004), LHP Cesar Ramos (2005), LHP Wade Leblanc (2006) and RHP Josh Geer (2005). Hundley and Geer were each named to the Texas League Post-Season All-Star Team. Geer was named the circuit's Pitcher of the Year.
Antonelli, the Padres 1st round pick in the 2006 First Year Player Draft, spent last season between Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore and Double-A San Antonio. He hit .314-14-54 in 82 games with the Storm before his promotion to the Alamo City. With the Missions, Antonelli hit .294-7-24 in 49 contests. With the Emeralds in 2006, Antonelli hit .286 with no homers and 22 RBI in 55 games. He ranked second in the NWL in walks (46), on-base percentage (.426) and stolen base percentage (.900).
Venable, the Padres 7th round selection in the 2005 First Year Player Draft, spent last season with Double-A San Antonio of the Texas League. With the Missions, Venable hit .278-8-68 in 134 games. Venable stole 21 bases and struck out only 84 times in 553 plate appearances. For his efforts Venable was named to the Texas League Post-Season All-Star Team. With Eugene in 2005, Venable appeared in 42 games hitting .216 with two home runs and 14 runs batted in.
Also invited to Major League Spring Training were C Nick Hundley (2005), C Jose Lobaton (2004), LHP Cesar Ramos (2005), LHP Wade Leblanc (2006) and RHP Josh Geer (2005). Hundley and Geer were each named to the Texas League Post-Season All-Star Team. Geer was named the circuit's Pitcher of the Year.