Reid Brignac Named TB Minor League Player of the Year
Brignac, the 20-year old shortstop, began his year with the Visalia Oaks before an August 3rd promotion to AA Montgomery alongside first round pick Evan Longoria. Those two helped the Biscuits to their first ever Southern League Championship. Before his promotion, Brignac had clearly established himself as one of the top hitters in the California League. In Visalia, he hit .326/.382/.557 (AVG/OBP/SLG) in 411 AB over 100 G. At that time, Brignac was fourth in the league in batting average (.326), tied for second in HR (21), second in RBI (83), third in slugging (.557), fifth in extra-base hits (50), second in hits (134) and third in runs scored (82). He continued his strong season with Montgomery, hitting .300/.355/.473 with 6 2B, 3 HR and 16 RBI in 110 AB over the season's final 28 games. Combining his numbers in Visalia and Montgomery, Brignac hit .321 with 32 2B, 24 HR, and 99 RBI. Brignac finished the year sixth in Minor League Baseball in Total Bases (281) and in hits (168). He was originally a 2nd round pick of the Tampa Bay organization in the 2004 draft out of St. Amant HS (LA).
Fernando Perez, the 23-year old speedster, hit .307/.398/.397 with 19 2B, 9 3B, 4 HR and 56 RBI in 133 games with Visalia. Perez scored 123 runs, #1 in Minor League Baseball, and shattered Steve Cox's old Tampa Bay minor league record of 107. Perez finished the year tied for the California League lead in triples (9), fourth in OBP (.398), third in hits (168), tenth in batting average (.307) and fourth in stolen bases (33). Perez's 168 H were fifth most in all of Minor League Baseball. He set new career highs in hits, doubles, HR and RBI and was named by Baseball America as the California League's best defensive outfielder. Perez was drafted in the 7th round in 2004 out of Columbia University.
Houser, the 6'4" lefthander, started the year 1-4 in his first seven starts, but didn't lose a decision after May 12th in his final 20 starts on his way to a California League best 12 wins. Houser finished 12-4 with a 4.41 ERA, eighth best in the hitter friendly California League. Coming into this season, Houser had just 11 professional wins, so he more than doubled that mark in one season. He also set career highs in IP (151), strikeouts (137) and starts (27). Tampa drafted Houser in the second round in 2003.
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Renovation Information
The Oaks are preparing to break ground on a two-phase $5 million renovation project. Phase One will be complete for Opening Day 2007, while Phase Two will be ready for Opening Day 2008.
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Season Seat Information
The Oaks are now taking deposits for Season Seats, Mini-Plans and group packages for the 2007 season. Please call 625-0480 for more information.