Jays' Banks taking mound in hometown

BALTIMORE -- If the Orioles experience a considerable spike in attendance on Thursday, the team might want to send a thank you card to Josh Banks' family. The Blue Jays rookie, who hails from the Baltimore area, is expecting quite the fan club to show up for his first start in the big leagues.

"I'd say around 500 -- maybe more," said a smiling Banks, when asked how many of his family and friends would be in the stands at Camden Yards. "My sister's work, they already bought 200 tickets. That's just my sister alone. That's just an estimate. So, it might be a little less, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's a lot more."

Thursday's start was originally slated for right-hander Shaun Marcum, but he's been shut down for the season after suffering a meniscal tear in his right knee. Losing Marcum, who is scheduled to have surgery performed by Dr. Steve Mirabello on Wednesday in Florida, created the opportunity for Banks.

Banks, 25, was added to Toronto's roster as part of the September callups, but the right-hander has seen little work as a member of the bullpen. Banks was used solely as a starter throughout his Minor League career, so he's looking forward to getting a start for Toronto, which drafted him in the second round of the 2003 First-Year Player Draft.

"I haven't had a chance to start since Sept. 1," said Banks, who spent the year with Triple-A Syracuse before being promoted. "So, hopefully it goes well. I'm praying for the best, but we'll see what happens. Hopefully I can go out there and go as long as I can."

Toronto manager John Gibbons said he also considered giving Josh Towers the start, but the fact that Banks would be pitching in his hometown played a role in the decision. Banks, who pitched at Camden Yards in a high school All-Star game, was born in Baltimore and grew up roughly 15 minutes outside of the city.

"We'll go with Banks. It'll be good for him," Gibbons said. "Plus, we want to get a look at him, too -- an extended look. He's got a good changeup and he's always been a strike thrower. We're conscious that he hasn't pitched a lot since he came up, so we'll watch him."

This season, Banks went 12-10 with a 4.63 ERA in 27 starts with Syracuse. Over 169 innings with the Chiefs, Banks recorded 101 strikeouts and 24 walks, with a .284 opponents' batting average. In two relief outings with the Blue Jays, Banks has allowed one run on two hits with two walks and a strikeout in two innings.

Award winners: On Tuesday, the Jays revealed the eight recipients of this season's R. Howard Webster Awards, honoring the most valuable players at each Minor League level. Banks took home the award for Triple-A, while outfielder David Smith (.276, 24 homers, 70 RBIs) and first baseman Josh Kreuzer (.309, 20, 71) were rewarded for their work with Double-A New Hampshire and Class A Advanced Dunedin respectively.

Other winners included Class A Lansing outfielder Travis Snider (.313, 16, 93), who was Toronto's top selection in the '06 Draft; Class A Short-Season Auburn left-hander Brett Cecil (1-0, 1.27 ERA); outfielder Johermyn Chavez (.301, six, 21) of the Rookie League Gulf Coast League Jays; and outfielders Welington Ramirez (.270, three, 30) and Yensy Perez (.298) of Dominican Summer League Team No. 1 and No. 2 respectively.