Greene and Headley Headline Group In Peoria
Six Former Emeralds Included On Friars 40-Man Roster
EUGENE - After seven seasons as an affiliate of the San Diego Padres, a number of former Ems are making their way to the major leagues. Today, the Padres announced their 40-Man Roster for Spring Training in Peoria, Ariz. which includes six former Emeralds players.
Headlining the group is SS Khalil Greene (2002) who hit .254 with 27 home runs and 97 runs batted in in 2007. The 27 home runs and 97 RBI were both career highs for Greene who hit .270-0-6 for the Ems in 2002. Also tabbed to the 40-Man Roster was the Padres Minor League Player of the Year, 3B Chase Headley (2005). With the Double-A San Antonio Missions, Headley hit .330-20-78 in 121 games for the Texas League champions. With the Emeralds in 2005, Headley hit .268-6-33 in 57 games before earning a promotion to Fort Wayne of the Midwest League. C Colt Morton (2004) was placed on the roster for the first time after hitting a combined .307-9-35 in 47 games in 2007 split between Peoria, Lake Elsinore, San Antonio and San Diego. Morton made his MLB debut on September 21, 2007 against the Colorado Rockies at PETCO Park, a 2-1 Rockies triumph in 14 innings. Morton pinch hit for P Joe Thatcher in the 14th frame of that contest, popping to shortstop to end the game.
Three pitchers were placed on the 40-Man Roster including MLB veteran RHP Justin Germano (2001). Last season, Germano was 7-10 with a 4.46 ERA in 26 games with San Diego striking out 78 in 133.1 innings. With the Emeralds in 2001, Germano was 6-5 with a 3.49 ERA in 13 games, including an NWL leading two complete games. RHP Jared Wells (2003) who spent last season with the Triple-A Portland Beavers and RHP Ernesto Frieri (2006) who split time between Class A Fort Wayne and Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore will also receive an extended look to make the Padres Opening Day roster.
Headlining the group is SS Khalil Greene (2002) who hit .254 with 27 home runs and 97 runs batted in in 2007. The 27 home runs and 97 RBI were both career highs for Greene who hit .270-0-6 for the Ems in 2002. Also tabbed to the 40-Man Roster was the Padres Minor League Player of the Year, 3B Chase Headley (2005). With the Double-A San Antonio Missions, Headley hit .330-20-78 in 121 games for the Texas League champions. With the Emeralds in 2005, Headley hit .268-6-33 in 57 games before earning a promotion to Fort Wayne of the Midwest League. C Colt Morton (2004) was placed on the roster for the first time after hitting a combined .307-9-35 in 47 games in 2007 split between Peoria, Lake Elsinore, San Antonio and San Diego. Morton made his MLB debut on September 21, 2007 against the Colorado Rockies at PETCO Park, a 2-1 Rockies triumph in 14 innings. Morton pinch hit for P Joe Thatcher in the 14th frame of that contest, popping to shortstop to end the game.
Three pitchers were placed on the 40-Man Roster including MLB veteran RHP Justin Germano (2001). Last season, Germano was 7-10 with a 4.46 ERA in 26 games with San Diego striking out 78 in 133.1 innings. With the Emeralds in 2001, Germano was 6-5 with a 3.49 ERA in 13 games, including an NWL leading two complete games. RHP Jared Wells (2003) who spent last season with the Triple-A Portland Beavers and RHP Ernesto Frieri (2006) who split time between Class A Fort Wayne and Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore will also receive an extended look to make the Padres Opening Day roster.