The Boll Weevil notebook ...Chase
Utley, the Philadelphia Phillies’ No. 1 draft choice, has signed. He received a $1.8
million bonus.
Utley was a second baseman at UCLA but will
he be one if he comes to the Piedmont Boll Weevils?
Weevils manager Greg Legg said earlier this
year, “I like my second baseman,” referring to Brian Hitchcox. And Hitchcox has
been making spectacular play after spectacular play lately.
Hitchcox could move over to third but Legg
would like to see him stay at second. Right now, the point is moot.
“Utley is going to Batavia
first,” said Legg.
“He hasn’t played in a while so
it will be a good place to get his feet under him. If he’s too good for that league,
they’ll move him up. He may come here, he may jump up to Clearwater.
“He’s left-handed and he’s a
hitter. I’d love to have him. But if he doesn’t come here, we’ve still got
a nice ballclub.”
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HOW’SYOURARM? You always wonder about
teenage pitchers who go straight to professional ball and how their arm will react to the
wear and tear of throwing more innings than ever before.
Last year, for instance, Weevil Brad
Baisely had to be shut down in August because his arm was getting too tender. In fact,
he’s out now, with a sore elbow at Clearwater.
Last Sunday, while 19-year old Ryan Madson
was winning his ninth game, his inning total went over 100, the most he’s ever thrown
in a season.
Is he feeling any pain?
“Actually, I’m getting stronger
as the season goes.”
Madson threw seven more Friday night in
Charleston to become the third Boll Weevil pitcher with at least 10 wins. Brett Myers (12)
and Frankie Brooks (11) are the others.
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GODAUNTE! There will be at least one Boll
Weevil rooting hard for the Minnesota Vikings’ new starting quarterback Daunte
Culpepper. That’s ticket manager Tim Mueller.
Mueller played on the same high school team
in Florida as Culpepper. He later went on to play four years at Division IIIMethodist
College as a linebacker.
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BYE,RYAN: Ryan Brookman didn’t stay
with the Weevils long. The righthander has been shipped down to Batavia, despite pitching
pretty well here.
No Weevil official would say if the move
was made to open up a spot for Utley.
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STILLTHEBEST: Piedmont has the most
outstanding record (74-37 going into Saturday night) of any team on any level of
professional baseball.
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P.R. MAN: Is there anything that Todd
Parnell is not involved in? Recently, Parnell played in a golf tournament for charity
Chuck Howard of Channel 6 actually showed highlights of the Weevils general manager
chipping to the green.
Thank goodness the shot landed inches from
the hole, making him look just a little bit better than he really is (That was an
editorial comment).
Then, a recent night at Concord Motorsports
Park saw Parnell waving the flag to start a race.
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SALPLAYOFFS: The South Atlantic League
postseason begins Sept. 5 and despite winning the Northern Division of the first half and
leading the division in the second, the Boll Weevils will start the playoffs on the road.
They’ll play either the second-half,
Northern Division champ, or if they win the second half, the team in the Northern Division
with the next best record.
Games 2 and 3 (if neceessary) will be at
Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium.
If Piedmont makes the SAL championship
week, the first two games are on the road and the final three are at home of the
best-of-five series.
Call the Weevils at 932-3267 for ticket
information.
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CLEARWATERNOTES: Former Weevil closer Cary
Hiles was named to the Florida State League’s All-Star Game for high Class-A
Clearwater but did not fare too well, giving up the game-winning homer. “At least I
got that out of the way instead of in the regular season,” said Hiles, who is 6-1
with a 3.56 ERA. ... Manager Ken Oberkfell thought former Weevl Jeremy Wedel (3-2, 2.22)
deserved an all-star berth. ... Clearwater set first-half attendance records (45,222). ...
Uriel Casillas has played well, hitting .333 in 37 games. ... In his first five games at
Clearwater, Eric Schreimann was hitting .316. ... Bob Van Iten’s still around.
He’s hitting .222 and leads the team with five homers.
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READINGNOTES: No surprise here: Eric Valent
leads Double-A Reading with 12 homers and 47 RBI’s after 65 games. ... All-star
pitcher Brandon Duckworth is 7-5 with 99 strikeouts in 88 innings. ... Reading likes Andy
Dominique and Johnny Estrada enough to plantoon them at catcher and DH. They have combined
for 15 homers and 60 RBI’s in 53 games. ... The Phillies also like David Francia, who
is hitting .281 and leads the team in stolen bases. ... Jason Kershner has been switched
to a reliever’s role and is having a good season at 4-1, 3.26. ... Joe Cotton is 2-0
with a 1.48 ERA. ... Former Reading Phillie Ryne Sandberg returns Aug. 17 to be inducted
into the Reading Baseball Hall of Fame.
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SCRANTONNOTES: The next ex-Weevil to make
the big leagues may be centerfielder Reggie Taylor and shortstop Jimmy Rollins of Triple-A
Scranton. Taylor is hitting a sizzling .360 and has a slugging percentage of .605.
Roillins will probably replace Desi Relaford, who was traded to San Diego. ... Former
Thomas Juaquez is 2.1 with a 1.42 ERA. ... Anthony Shumaker was sent down from the
Phillies this past week.
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BUGBITES: The Weevils have thrown 12
shutouts this season and have been shut out six times. ... Nate Espy has not hit a homer
sinc July 14 and only two since June 23 but still leads the SAL in that category. ...
Aaron Merhoff had his best game as a Weevil in last week’sw 12-4 win over Greensboro.
He went 4-for-5. ... Marlon Byrd hit his 15th homer last week.
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THESCHEDULE:Macon(the Atlanta
affiliate)comes in for a four-game set, starting Tuesday.
On Thursday, it is National Elvis Night so
with the costumes and Thirsty Thursday ... well, let’s just say it should be a fun
night had by all.
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Ronnie Gallagher covers the Boll Weevils
for the Post. |
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