Mud Hens' Dietrich Named to Award

Southern Indiana Mud Hens prospect and Georgia Tech University shortstop Derek Dietrich has been named the inaugural Pro-Line Athletic National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association's Freshman Hitter recipient, as announced by the organization Tuesday.

Dietrich, a 6-1 shortstop, led the Yellow Jackets with 66 RBIs, while hitting .332 with 14 home runs and 16 doubles in his first season at Georgia Tech. The Parma, Ohio native started every game at shortstop in 2008 and made one appearance off the mound in relief. He was named the All-ACC second team shortstop after concluding the regular season ranked in the top-10 in the league in home runs, RBI and total bases and led all freshmen in the conference in the three categories.

Dietrich helped lead Georgia Tech to a 41-21 record and an appearance in the NCAA Athens Regional.

Mud Hens' Jackson Named to USA National Team

Southern Indiana Mud Hens propect and University of Miami sophomore shortstop Ryan Jackson was named to the 2008 USA Baseball National Team, a squad comprised of the top non-draft-eligible college players in the United States. The 20-man roster consists of nine pitchers, nine position players and a pair of two-way players.

The 2008 USA Baseball National Team will compete next month in the Haarlem Baseball Week in the Netherlands and at the FISU World Championships in the Czech Republic.

The National Team roster was selected following a two-week trials period, during which time the trials participants played 10 games and had two intrasquad scrimmages. Comprised of the top non-draft-eligible college players in the United States, the National Team plays six games against the Chinese Taipei National Team before beginning competition in Europe.

The USA Baseball Olympic Team is comprised of the top professional players not on a 25-man roster; that squad will be announced July 16.

Jackson was a first team All-ACC selection. He finished the 2008 season hitting .360 with 87 hits, a team-high 19 doubles, four homers and 50 RBI. Most impressively he fielded .974 from his shortstop position while committing just eight errors and leading the team with 206 assists. He also was named to the ABCA All-Atlantic Region team and was named the most outstanding player of the NCAA Coral Gables Regional.

Rob Walton (Oral Roberts) serves as head coach of the 2008 National Team with pitching coach Jerry Meyers (Old Dominion) and assistant coaches Nino Giarratano (San Francisco) and Ritch Price (Kansas). Eric Campbell is the general manager for the USA Baseball National Team.
The National Team begins competition Wednesday, opening a six-game series against the Chinese Taipei National Team in Greenville, S.C. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EDT at West End Field.

Down on the Farm, Friday, 06/27/08

AAA
Shairon Martis, RHP, Columbus Clippers
Martis pitched 6 innings and allowed 8 hits, 3 walks and 3 earned runs while striking out 2 in a losing decision. The Clippers lost to the Indianapolis Indians, 5-2.

Juan Miranda, 1B, Scranton-Wilkes Barre Yankees
Miranda was 1-for-4 with a double in a game that was suspended 1-1 in the 9th inning due to fog against the Buffalo Bisons.

Brad Nelson, OF, Nashville Sounds
Nelson was 1-for-4, scored and run and struck his 12th home run of the season and had an rbi in a 5-2 win over the Round Rock Express.

AA
Roger Bernadina, OF, Harrisburg Senators
Bernadina was 2-for-4 in a 2-1 loss to the Erie Sea Wolves.

Chris Coghlan, 2B, Carolina Mudcats
Coghlan was 2-for-3 with a walk in a 5-2 win over the Huntsville Starz.

Low A
Yefri Carvajal, OF, Ft. Wayne Wizards
Carvajal was 3-for-4 with a run scored, an rbi, and a walk in an 11-3 win over the Dayton Dragons.

Rookie
Humberto Sanchez, RHP, GCL Yankees
Sanchez started and pitched 1 inning and gave up 1 hit and struck out 1 in a no decision game the Yankees won over the GCL Blue Jays, 6-5.

Down on the Farm, Thursday, 06/26/2008

AAA
Brad Nelson, OF, Nashville Sounds
Nelson was 2-for-2 with 2 runs scored and 3 walks in an 8-5 win over the Round Rock Express.

AA
Chris Coghlan, 2B, Carolina Mudcats
Coghlan was 2-for-4 in an 8-1 loss to the Huntsville Starz.

Low A
Brandon Waring, 3B, Dayton Dragons
Waring was 1-for-4 with an rbi in a 2-1 win over the South Bend Silver Hawks.

Class A Short Season
Lance Lynn, RHP, Batavia Muckdogs
Lynn pitched 1 2/3 innings and gave up 2 hits, 2 walks and struck a batter out in a no decision in a 7-6 victory over the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.

Ike Davis, OF, Brooklyn Cyclones
In his professional debut, Davis was 1-for-4 with a run scored and a double in a 4-2 win over the Aberdeen IronBirds.

Rookie
Kyle Russell, OF, Ogden Raptors
Russell was 2-for-4 with 2 runs scored, a double, a home run, an rbi and a walk in a 6-5 loss to the Orem Owlz.

Ruffin Pitching Well for Team USA

Texas Longhorns freshman right-hander Chance Ruffin pitched one scoreless inning to earn a win for the USA Baseball National Trials Team in a 7-1 victory over the Chinese National Team at Fuessenich Park in Torrington, Conn., on Wednesday night.

Ruffin entered a scoreless game in the top of the fifth inning and struck out all three batters he faced on 15 pitches. Team USA scored three runs in the home half of the fifth and cruised to the 7-1 win.

The Longhorns' northpaw has appeared in three games for USA Baseball posting a 1-0 mark and a 1.80 ERA. He has allowed one run on four hits and two walks while striking out 11 in five innings of work.

In all, 32 players were invited to the National Team Trials and 22 of those players will be selected for the National Team roster that will be announced on June 24. The trial includes a 12-game exhibition slate. After the trial period, USA Baseball's 2008 National Team schedule includes a six-game friendship series against Chinese Taipei and a month-long trip to Europe where the team will compete in the Haarlem Baseball Week in the Netherlands and the IV FISU World Collegiate Baseball Championship in the Czech Republic.

Ruffin was arguably the best freshman starting pitcher in the nation in 2008. In 10 starts, he went 7-0 with a 1.56 ERA, striking out 60 over 57.2 innings. Ruffin was named the Big 12 Conference Freshman Pitcher of the Year, posting an 8-3 record with a 1.96 ERA and 82 strikeouts in 78 innings.

He held opponents to a .191 batting average for the season.

Earlier in the month, Ruffin was named to the Louisville Slugger's Freshman All-American Team by Collegiate Baseball and the Pro-Line Athletics Freshman All-American Team by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.

National Team Trials competition continues Thursday as the U.S. squad travels to Newport, R.I. to face the Newport Gulls of the NECBL at Cardines Field. First pitch is scheduled for 5:35 p.m. Central.

Down on the Farm, Wednesday, 06/25/2008

High A
Christian Santana, OF, Clinton Lumber Kings
Santana was 1-for-4 with a runs scored, a double and two rbi's in an 8-5 win over the Beloit Snappers.

Rookie
Kyle Russell, OF, Ogden Raptors
Russell was 1-for-4 with a runs scored, a double, an rbi and a walk in a 10-2 win over the Idaho Falls Chukars. Russell is off to a good start to professional baseball, hitting .333/.487/.633 with 2 home runs and 7 rbi's in his first 8 games. The only discouraging number is the 10 strike outs in 30 at-bats.

Twins Sign Mud Hens Prospect

The Minnesota Twins signed Mud Hens right-handed pitching prospect, Shooter Hunt, to a contract which included a $1,080,000 signing bonus. Hunt was drafted in the supplemental round by the Twins, with the 31st overall pick. No word yet on where Hunt will be assigned to start his professional career.

Mets Sign Mud Hens Prospect

The New York Mets agreed to a contract with first-round draft pick, and Southern Indiana Mud Hens prospect, Ike Davis on Tuesday and assigned the former Arizona State first baseman to Class-A Brooklyn.

Davis gets a $1,575,000 signing bonus after batting .385 with 16 homers and 76 RBIs in 51 games for the Sun Devils this year. He also went 4-1 with a 2.53 ERA and four saves on the mound.

The 21-year-old slugger's father is Ron Davis, who pitched for the New York Yankees and four other teams during 11 seasons in the majors.

"I think it's pretty sweet that I got the other side," said Ike Davis, wearing a Mets jersey with No. 39 - his father's number. "He got the Yankees, I got the Mets - a little home rivalry right there."

The Mets selected Davis with the 18th overall pick in this month's draft.

Season Debut

Humberto Sanchez made his 2008 debut on Tuesday and allowed a run in two-thirds of an inning for the Rookie GCL Yankees. Sanchez' final numbers were 2/3 of an inning, 1 hit, 1walk and 1 earned run.

Sanchez is making his way back from Tommy John surgery. He'd need to be particularly impressive in the minors over the rest of the season in order to receive a September callup.

Down on the Farm, Tuesday, 6/24/2008

AAA
Chris Getz, 2B, Charlotte Knights
Getz was 4-for-5 with a stolen base in a 6-5 win over the Norfolk Tides.

Juan Miranda, 1B, Scranton-Wilkes Barre Yankees
Miranda was 1-for-3 with a double and an rbi in a 4-2 loss to the Columbus Clippers.

Brad Nelson, OF, Nashville Sounds
Nelson was 2-for-5 with a run scored and hit his 11 home run and drove in his 45th rbi on the season in a Memphis Redbirds.

High A
Christian Santana, OF, Clinton Lumber Kings
Santana was 2-for-4, scored a run, and belted his 7th home run on the season and drove in his 20th rbi on the season in an 8-5 loss to the Beloit Snappers.

Brandon Waring, 3B, Dayton Dragons
Waring is hot again as he was 1-for-2, hitting his 15th HR and drove in rbi's number 45 and 46 in a 7-5 loss to the South Bend Silver Hawks. Waring is hitting .424 with 2 doubles, 3 home runs and 12 rbi's in his last 10 games for Dayton.

Down on the Farm, Monday, 06/23/2008

AAA
Juan Miranda, 1B, Scranton-Wilkes Barre Yankees
Miranda continued his hot streak by going 2-for-4 with a run scored, a double, and an rbi in a 6-0 win over the Columbus Clippers.

AA
Daniel Cortes, RHP, NW Arkansas Naturals
Cortes pitched 4 innings and gave up 3 hits, 1 earned run and walked 3 while striking out 5 in an 8-1 win over the Arkansas Travelers.

High A
Brandon Waring, 3B, Dayton Draggons
Waring was 2-for-3 with a run scored, his 14th home run on the season (not in this game, that would be a record or something) and his 44th rbi on the season. Waring also walked once in the 6-4 loss to the South Bend Silver Hawks.

Rookie
Kyle Russell, OF, Ogden Raptors
Russell was 1-for-4 with a run scored, a home run, 2 rbi's and a walk in a 10-8 loss to the Idaho Falls Chukars.

Down on the Farm, 06/22/2008

AAA
Juan Miranda, 1B, Scranton-Wilkes Barre Yankees
Miranda was 3-for-5 with a run scored, and an rbi in a 10-1 win over the Toledo Mud Hens. Over his past 10 games, Miranda is hitting .432 with 4 doubles, a home run and 8 rbi's. For the season Miranda is hitting .313 with 4 home runs, 22 rbis, and has a .873 through 38 games.

Brad Nelson, OF, Nashville Sounds
Nelson was 1-for-4 with a double, a walk and an rbi in a 4-1 loss to the Memphis Redbirds.

Low A
Brandon Waring, 3B, Dayton Dragons
Waring was 2-for-3 with a double and a walk in an 8-2 loss to the Great Lakes Loons.

Rookie
Kyle Russell, OF, Ogden Raptors
Russell was 2-for-4 with a run scored and a double in an 8-4 loss to the Orem Owlz.

Mud Hen Prospect Promoted

Shairon Martis, a right-handed starting pitching prospect for the Washington Nationals, was recently promoted to AAA Columbus Clippers. Martis made his first start for Columbus on Sunday, and went 5 innings and gave up 7 hits, 4 earned runs, 1 walk and had 8 strike outs.

Successful Debut for Russell

Former University of Texas All-American and current Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect, Kyle Russell had a successful debut to his professtional career. Starting in right field and batting in the 3 spot in the order for the Pioneer Rookie League Ogden Raptors, Russell was 2-for-5 with an rbi in a 13-3 loss to the Orem Owlz.

Down on the Farm, Wednesday, 06/18/08

AA

Roger Bernadina, OF, Harrisburg Senators

Washington Nationals outfield prospect, Roger Bernadina, was 2-for-3 with 3 runs scored, a double, an RBI, a walk and a stolen base in a 9-8 win over the Trenton Thunder.

Chris Coghlan, 2B, Carolina Mudcats

Florida Marlins second base prospect, Chris Coghlan, was 4-for-5 with 2 runs scored and a double in a 7-0 victory over the Chattanooga Lookouts.

Daniel Cortes, RHP, Northwest Arkansas Naturals
Kansas City Royals pitching prospect, Daniel Cortes, pitched 7 innings of 3 hit, 1 walk baseball while striking out 10 in a no decision in a game the Naturalss lost to the Tulsa Drillers 4-3.

Down on the Farm, Wednesday, 06/11/08

AAA
Chris Getz, 2B, Charlotte Knights
Getz was 2-for-4 with an rbi in an 11-2 victory over the Norfolk Tides.

AA
Chris Coghlan, 2B, Carolina Mudcats
Coghlan was 2-for-4 with a double, and 2 rbi's in a 7-2 loss to the Birmingham Barons.

News and Notes:
Right handed pitcher Lance Lynn has agreed to terms with the St. Louis Cardinals. Lynn was taken in the Supplemental Round by the Cardinals with the 39th overall pick.

Down on the Farm, Sunday, 06/08/2008

AAA
Chris Getz, 2B, Charlotte Knights
Getz was 2-for-4 with a run scored, a double and an rbi in a 3-2 loss to the Durham Bulls. In 58 games at Charlotte, Getz is hitting .313 with 31 runs scored, 14 doubles, 1 triple, 6 home runs, 23 rbi's and a .837 OPS. Getz is putting himself in position for the White Sox to consider him for a call-up to take over second base in the event Juan Uribe and Alexis Ramirez continue to struggle at the major league level.

Brad Nelson, OF, Nashville Sounds
Nelson was 2-for-3 with a double and a walk in an 8-2 loss to the Albuquerque Isotopes. In 58 games at Nashville this season, Nelson is hitting .330 with 16 doubles, 1 triple, 9 home runs, 37 rbi's, 9 stolen bases and a .984 OPS.

AA
Roger Bernadina, OF, Harrisburg Senators
Bernadina was 2-for-4 witn 2 runs scored, 2 home runs, and 2 rbi's in a 5-4 loss to the Bowie Baysox. In 57 games at Harrisburg this season, the 23 year old Bernadina is hitting .349 with 41 runs scored, 10 doubles, 7 triples, 5 home runs, 34 rbi's and is 20-for-26 in stolen base attempts. Bernadina is also carrying a .928 OPS.

James Houser, SP, Montgomery Biscuits
Houser pitched 5 1/3 innings and gave up 2 hits, 0 earned runs, walked 4 and struck out 5 in a 6-2 win over the Birmingham Barons.

Down on the Farm, Thursday, 06/05/08

AA
Roger Bernadina, OF, Harrisburg Senators
Bernadina was 2-for-4 with a run scored and 2 stolen bases in a 4-1 loss to the Binghampton Mets.

AAA
Brad Nelson, OF, Nashville Sounds
Nelson was 2-for-4 with an rbi in a 2-0 win over the Albuquerque Isotopes.

MLB Draft 2008

The following Mud Hens prospects were taken on the first day of the 2008 MLB Draft:

1st Round
#18---Ike Davis, 1B, Arizona State to the New York Mets

1st Round Supplemental
#31---Shooter Hunt, RHP, Tulane to the Minnesota Twins
#39---Lance Lynn, RHP, Ole Miss to the St. Louis Cardinals

2nd Round
#61---Josh Linblom, RHP, Purdue to the Los Angeles Dodgers
#66---Dennis Raben, OF, Miami to the Seattle Mariners
#69---James Darnell, 3B, South Carolina to the San Diego Padres

3rd Round
#93---Kyle Russell, OF, Texas to the Los Angeles Dodgers

4th Round
#117---Brandon Crawford, SS, UCLA to the San Francisco Giants

6th Round
#195---Cole Figueroa, SS, Florida to the San Diego Padres

7th Round
#210---Jordan Danks, OF, Texas to the Chicago White Sox
#214---Brett Hunter, RHP. Pepperdine to the Oakland A's

Down on the Farm, Tuesday, 06/03/08

AAA
Brad Nelson, OF, Nashville Sounds
Nelson was 2-for-4 with a double, an rbi, and a stolen base in a 3-2 loss to the Iowa Cubs. Over his past 10 games, Nelson has hit .361 with 6 runs scored, 3 doubles, 2 home runs, 8 rbi's and 2 stolen bases.

Chris Getz, 2B, Charlotte Knights
Getz was 1-for-3 with a home run, a run scored and two rbi's in a 9-3 win over the Pawtucket Red Sox. Over his past 10 games, Getz has hit .342 with 8 runs scored, 3 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run, 6 rbi's and a stolen base.

AA
Roger Bernadina, OF, Harrisburg Senators
Bernadina was 2-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base in an 8-3 win over the Binghampton Mets. Over his past 10 games, Bernadina has hit .384 with 8 runs scored, 2 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run, 6 rbi's and a stolen base.

Down on the Farm, Monday, 06/02/2008

AA
Julio Pimentel, SP, NW Arkansas Travelers
Pimentel had 7IP, with 3 hits, 2 walks, 5 strike outs and 1 earned run while picking up the win in a 3-1 victory over the Frisco RoughRiders.

NCAA
Derek Dietrich, SS, Georgia Tech University
Dietrich went 2-for-4 with 1 run scored, and 1 walk in an 18-6 loss in the regional championship game against the University of Georgia.