Pomeranz Has Season-Ending Surgery

By: David Heck

After flirting with perfection in his first start in the Rockies organization, Drew Pomeranz likely won’t be able to make another appearance this season for Double-A Tulsa.

The Drillers announced after Saturday’s game that MLB.com’s No. 31 prospect underwent an emergency appendectomy that is expected to end his season.

 

Rockies top prospect Drew Pomeranz underwent an emergency appendectomy Saturday. He had gone 4-3 with a 1.84 ERA across two levels this season. (David Crenshaw/Tulsa Drillers)

Pomeranz arrived at ONEOK Field complaining of abdominal pain, according to a source close to the team. After meeting with the trainer, he was taken to a medical center, where he was diagnosed with appendicitis. Pomeranz was transported to another facility, where he had successful surgery and was expected to remain overnight.

Officially traded to the Rockies on Tuesday as the player to be named later in the July 30 deal that sent Ubaldo Jimenez to Cleveland, Pomeranz will miss the rest of the season, the Drillers said.

Major Leaguers Matt Holliday and Adam Dunn also underwent emergency appendectomies earlier this year but were able to return to their teams within 10 days. The situation is different with Pomeranz because pitching puts a greater strain on the abdominal muscles. Additionally, the Rockies likely will play it safe with their new prospect, especially with Tulsa’s season concluding on Sept. 5. The Drillers are five games out of a Texas League playoff spot.

Reached for comment on Pomeranz’s status, Rockies vice president of communications Jay Alves said, “We’re aware of the situation.”

After posting a 1.98 ERA across two levels with the Indians, Pomeranz made his Tulsa debut on Wednesday and took a perfect game into the seventh inning. The fifth overall pick in the 2010 Draft ended up allowing two hits over seven shutout frames.

Pomeranz would be the second Top 50 prospect in three days to go down with a season-ending injury. Bryce Harper, MLB.com’s No. 2 prospect, strained his hamstring while running the bases for Double-A Harrisburg on Thursday and is expected to be shut down by the Nationals.

MiLB Empressed By Pomeranz’s Debut With Drillers

By: David Heck

Drew Pomeranz hadn’t pitched in almost a month, but he looked anything but rusty on Wednesday night.

MLB.com’s No. 31 prospect retired the first 19 batters he faced in a Drillers uniform en route to a seven-inning, two-hit performance. Double-A Tulsa went on to blank Midland, 6-0, to snap a six-game losing streak.

Pomeranz, who had not pitched since July 25, struck out four without issuing a walk in front of Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd.

“Things were just going great,” Pomeranz said. “It helps that I threw a good amount of strikes and was ahead of the hitters. It’s a lot easier to pitch that way — it helps to be in control of the game. If you’re behind, it’s a little tougher. The first six innings, I stayed in great counts. Apparently, where I threw the ball was the right spot tonight.”

The 22-year-old left-hander lost the perfect game with one out in the seventh, when Grant Green — the A’s No. 1 prospect– singled on a ground ball up the middle. The RockHounds’ only other hit came in the next at-bat as Stephen Parker lined a single to right field.

Drew Pomeranz made his Drillers debut Wednesday night against the Midland RockHounds. Pomeranz went seven innings allowing only two hits and striking out four. (Dave Crenshaw/Tulsa Drillers)

 

“That’s just part of baseball,” Pomeranz said. “I really wasn’t too [ticked] or anything. I was just like, ‘Oh well.’ I gave up another hit and was like, ‘Well let’s get the next guy.’ You give up a hit or two, you don’t want it to blow up on you when you’ve been pitching well the whole time.”

Pomeranz worked his way out of trouble by striking out Michael Spina and getting Adam Heether to line out. He left after throwing 78 pitches.

The fifth overall pick in the 2010 Draft, Pomeranz was included as the player to be named later in the trade that sent Ubaldo Jimenez to Cleveland on July 30. Because players cannot be traded until one year after they are signed, the Ole Miss product could not officially be included in the deal until Tuesday.

“I really, truly did not think I was going to get traded,” Pomeranz said. “I was initially shocked. But teams do what they’ve got to do. They did what they did for a reason. That’s part of baseball, too; people get traded. Things happen like this. You’ve just got to learn how to stay focused. It’s baseball — it’s basically the same thing everywhere.”

Pomeranz spent his time off working out at the Indians’ spring training complex in Arizona.

“It has benefits and its downfall, too,” said Pomeranz, who posted a 1.98 ERA across two levels before the trade. “But what Minor League pitcher in his first year of pro ball wouldn’t want to have two weeks off to help yourself get in better shape, look at some video and work on things you want to work on worry-free? I think that helped me out.”

Pomeranz’s old brother, Stuart, served as the Drillers’ closer last season and recorded 18 saves. The 26-year-old right-hander, who signed with the Dodgers in the offseason, gave Pomeranz a scouting report of his new home.

“He told me it was a great organization, it was a nice stadium and it was hot as hell,” Pomeranz said. “He was pretty right about the last two things. Everything’s been great, talking to people here so far. The organization seems like a good organization. Everything he said has been true so far.”

Casey Weathers pitched the final two innings for Tulsa, striking out one and walking one. The two hits were the fewest allowed this season by the Drillers, who rank third in the Texas League with nine shutouts.

Leading Tulsa offensively was shortstop Hector Gomez, who went 3-for-4 with a solo homer and three runs scored and fell a single shy of the cycle.

Addition To The Rockies Farm: Matt McBride

At this point in the season it is often the case that major league parent clubs often “raid the pantry” from their minor league teams, moving top prospects to make an impact at the major league level.

Well for once, the Colorado Rockies have supplied the Drillers with a few players that could easily have an impact on the team winning the second half of Texas League north division and make the playoffs.

With that said, it was no secret that over last weekend that the Rockies traded All-Star and former Driller, Ubaldo Jimenez to the Cleveland Indians for four top prospects.

Over the next few days, I’ll give you a little background information on the prospects, and where they figure in both the Drillers and Rockies plans throughout the rest of this year, and the foreseeable future.

IF/OF – Matt McBride

Originally from Bethlehem,Pennsylvania, McBride was a second round pick by the Cleveland Indians in the 2006 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft out of Lehigh University.

Matt McBride, stuck behind other prospects in the Indians system, hopes to provide an impact bat for not only the Colorado Rockies but the Tulsa Drillers as well.

Drafted as a catcher, McBride now spends most of his time at either first base, or a corner outfield position. Now 26 and still in Double-A, McBride is not considered as a potential replacement at first base for the Rockies.

Over his six-year minor league career, McBride as hit .283, with 69 home runs and 350 RBI’s over that span. In his first game with the Drillers McBride impressed immediately going 3 for 4, with three singles and an RBI.

McBride might not have the “star” prospect potential that the likes of Alex White and Drew Pomeranz have, however McBride does have the ability to be a solid major league player.

McBride does have an injury plagued past. He was placed on the 7-Day concussion Disabled List, and has had trouble of late getting healthy.

Here is a look at Matt McBride’s 2011 stat line for the Akron Aeros:

G        AB       R          H          2B      3B      HR       RBI       SB        AVG.    SLG.     OBP.

84      310      50        92        24      4        14        53        3          .297     .535     .359

Click picture for full detailed stats*

Addition To The Rockies Farm: Joe Gardner

At this point in the season it is often the case that major league parent clubs often “raid the pantry” from their minor league teams, moving top prospects to make an impact at the major league level.

Well for once, the Colorado Rockies have supplied the Drillers with a few players that could easily have an impact on the team winning the second half of Texas League north division and make the playoffs.

With that said, it was no secret that over last weekend that the Rockies traded All-Star and former Driller, Ubaldo Jimenez to the Cleveland Indians for four top prospects.

Over the next few days, I’ll give you a little background information on the prospects, and where they figure in both the Drillers and Rockies plans throughout the rest of this year, and the foreseeable future.

RHP – Joe Gardner

A native of Fremont,California, Joe Gardner was a third round pick by the Cleveland Indians in the 2009 Major League

On Friday August the 6th, Gardner made his Drillers and Rockies organizational debut at ONEOK Field. After allowing a home run in the first inning, Gardner shut-out the Springfield Cardinals over his final 5 1/3 innings.

Baseball First-Year Player Draft.Gardnerwas drafted after his junior year at UC Santa Barbara.

Gardner signed late in 2009, postponing his professional debut till 2010, and he didn’t disappoint. Over Low and High-A baseball Gardner was a combined 13-6, with a 2.75 earned run average over 28 starts.

Gardner is known as a hard-thrower, and it can be evident with his 142 strikeouts over 147 innings in 2010.

So far in 2010, Gardner has had a hard time adjusting to Double-A baseball, as most pitchers do. Single-A to Double-A is often regarded as the biggest jump for pitchers, as he has had his struggles in Akron, the Indians Double-A team.

* Click on Picture for complete Milb.com stat page*

 

 

 

 

Here is a look at Joe Gardner’s 2011 stat line for the Akron Aeros:

W         L          ERA      G          GS        IP         H          R          ER        BB        SO

7          8          4.99     19        19        97.1    108       73        54        47        60

Addition To The Rockies Farm: Alex White

At this point in the season it is often the case that major league parent clubs often “raid the pantry” from their minor league teams, moving top prospects to make an impact at the major league level.

Well for once, the Colorado Rockies have supplied the Drillers with a few players that could easily have an impact on the team winning the second half of Texas League north division and make the playoffs.

With that said, it was no secret that over last weekend that the Rockies traded All-Star and former Driller, Ubaldo Jimenez to the Cleveland Indians for four top prospects.

Over the next few days, I’ll give you a little background information on the prospects, and where they figure in both the Drillers and Rockies plans throughout the rest of this year, and the foreseeable future.

RHP – Alex White

After playing four years as a pitcher/shortstop at Conley High School in Greenville, North Carolina, White was drafted in

White has missed 11 weeks with a torn tendon pulley in his right middle finger, the same injury that sidelined Jorge De La Rosa for 13 starts in 2010. White will make his Tulsa Drillers debut today, where he's expected to make four starts in anticipation of joining the Rockies' rotation in September.

the 14th round of the 2006 June First-Year Player Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers. White did not sign with the Dodgers in 2006 and chose to attend the University of North Carolina.

White was eventually drafted by the Cleveland Indians after his junior year at North Carolina, as the 15th overall selection in the first round in 2009.

White did not pitch in the Indians organization in 2009, but had a terrific 2010 season. Over High-A Kinston and Double-A Akron, White was a combined 10-10 with a 2.45 earned run average in 150.2 innings, walking 46, but striking out 117.

In 2011 White made four starts with Triple-A Columbus before being called up to make his major league debut with the Indians on April 30, 2011. Even though White has been on the disabled list the last two months, he had three impressive starts at the major league level.

With Ubaldo Jimenez leaving, White will have some big shoes to fill in the Rockies rotation, but many in the organization and media expect him to fill them. White is a sinker ball pitcher that has a good chance of benefiting from the National League and Coors Field.

Currently White is scheduled to make five rehab starts in the minors before making his Rockies debut later in the season, with four of those coming with the Drillers.

Alex White’s current 2011 stat line:

          

              W    L  ERA        G  GS     IP    H        R     ER    BB       SO

CLE(ML)   1     0   3.60     3      3     15       14     7        6        9       13

COL(INT) 1     0   1.90     4      4     23.2    19     7       5        5       28

           2     0   2.59     7      7     38.2   33   14    11       14      41

Addition To The Rockies Farm: Drew Pomeranz

At this point in the season it is often the case that major league parent clubs often “raid the pantry” from their minor league teams, moving top prospects to make an impact at the major league level.

Well for once, the Colorado Rockies have supplied the Drillers with a few players that could easily have an impact on the team winning the second half of Texas League north division and make the playoffs.

With that said, it was no secret that over last weekend that the Rockies traded All-Star and former Driller, Ubaldo Jimenez to the Cleveland Indians for four top prospects.

Over the next few days, I’ll give you a little background information on the prospects, and where they figure in both the Drillers and Rockies plans throughout the rest of this year, and the foreseeable future.

Selected by the Cleveland Indians in the first round (fifth overall) of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Mississippi. As a junior in 2010, Pomeranz went 9-2 with a 2.24 ERA (100 2/3 IP, 71H, 27R/25ER, 49BB, 139K) in 16 starts.

LHP – Drew Pomeranz

His name might look familiar for many Drillers fans, as Drew’s older brother Stu Pomeranz pitched for the Drillers in 2010, but the comparisons can stop there. Selected by the Indians in the first round (5th Overall) in the 2010 First-Year MLB Player Draft, Pomeranz has shown immediately why he was thought so highly of while in college.

 

Drafted after his junior year in which Pomeranz went 9-2 with a 2.24 earned run average, he was named the Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Year, placed on the All-American First Team, and was even a Golden Spikes Awards Finalist.

In his first year of professional Pomeranz has already reached Double-A in the Indians organization, while also being placed on the Futures Game Roster earlier in July.

The Rockies hope Pomeranz can become a solid member of their starting rotation as early as late 2012. He will more than likely make his debut in the Rockies system with Double-A Tulsa in late August, after officially being the player to be named later.

 

Here is a look at Drew Pomeranz’s 2011 stat line so far:

W         L          ERA      G          GS        IP         H          R          ER        BB        SO

3          2          1.98     18        18        91.0     66        26        20        38        112

Drillers Home For Seven Games August 2-8

The Tulsa Drillers will begin the final month of the 2011 regular season with an important 7-game homestand against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Kansas City Royals) and the Springfield Cardinals (St. Louis Cardinals). All three teams are battling for the second and final playoff spot from the North Division and the chance to meet Arkansas in the first round of the Texas League playoffs.

The Drillers will host the Naturals in a three-game set, followed by a four-game series with the Cardinals. Every game in the homestand is scheduled to begin at 7:05PM at ONEOK Field.

The seven games will be include a Friday Night Fireworks promotion on August 5. Kids, ages 14 and under, will receive Back-to-School Backpacks on August 6 and matching Lunch Bags on August 7.

Other promotions will include a $2 Tuesday for the opener on August 2, Rivalry Night/Thirsty Thursday on August 4 and $1 Dog Monday Night for the finale on August 8. A complete list of promotions with descriptions is below. Tickets for all of the games are now on sale at the ONEOK Field Ticket Office at 201 N. Elgin Ave. and at TulsaDrillers.com.Tickets are also available by calling the Ticket Office at (918)744-5901.

Keeping It Close:During the first 100 games of the season, the Drillers played 59 games that were decided by three runs or less. They compiled a 32-27 record in those games.

Rosario Leading:Wilin Rosario leads all regular Texas League catchers with a .993 fielding percentage. He is second to Salvador Perez of Northwest Arkansas in throwing out attempted base stealers, nailing 35% of runners.

Even Up:Tulsa is 4-4 against both Northwest Arkansas and Springfield in games played at ONEOK Field this season.

Chasing History:Tim Wheeler is on an offensive pace that could allow him to finish in the Top 10 for Drillers season totals in home runs, triples, runs scored and runs batted in. The records date back to 1977, the first season for the Drillers franchise.

TULSA DRILLERS SCHEDULE & PROMOTIONS (August 2-8)

Tuesday, August 2. . . NW Arkansas Naturals (7:05PM) – Gates Open at 6:00PM
$2 TUESDAY
The ultimate night of discounts returns to ONEOK Field with $2 Tuesday presented by Pepsi, Warehouse Market, Mix 96 and 2 News Works For You. General Admission tickets on the outfield lawn are only $2.00 each, while all other tickets are discounted $3.00 off normal prices. In addition, hot dogs, Mazzio’s Pizza slices, 21 ounce Pepsi fountain drinks, jumbo soft pretzels and souvenir programs will be on sale for only $2.00 each.
KRAFT SINGLES TUESDAY NIGHT TICKETS
Buy one, get one FREE from Kraft Singles! Fans presenting an outer wrapper from a package of Kraft Singles can purchase two regular priced tickets for the price of one! Only one ticket discount can be used when purchasing tickets.

Wednesday, August 3. . . NW Arkansas Naturals (7:05PM) – Gates Open at 6:00PM
REMEMBER “WHENSDAY” 70’s NIGHT
92.9 BOB FM takes you back to the decade of sideburns, bell-bottomed pants and platform shoes. There will 1970’s trivia throughout the game with great prizes up for grabs and plenty of disco music!

Thursday, August 4. . . NW Arkansas Naturals (7:05PM) – Gates Open at 6:00PM
THIRSTY THURSDAY / RIVALRY NIGHT
Football season is just around the corner and we will help to get you ready with Rivalry Night presented by Chris Nikel Fiat, Urban Tulsa Weekly and The Buzz Networks. Fans are encouraged to wear the colors of their favorite schools. Marcus Dupree, Jamelle Holieway and Kenyatta Wright will be among the former Sooners and Cowboys in attendance to sign autographs and meet fans. It is also a Thirsty Thursday with 12 ounce servings of Bud and Bud Light and 21 ounce servings of Pepsi products on sale for only $1 each.

Friday, August 5. . . Springfield Cardinals (7:05PM) – Gates Open at 6:00PM
FRIDAY NIGHT FIREWORKS
There is no better way to spend a summer evening than watching a spectacular Fireworks Show at ONEOK Field in downtown Tulsa! The skies will light up after the game courtesy of 97.5 KMOD.
FRITOS® FAMILY NIGHT
It is also FRITOS® Family Night with six lucky families being chosen to participate in a number of behind-the-scenes activities at the ballpark. Fans can also present a FRITOS® Corn Chips sack at Black Gold Outfitters to receive 10% of their purchases.

Saturday, August 6. . . Springfield Cardinals (7:05PM) – Gates Open at 6:00PM
GRAND SLAM SATURDAY / DRILLERS BACKPACKS / LIBRARY READING NIGHT
PSO and NewsChannel 8 present another great Grand Slam Saturday with the first 1,000 young fans, ages 14 and under, receiving a Drillers back-to-school backpack. This special giveaway will be available at the Arvest and Oil Derrick Entrances only! In addition, students completing the Library Reading Program can get a free general admission ticket from their local Tulsa City-County Library.

Sunday, August 7. . . Springfield Cardinals (7:05PM) – Gates Open at 6:00PM
FAMILY FUNDAY SUNDAY / DRILLERS LUNCH BAGS / BEAT THE HEAT SPLASH ZONE / KIDS EAT FREE
It’s Family FunDay Sunday and the first 1,000 kids, ages 12 and under, will receive a Drillers Lunch Bag compliments of the University of Phoenix, 2 News Works For You and K95.5FM. The lunch bags are combos of the backpacks and can be easily attached for convenient trips to school. This special giveaway will be available at the Arvest and Oil Derrick Entrances only!
Young fans are encouraged to wear their bathing suits and “beat the heat” under our giant, FREE waterspout courtesy of EMSA and the Tulsa Fire Department.
The first 500 kids, ages 12 and under, will receive a voucher that is redeemable for a free hot dog, milk, and an ice cream dessert at the concession stands courtesy of Borden Dairy, K95.5FM and 2 News Works For You.
Lastly, from 6:15-6:30PM, a pair of Drillers players will be in Black Gold Outfitters signing autographs for all fans. After the game, all kids will be allowed on the field to run the bases.

Monday, August 8. . . Springfield Cardinals (7:05PM) – Gates Open at 6:00PM
$1 DOG MONDAY NIGHT
It is the homestand finale and another $1 Dog Monday with dog owners encouraged to bring their best friends to the park to enjoy an evening of relaxation together courtesy of Southern Agriculture and 94.1, The Sound. In addition, the famous “Driller Dog” hot dogs will be on sale all evening long for only $1 each! All dogs are admitted FREE, but their owners must present proof of up-to-date vaccinations. Fans with dogs should enter the park through either the Oil Derrick Entrance or the Arvest (Brady Street) Entrance.

Torres Takes Long Road To Bigs

Former first-rounder finding success in Drillers’ bullpen

By: Todd Traub (Special MiLB.com Contributer)

Some things haven’t changed since Joe Torres first started playing in the Minor Leagues. Tulsa’s left-handed reliever can still look out on the field and see Brandon Emmanuel, with whom he once toiled as an Angels farmhand, and former coach Todd Takayoshi.

Except Emmanuel is now pitching coach and Takayoshi the manager for the rival Arkansas Travelers. Torres, on the other hand, is still in uniform as a player after 10 professional seasons.

“It’s kind of funny to see those guys and recognize their faces more than the players,” said the 28-year-old Torres, who was drafted by the Angles out of high school in 2000.

Torres was once a whip-armed youngster who threw a no-hitter for Gateway High School, located close enough to the Houston Astros’ Spring Training complex in Kissimmee, Fla., that the high school team held its tryouts there.

“When you see those fields, you never want to get off them again,” Torres said.

It was fair for Torres to assume he would be walking plenty of big league fields after the then-Anaheim Angels took him 10th overall and signed him for just over $2 million. But Torres is still looking to crack a Major League roster.

“I’ve come a long way,” he said. “I’ve had a lot of injuries. I’ve endured a lot.”

Torres looked to be well on his way to the Angels when, at 17, he went 4-1 with a 2.54 ERA with the short-season Boise Hawks of the Northwest League. But he never got past Class A Advanced Rancho Cucamonga in the Angels system, dealing with arm trouble that cost him all of 2004 as he underwent Tommy John surgery.

His comeback did not go well as he went 0-4 with a whopping 18.00 ERA at Rancho Cucamonga in 2005 and 1-6 with an 8.50 ERA with Class A Cedar Rapids. He returned to the Kernels in 2006 and went 2-4 with an 8.14 ERA, and the Angels chose not to re-sign him.

“The first year I had a lot of issues with the elbow. The second year it was a big mental block, a big mental struggle,” Torres said. “It was one of those things — my time was up with [the Angles]. They said, ‘You know what, we gave chances with you and it’s time to move on.’ ”

The Chicago White Sox signed Torres before the 2007 season, and he found new life under pitching coach J.R. Perdew, reaching Double-A with the Southern League’s Birmingham Barons in 2008.

“It was a good time to just get away and start fresh. That’s kind of where I feel like my career started almost, in ’07,” Torres said.

He was 3-1 with a 2.68 ERA in 59 appearances in Birmingham and pitched solidly in Minor League stints with the Rangers and Dodgers in 2009 and again with the White Sox last year before catching on with the Colorado Rockies, who sent him to Tulsa to start the season.

No longer the loose-armed slinger, Torres has improved his velocity and, with a recently developed cutter to complement his slider, curve and two-seamer, he is 3-1 with a 2.58 ERA and 12 holds as a middle reliever. He’s also a Texas League All-Star after filling in for injured teammate Stephen Dodson late last month.

“It’s a little thing to take away at the end of the day, saying, ‘Hey look, I’ve bounced back from some really bad things. This is pretty positive,'” Torres said.

Drillers donate $9,093 to Red Cross

The Tulsa Drillers have made a donation of $9,093.01 to the American Red Cross to help victims from the outbreak of storms and floods this spring. The funds were raised from tickets sales and from auctions of game-worn jerseys as well as from auctions and raffles that were conducted by the wives and girlfriends of the Drillers’ players.
The monies were donated specifically to help victims from the storms in Oklahoma and Joplin, Missouri as well as those affected by the storms that struck Alabama. The club has several players with ties to the state of Alabama.

“We are very pleased to be able to help some of those folks that have been affected by the storms that ravaged many areas this spring,” said Drillers public relations director Brian Carroll. “This type of amount would not have been possible without the great support of our fans and our players and their spouses.”

Wheeler And Goldschmidt In Running For Bauman Award

Tulsa’s Tim Wheeler and Mobile’s Paul Goldschmidt sit atop the Minor League Baseball home run standings with 29 each with about six weeks left in the regular season and in the race for the Joe Bauman Home Run Award, presented by Musco Sports Lighting.

Tulsa outfielder Tim Wheeler is currently tied for the lead in homeruns, throughout all of Minor League Baseball. (Rich Crimi)

The player who leads all domestic leagues in homers will be presented the Joe Bauman Trophy in December at the Baseball Winter Meetings in Dallas, Texas. The winner will also receive a check representing $200 for each regular season home run he hit.

There is no shortage of pursuers chasing Goldschmidt and Wheeler, a pair of 23-year-olds, for the honor. Ten players are within five homers of the pair, including Bryan LaHair of Iowa who is just one back.

The top home run hitter in each classification level, provided he is not the overall winner, receives $500. Goldschmidt captured the Class A prize last season with 35 roundtrippers, just one less than overall winner Mike Moustakas.

LaHair leads Triple-A™ with his 28 longballs, two more than Cody Ransom of Reno and Trayvon Robinson of Albuquerque.

Goldschmidt and Wheeler are the top two in Double-A, five ahead of Tyler Moore (Harrisburg).

Michael Choice of Stockton and Ian Gac of Winston-Salem share the Class A lead with 27. South Bend’s Yazy Arbelo is their closest pursuer and is four behind the leaders.

Jeff Malm of Hudson Valley and Murray Watts of the Burlington Royals are tied for the short season/rookie classification lead with 11. Stephen McQuail of Vancouver and Elizabethton’s Eddie Rosario are just one back of the duo.