Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Hellickson hauls in Gold Glove

Former Biscuits pitcher Jeremy Hellickson has been named the co-winner of an American League Gold Glove. Hellickson is the second pitcher to win a Rookie of the Year and a Gold Glove. Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Fernando Valenzuela (1982 NL rookie, 1986 Gold Glove) was the first. It's the third time the Biscuits have had an alumnus win a Gold Glove. Third baseman Evan Longoria was on 2009-10. Hellickson shares the award with Jake Peavy of the Chicago White Sox. Peavy is a Mobile native. Former Biscuits outfielder Desmond Jennings, also with the Rays, was a Gold Glove nominee.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Rays farm director honored by Minor League Baseball

Rays farm director Mitch Lukevics has won the fifth annual Chief Bender Award, which honors distinguished service in player development. Lukevics will be presented with the award at the winter meetings in December in Nashville, Tenn. Lukevics has been with the Rays for 17 years, including the last seven as farm director, and has been in professional baseball for 38 years. Chief Bender was in baseball for 64 years as a player, manager and executive, including 39 with the Cincinnati Reds and 22 as the team's farm director.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Crawford in Auburn fall home run derby

Prattville native and Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Evan Crawford will be part of Auburn's annual fall home run derby Oct. 26. Crawford, Atlanta Braves Tim Hudson and Kris Medlen, former major leaguer Chris Bootcheck and Dodgers reliever Matt Guerrier will all take their swings. The pitchers get shorter, temporary walls to clear, while the position players have to conquer the full Plainsman Park dimensions.   Wes Helms, a 12-year MLB veteran, current Auburn volunteer assistant coach and former Tampa Bay Ray Gabe Gross, and minor leaguers/former Auburn players Dan Gamache (Pittsburgh Pirates), Ryan Jenkins (Kansas City Royals) and Trent Mummey (Baltimore Orioles) are the position players.   Admission is free, though a minimum $2 donation is requested at the gate, with proceeds going to the Hudson Family Foundation.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Hak-Ju Lee only Biscuit among Southern League's top 20 prospects

Shortstop Hak-Ju Lee was the only Montgomery player to rank among the Southern League's top 20 prospects this year, according to the Baseball America list released today. The league champion Mobile BayBears had three players, while the runner-up Jackson Generals had six. Pensacola had four, Mississippi three, Chattanooga two and Huntsville one.

Thursday, October 04, 2012

4 Biscuits on playoff teams' end-of-season rosters

There are four former Biscuits who were on the rosters at the end of the season for playoff-bound teams. That does not mean they'll be on the playoff roster.

The Baltimore Orioles have right-handed pitcher Jason Hammel. The Detroit Tigers have left-hander Darin Downs and outfielder Delmon Young. The San Francisco Giants have right-hander Jean Machi.