Bill Mitchell's Minor League Ramblings

Minor League Ramblings

For the week of :
June 23, 2003

Opening Day in the Arizona League
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Minor League Ramblings is produced by Bill Mitchell for Minor League Watch.

League champion Cubs looking to repeat in
rookie level Arizona League
June 23, 2003

Carlos Marmol pitching against the Angels in the Arizona League opener

The kickoff to the 2003 Arizona League season didn't have the suspense and excitement of last year's opener between the Cubs and the White Sox, when Cub shortstop Jemel Spearman scored the game-winner with a walk-off steal of home to break a 9-9 tie with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning.

This year's version of Chicago's rookie level club, seeking to repeat as Arizona League champions, clubbed the visiting Angels, 12-3, on Sunday behind the strong pitching of starter Carlos Marmol and the hitting of 18-year-old rightfielder Jesus Valdez.

The 20-year-old right-hander Marmol, a converted catcher/outfielder in his first season on the mound, pitched an effective five innings, holding the Angels to two runs with a 90+ MPH fastball and wicked breaking ball. The native of the Dominican Republic fanned nine batters while yielding only four hits and one walk. Both runs were earned, although they came across the plate after centerfielder Samuel Rosario misjudged a third inning fly ball that probably should have been caught.

Valdez, a strapping right-handed hitter, also from the Dominican Republic, went 3-5 and drove in six runs in his professional debut.

Angels #1 draft choice Brandon Wood in his professional debut

Yesterday's game also marked the debut of the Angels' number one draft pick, shortstop Brandon Wood, of nearby Scottsdale, Arizona. Wood went 1-4 with a double, while striking out twice. He made a nice play on a ball in the hole, gunning out the runner at first base, but later committed an error on a high hopper to his left.

In other opening day Arizona League action:

Second baseman Yohany Abreu collected four hits and drove in two runs to lead the Giants to a 6-4 victory over the Athletics. Shortstop Gregorio Petit had three hits for the A's.

Rehabbing centerfielder Jamal Strong led the Mariners with a 3 for 3 performance, but the home team dropped a 15-12 slugfest to one of the two Royals Arizona League teams. 18th round pick Jeff Barry went 4 for 4 from the lead-off slot for the Royals and 13th rounder Mike Gaffney drove in four runs.

The other Royals Arizona League team defeated the Rangers, 9-1.

--- Bill Mitchell