Daily HWB Alumni Report

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Daily HWB Alumni Report

Kyle Galdeira
03/21/08

March 27, 2008

Notable HWB Alumni in action today include:

>Nyjer Morgan (Honolulu Sharks, 2006) went 2-5 with an RBI for Pittsburgh as the Pirates pushed past the New York Yankees, 5-2. It is reported that Morgan will not only remain on Pittsburgh’s opening day roster, but will see significant time as the starting center fielder. Morgan holds the HWB single season record for stolen bases with 20.

>Kris Medlen (Sharks, 2007) tossed an inning of scoreless relief for Atlanta, striking out two as the Braves fell to the New York Mets, 9-4.

>Rick VandenHurk (Waikiki BeachBoys, 2006) allowed two runs on five hits through 4 2/3 innings and struck out five while earning the tough-luck loss for Florida as St. Louis blanked the Marlins, 2-0.

>Michael Barrett (Sharks, 1996) went 2-3 with two doubles and boosted his Spring Training batting average to .394 for San Diego as the Padres played to a 10-10 tie with Seattle’s split squad. Mariners’ catcher Kenji Johjima (Maui Stingrays, 1996) notched a hit and improved his batting average to .327.

March 24, 2008

Notable HWB Alumni in action today include:

>Nyjer Morgan (Honolulu Sharks, 2006) went 2-4 and scored for Pittsburgh in the Pirates’ 13-4 loss to Tampa Bay. According to team reports, Morgan should remain with Pittsburgh as the team starts regular season play, and will get ample playing time in center field.

>Tadahito Iguchi (West Oahu CaneFires, 1997) collected two hits and raised his Spring Training batting average to .333 for San Diego as the Padres played to a 4-4 tie with the Los Angeles Angels in 10 innings.

>Ichiro Suzuki (Hilo Stars, 1993) went 2-3 and scored for Seattle as the Mariners downed the Chicago White Sox, 3-1. Suzuki also stole two bases, and now has five thefts this spring. Teammate Kenji Johjima (Maui Stingrays, 1996) notched a hit and an RBI in the victory.

March 20, 2008

Notable HWB Alumni in action today include:

>Ian Kennedy (West Oahu CaneFires, 2006) picked up the victory on the hill for the Yankees in New York’s 7-2 win over Toronto. Kennedy (1-1, 2.70 ERA) tossed 4 1/3 innings and struck out four while surrendering a run on six hits. Yankees’ reliever Joba Chamberlain (CaneFires, 2006) tossed a perfect inning of relief, and struck out all three batters he faced.

>Drew Butera (North Shore Honu, 2006) went 1-1 with two RBIs and a run scored for Minnesota as the Twins blanked Cincinnati, 4-0. Butera played in HWB as a prospect with the New York Mets organization, but was traded to the Twins last season as a facet of the Luis Castillo deal.

>Ichiro Suzuki (Hilo Stars, 1993) went 3-4 with two doubles, and scored three runs for Seattle as the Mariners played to a 6-6 tie with San Diego in Peoria, Ariz. Suzuki also stole his first base of Spring Training in the game.

>Gabe Kapler (CaneFires, 1996) doubled in his lone at-bat for Milwaukee as the Brewers fell to Kansas City, 11-3.

March 17, 2008

Notable HWB Alumni in action today include:

>Jason Giambi (Kauai Emeralds, 1993) went 2-3 with a double and a run for the Yankees, and improved his Spring Training batting average to .375 as New York downed Boston, 8-4.

>In Milwaukee’s 17-3 split-squad victory over Seattle, Craig Counsell (Maui Stingrays, 1994) went 2-4 with a run and RBI, and improved his average to .486. In the loss, Seattle catcher Kenji Johjima (Stingrays, 1996) notched three singles.

>Todd Helton (Stingrays, 1995) picked up two hits for Colorado as the Rockies defeated
San Francisco, 4-2, in 10 innings.

>Tadahito Iguchi (West Oahu CaneFires, 1997) doubled and drove in a run for San
Diego as the Padres fell to Arizona, 8-4.

March 14, 2008

Notable HWB Alumni in action today include:

>Chris Valaika (North Shore Honu, 2007) went 1-2 and scored for Cincinnati in the shortstop’s first Spring Training action, as the Reds blanked Pittsburgh, 5-0. Nyjer Morgan (Honolulu Sharks, 2006) picked up a hit in defeat for the Pirates.

>Derrek Lee (Maui Stingrays, 1993) doubled, tripled and scored twice for the Cubs in Chicago’s 6-5 loss to the Los Angeles Angels.

>Randy Winn (Stingrays, 1997) notched three singles and the San Francisco right fielder improved his batting average to .429 in the Giants’ 11-6 win over Arizona. Nate Schierholtz (Waikiki BeachBoys, 2006) replaced Winn later in the game, and picked up a single and scored in his only at-bat of the game.

>Ichiro Suzuki (Hilo Stars, 1993) went 2-4 and hit his first home run of Spring Training for Seattle as the Mariners rocked Colorado, 9-4. Mariners’ catcher Kenji Johjima (Stingrays, 1996) went 1-3 and drove in a run.

>Joe Thatcher (Honu, 2006) struck out two in an inning of scoreless relief for San Diego as the Padres fell to Milwaukee, 6-2. San Diego’s Sean Kazmar (West Oahu CaneFires, 2006) came off the bench and singled.

March 13, 2008

Notable HWB Alumni in action today include:

>Boston’s Hideki Okajima (Honolulu Sharks, 1996) did not allow a hit or run through one inning of relief, and maintained his 0.00 ERA, as the Red Sox went on to tie Tampa Bay, 3-3, in 10 innings.

>Todd Helton (Maui Stingrays, 1995) cranked a two-run home run, his first of the spring, for Colorado as the Rockies tied Texas, 6-6, in 10 innings.

>Nyjer Morgan (Sharks, 2006) picked up a hit and scored a run for Pittsburgh as the Pirates got by the New York Yankees, 5-3.

>Gabe Kapler (West Oahu CaneFires, 1996) doubled and drove in three runs for Milwaukee to help the Milwaukee Brewers best Arizona, 8-6 in Cactus League action.

>Ichiro Suzuki (Hilo Stars, 1993) notched a hit and scored for Seattle as the Mariners and San Francisco played to a 3-3 tie. The Giants’ Randy Winn (Stingrays, 1997) picked up a single and raised his batting average to .375 in the loss.

March 12, 2008

Notable HWB Alumni in action today include:

>Michael Barrett (Honolulu Sharks, 1996) picked up a single and two RBIs in support of San Diego as the Padres stopped San Francisco, 11-5, this afternoon in Scottsdale, Ariz. Padres teammate Tadahito Iguchi (West Oahu CaneFires, 1997) went 2-2 with a run scored, and boosted his batting average to a healthy .389. San Diego hurler Joe Thatcher (North Shore Honu, 2006) tossed an inning of relief and struck out one to help preserve the victory. In the same game, Giants’ right fielder Randy Winn (Maui Stingrays, 1997) went 2-3 with two runs scored, a double, and an RBI in the loss.

>Jamie Hoffmann (CaneFires, 2007) hit a two-out, solo home run in the eighth inning for Los Angeles as the Dodgers’ split squad fell to Washington, 10-4, this afternoon. The blast was Hoffmann’s first hit of the spring, and it came in his first at-bat with the Major League squad.

>Craig Counsell (Stingrays, 1994) picked up a hit, and improved hit batting average to .400 for Milwaukee as Seattle downed the Brewers, 5-1.

March 11, 2008

Notable HWB Alumni in action today include:

>Chris Nelson (Waikiki BeachBoys, 2006) picked up a hit and scored a run for Colorado, and increased his batting average to .400 as the Rockies notched the 4-1 victory over Seattle.

>Jason Grilli (Honolulu Sharks, 1997) allowed a hit and no runs through 2 2/3 innings for Detroit’s split squad as the Tigers clipped Cincinnati, 5-4.

>Cale Iorg (North Shore Honu, 2007) picked up a double and boosted his batting average to .333 in support of Detroit’s other split squad as the Tigers downed Cleveland, 4-2.

>Sean Kazmar (West Oahu CaneFires, 2006) picked up a single in his first at-bat of the spring for San Diego as the Padres fell to the Los Angeles Angels, 8-4.

>Jason Giambi (Kauai Emeralds, 1993) went 1-2 for the Yankees as New York defeated Toronto, 6-1.

March 10, 2008

Notable HWB Alumni in action today include:
>Brian Jeroloman (West Oahu CaneFires, 2007) notched a single off the bench for Toronto as the Blue Jays fell, 4-3, to Houston.
>Boston’s Hideki Okajima (Honolulu Sharks, 1996) allowed a hit and no runs through two innings of relief and maintained his 0.00 ERA as the Red Sox went on to tie the New York Mets, 1-1, in 10 innings.
>Jason Giambi (Kauai Emeralds, 1993) went 1-3 in support of the Yankees as New York shut out Cincinnati, 4-0.
>Randy Winn (Maui Stingrays, 1997) picked up two doubles and an RBI for San Francisco as the Giants were routed, 15-6, by Kansas City.

March 7, 2008

Hawaii Winter Baseball product Nate Schierholtz (Waikiki BeachBoys, 2006) smacked a two-run, go-ahead home run in the seventh inning to put San Francisco up 3-2 in a victory over Oakland this afternoon in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The right fielder is now hitting .333 in Spring Training action. Randy Winn (Maui Stingrays, 1997) picked up a hit in his only at-bat before being replaced in right field by Schierholtz.

Other notable HWB Alumni in action today include:
>Will Venable (West Oahu CaneFires, 2006) went 1-1 with 2 RBIs in support of San Diego as the Padres downed Arizona, 6-3. Will, the son of former Major Leaguer Max Venable, won the 2006 HWB batting title with a .330 average, and spent the 2007 regular season with San Diego’s Double-A affiliate, San Antonio.
>Todd Helton (Stingrays, 1995) went 2-3 with 2 RBIs and a run scored for Colorado in the Rockies’ 10-7 victory over the Kansas City Royals. Colorado outfielder Dexter Fowler (BeachBoys, 2006) picked up a hit off the bench and also scored a run in the win.
>Tyler Flowers (Honolulu Sharks, 2007) notched a base hit for Atlanta as the Braves fell to Detroit, 9-6.
>Boston’s Argenis Diaz (Sharks, 2007) picked up a hit for Boston’s split squad in a 7-2 loss to Minnesota. Hideki Okajima (Sharks, 1996) surrendered an unearned run through one inning out of the Red Sox bullpen.
>Dan Murphy (BeachBoys, 2007) notched a hit, run and RBI for the Mets as New York ousted Cleveland, 8-6.
>AJ Pierzynski (Sharks, 1997) posted one of Chicago’s two team hits as the White Sox fell to the Los Angeles Angels, 11-1.

March 6, 2008

Will Venable (West Oahu CaneFires, 2006) launched a two-run home run for San Diego in the sixth inning of this afternoon’s 10-3 win over Colorado at Arizona’s Peoria Stadium. Will, the son of former Major Leaguer Max Venable, won the 2006 HWB batting title with a .330 average, and spent the 2007 regular season with San Diego’s Double-A affiliate, San Antonio.

Fellow Padre Michael Barrett (Honolulu Sharks, 1996) went 2-2 with a double and two runs scored as the catcher bumped his batting average up to .400.

Other notable HWB Alumni in action today include:
>Daniel Worth (North Shore Honu, 2007) collected a pinch-hit single and drove in two runs for Detroit as the Tigers fell to Atlanta, 5-4, in a game shortened due to rain.
>Austin Jackson (Sharks, 2007) picked up a single, RBI and scored a run for the Yankees in New York’s 12-8 loss to Cincinnati. The outfielder was selected to the 2007 HWB All-Star team, and currently ranks as the No. 2 overall prospect in the Yankees’ system by Baseball America.
>John Mayberry, Jr. (CaneFires, 2006) notched two hits including a double and drove in a run for Texas as the Rangers held off the Chicago White Sox, 6-1. He is the son of former Major Leaguer John Mayberry, and was selected in the first round of the 2005 draft. Baseball America ranks Mayberry, Jr. as the top right fielder in the Rangers’ minor league system.
>Nyjer Morgan (Sharks, 2006) scored a run, while teammate Brian Bixler (Sharks, 2006) picked up an RBI on a sacrifice fly in support of Pittsburgh as the Pirates downed Toronto, 8-7, in come-from-behind fashion.

March 5, 2008

The Florida Marlins received a strong effort from starting pitcher Rick VandenHurk (Waikiki BeachBoys, 2006) as the Fish ousted the Baltimore Orioles, 2-1, this afternoon in Spring Training action.

VandenHurk (1-0) allowed a hit and walked one through three scoreless innings en route to earning the victory, and whittling his ERA down to 1.80. As a member of the 2006 Hawaii Winter Baseball fraternity, VandenHurk led the league with 63 strikeouts in 40 innings, and posted a respectable 3.60 ERA. He was later named to the HWB all-star team. Marlins’ broadcasters have deemed the Netherlands native “The Incredible Hurk,” and even his curveball has earned a moniker: “The Holland Hammer.”

Florida’s Brett Sinkbeil (North Shore Honu, 2007) contributed an inning of scoreless relief, surrendering a lone hit and lowering his ERA to 3.86. Matt Wieters (Honolulu Sharks, 2007) saw action behind the plate for Baltimore on defense, but did not record an at-bat.

Other notable HWB Alumni in action today include:
>Ian Kennedy (West Oahu CaneFires, 2006) allowed a solo home run through two innings in a start for the New York Yankees. He was in line for the victory, but Minnesota rallied for a 7-5 victory over the Bronx Bombers. Joba Chamberlain (CaneFires, 2006) surrendered two runs in two innings of relief, and picked up a strikeout.
>San Francisco right fielder Nate Schierholtz (BeachBoys, 2006) went 2-3 with an RBI as the Giants fell to Kansas City, 3-1.
>Craig Counsell (Maui StingRays, 1994) drove in three runs on two hits to propel Milwaukee past San Diego, 12-6. Gabe Kapler (CaneFires, 1996) chipped in two RBIs for the Brewers.
>Hideki Okajima (Sharks, 1996) tossed an inning of scoreless relief in support of Boston in the Red Sox’s 7-6 loss to Cincinnati.
>Jeramy Laster (Honu, 2007) picked up a sacrifice fly in a pinch hit appearance in support of Detroit’s split squad as the Tigers downed Philadelphia’s split squad, 6-2.

Hawaii Winter Baseball is an organized professional baseball league sanctioned by Major League Baseball (MLB). It provides a setting for top young professional ball players to play against top-notch U.S. and international competition to accelerate U.S. player progress through their respective major league farm systems, and to give top young Asian players opportunities for international competition. The HWB league returns for its eighth season in late September of 2008, and will feature games at the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Les Murakami Stadium and Waipahu’s Hans L’Orange Park. Stay tuned for upcoming community events, clinics and festivities…Catch the Dream!

March 4, 2008

A quartet of former Honolulu Sharks found success at the plate today in Spring Training action.

Argenis Diaz (Honolulu Sharks, 2007) went 3-4 with a run scored and two RBIs as Boston bounced Pittsburgh, 5-3, this afternoon in Florida. The 21-year-old native of Venezuela finished second in the 2007 edition of Hawaii Winter Baseball with a .358 batting average, led the league in on-base percentage (.421), and the shortstop earned a spot on the league’s all-star team.

Nyjer Morgan (Sharks, 2006) went 1-2, and teammate Brian Bixler (Sharks, 2006) added an RBI triple in defeat for the Pirates.

In Atlanta’s 10-1 trouncing of Philadelphia, Tyler Flowers (Sharks, 2007) was a perfect 2-2 off the bench, and boosted his batting average to .750. The catcher struggled in Hawaii while trying his hand at first base, but has since found his stride as the Braves seem content to keep Flowers at the infield corner with Brian McCann ensconced behind the plate. The 21-year-old Chipola (Fla.) J.C. product is ranked by Baseball America as Atlanta’s No. 12 overall prospect, and sits atop the organization’s depth chart of future backstops.

Other notable HWB Alumni include:

>Jeff Clement (Waikiki BeachBoys, 2006) posted a double and an RBI for Seattle as the Mariners fell to Oakland, 9-6. Seattle catcher Kenji Johjima (Maui StingRays, 1996) also notched a hit in the contest.

>Tommy Manzella (North Shore Honu, 2006) picked up a two-out, RBI single off the bench for Houston, and raised his batting average to .400 in a 11-10 victory over Detroit.

March 3, 2008

Faced with a 4-1 deficit in the home half of the ninth inning, the Los Angeles Dodgers put together a three-run rally sparked by Xavier Paul’s two-run home run to send the contest against Baltimore to a decisive tenth inning.

However, neither team could bring another run home, and the Spring Training matchup ended in a 4-4 tie.

Paul laced it up with the North Shore Honu during the 2006 Hawaii Winter Baseball campaign. The six-foot, 200-pound lefty finished the game 1-2 with a walk, and boosted his batting average to .200.

Other notable HWB Alumni include:

>Reid Santos (West Oahu CaneFires, 2007) made a relief appearance for the Cleveland Indians in the squad’s 6-1 loss to Toronto. The Castle High (Kaneohe, Oahu) product allowed one earned run on two hits. Also in that game, Brian Jeroloman (West Oahu CaneFires, 2007) went 0-1 and saw some time behind the plate for Toronto.

>Nyjer Morgan (Honolulu Sharks, 2006) went 1-3, and increased his batting average to .286 for Pittsburgh as the Pirates fell to Philadelphia, 3-1.

>Nate Schierholtz (Waikiki BeachBoys, 2006) picked up an RBI double for San Francisco in the Giants’ 8-6 loss to Texas.

>Mark Melancon (West Oahu CaneFires, 2006) tossed a scoreless inning of relief in support of the New York Yankees, and earned the save as the Bronx Bombers bested Houston, 7-6. Tommy Manzella (North Shore Honu, 2006) picked up a single off the bench, and raised his batting average to .333.

Feb. 29, 2008

A trio of hurlers from the 2006 Hawaii Winter Baseball class helped carry the New York Yankees to an 11-4 victory in an exhibition tussle with the University of South Florida.

Joba Chamberlain earned the victory as the Yankees’ starting pitcher after tossing two scoreless innings in which he struck out two. Teammates Jeff Marquez and Ian Kennedy added one and two scoreless innings of relief, respectively. Altogether, the three pitchers—all of whom played for the West Oahu CaneFires—faced 16 batters, and only allowed on to get on base.

Austin Jackson, a member of the 2007 Honolulu Sharks, saw his first action with the Bronx Bombers in center field, and managed a walk in two plate appearances.

Some of HWB’s other alumni in action today include:

>Will Venable (West Oahu CaneFires, 2006) notched two hits and 3 RBIs including a two-run home run in support of San Diego as the Padres fell 13-9 to the Kansas City Royals.

>Jeff Clement (Waikiki BeachBoys, 2006) finished 2-2 with a double as the 2005 first-round draft pick of Seattle helped the Mariners down San Francisco’s split squad, 5-3.

>Dexter Fowler (Waikiki BeachBoys, 2006) went 2-6 with a double and 2 RBIs for Colorado as the Rockies blew out Mexico, 15-2, in an exhibition game. Catcher Michael McKenry (Waikiki BeachBoys, 2007) added a double in the victory.

>Nate Schierholtz (Waikiki BeachBoys, 2006) picked up an RBI single for San Francisco as the club’s split squad came from behind to nip the Chicago Cubs, 8-6.

>Rick VandenHurk (Waikiki BeachBoys, 2006) threw two innings and allowed a run on two hits for one of Florida’s split squads as the Marlins fell to Baltimore, 7-5.

>Nyjer Morgan (Honolulu Sharks, 2006) went 1-5 as the starting centerfielder for Pittsburgh in the Pirates’ 5-4 loss to Philadelphia.

Feb. 28, 2008

A pair of 2007 Hawaii Winter Baseball teammates took a bite out of the competition in today’s Spring Training action.

Former Honolulu Sharks teammates Argenis Diaz and Tyler Flowers made their Spring Training debuts with the Boston Red Sox and Atlanta Braves, respectively, this afternoon in Florida.

Diaz, a shortstop, went 2-2 with two runs and an RBI as the Red Sox trounced the Boston College Eagles 24-0 in an exhibition game. The 21-year-old native of Venezuela finished second in HWB with a .358 batting average, led the league in on-base percentage (.421), and earned a spot on the league’s all-star team.

Flowers cranked a two-run home run in his only at-bat against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the ninth inning to put his squad up 4-2 at the time. The Dodgers spoiled the performance, however, with a three-run home half of the ninth en route to a 5-4 victory. Flowers was selected as the Rome Braves (A) Player of the Year in 2007.

Some of HWB’s other alumni with strong performances today include:

>Randy Winn (Maui StingRays, 1997) hit a solo home run for San Francisco as the Giants fell 12-6 to the Chicago Cubs.

>Reid Santos (West Oahu CaneFires, 2007), a Castle High graduate, tossed one inning of scoreless relief to help power the Cleveland Indians past the Houston Astros, 12-2