Padres Split Doubleheader and a Look Around the Minors

by Geoff Young on Sep 01, 2001

Brett Jodie looked pretty good in his Padres debut. Working from a funky, straight-over-the-top delivery, he spotted fastballs in the 86-89 mph range and a couple of breaking pitches. He only allowed two hits in his five innings of work; unfortunately, they were solo homers to Danny Bautista and Luis Gonzalez, and his opposition on the mound was Curt Schilling. Pads lost their third straight, 4-1.

Sweet victory in the second game, Trevor striking out the side in the 9th to seal the deal. That 87-89 mph fastball must look like 100 after one of his change-ups. Unbelievable command. I know I’ve said it before, but Hoffman is such a pleasure to watch.

LHP Mark Phillips suffered his first defeat at Lake Elsinore, allowing four runs in 6 2/3 innings. On the decidedly positive side, he struck out eight and walked none. Speaking of the Storm, congratulations to Xavier Nady on being named Cal League MVP and Rookie of the Year. He and former teammate Dennis Tankersley were named to the 2001 All-Star team.

A couple news items of interest:

Finally, here are some 2001 draftees whose numbers in the Pioneer League (a good hitters’ league) caught my eye; I’ll be watching these guys next year:

  • Tony Arthur, LHP, Ana, 13th round, Arkansas St.
  • Josh Barfield, 2B, SD, 4th round, Klein (Spring, TX) HS
  • Jason Dennis, LHP, Ana, 14th round, U. of California
  • Scott Hairston, 2B, Ari, 3rd round, Central Arizona JC
  • Aaron McEachren, 1B, Tor, 18th round, U. of Northern Iowa
  • Jayson Nix, SS, Col, 1st round, Midland (TX) HS
  • Sean Pierce, OF, LA, 9th round, San Diego St.
  • Justin Wechsler, RHP, Ari, 4th round, Ball State U.

Barfield, as frequent visitors to this site know, is Jesse’s son. Hairston is the younger brother of Orioles second baseman Jerry Hairston, Jr. John Manuel at Baseball America says Scott’s glove isn’t as good as Jerry’s but that the younger Hairston has higher upside. Also, I should mention Jesus Cota, Pioneer League MVP. The left-handed hitting first baseman hit .363/.471/.625 in 267 at-bats, drawing 54 walks against 51 strikeouts. Cota, taken in the 14th round of the 2000 draft out of Pima (AZ) CC, signed late and didn’t start his pro career until this season. I don’t know much about him, but he’s just 19, he controls the strike zone, and he hits for power. Sounds like a recipe for success to me. Definitely keep an eye on this guy.

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