Travs Prospects Become Stars In The Show
<a href=www.travs.com>read Wednesday Mar 26, 2003 March 26, 2003
Ray Winder Field, Little Rock – While Travs fans are weathering the change between cold and warm, rainy and dry, the Anaheim Angels are honing their skills in the sunshine and 70 degree comfort of Arizona. The 2003 season marks the third year of the affiliation between the Travs and Angels. Baseball fans in Central Arkansas were able to watch Anaheim’s 2002 post-season heroes come through Little Rock before they hit the bigtime. That Travs fans were able to watch the 2002 World Series and say that they saw Francisco Rodriguez, John Lackey, Brendan Donnelly and Chone Figgins playing at Ray Winder Field in a Travs uniform proves that the Angels’ affiliation is beneficial.
Here, we’ll take a look at the ex-Travs that made an impact with the 2002 Anaheim Angels and see how they shape up for the 2003 season.
Ex-Travs Make Impact In Post-Season
Francisco Rodriguez made it from the Ray Winder Field pitcher’s mound to a starring role in the World Series in just four months. The 20-year old native of Venezuela joined the 2002 Travs pitching staff and became a Texas League All-Star by striking out 61 batters in 42 innings and picking up 9 saves. He went on to pitch well in Class AAA with Salt Lake and was called up to the Angels for a 5-game audition in late September. Frankie wowed the big club by racking up 13 strikeouts in 5.2 scoreless innings and was placed on the post-season roster. In 11 post-season games, Rodriguez set a Major League record with 5 wins. As a relief specialist, he allowed only 10 hits in 18.2 innings, struck out 28 batters against just 5 walks. With an electrifying fastball and slider, he earned the moniker “K-Rod” and became a hero in his home country. Francisco’s offseason was interrupted by the civil unrest in Venezuela; his winter league season was cancelled and his family was harassed. However, he has pitched very well in spring training compiling a 2.25 ERA over 8 appearances. In 12 innings, Frankie has allowed just 6 hits and 3 walks while striking out 16 batters.
A model of determination and perseverance, Brendan Donnelly pitched for 14 different minor league teams in 11 seasons before reaching the Majors in 2002. After the Angels signed him in 2001 as a minor league free agent, he began the season in the Arkansas bullpen. With the Travs, his 13th team, Donnelly shined with a 4-1 record, 2.41 ERA and 12 saves and was named to the Texas League All-Star Game. Donnelly was promoted to Class AAA after the all-star game and pitched effectively for Salt Lake in the second half of the 2001 season. He appeared in 46 games out of the Angels’ bullpen in 2002 and impressed with a 2.17 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 49.2 innings. Donnelly was virtually unhittable in the World Series as he held the Giants to one hit in 7.2 scoreless innings. Brendan suffered from a mild shoulder strain in early March, but he has recovered and is pitching well in 6 appearances. Brendan has allowed just 3 hits and 1 run in 6.1 innings with 1 walk and 6 strikeouts.
John Lackey came to Little Rock in April 2001 as the ace of the Travs’ pitching staff. Just 18 months later he was the Angels’ winning pitcher in the 7th game of the World Series. A former college quarterback and the Angels’ 1999 second-round pick, Lackey led the Travs to a 2001 first-half division title with a 9-7 record and 3.46 ERA in 18 starts. Lackey started the 2002 season with Class AAA Salt Lake and won his last 7 decisions before getting the call to Anaheim. He solidified a spot in the Angels’ starting rotation with a 9-4 record and 3.66 ERA in 18 starts. In 5 postseason games, Lackey won twice including a 4-hit, 1-run performance in the 7th game of the World Series becoming just the second rookie, and first in 93 years, to start and win the World Series’ 7th game. John is 1-1, 4.85 ERA in 4 spring games. He has pitched 13 innings and allowed 15 hits with 4 walks and 9 strikeouts. Lackey will be the opening day starting pitcher for the Angels on Sunday, March 31 against the Texas Rangers.
Chone Figgins began his career as the Rockies’ 1997 4th-round pick and was traded to the Angels in July 2001. He came to Arkansas shortly thereafter and batted .268 with 21 runs scored in 39 games. Figgins was instrumental in the Travs’ 2001 Texas League Championship run batting .350 with 5 runs scored in 5 post-season games. Starting the 2002 season with Salt Lake, Chone broke out for his best pro season with a .305 average, 29 stolen bases and 100 runs scored. His 19 triples led the Pacific Coast League and set an all-time Salt Lake record. Figgins was called up to Anaheim for September and made his presence felt as a pinch runner in the postseason. He was used in 6 postseason games and scored 4 runs, including the game winner in the Angels’ game 5 clincher in the ALCS. The Angels have given him a chance to compete for the final roster spot this spring, and Chone has been tearing up Cactus League pitching with a .318 average, 7 steals and 9 runs scored in 18 games.
The Cards dealt Adam Kennedy, their 1997 first-round pick, to the Angels right before the 2000 season for Jim Edmonds. Before St. Louis traded Kennedy, he played 52 games with the 1998 Travs and batted .278 with 6 HR and 24 RBI. In 2002, Kennedy established himself as one of the premier second basemen in the American League as he made just 11 errors and batted .312, 7 HR and 52 RBI. Kennedy was named the MVP of the 2002 American League Championship Series after hitting .357 in 4 games. Kennedy made baseball history in the Halos’ ALCS game 5 clincher by launching 3 home runs in the Halos’ 13-5 win over the Twins. AK has struggled this spring hitting .184 in 15 games.
Tomorrow we’ll take a look at the ex-Travs that might make up the Class AAA roster at Salt Lake City. In the meantime, remember that Travs opening day is Thursday, April 3 at 7:10 vs. Wichita. It’s time to Think Baseball!!!
Please call 664-1555 or visit www.travs.com for game information.