MONROE PRODUCT LOOKS TO STAND OUT.Byline: Chris Cocoles Staff Writer If Wayne Nix has learned anything during his pro baseball career, it's been to stay patient. The Monroe High graduate, a 1995 fourth-round pick of the Oakland A's, was stuck in rookie ball for three years, primarily due to a bum throwing shoulder that required reconstructive shoulder surgery. He threw 46 2/3 innings in his first three years. ``It was pretty tough, especially being so young. You don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. what's going on What's Going On is a record by American soul singer Marvin Gaye. Released on May 21, 1971 (see 1971 in music), What's Going On reflected the beginning of a new trend in soul music. . You don't understand why an injury like that would happen to you,'' Nix said. ``I just want to stay healthy. It's always nice to be healthy.'' And when Nix finally put together a painless, full season in 1999, the A's deep minor-league pitching pool have him treading water. He went 9-6 with a 4.22 earned run average earned run average n. Baseball Abbr. ERA A measure of a pitcher's performance obtained by dividing the total of earned runs allowed by the total of innings pitched and multiplying by nine. Noun 1. at Single-A Modesto in the California League The California League is a minor league baseball league which operates throughout the state of California. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High-A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth in 1999. But he's back in the Cal League with Oakland's other affiliate in Visalia. ``In (1998 at short-season Southern Oregon This article is about the southern region of the U.S. state of Oregon. For the University, see Southern Oregon University. Southern Oregon is a region of the U.S. ) I still didn't have my stuff back and clicked it in at the end of the year... It was good (last year),'' Nix said. ``I was in the Top 10 (in ERA) for a long time. I hit a wall towards the end. For my first long season I really hit a fatigue.'' Entering his next appearance today, Nix is 2-1 with a 5.82 ERA in five games (three starts) while allowing just 12 hits in 17 innings. But his 18 walks was a big culprit in the 11 earned runs charged to him. Despite his control problems, Nix, 23, still has zip on his fastball. And the 6-foot-5, 210-pound right-hander knows he can pitch his way to Double-A and beyond. ``That's the problem for Double-A. We have a ton of pitchers. It's a litttle bit crowded right now,'' Nix said. ``I feel like if I throw my game I'll be all right. Whether it's with the A's or anyone there are lots of teams out there. Everyone needs pitching.'' --Jack's back: Everywhere Jack Wilson Jack Wilson can refer to different people:
The St. Louis Cardinals (also referred to as "the Cards" or "the Redbirds") are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. selected Wilson in the ninth round in 1998 out of Oxnard College and quickly found a gem. Wilson debuted by winning the Appalachian League batting title at Johnson City. In 749 career at-bats entering 2000, Wilson hit .336 at three levels. He started quickly again at Single-A Potomac and was promoted to Double-A Arkansas. Wilson was 11 for his first 22 with the Travelers. While Wilson is on a fast track through the St. Louis organization, he'll soon encounter a big hurdle at he big-league level: Edgar Renteria. The Cardinals' starting shortstop is just two years older than the 22-year-old Wilson. --Change of address: Several locals are playing for new organizations this season: Tim Carr (Westlake) was an outstanding setup reliever for the New York Mets
Camarillo High and UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX product Mike Mitchell was involved in an offseason trade from San Diego to Arizona. Mitchell has thrived with the Diamondbacks at Triple-A Tucson (.346, two homers, 10 RBI RBI abbr. Baseball runs batted in Noun 1. rbi - a run that is the result of the batter's performance; "he had more than 100 rbi last season" run batted in ). When Kansas City released J.P. Roberge (St. Francis-USC), the New York Yankees  Editing of this page by unregistered or newly registered users is currently disabled due to vandalism. quickly signed the veteran infielder. Roberge was batting just .105 (2 for 19) in a utility role at Triple-A Columbus. Thirty-three-old Bob Scanlan (Harvard-Westlake) has found a niche as a closer. A mediocre starter in the Houston Astros' system last year, Scanlan has four saves for Triple-A Indianapolis (Cincinnati Reds). Mike Rossiter (Burroughs) is also flourishing as a closer with his new team. The Milwaukee Brewers assigned the former Colorado farm hand to Double-A Huntsville, where he's notched five saves in seven appearances. Then there is former No. 1 draft pick-turned-journeyman Roger Salkeld (Saugus). Dumped by the Florida Marlins in the offseason and the Dodgers in spring training, Salkeld is at Double-A Akron (Cleveland Indians). --Check swings: It's been a great start by pitchers with Antelope Valley ties. Antelope Valley High graduate Sean Douglass was the Double-A Eastern League pitcher of the week for Double-A Bowie (Baltimore). Current JetHawks ace Jeff Heaverlo was the first Single-A California League's first pitcher of the week recipient. And former JetHawk Denny Stark, now with the Seattle Mariners' Double-A New Haven Ravens, was an Eastern League pitcher of the week winner... The JetHawks have skidded with seven losses in 10 games, but Baseball America ranked Lancaster second in its latest minor-league power poll of Single-A teams released early last week. The Clearwater Phillies (Florida State) were ranked ahead of the JetHawks... Alex Cora is making his case to get a shot to help the punchless Dodgers' offense. The Triple-A Albuquerque shortstop was leading the Pacific Coast League For the high school sports league, see . The Pacific Coast League (PCL) is a minor league baseball league operating in the West and Midwest of the United States. It is one of two leagues, along with the International League, playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below with a .427 average. MINOR-LEAGUE REPORT --Friday's top performers: Tim Laker (Simi Valley) homered for Triple-A Nashville... Gary Matthews Jr. (Granada Hills) went 3 for 5 with a stolen base for Triple-A Iowa... Eric Valent (UCLA) homered for Double-A Reading. Mike Rossiter (Burroughs) earned his sixth save for Double-A Huntsville... David Glick (Palmdale) pitched two scoreless innings to get the win for Double-A Round Rock (Texas)... Pete Paciorek (Glendale JC) homered and drove in two runs for Single-A San Bernardino. -Chris Cocoles CAPTION(S): box Box: Minor-league report (see text) |
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