pirate4state
01-09-2008, 03:58 PM
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Former Tiger, Pirate to be recognized at Winter Banquet
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Oakland prospect Cliff Pennington and Washington farmhand Adrian Alaniz are this year’s professional honorees at the Fourth Annual South Texas Winter Baseball Banquet, slated for next Tuesday evening, January 15 at the American Bank Center.
Pennington, the former Carroll Tiger and Texas Aggie who was drafted in the first round by the A’s in 2005, captured 2007 South Texas Professional Player of the Year honors in his third full season as a pro. During the first half, Pennington batted .255 for Stockton in the California League with 17 doubles, three triples, six home runs, 36 RBI’s and nine stolen bases. After a mid-year promotion, he hit .251 at Double-A Midland with 13 doubles, two triples, two homers and eight steals. Pennington’s total of 91 runs led all Oakland minor leaguers and his 17 stolen bases ranked fifth in the organization.
The Corpus Christi native made his Whataburger Field debut with Midland on July 15 and led off the fourth inning with a home run, his first in Double-A. In early August, Pennington’s 7-for-19 effort with three runs and two RBI’s helped the RockHounds rally for a four-game series split at Whataburger Field.
The shortstop concluded 2007 with a strong finish in the Arizona Fall League, collecting hits in seven of his last eight games. That included a three-hit performance with two runs and two steals in the AFL title game, a 7-2 victory for Pennington’s Phoenix Desert Dogs over the Surprise Rafters.
This is Pennington’s second recognition at the Winter Banquet. He was awarded the same honor two years ago following his rookie season with the Kane County Cougars.
Alaniz, the former Sinton Pirate and Texas Longhorn, made a bold impression in his first year as a professional after selection by Washington in the eighth round of June’s draft. The 2007 South Texas Professional Pitcher of the Year appeared in 13 games for the Vermont Lake Monsters of the New York-Penn League (Short Season Class A) and went 8-2 with a 2.39 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 60.1 innings. He tied for second in the league in wins and ranked fifth in ERA. His earned run average was also second best in the Nationals system. In addition, Alaniz allowed just 42 hits and eight walks while limiting opposition hitters to a .187 batting average.
Consistency marked Alaniz’ rookie campaign, as the right-hander held foes to three runs or less in seven of eight starts. He also proved dominant on the road, posting a 6-0 record and 1.38 ERA.
Pennington and Alaniz will be recognized at next week’s banquet, which gets under way at 6:30 p.m. For ticket and sponsorship information, call the Corpus Christi Hooks at (361) 561-4665. Proceeds benefit the Hooks’ Field of Dreams program.
LINK (http://www.cchooks.com/news/index.html?article_id=1213)
Former Tiger, Pirate to be recognized at Winter Banquet
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Oakland prospect Cliff Pennington and Washington farmhand Adrian Alaniz are this year’s professional honorees at the Fourth Annual South Texas Winter Baseball Banquet, slated for next Tuesday evening, January 15 at the American Bank Center.
Pennington, the former Carroll Tiger and Texas Aggie who was drafted in the first round by the A’s in 2005, captured 2007 South Texas Professional Player of the Year honors in his third full season as a pro. During the first half, Pennington batted .255 for Stockton in the California League with 17 doubles, three triples, six home runs, 36 RBI’s and nine stolen bases. After a mid-year promotion, he hit .251 at Double-A Midland with 13 doubles, two triples, two homers and eight steals. Pennington’s total of 91 runs led all Oakland minor leaguers and his 17 stolen bases ranked fifth in the organization.
The Corpus Christi native made his Whataburger Field debut with Midland on July 15 and led off the fourth inning with a home run, his first in Double-A. In early August, Pennington’s 7-for-19 effort with three runs and two RBI’s helped the RockHounds rally for a four-game series split at Whataburger Field.
The shortstop concluded 2007 with a strong finish in the Arizona Fall League, collecting hits in seven of his last eight games. That included a three-hit performance with two runs and two steals in the AFL title game, a 7-2 victory for Pennington’s Phoenix Desert Dogs over the Surprise Rafters.
This is Pennington’s second recognition at the Winter Banquet. He was awarded the same honor two years ago following his rookie season with the Kane County Cougars.
Alaniz, the former Sinton Pirate and Texas Longhorn, made a bold impression in his first year as a professional after selection by Washington in the eighth round of June’s draft. The 2007 South Texas Professional Pitcher of the Year appeared in 13 games for the Vermont Lake Monsters of the New York-Penn League (Short Season Class A) and went 8-2 with a 2.39 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 60.1 innings. He tied for second in the league in wins and ranked fifth in ERA. His earned run average was also second best in the Nationals system. In addition, Alaniz allowed just 42 hits and eight walks while limiting opposition hitters to a .187 batting average.
Consistency marked Alaniz’ rookie campaign, as the right-hander held foes to three runs or less in seven of eight starts. He also proved dominant on the road, posting a 6-0 record and 1.38 ERA.
Pennington and Alaniz will be recognized at next week’s banquet, which gets under way at 6:30 p.m. For ticket and sponsorship information, call the Corpus Christi Hooks at (361) 561-4665. Proceeds benefit the Hooks’ Field of Dreams program.
LINK (http://www.cchooks.com/news/index.html?article_id=1213)