Former Diamond Dawgs in the Pros in 2009

Major League pitchers and catchers report in just two weeks and there are a number of former Georgia Bulldogs who will be continuing their baseball careers in the pros in 2009. Here is a look at some of those players who will be playing in the minors and the majors this year:

Jeff Keppinger, SS – Reds

- Played in a career high 121 games for the Reds in 2008
- Hit .266 in 459 at bats with 3 homeruns, 24 doubles, 43 RBIs, and 45 runs scored
- Only made 8 errors in 399 total chances at shortstop
- Will compete for playing time with Alex Gonzales, who returns to the Reds after missing the entire 2008 season.

Clint Sammons, C – Braves

- Was a late season call up with the Braves in 2008
- Hit only .148 with 1 homerun and 4 RBIs in 23 games
- Is listed as part of the Braves 40-man roster heading into Spring Training
- Expected to head back to the minors after the Braves signed veteran catcher David Ross to back up Brian McCann

Mitchell Boggs, P – Cardinals

- Went 3-2 with 7.41 ERA in 8 games with St. Louis in 2008 (including 6 starts)
- Will head to spring training as a part of the Cardinals active roster
- Expected to compete for a bullpen spot with the Cardinals during Spring Training

Gordon Beckham, SS – White Sox

- After being drafted #8 overall by the White Sox, hit .310 with 3 homeruns and 8 RBIs in 14 games for the Kannapolis Intimidators (Class A)
- Participated in the Arizona Fall League with the Peoria Saguaros, hitting .394 with 3 homeruns and 18 RBIs in 18 games (66 At Bats)
- Has been invited to Spring Training with the Chicago White Sox as a Non-Roster invitee and is expected to be in the majors in the next two years.

Josh Fields, P – Mariners

- Was selected #20 overall by the Mariners in the 2008 draft
- Never reached an agreement with the Mariners during the 2008 season
- Contract negotiations between the club and Fields’s agent, Scott Boras, are ongoing

Brooks Brown, P – Diamondbacks

- Was named the organizations number 2 overall prospect before struggling in 2008
- Went 6-15 with a 4.18 ERA in 26 starts for Class AA Mobile Bay Bears
- Participated in the Arizona Fall League, going 2-3 with a 5.61 ERA for the Phoenix Desert Dogs - Hopes to regain control and command of his pitches in 2009

Joey Side, OF – Diamondbacks

- Currently on the roster of the Class A Visalia Rawhide
- Hit .291 with 1 HR and 51 RBIs in 129 games at Midland in 2007
- Followed up with a .281 average with 2 homeruns and 26 RBI in 178 At Bats (44 games) after moving up to Visalia in 2008

Jonathan Wyatt, OF – Cubs

- Split time between two Class A clubs in the Cubs organization in 2008
- Played for Daytona Cubs and is currently listed on the roster of the Peoria Chiefs
- Hit .256 in 426 at bats between the two teams, including 6 homeruns, 41 RBIs, 18 stolen bases, and 65 runs scored in 116 games

Ryan Peisel, 3B – Rockies

- Drafted by the Rockies in the 12th round of the 2008 draft
- Hit .208 with 12 RBIs in limited playing time with the Tri City Dust Devils
- Expected to continue in class A ball in 2009

There are a number of other Dawgs scattered around the minors as well. If anyone knows what happened to Will Startup or Josh Morris, please let me know.