BulldawgJosh & Bubba's 80's Music Video Of The Week

BASEBALL SEASON HAS ARRIVED!!!

In honor of the amazing season our 2008 Diamond Dawgs had, in best hopes for 2009, and to give a shout out to our boy Gordon Beckham, here is The Outfield's "Your Love."

Bubba and I will listen to this song 748 times in a row if Earl and Streit let us.

The Outfield Your Love

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.