Bauxite Kevin Pataky remembers the 2003 divison champion New Haven Ravens well, and has tracked them down for us. Thanks for the pinch-hit, Kevin.
In 2003, 44 different players suited up for the New Haven Ravens, the Double-A Minor League affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays that year. Where are they now?
3 Dominic Rich: Was the starting second baseman for the Eastern League Champion New Hampshire Fisher Cats last season. Last seen in Jays Minor League Camp last month, Dominic is not listed presently on any Jays Minor League roster, nor has he shown up on any transaction line indicating he's been released, suspended, traded or placed on the DL. He's in limbo.
5 Jorge Sequea: Removed from the Blue Jays 40 man roster last fall,and then ultimately let go, Jorge signed with the St. Louis Cardinals' organization as a Minor League Free Agent over the Winter. He was released by St. Louis on 3/22/05.
5 Russ Adams: Russ enjoyed a successful 2004 campaign playing for the Syracuse Skychiefs before a September callup to Toronto last fall. He was the opening day starting shortstop for the Toronto Blue Jays yesterday, batted 9th and went 1-3.
6 Danny Solano: He is currently on the 2005 roster of the Triple A Syracuse Skychiefs, but is apparently ticketed for double A New Hampshire to be the starting shortstop.
8 Kurt Keene: Drafted away from the Blue Jay organization following the 2003 campaign by the Phillies in the Rule 5 draft, Kurt split time between the Double A Reading Phillies and the Triple A Scranon team, and will begin 2005 on Scranton's Opening Day roster.
9 Adam Peterson: Began 2004 as the closer for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and earned 15 saves before being called directly up to Toronto. Adam was thrown right into the fire, and was beaten to the tune of a 16.48 ERA before being sent down to Syracuse (AAA). He struggled there for the rest of the year (12.86 ERA in 21 innings) as his confidence appeared shaken. Adam was traded in January of this year to the Arizona Diamondbacks organization for 1B/3B/DH Shea Hillenbrand. Adam is presently on the Triple A Tucson Sidewinders roster.
10 Rich Thompson: Selected away from the Blue Jays in the Rule 5 draft following the 2003 season by the Pirates and then sent to the Kansas City Royals. Rich made it onto Kansas City's Opening Day roster in 2004 before ultimately being returned to the Pirates and reassigned to their Triple A Nashville Sounds organization for the year. The Pirates switched affiliations following the 2004 season and jumped from the Pacific Coast League to the International League. Their Triple A affiliate is now the Indianapolis Indians, and that is where Rich will open the season
10 Sandy Nin: Traded to the Rockies following the 2003 season, Sandy was injured and didn't pitch in 2004. It is unclear where he is today.
11 Justin Singleton: Was the starting center fielder for the Eastern League Champion New Hampshire Fisher Cats last season. Justin slugged 16 HRs last year and led the Eastern league in triples with 11, but struck out 152 times in 441 ABs. Justin will be in the pool of outfielders Syracuse will put on the field in 2005.
12 Matt Logan: Traded to the Reds last Summer from the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Matt wasn't offered a contract in 2005 and to my knowledge remains unsigned.
13 Cameron Reimers: Was a starting pitcher for the Eastern League Champion New Hampshire Fisher Cats for the first half of last season, before a promotion to the Triple A Syracuse Skychiefs where he finished the year. Due to a log jam of free agent pitcher signings at the Triple A level, Cameron was assigned to start the 2005 campaign for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.
14 Gustavo Chacin: won 20 games in the Blue Jays organization last year: 16 as a starting pitcher for the Fisher Cats plus one in their playoffs, 2 as a starter for the Syracuse Skychiefs, and then 1 versus the New York Yankees following a September callup in his Major League Debut. He is the Jays starting pitcher in tonight's ball game versus the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
17 Guillermo Quiroz: Was the starting catcher for the Triple A Syracuse Skychiefs last season. A (broken) hand injury limited his playing time last year, but he recovered from it in time to earn a September callup to the Blue Jays. Q hurt his shoulder in a Minor League game alast month and will begin the 2005 campaign on the DL of the Triple A Syracuse Skychiefs.
18 Erik Kratz: Will start the 2005 season as a catcher on the New Hampshire Fisher Cats roster.
18 Gabe Gross: Promoted to the Blue Jays from Syracuse last summer, Gabe struggled down the stretch and ended his rookie season with a .209 batting average. After some adjustments to his swing over the Winter, Gabe had a fantastic Spring for the Blue Jays clubbing 8 HRs and earning a spot on Toronto's 2005 Opening Day Roster. He will platoon as the Jays right fielder with Alexis Rios.
18 Tyrell Godwin: Drafted away from the Blue Jays in the rule 5 draft after a successful 2004 season with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats by the Montreal/Washington organization. The Nationals like Tyrell's speed and project him as a fourth outfielder, but feel he needs to spend time in Triple A this year before such a promotion could be possible. In order to be assigned to the Nationals' Triple A affiliate in New Orleans, Washington had to officially trade a Single A pitcher to the Jays which they did a couple of weeks ago.
19 Dave Abbott: Released in 2003 from the New Haven Ravens, David has no record of playing in organized baseball since.
19 David Bush: #3 Starting Pitcher in the Blue Jays rotation, Dave will be starting the Jays Home Opener this Friday against the Red Sox. After a Summer callup by Toronto last year, Dave won 5 games for the Blue Jays down the stretch and maintained a 3.69 ERA over his 97.2 innings.
20 Dave Gassner: Was the player to be named in the trade between the Jays and the Minnesota Twins that sent Bobby Kielty to Toronto for Shannon Stewart following the 2003 season. In 2004, Dave led the International League (AAA) in wins with 16 and earned a spot in their All Star game while playing for the Rochester Red Wings. Dave was added to the Twins 40 man roster over the Winter and maintained a 2.38 ERA for Minnesota in Spring Training this year while pitching for the parent club over 6 games. He was ultimately reassigned to Rochester to start the 2005 as one of their many talented starting pitchers.
21 Brian Patrick: Spent 2004 playing for Ken Joyce's Single-A Charleston Alley Cats. He is on the 2005 Opening Day roster of the Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays.
22 Jason Arnold: Jason was injured for a good part of last season. He started out in Syracuse (AAA) before the injury, rehabbed in Dunedin (A) before a late season promotion to New Hampshire (AA). This season, Jason has been converted into a reliever and will start on the roster of the Syracuse Skychiefs.
22 Shawn Fagan: Was on the roster of Syracuse in 2004 before being suspended late in the season. Shawn is apparently no longer in baseball.
23 Chuck Kegley: Was injured early in the 2003 season while with the Ravens. Chuck was ultimately sent down to Dunedin (A), but never recovered and ultimately was released. He hasn't played since in organized baseball.
23 Dan Jackson: Spent the 2004 season pitching for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, but was released from the Blue Jays during Spring Training this year. No official word on where he is now.
24 Chris Baker: Began the 2004 season 0-11 for Syracuse (AAA) before being demoted to New Hampshire (AA) where he finished the season 5-1 with a 3.09 ERA in 11 starts there. Had 2 successful starts in the playoffs for the Fisher Cats while winning the Eastern League title with them. Will begin the season in the rotation of the 2005 Syracuse Skychiefs (AAA).
25 Jordan De Jong: Became the closer for the 2004 Fisher Cats after Adam Peterson was promoted to Syracuse last summer and earned 14 saves and had a 2.86 ERA for the eventual Eastern League Champs. Will serve as New Hampshire's closer again this year.
25 Kevin Frederick: After a semi-successful start in 2003 as a Raven,> Kevin was promoted to Syracuse where he struggled for the rest of the season. Starting off the 2004 campaign, Kevin dominated Double-A batters for New Hampshire before being called up to Syracuse where he was equally impressive. Ultimately, he was called up to Toronto where he amassed a 6.59 ERA in 22 games before being let go by the Toronto organization following the season. I have no information which indicates that he has signed with any team since.
26 Paul Chiaffredo: Signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates as a Minor League free agent following the 2004 season. Paul played for Syracuse (AAA) and New Hampshire (AA) last season and will begin the 2005 campaign in Indianapolis (AAA) with Rich Thompson.
26 Tim Whittaker: Played primarily for Syracuse (AAA) last season but also had stints with Dunedin (A) and New Hamspshire (AA). Will begin the 2005 season on New Hamspshire's roster.
27 Juan Pena: Earned 5 saves in 7 appearances for the Ravens in 2003 before being called up to Syracuse where he finished the season with a 7.56 ERA in 8 appearances. Hasn't played professionally in the United States or Canada since.
27 Scott Wiggins: Known primarily as the guy the Yankees traded straight up to get Raul Mondesi from the Blue Jays in 2002. Scott struggled in 2003 for Syracuse before being sent down to New Haven where he finished the year. He signed as a free agent and returned to the Yankee organization in 2004. Scott pitched for the Double-A Trenton Thunder, but wasn't very successful in 16 appearances and ultimately was released. He hasn't pitcher in organized baseball since.
27 Simon Pond: Started out extremely hot for the Blue Jays in Spring Training 2004 and earned a spot on their Opening Day Roster last year. He was only given 2 starts, and struggled to bat .161 before being sent down to Syracuse (AAA) where he finished the season at .278 with 7 HRs and 35 RBI. Simon signed as a Minor League Free Agent with the Red Sox and is slated to begin the 2005 campaign with their Triple A affiliate in Pawtucket.
28 Alexis Rios: Alexis began 2004 in Syracuse (AAA) and wasn't performing spetacularly there, but an injury at the Major League level prompted his early (May) callup. Alexis hit only 1 HR last year for the Jays, but batted a respectable .286 in 426 ABs. He will platoon with Gabe Gross in right field for the Jays this season.
29 John-Ford Griffin: John-Ford broke his foot near the end of the 2003 season while with the Ravens and missed the end of the year including the playoffs. He was assigned to New Hampshire in 2004, where the Jays hoped he could catch a hot start before being promoted to Syracuse. Quite the opposite happened for John-Ford as he struggled to bat .200 for most of the season while striking out a lot. Late in the year, he picked it up and ultimately finished the season batting .248 with 22 HRs and 81 RBI for New Hampshire's championship team. No longer figuring in the Blue Jays outfield plans, Griffin will be assigned to Syracuse this year, where he will split time as that club's 1B and DH.
32 Jim Deschaine: Was released by the Blue Jays from New Haven's 2003 club, but ultimately latched on with the Phillies and has played for their Reading (AA) and Scranton (AAA) team over the last 2 seasons. He will begin the 2005 campaign as an outfielder for the Reading Phillies.
32 Jose Umbria: Umby continues to bounce around in the Jays Minor Leagues, going wherever Toronto wants him to. Last season he played for their A, AA and AAA teams, but will begin the 2005 campaign with their New Hampshire (AA) club.
33 Diego Markwell: Signed as a Minor League free agent with the St. Louis Cardinals following the 2003 season. Diego was ultimately cut from the team during Spring Training 2004. He then appeared in the 2004 Olympics in Greece for the Netherlands. Diego is actively trying to play baseball again in the US, but has yet to find a taker.
35 Pete Bauer: Selected away from the Blue Jays by the Marlins following the 2003 season in the Rule 5 draft. Pete pitched for the Carolina Mudcats (AA) for most of last season. He started the year strong, but faltered down the strecth ending up 5-10 in 27 appearances with a 4.35 ERA. His last start of the season was a 7 inning stint for Albuquerque (AAA) in which he earned the win while> striking out 4 and allowing only one run. Pete will be in Albuquerque's starting rotation to begin the 2005 campaign.
36 John Ogiltree: Was a key member in New Hampshire's (AA) bullpen last season before stepping away to pitch for Canada in the 2004 Olympics. Tree came back and helped the Fisher Cats win the Eastern League Championship and will begin his 3rd Double A stint this season in New Hampshire's bullpen.
51 Anthony Sanders: Anthony signed with the Colorado Rockies as a Minor League free agent following the 2003 season and started 2004 with their Triple-A affiliate in Colorado Springs. He ultimately got traded back to the Blue Jays and finsihed the 2004 campaign with Syracuse. Anthony will be in the pool of outfielders Syracuse will put on the field in 2005.
51 Hugo Castellanos: Was released by the Blue Jays from the 2003 Ravens team and ultimately returned to his native home in Mexico and pitched in their Minor Leagues. In 2004, Hugo pitched for the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx (Cubs AA affiliate) and had a 3.52 ERA in 22 appearances. He doesn't appear to still be with the Cubs organization however.
52 Dustin McGowan: Began 2004 as Toronto's #1 prospect and started in New Hampshire for the Fisher Cats. He started out 2-0 and speculation was that he was about to be promoted to Syracuse (AAA) but instead had to have 'Tommy John' surgery which ended his season. Dustin was in Spring Training this year for the Jays, but was limited to throwing fastballs and changeups ("straight stuff") and will remain in extended Spring Training as the season begins. Ultimately the plan is to start him slowly at Dunedin (A) before making the leap back to Syracuse (AAA). A stop back in New Hampshire (AA) might not be out of the question either.
52 Pete Walker: Made 2 rehab starts with the Ravens in 2003 while with the Blue Jays organization, and ultimately finished the 2003 season in Toronto. Pete was allowed to go over seas to Japan for the 2004 campaign, but ultimately has returned and is in the Jays bullpen this season.
52 Rob Hamann: Started the 2003 season with the Ravens before being sent down to Dunedin, and then ultimately being released. He never again pitched in organized ball.
Manager Marty Pevey took over the managerial job in Syracuse in 2004, and starts his second season there on Thursday.
Thank you for the pinch-hit, Kevin. That was a fine double A ballclub, that figures to provide the core of the Jays club for years to come.
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