Tuesday, Oct. 06, 2009

How Modesto area minor-leaguers fared

A rundown of how area pros Anthony Jackson, Adam Heether, Brodie Downs and Kyle Loretelli performed this season in the minor leagues:

ADAM HEETHER, 3B

Heether, 27, a third baseman, batted a combined .296 with 18 home runs, 32 doubles, 67 runs scored and 71 runs batted in for Double-A Huntsville and Triple-A Nashville ( Milwaukee Brewers). The former Ripon High and Modesto JC standout batted .293 (111 for 379) with 16 HRs, 29 doubles and 62 RBIs for Nashville.

BRODIE DOWNS, P

Downs, 30, a hard-throwing right-hander who attended Beyer High and MJC, compiled 5-2 record with a 7.60 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 55º innings combined innings for Double-A West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx and Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers (Seattle Mariners). In 23 relief appearances for Tacoma, Downs was 4-1 with 24 K's in 39º IP.

"It was rough year. It started off as a good year, but I didn't get much time consistently (on the mound), and when I was out there I was inconsistent," said Downs.

"I didn't get the season I wanted or the results I needed. I learned a lot, though. Now, I need to take what I learned and put it to use next season."

KYLE LORETELLI, OF

Loretelli, 23, an outfielder, starred at Cal State Stanislaus, MJC and Beyer High. Loretelli was drafted by the San Diego Padres in June, and he spent his first summer as a pro with the Class A Eugene Emeralds, for whom he batted .218 with a home run, seven runs batted in and 13 runs scored in 30 games.

"We played played 76 games in 78 days, so it was on a bus, off a bus nonstop for two and a half months," said Loretelli. "It was a good experience, as tiring as it was. You kind of get the feel for things in that short season and know what to expect when you get to spring training. I made some good friends over the summer and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next."

ANTHONY JACKSON, OF

Jackson, 25, played center field and batted .220 with 61 runs, 4 HRs, 34 RBIs and 27 stolen bases in full season with Double-A Tulsa Drillers, minor league affiliate of the Colorado Rockies.

"It was a good experience for me. I was really far away from my family, but I learned a lot and grew a lot as a person and as a baseball player," Jackson said.