Major League Alumni: Jamestown Jammers
By Drew Balen
Team: Jamestown Jammers
League: New York-Penn League
Class Level: Short-Season A
Major League Affiliate: Miami Marlins
City: Jamestown, New York
Population: 31,146
Ballpark: Russell Diethrick Park
Prior to the 1994 season the Niagara Falls Rapids (Niagara Falls, New York) relocated to Jamestown and became the Jammers. Jamestown’s own team the team the Jamestown Expos relocated to Burlington, Vermont following the 1993 season and are currently the Vermont Lake Monsters. The Jammers have been affiliated with the Detroit Tigers (1994-1998), the Atlanta Braves (1999-2001) and the Florida/Miami Marlins (2002-present).
Some notable alumni that played for the Jammers before making it to the major leagues include:
Bubba Trammell (OF): In 1994, Trammel hit .298 with 5 HR and 41 RBI in 65 games with Jamestown in his first professional season. Trammel was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 11th round of the 1994 MLB amateur draft out of Tennessee (Knoxville, Tennessee). Trammel played in 584 career regular season MLB games over seven seasons, as a member of the Detroit Tigers, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, New York Mets, San Diego Padres, and New York Yankees. He retired from professional baseball in 2007.
Dave Roberts (OF): In 1994, Roberts batted .292 with 12 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 54 games with Jamestown in his first professional season. Roberts was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 24th round of the 1994 MLB amateur draft out of UCLA (Los Angeles, California). Roberts played in 832 career regular season MLB games over ten seasons, as a member of the Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres, and San Francisco Giants. He was a member of the 2004 World Champion Red Sox. He is remembered most for his stolen base against the New York Yankees in game 4 of the 2004 ALCS. He retired for professional baseball in 2009 and is currently the 1st base coach for the San Diego Padres.
Gabe Kapler (OF): In 1995, Kapler hit .288 with 4 HR and 34 RBI in 63 games with Jamestonw in his first professional season. Kapler was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 57th round of the 1995 MLB amateur draft out of Moorpark College (Moorpark, California). Kapler played in 1104 career regular season MLB games over twelve seasons, as a member of the Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers, Colorado Rockies, Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, and Tampa Bay Rays. He was a member of the 2004 World Champion Red Sox. In 2007, he was the Manager at Lo-A Greenville Drive (South Atlantic League) in the Red Sox organization, posting a record of 58-81, before returning as a player. He last played in the majors in 2010.
Francisco Cordero (RHP): In 1995 & 1996, Cordero posted a combined record of 4-7 with a 4.73 ERA in 17 games with Jamestown during his first and second professional seasons. Cordero was signed by the Detroit Tigers in 1994 as an amateur free agent out of the Dominican Republic. The three-time All-Star (2004, 2007 & 2009) has appeared in 753 career regular season MLB games over thirteen seasons, as a member of the Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers, Milwaukee Brewers, and Cincinnati Reds. He is currently a member of the Toronto Blue Jays after signing as a free agent with the team on January 24, 2012.
Robert Fick (1B): In 1996, Fick hit .248 with 1 HR and 14 RBI in 43 games with Jamestown in his first professional season. Fick was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 5th round of the 1996 MLB amateur draft out of California State Northridge (Los Angeles, California). Fick has played in 846 career regular season MLB games over ten seasons, as a member of the Detroit Tigers, Atlanta Braves, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, San Diego Padres, and Washington Nationals. He was a member of the 2002 American League All-Star team. Fick last played in 2009 in Independent Ball with the Orange County Flyers (Golden League). He is currently an agent for Paragon Sports International.
Brandon Inge (3B): In 1998, Inge batted .230 with 8 HR and 29 RBI in 51 games with Jamestown during his first professional season. Inge was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 2nd round of the 1998 MLB amateur draft out of Virginia Commonwealth (Richmond, Virginia). Inge has played in 1399 career regular season MLB games over eleven seasons, as a member of the Detroit Tigers. Inge was a member of the 2009 American League All-Star team.
Adam Pettyjohn (LHP): In 1998, Pettyjohn posted a 2-2 record with a 2.86 ERA in 4 starts with Jamestown during his first professional season. Pettyjohn was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 2nd round of the 1998 MLB amateur draft out of Fresno State (Fresno, California). Pettyjohn has pitched in 19 career MLB games as a member of the Detroit Tigers and Cincinnati Reds. He lasted pitched in 2010 with Triple-A Buffalo Bison (International League) in the New York Mets organization.
Jeff Weaver (RHP): In 1998, Weaver posted a 1-0 record with a 1.50 ERA in 3 starts with Jamestown during his first professional season. Weaver was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 1st round (14th overall) of the 1998 MLB amateur draft out of Fresno State (Fresno, California). Weaver has pitched in 355 career regular season MLB games over eleven seasons, as a member of the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, St. Louis Cardinals, and Seattle Mariners. He last played in 2010.
Andres Torres (OF): In 1998, Torres hit .234 with 1 HR and 21 RBI in 48 games with Jamestown in his first professional season. Torres was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 4th round of the 1998 MLB amateur draft out of Miami Dade College (Miami, Florida). Torres has played in 415 career regular season games over seven seasons, as a member of the Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers, and San Francisco Giants. He is currently a member of the New York Mets after being traded by the Giants in December 2011.
Nick Green (2B): In 1999, Green hit .297 with 11 HR and 41 RBI in 73 games with Jamestown during his first professional season. Green was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 32nd round of the 1998 MLB amateur draft out of Georgia Perimeter College (Covington, GA). Green has played in 393 career regular season MLB games over six seasons, as a member of the Atlanta Braves, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Toronto Blue Jays. He is currently a member of the Miami Marlins after signing a minor league contract in December, 2011.
Roman Colon (RHP): In 1999, Colon posted a 7-5 record with a 4.54 ERA in 15 starts with Jamestown during his third professional season. Colon was signed by the Atlanta Braves in 1995 as an amateur free agent out of the Dominican Republic. Colon has pitched in 121 career regular season MLB games over five seasons, as a member the Atlanta Braves, Detroit Tigers, and Kansas City Royals. He is currently a member of the Royals after signing a minor league contract with the team in January, 2012.
Wilson Betemit (3B): In 2000, Betemit batted .331 with 5 HR and 37 RBI in 69 games with Jamestown in his fourth professional season. Betemit was signed by the Atlanta Braves in 1996 as an amateur free agent out of the Dominican Republic. Betemit has played in 697 career regular season MLB games over nine seasons, as a member of the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals, and Detroit Tigers. He is currently a member of the Baltimore Orioles after signing as a free agent with the team last week.
Pete Orr (2B): In 2000, Orr hit .242 with 2 HR and 15 RBI in 69 games with Jamestown in his first professional season. Orr was signed by the Atlanta Braves in 1999 as an amateur free agent. Orr has played in 393 career regular season MLB games over six seasons, as a member of the Atlanta Braves, Washington Nationals, and Philadelphia Phillies.
Zach Miner (RHP): In 2001, Miner posted a 3-4 record with a 1.89 ERA in 15 starts with Jamestown in his first professional season. Miner was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 4th round of the 2000 MLB amateur draft out of Palm Beach Gardens High School (Palm Beach Gardens, Florida). Miner has pitched in 157 career regular season games over four seasons, as a member of the Detroit Tigers. He is currently a member of the Kansas City Royals after signing a minor league contract in December, 2011.
Jeremy Hermida (OF): In 2002, Hermida batted .319 with 7 RBI in 13 games with Jamestown during his first professional season. Hermida was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 1st round (11th overall) in the 2002 MLB amateur draft out of Wheeler High School (Marietta, Georgia). Hermida has played in 619 career regular season MLB games over seven seasons, as a member of the Florida Marlins, Boston Red Sox, Oakland Athletics, Cincinnati Reds, and San Diego Padres.
Robert Andino (SS): In 2002, Andino batted .167 with 3 RBI in 9 games with Jamestown during his first professional season. Andino was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 2nd round of the 2002 MLB amateur draft out of Miami Southridge Senior High School (Miami, Florida). Andino has played in 312 career regular season MLB games over seven seasons, as a member of the Florida Marlins and Baltimore Orioles.
Eric Reed (OF): In 2002, Reed hit .308 with 17 RBI and 19 stolen bases in 60 games with Jamestown during his first professional season. Reed was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 9th round of the 2002 MLB amateur draft out of Texas A&M (College Station, Texas). Reed played in 60 games with Florida over parts of two seasons.
Yorman Bazardo (RHP): In 2002, Bazardo posted a 5-0 record with a 2.72 ERA in 25 games with Jamestown in his first professional season. Bazardo was signed by the Florida Marlins in 2000 as an amateur free agent out of Venezuela. Bazardo has pitched in 25 career regular season MLB games over four seasons, as a member of the Florida Marlins, Detroit Tigers, and Houston Astros.
Jai Miller (OF): In 2003, Miller hit .233 with 6 RBI in 11 games with Jamestown during his first professional season. Miller was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 4th round of the 2003 MLB amateur draft out of Selma High School (Selma, Alabama). Miller has played in 28 career regular season MLB games over three seasons, as a member of the Florida Marlins, Kansas City Royals, and Oakland Athletics. He is currently a member of the Baltimore Orioles.
Taylor Tankersley (LHP): In 2004, Tankersley posted a 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA in 6 starts with Jamestown in his first professional season. Tankersley was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 1st round (27th overall) of the 2004 MLB amateur draft out of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL). Tankersley pitched in 168 career regular season MLB games over four seasons, as a member of the Florida Marlins. He spent the 2011 seasons with Triple-A Buffalo Bison (International League) in the New York Mets organization.
Jason Vargas (LHP): In 2004, Vargas posted a 3-1 record with a 1.96 ERA in 8 starts with Jamestown during his first professional season. Vargas was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 2nd round of the 2004 MLB amateur draft out of Cal State Long Beach (Long Beach, California). Vargas has pitched in 117 career regular season MLB games over six seasons, as a member of the Florida Marlins, New York Mets, and Seattle Mariners.
Brad Davis (C): In 2004, Davis hit .289 with 14 RBI in 42 games with Jamestown during his first professional season. Davis was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 5th round of the 2004 MLB amateur draft out of Cal State San Bernardino (San Bernardino, California). Davis played in 33 career MLB games with Florida in 2010. He is currently a member of the San Diego Padres.
Brett Carroll (OF): In 2004, Carroll hit .251 with 6 HR and 28 RBI in 60 games with Jamestown in his first professional season. Carroll was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 10th round of the 2004 MLB amateur draft out of Middle Tennessee State (Murfreesboro, Tennessee). Carroll has played in 175 career regular season MLB games over five seasons, as a member of the Florida Marlins and Milwaukee Brewers. He is currently a member of the Washington Nationals.
Aaron Thompson (LHP): In 2005, Thompson posted a 1-2 record with a 3.10 ERA in 5 starts with Jamestown during his first professional season. Thompson was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 1st round (22nd overall) of the 2005 MLB amateur draft out of Second Baptist High School (Houston, Texas). Thompson pitched in 4 games with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2011. He is currently a member of the Minnesota Twins.
Brett Hayes (C): In 2005, Hayes hit .239 with 1 HR and 12 RBI in 36 games with Jamestown during his first professional season. Hayes was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 2nd round of the 2005 MLB amateur draft out of Nevada (Reno, Nevada). Hayes played in 104 games with the Marlins over the past three seasons.
Chris Volstad (RHP): In 2005, Volstad posted a 3-2 record with a 2.13 ERA in 7 starts with Jamestown during his first professional season. Volstad was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 1st round (16th overall) of the 2005 MLB amateur draft out of Palm Beach Gardens High School (Palm Beach Gardens, Florida). Volstad has pitched in 103 career regular season MLB games as a member of the Marlins over the last four seasons. He was traded to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Carlos Zambrano on January 5, 2010.
Sean West (LHP): In 2005, West posted a 0-2 record with a 5.73 ERA in 3 starts with Jamestown during his first professional season. West was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the supplemental 1st round (44th overall) of the 2005 MLB amateur draft out of Captain Shreve High School (Shreveport, Louisiana). West has pitched in 22 career games with the Marlins over two seasons. He spent 2011 at Triple-A New Orleans (Pacific Coast League) in the Marlins organization.
Gaby Sanchez (1B): In 2005, Sanchez hit .355 with 5 HR and 42 RBI in 62 games with Jamestown in his first professional season. Sanchez was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 4th round of the 2005 MLB amateur draft out of Miami (Coral Gables, Florida). Sanchez has played in 336 career regular season MLB games over the four seasons, as a member of the Marlins. Sanchez was a member of the 2011 National League All-Star team.
Chris Coghlan (OF): In 2006, Coghlan hit .298 with 12 RBI in 28 games with Jamestown during his first professional season. Coghlan was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the supplemental 1st round (36th overall) of the 2006 MLB amateur draft out of Mississippi (Oxford, Mississippi). Coghlan was the 2009 National League Rookie of the Year. Coghlan has played in 284 career regular season MLB games with the Marlins, over the past three seasons.
Logan Morrison (OF): In 2006, Morrison batted .203 with 1 HR and 11 RBI in 23 games with Jamestown in during his first professional season. Morrison was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 22nd round of the 2005 MLB amateur draft out of Northshore High School (Slidell, Louisiana). Morrison has played in 185 career regular season MLB games with the Marlins, over the past two seasons.
Scott Cousins (OF): In 2006, Cousins hit .211 with 1 HR and 6 RBI in 21 games with Jamestown in his first professional season. Cousins was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 3rd round of the 2006 MLB amateur draft out of San Francisco (San Francisco, California). Cousins has played in 75 games with the Marlins, over the past two seasons.
John Raynor (OF): In 2006, Raynor hit .286 with 4 HR, 21 RBI, and 21 stolen bases in 54 games with Jamestown in his first professional season. Raynor was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 9th round of the 2006 MLB amateur draft out of UNC Wilmington (Wilmington, North Carolina). Raynor played in 11 games with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2010.
Brett Sinkbeil (RHP): In 2006, Sinkbeil posted a 2-0 record with a 1.23 ERA in 5 starts with Jamestown during his first professional season. Sinkbeil was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 1st round (19th overall) of the 2006 MLB amateur draft out of Missouri State (Springfield, Missouri). Sinkbeil has played in 3 games with the Marlins in 2010.
Matt Dominguez (3B): In 2007, Dominguez hit .189 with 1 HR and 4 RBI in 10 games with Jamestown during his first professional season. Dominguez was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 1st round (12th overall) of the 2007 MLB amateur draft out of Chatsworth High School (Chatsworth, California). Dominguez played in 17 career regular season games with the Marlin in 2011.
Osvaldo Martinez (SS): In 2007, Martinez hit .184 with 6 RBI in 38 games with Jamestown in his second professional season. Martinez was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 11th round of the 2006 MLB amateur draft out of Porterville Junior College (Porterville, California). Martinez has played in 34 career MLB games with the Marlins, over the past two seasons.
Bryan Petersen (OF): In 2007, Petersen hit .250 with 5 HR and 24 RBI in 57 games with Jamestown in his first professional season. Petersen was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 4th round of the 2007 MLB amateur draft out of California Irvine (Irvine, California). Petersen has played in 97 career regular season MLB games with the Marlins, over the past two seasons.
Mike Stanton (OF): In 2007, Stanton batted .067 with 1 HR and 2 RBI in 9 games with Jamestown during his first professional season. Stanton was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 2nd round of the 2007 MLB amateur draft out of Notre Dame High School (Sherman Oaks, California). Stanton has played in 250 career regular season MLB games with the Marlins, over the past two seasons.
Brad Hand (LHP): In 2008, Hand posted a 1-2 record with a 3.00 ERA in 3 starts with Jamestown during his first professional season. Hand was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 2nd round of the 2008 MLB amateur draft out of Chaska High School (Carver, Minnesota). Hand started 12 games for the Marlins in 2011, his first season in the majors.
Elih Villanueva (RHP): In 2008, Villanueva posted a 2-1 record with a 1.89 ERA in 5 games with Jamestown during his first professional season. Villanueva was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 27th round of the 2008 MLB amateur draft out of Florida State (Tallahassee, Florida). Villanueva made one start with the Marlins in 2011, his only appearance in the majors to date.
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