Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 15th Anniversary Team, 1995-2009 Who was the best Timber Rattlers player at each position in the first fifteen seasons of the Timber Rattlers? Cast your vote on the Timber Rattlers homepage to help select their 15th Anniversary Team. Catcher candidates: John Castellano - 2001
The Stats: .334 average, 126 hits in 337 at bats, .370 OBP, .906 OPS, 34 doubles, 14 home runs, 81 runs batted in, 13 stolen bases The Facts: Los Angeles Dodgers 66th round draft pick in 1997 out of Indian River Community College; Released by Dodgers in 2000; Played 2000 season with Long Island Ducks (Independent, Atlantic) before signing with the Mariners; Caught 49 games (also played 21 at first base); Named team MVP by Mariners; Opening Day Age: 23 The Case: Leads Timber Rattlers catchers in practically every offensive category, including batting average, doubles, home runs, RBI, and stolen bases
Rob Johnson - 2005
The Stats: .272 average (83 hits in 305 at bats), .319 OBP, .749 OPS, 19 doubles, 1 triple, 9 home runs, 51 runs batted in, 10 stolen bases The Facts: Seattle Mariners 4th round draft pick in 2004 from the University of Houston; Caught 75 games; Opening Day Age: 21 The Case: The youngest of the three candidates was the best defensive catcher of the group.
Corey Kemp - 2009
The Stats: .282 average (105 hits in 373 at bats), .376 OBP, .772 OPS, 31 doubles, 4 home runs, 56 runs batted in, 3 stolen bases The Facts: Milwaukee Brewers 14th round draft pick in 2008 from East Carolina University; Midwest League All Star; Caught 47 games (also played 45 at first base); Opening Day Age: 23 The Case: Hit 52 points lower than Castellano, but still had a higher on base percentage, thanks to walking 54 times This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs. |
