POS

A graduate of Rookie Ball, Adam had a fine first season with the Reds. Had some big hits early in the year, then began to draw a bunch of walks. Walks are fine, but he'd benefit from swinging the bat more. Has a good swing and a good eye. Adam has worked hard on his defense and has become a solid second baseman. Will sacrifice his body to knock a ball down, be it his bare hand, chest, neck. Adam had a string of freak accidents late in the season, including falling down the bleacher steps, bee stings and taking a warmup toss in the nose. Hopefully 2001 will be kinder to him. Good attitude and work ethic, always eager to play. Bret Boone - San Diego Padres AKA - "The Big Hurt" Batted - .227 (5-18)

Alex

Bats: Left

Throws: Left

POS

A rookie left-hander, Alex is just learning the game. His defensive skills have improved greatly since the season began. Alex's hitting is a bit erratic. He'll often swing at anything that doesn't swing at him first. Still, he doesn't have a bad swing, and has already collected his first RBI. He might have his first hit by now too, had he remembered to run to first, but hey, all in good time. Became more patient late in the season. Will look for his first hit in 2001. Matt Stairs - Chicago Cubs AKA - "Always Alert"

Ashley

Bats: Left

Throws: Left

POS

Ashley joined the team in midseason and immediately looked right at home. She quickly became one of the best defensive outfielders in the league, and made a key catch in the Championship game. Ashley has a very strong arm, and has the potential to pitch in the future. At the plate Ashley, who had never faced live pitching before, surprised, using a very good eye and a short, compact swing to become a potent offensive threat. Ashley picked up a hit in first ever at-bat. She was also the Hit Run and Throw Silver Medalist. Outstanding attitude and a quick learner. Tony Gwynn - San Diego Padres AKA - "The Answer" Batted - .300 (3-10)

Brent

Bats: Right

Throws: Right

POS

Over his record four years with the Reds, Brent became a polished versatile player. Catcher is his strongest position. Played all 10 innings of the Championship game behind the plate. When he keeps his control together, Brent is also one of the league's better pitchers. He set a team record with 18 strikeouts in one game. Where he once let his temper get to him, Brent matured into a team leader. Has a good eye at the plate and can drive the ball. Excellent baserunner. Always hustles and loves to play. Trying to slip a game or practice past Brent is like trying to slip dawn past a rooster. A member of the York Pioneers All-stars. Will move to Pee Wee in 2001. Ivan Rodriguez - Rangers/Billy Koch - Blue Jays Batted - .500 (19-38)

Cindy

Bats: Right

Throws: Right

POS

Like Brent, Cindy is one of the most versatile players in the league. Became one of the league's top pitchers. The Pirates lost 3 games all season long - Cindy pitched 2 of them. Great fastball and always cool under pressure. Her hitting is outstanding. She seldom swings at a bad pitch and pummels the ball to all fields with power. Outstanding attitude and temperment. Combine all of this and it's no wonder that she's a member of the York Pioneers All-Stars. Hit Run and Throw Gold Medalist. Cindy became the second Red to be named League MVP. Will move to Pee Wee in 2001. Jeff Bagwell - Astros/ Bartolo Colon - Indians AKA - "The Saviour" Batted - .567 (17-30)

Daniel

Bats: Right

Throws: Right

POS

A member of the Padres before they were dissolved, Daniel is a complete player. His defense is rock solid at any position. Also a fine pitcher, Daniel threw 3 shutout innings to win the Championship game in relief. A devastating hitter. A contact hitter who punishes the ball, sending outfielders scrambling and racking up extra base hits. Belted a club record 4 homeruns, including a grand slam. A smart baserunner. Soft-spoken, without a hint of ego. A member of the York Pioneers All-Stars. Will move to Pee Wee in 2001. Mark McGwire - St. Louis Cardinals AKA - "The Game" Batted - .720 (18-25)

Eric

Bats: Right

Throws: Right

POS

Another ex-Padre, Eric is a slick defensive infielder with good range and a strong arm. Very fast, very bright on the basepaths, makes a fine leadoff man. Draws walks, makes a lot of contact, and hits with impressive power, sending line drives into the outfield gaps. Has also pitched successfully, using his control to eat up a number of innings. Has a good attitude. A member of the York Pioneers rep squad, where he led the team in hitting. Drew the "walk heard 'round the world" to drive in the winning run in the final. Will move to Pee Wee in 2001. Nomar Garciaparra - Red Sox/ Darryl Kile - Cardinals AKA - "Electrifying" Batted - .533 (16-30)

Ishpal

Bats: Right

Throws: Right

POS

Tall, lanky rookie, who improved all facets of his game this season. Does a good job of laying off bad pitches, but also has a tendency to lay off the good ones. Worked hard on his hitting and was rewarded with his first base hit in a game against the Mets. Toward the end of the season, Ishpal was making consistent contact. Has the potential to become a very good power hitter. Became a reliable outfielder, may be a future first baseman. Richie Sexson - Milwaukee Brewers AKA - "Sky High" Batted - .056 (1-18)

Julian

Bats: Left

Throws: Right

POS

The YBA's Rookie of the Year in 1998, Julian has been a Red for 4 seasons. An excellent defensive player, especially at shortstop and catcher. One of the league's best athletes Julian sprays hits to all fields, can drive the ball and has great speed and judgement. Went on a tear this season, collecting a team record 30 hits and becoming the first Red to win the Batting Title. Also homered. A very intelligent player, always gives an excellent effort. Yet another member of the York Pioneers rep squad. Hit Run and Throw Bronze Medalist. Will move to Pee Wee in 2001. Derek Jeter - New York Yankees AKA - "The Dynasty" Batted - .811 (30-37)

Mike

Bats: Right

Throws: Right

POS

A Red for three seasons, Mike developed into a fine catcher with an outstanding arm. At the plate Mike pounded the ball, to the tune of a .406 average in 1999 (shades of Ted Williams). A heady player, also began to take a regular turn on the mound, where he impressed with a good fastball. A vacuum behind the plate, Mike approached every game and practice with a quiet good humour and a great work ethic. Mike moved to Ottawa in mid-season of 2000, and we wish him well and hope he continues to play baseball. Winner of the 2000 Coaches Choice Award. Charles Johnson - Florida Marlins Batted - .500 (7-14)

Mike

Bats: Right

Throws: Right

POS

2000 was Mike's rookie season, but you'd hardly know it. A smooth defensive player, Mike took a regular turn at shortstop. Has no trouble making long accurate throws across the diamond. Thought we were joking when we first called on him to pitch. We weren't. He responded with a perfect inning of relief, and figures to pitch more in 2001. Offensively, Mike has a good deal of ability that he is just beginning to harness. Puts a charge into the ball when he connects and should probably swing a bit more. Very fast. Mike was the surprise Hit Run and Throw Gold Medalist. Barry Larkin - Cincinnati Reds AKA - "Tag Happy" Batted - .345 (10-29)

Mitch

Bats: Right

Throws: Left

POS

Another first-year Red who enjoyed a fine rookie season. One of the rare players who bats right and throws left. Mitch has a strong arm, and a solid glove. He made an outstanding play ranging to his right at second base earlier this season. While many players of Mitch's size tend not to swing and are even encouraged not to swing in order to draw walks, Mitch will take his cuts. He has produced several hits and some key RBIs. At this pace, he will become an outstanding hitter. Also pitched a few innings late in the year and was very impressive. Brady Anderson - Baltimore Orioles Batted - .192 (5-26)

Raja

Bats: Right

Throws: Right

POS

Raja's skills progressed considerably in his second year as a Red. His arm is much stronger, to the point where he played some third base. He also played more alertly, backing up plays and aggresively pursuing the ball on defense. At the plate, Raja simply has to swing more. He draws his share of walks, and is fast enough to steal quite a few bases, but takes too many pitches. Has matured a great deal since 1999, and should continue to improve. Scored the Championship-winning run in the final. Jose Guillen - Tampa Bay Devil Rays AKA - "The Run"

Rakib

Bats: Right

Throws: Right

POS

If there was a more improved player in the league than Rakib, we didn't see him. Worked very hard over the winter, and it showed. Boasts a very strong arm, and started to see the odd inning on the mound. Rakib has turned in some dazzling defensive plays at first base. As a hitter, Rakib has great mechanics, and once he started to swing regularly, he was almost automatic. Had a couple of 4-hit games. Hits the ball hard, and could be one of the best hitters in the league in 2001. Excellent base runner, alertly takes his secondary leadoff, and seldom misses a chance to move up. Tony Batista - Toronto Blue Jays AKA - "The Running Man" Batted - .486 (18-37)

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