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Warthogs Hire Levya as Manager By Jason Gage June 15, 2004 FutureSox.com The Chicago White Sox announced that Nick Levya will replace Ken Dominguez as manager of the Winston Salem Warthogs. Dominguez was 27-37 in his first season as the Warthogs' skipper. Nick Levya is in his fifth year in the White Sox organization and was a roving minor league infield instructor. Levya was named Appalachian League Manager of the Year in 2002 when he led the Bristol White Sox to a 43-25 record and the league championship. He has managed in the minors for a total of twelve seasons compiling a 633-555 record. Levya also managed the Philadelphia Phillies from 1989-1991. He was 148-189 during that time. Levya has been apart of three World Series as a coach and was the 3rd base coach for the Blue Jays when Joe Carter homered off Mitch Williams to win the 1993 World Series. Levya's name was discussed briefly as a possibility for the White Sox vacancy this offseason. Levya will be taking over a talented team that thus far has been the dissapointment of the Carolina league. The Warthogs have a potent offense lead by veteran Casey Rogowski and youngsters Brian Anderson, Ryan Sweeney, and now Thomas Brice. The Hogs' pitching staff has had its flaws, but will likely gain a little bit of help when Kannapolis promotes a starter or two. Sean Tracey has been the Warthogs ace this season, although Kenny Ray joined the rotation last week and flashed the signs of becoming a front line pitcher for the Warthogs.

Contreras has great stuff and is pitching in New York. Some players just can't handle the spot light or the constant jerking around the happens because Georgie Porgie gets angry with a players performance. Last season Contreras looked damn good down the stretch and I think he would be a great acquisition, whether he moves to the pen or pitches in the rotation. Especially with the Yanks picking up the tab and the Sox giving up a lower level prospect or two.

I'd say that, but it is important how a catcher calls a game and typically I notice Olivo sometimes makes some bad calls behind the plate, but they are youngster mistakes. Sandy is teaching him and you can see he's getting better. The one thing that really stands out is how awful he is hitting righties. That is absolutely brutal and its because he's still having trouble laying off the outside breaking ball. I do agree though, I would be playing Olivo every other time at the very least with Scho.

Seriously, this is freaking sad that the state has to spend money on these type of billboards. WOWZERS

Try your sister

Once summer school is done, I'll definately be up for it.

Mets along with Edwin Almonte who ended up being released. By the way, welcome aboard

Couldn't agree more. Their are other ways to serve your country. I have the uptmost respect for Nuke and every other that go out and fight though. I wish them all the very best and I hope they stay safe. I appreciate what they do and I never take it for granted. At the same time, just becasue I'm not in the military, doesn't mean I don't have an opinion or can't be in favor of some type of military action.

Great stuff Dan

For that reason I am voting for Bush. Its not that I'm in love with everything he does, its that I'm scared crapless of some of the things I feel Kerry will do.

Cause scouting is damn near impossible and if you don't play for a bigger school or get a lot of publicity sometimes you slip through the cracks. Happens all the time. If scouting was such a science, every team would be loaded with all stars. Young also had a broken leg, and I think it kept him out part of his final season (not positve on that).

I don't know much about him. Just a career minor leaguer is all I could tell you.

Fixed Dan...and DBAHO, my bad

I remember being furious when the Sox made the deal. I was wrong though.

Ya, well they lost at least one of the games he pitched in when I put it up

Is this based on the past two days, if so, he's been doing really good as of late other then that. Heck, the last month, he's probably been one of the best position players in the organization. He has had once again some minor injuries, but to me he's right on the brink.

Kenny Ray Named Carolina Leauge Pitcher of the Week By Jason Gage June 14, 2004 FutureSox.com Warthogs right hander Kenny Ray was named the Carolina League Pitcher of the week on Monday. The 29 year old Ray went 2-0 with a 0.77 ERA. He allowed just seven hits and one run in 11/2/3 innings while striking out eight and walking four. Ray is now 5-0 and leads the Warthogs in wins. He has a 3.41 ERA in 12 games (2 starts). He has struck out 27 batters in 31.2 innings while walking nine. This was Ray's first week in the Warthogs' starting rotation and they can only hope this is a sign of things to come. Ray was an 18th round selection by the Kansas City Royals in 1993. He pitched in 13 games for the Kansas City Royals in 1999 and then dissapeared from our stat records until 2003 when he joined the Brewers organization. He pitched in 31 games for Huntsville (AA) last season going 2-1 with a 2.93 ERA.

Yep, its done to jinx him, although I plan on moving in a new player to my jinx section sometime this week.

Ya, Rogo has played really well too. You'd have to think he'd be due for a promotion sooner or later, afterall he's got as much as he can out of Winston Salem. Any idea who Becker is replacing on the Barons rosters? I know Lamura replaced Allen who went on the DL, but haven't seen anything on them making a roster move and I didn't think they had an open roster spot.

Brandon McCarthy and Thomas Brice Selected to the SAL All Star Team By Jason Gage June 14, 2004 FutureSox.com The South Atlantic League All Star rosters were released on June 11th with two Kannapolis Intimidators making the roster: Brandon McCarthy and Thomas Brice. The game is scheduled to be played on Tuesday June 29th, at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. park in Charleston, South Carolina. The game pits the Southern Division All Stars versus the Northern Division All Stars. Right handed pitcher Brandon McCarthy has been the Intimidators ace going 5-3 with a 4.26 ERA. He has pitched 74 innings and limited opponents to just 67 hits while striking out 84 compared to 20 walks. McCarthy has been one of the best pitchers in the organization for a few years and has a bright future in the organization. Outfielder Thomas Brice has been making a name for himself in Kannapolis. Unfortunately, he stands behind a list of highly touted outfield prospects that includes Jeremy Reed, Joe Borchard, Brian Anderson, and Ryan Sweeney. However, Brice was promoted to Winston Salem today and unless he is demoted, will not play in the South Atlantic League all star game. Brice was leading the Intimidators with a .307 AVG (a point better then Antoin Gray) with 6 HR and 30 RBI. He plays a tremendous outfield and can hit the low pitch as good as anyone. The Australian native credits cricket to his level swing that results in lots of hard hit line drives. FutureSox would just like to congratulate Brandon McCarthy and Thomas Brice of these honors and wishes them continued sucess in their young careers.

All I know is the guy can supposedly fly.

Great to see Reed with a nice game.

Richard Nanita Sent to Kannapolis, Brice to Winston Salem, and Becker to Birmingham By Jason Gage June 14, 2004 FutureSox.com The Chicago White Sox demoted outfielder Ricardo Nanita from Winston Salem to Kannapolis while outfielder Thomas Brice was promoted from Kannapolis to Winston Salem. Brice was the best player on the Intimidators last season and had been putting up great numbers with the Intimidators again this season. Now Brice will be able to show off his abilities at High A ball. Brice was hitting .309 with 7 homers and 31 RBI in 56 games with the Intimidators. The native from Australia posesses a very strong arm (possibly the strongest in the organization) and is showing signs of turning into a power hitter. On the opposite side of the spectrum, Ricardo Nanita will be sent down to Kannapolis due to his struggles this season. Nanita was hitting .246 with 2 homers, and 27 RBI's this season. However, he has recently picked up his play, earning a Carolina League player of the week award just a few weeks ago. While Nanita was demoted, another Warthog, DH Brian Becker was promoted to Birmingham. Becker has been one of the best offensive players for the Warthogs, hitting .310 with 12 homers and 40 RBI. He also has 4 triples and 32 extra base hits. Becker will add a much needed spark to the Barons offense.

OF course Master Shake owns Meatwad

He's a 5 tool talent, although still raw. He has tremendous speed, great power, and a good arm. Also has the potential to turn into an average hitter, but still needs to do a better job recognizing pitches and shortening his swing. Like I said, he's raw, but very talented.