Former Zags Wrap Summer In The Professional Ranks
9/11/2000 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Sept. 11, 2000
SPOKANE, Wash. - As the month of September rolled in, seven former Gonzaga baseball players wrapped up their summers in the professional ranks while one continues his trade at the Major League level for at least another month. George Arnott, Jason Bay, Steve Bennett, Darin Blood, Bo Hart, Scott Morgan, Mike Redmond, and John Tsoukalas are the former Gonzaga players currently playing professional baseball with teams ranging from the Independent League all the way up to the Florida Marlins. Listed below are the quick capsules on each of the former Bulldogs.
George Arnott wrapped up his season with the New Jersey Jackals of the Northern League (Independent) hitting .228 in 69 games played. Arnott split time between catcher and designated hitter for the Jackals finishing second on the team with four home runs.
Jason Bay ended his season with the Vermont Expos, a New York-Penn League affiliate of the Monteal Expos. The two-time first team All-WCC selection led the club with a .304 batting average as the Expos finished just a half-game out of the league title race. In his final game of the season, Bay hit a two-run home run off former Gonzaga teammate Steve Bennett.
Steve Bennett finished the season with the Pittsfield Mets, a New York-Penn League affiliate of the New York Mets. The first-team All-WCC selection posted a 4-4 record with a 2.82 earned run average during 13 starts. In his final outing of the season, Bennett pitched five innings against the Vermont Expos earning a no-decision.
Former Pac-10 Pitcher of the Year, Darin Blood, continued his rebound from arm surgery as he spent most of the season in a rehab situation. Blood ended his 2000 season as a member of the San Francisco Giants organization, pitching for three of the organizations minor-league farm clubs - Bakersfield (California League), San Jose (California League), Arizona Giants (AZ Rookie League). He was 0-1 during six rehab outings.
Bo Hart worked his way into the everyday second baseman spot this summer playing for the Potomac Cannons, a Carolina League affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. Considered one of the hardest working prospects in the organization, Hart hit .256 with 25 doubles (2nd on team) in 75 games played.
The Cleveland Indians Minor League Player of the Year in 1999, Scott Morgan started the 2000 season with high hopes of being on the Indians everyday roster. Morgan started the season with the AAA Buffalo Bisons, a International League affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. After hitting .364 through the opening two weeks, Morgan was sent to the Anaheim Angels on waivers. Morgan played the remainder of the season with the Edmonton Trappers, a Pacific Coast League affiliate of the Anaheim Angels. He hit .247 with nine home runs and 54 RBI's.
Mike Redmond remains the only former Gonzaga player currently on a Major League baseball roster as he splits catching duties with the Florida Marlins. The former All-Pac-10 catcher has appeared in 73 games this season and is currently hitting .255. The Marlins continue to be one of the real surprises in baseball this season with a record near the .500 mark.
John Tsoukalas started the season as a member of the Shreveport Giants, a Southern League affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. The left-handed hitting infielder split time between first and third base hitting .217. After being released mid-way through the season, Tsoukalas completed the 2000 season as a member of the Tri-City Posse of the Western League (Independent). He hit .256 in 57 games played.
