Major League Alumni: Auburn Doubledays
By Drew Balen
Team: Auburn Doubledays
League: New York-Penn League
Class Level: Short-Season A
Major League Affiliate: Washington Nationals
City: Auburn, New York
Population: 27,687
Ballpark: Falcon Park
In 1996, the Auburn Astros were renamed becoming the Auburn Doubledays, after American Civil War Union General Adner Doubleday. The most recent rendition (Auburn had a team in the League from 1958-1980) of New York-Penn League baseball in Auburn began in 1982. Auburn was been affiliated with the Houston Astos (1982-2000), Toronto Blue Jays (2001-2010), and Washington Nationals (2011-Present). The Auburn franchise has won seven Division Titles (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 & 2011) and two League Championships (1998 & 2007) over the past 15 season, since becoming the Doubledays.
Some notable alumni that played for the Doubledays before making it to the major leagues include:
Wade Miller (RHP): In 1996, Miller posted a 1-1 record with a 5.00 ERA in 2 starts with Auburn during his first professional season. Miller was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 20th round of the 1996 MLB amateur draft out of Alvernia College (Reading, Pennsylvania). Miller pitched in 151 career regular season MLB games over nine seasons, as a member of the Houston Astros, Boston Red Sox, and Chicago Cubs. He last pitched in 2009 with Triple-A Las Vegas (Pacific Coast League) in the Toronto Blue Jays organization.
Johan Santana (LHP): In 1997 & 1998, Santana posted a combined 7-5 record with a 4.27 ERA in 16 starts with Auburn during his first and second professional seasons. Santana was signed by the Houston Astros in 1995 as an amateur free agent out of Venezuela by legendary scout Epy Guerrero and coming through the Astros Venezuelan Academy. The four-time All-Star (2005, 2006, 2007 & 2009) has pitched in 339 career regular season MLB games over eleven seasons, as a member of the Minnesota Twins and New York Mets. Santana won the 2004 and 2006 American League Cy Young Award.
Roy Oswalt (RHP): In 1997 & 1998, Oswalt posted a combined record of 6-9 with a 3.17 ERA in 20 starts with Auburn during his first and second professional seasons. Oswalt was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 23rd round of the 1996 MLB amateur draft out of Holmes Community College (Ridgeland, Mississippi). Oswalt has pitched in 339 career regular season MLB games over eleven seasons, as a member of the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies. Oswalt is a three-time All-Star (2005, 2006 & 2007). He is currently a free agent.
Morgan Ensberg (3B): In 1998, Ensberg batted .230 with 5 HR and 31 RBI in 59 games with Auburn in his first professional season. Ensberg was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 9th round of the 1998 MLB amateur draft out of USC (Los Angeles, California). Ensberg played in 731 career regular season MLB games over eight seasons, as a member of the Houston Astros, San Diego Padres, and New York Yankees. Ensberg was a member of the 2005 National League All-Star team. He is now retired and currently is the host of MLB Roundtrip on Sirius XM radio.
Keith Ginter (2B): In 1998, Ginter hit .315 with 8 HR and 41 RBI in 71 games with Auburn in his first professional season. Ginter was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 10th round of the 1998 MLB amateur draft out of Texas Tech (Lubbock, Texas). Ginter played in 325 career regular season MLB games over six seasons, as a member of the Houston Astros, Milwaukee Brewers, and Oakland Athletics. He last played in 2010 in Independent Ball with the Orange County Flyers (Golden League).
Tim Redding (RHP): In 1998, Redding posted a 7-3 record with a 4.52 ERA in 16 games with Auburn in his first professional season. Redding was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 20th round of the 1997 MLB amateur draft out of Monroe Community College (Rochester, NY). Redding has pitched in 179 career regular season MLB games over eight seasons, as a member of the Houston Astros, San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, Washington Nationals, and New York Mets. He last pitched in the majors in 2009. He spent 2011 in Triple-A between Albuquerque (Pacific Coast League) and Lehigh Valley (International League) in the Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies organizations, respectively. He is currently a member of the Toronto Blue Jays after signing a minor league contract with the team on January 27, 2012.
John Buck (C): In 1999, Buck batted .245 with 3 HR and 29 RBI in 63 games with Auburn during his second professional season. Buck was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 7th round of the 1998 MLB amateur draft out of Taylorsville High School (Salt Lake City, Utah). Buck has played in 842 career regular season MLB games over eight seasons, as a member of the Kansas City Royals, Toronto Blue Jays, and Florida Marlins. He was a member of the 2010 American League All-Star team.
Jason Lane (OF/LHP): In 1999, Lane hit .279 with 13 HR and 59 RBI in 74 games with Auburn in his first professional season. Lane was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 6th round of the 1999 MLB amateur draft out of USC (Los Angeles, California). Lane has played in 497 career regular season games over six seasons, as a member of the Houston Astros and San Diego Padres. He last played in the majors in 2007. He spent 2011 with Triple-A Las Vegas in the Toronto Blue Jays organization. He is now a pitcher and currently a member of the Arizona Diamondback after signing a minor league contract with the team in December, 2011.
Chris Sampson (SS/RHP): In 1999, Sampson batted .239 with 1 HR and 19 RBI in 51 games with Auburn in his first professional season. Sampson was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 8th round of the 1999 MLB amateur draft out of Texas Tech (Lubbock, Texas). In 2003, Sampson converted to pitcher. Sampson has pitched in 174 career regular season MLB games over five seasons, as a member of the Houston Astros. He spent the 2011 season pitching for Triple-A New Orleans in the Florida Marlins organization.
Tyrell Godwin (OF): In 2001, Godwin hit .368 with 2 HR and 15 RBI in 33 games with Auburn in his first professional season. Godwin was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 3rd round of the 2001 MLB amateur draft after playing at North Carolina (Chapel Hill, North Carolina). Godwin played in 3 games with the Washington Nationals in 2005. He last played in 2007 with Tripl-A Columbus (International League) in the Washington organization.
Dustin McGowan (RHP): In 2001, McGowan posted a 3-6 record with a 3.76 ERA in 15 games with Auburn in his second professional season. McGowan was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the supplemental 1st round (33rd overall) out of Long County High School (Ludowici, Georgia). McGowan has pitched in 80 career regular season MLB games over five seasons, as a member of the Blue Jays. He will try to secure a spot in the Toronto starting rotation after being derailed by injures that forced him to miss three seasons.
Russ Adams (SS): In 2002, Adams batted .354 with 16 RBI and 13 stolen bases in 30 games with Auburn during his first professional season. Adams was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1st round (14th overall) of the 2002 MLB amateur draft out of North Carolina (Chapel Hill, North Carolina). Adams has played in 286 career regular season games over five seasons, as a member of the Blue Jays. In 2011, he played in 23 games with Triple-A Buffalo (International League) in the New York Mets organization before retiring from professional baseball in May at the age of 30.
Brandon League (RHP): In 2002, League posted a 7-2 record with a 3.15 ERA in 16 starts with Auburn in his second professional season. League was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2001 MLB amateur draft out of St. Louis School High School (Honolulu, Hawaii). League has appeared in 303 career regular season MLB games over eight seasons, as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners. He was a member of the 2011 American League All-Star team.
Dave Bush (RHP): In 2002, Bush posted a 1-1 record with a 2.82 ERA in 18 games during his first professional season. Bush was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2nd round of the 2002 MLB amateur out of Wake Forest (Winston-Salem, North Carolina). Bush has pitched in 210 regular season MLB games over eight seasons, as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays, Milwaukee Brewers, and Texas Rangers. He is currently a member of the Philadelphia Phillies after joining the team as a free agent in December, 2011.
Aaron Hill (2B): In 2003, Hill hit .361 with 4 HR and 34 RBI in 33 games with Auburn during his first professional season. Hill was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1st round (13th overall) of the 2003 MLB amateur draft out of LSU (Baton Rouge, Louisiana). Hill has played in 908 career regular season games over seven seasons, as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays and Arizona Diamondbacks. He was a member of the 2009 American League All-Star team.
Ryan Roberts (2B): In 2003, Roberts batted .278 with 8 HR and 36 RBI in 66 games with Auburn in his first professional season. Roberts was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 18th round of the 2003 MLB amateur draft out of Texas (Austin, Texas). Roberts has played in 307 career regular season games over six seasons, as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays, Texas Rangers, and Arizona Diamondbacks.
Shaun Marcum (RHP): In 2003, Marcum recorded a 1-0 record with a 1.32 ERA in 21 games in Auburn in his first professional season. Marcum was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2003 MLB amateur draft out of Missouri State (Springfield, Missouri). Marcum has appeared in 153 career regular season MLB games over six seasons, as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays and Milwaukee Brewers.
Eugenio Velez (2B): In 2003 & 2004, Velez batted a combined .222 with 1 HR and 9 RBI in 17 games with Auburn during his first and second professional seasons. Velez was signed by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2001 as an amateur free agent out of the Dominican Republic. Velez has played in 259 career regular season MLB games. He is currently a member of the St. Louis Cardinals after joining the club as a free agent in December, 2011.
Adam Lind (1B): In 2004, Lind hit .312 with 7 HR and 50 RBI in 70 games with Auburn in his first professional season. Lind was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 3rd round of the 2004 MLB amateur draft out of South Alabama (Mobile, Alabama). Lind has played in 621 career regular season MLB games over six seasons, as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Curtis Thigpen (C): In 2004, Thigpen hit .301 with 7 HR and 29 RBI in 45 games with Auburn in his first professional season. Thigpen was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2nd round of the 2004 MLB amateur draft out of Texas (Austin, Texas). Thigpen played in 57 career regular season MLB games over two seasons, as a member of the Blue Jays. He last played in 2007 with Triple-A Syracuse (International League) in the Blue Jays organization. In 2010, Thigpen returned to Texas as a volunteer student assistant coach.
Casey Janssen (RHP): In 2004, Janssen posted a 3-1 record with a 3.48 ERA in 10 starts with Auburn in his first professional season. Janssen was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 4th round of the 2004 MLB amateur draft out of UCLA (Los Angeles, California). Janssen has pitched in 221 career regular season MLB games over five seasons, as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays.
David Purcey (LHP): In 2004, Purcey posted a 1-0 record with a 1.50 ERA in 3 games with Auburn in his first professional season. Purcey was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1st round (16th overall) of the 2004 MLB amateur draft out of Oklahoma (Norman, Oklahoma). Purcey has pitched in 87 career regular season MLB games over four seasons, as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays, Oakland Athletics, and Detroit Tigers. He is currently a member of the Philadelphia Phillies after signing with the club as a free agent in December, 2011.
Jesse Litsch (RHP): In 2005, Litsch posted a 0-1 record with a 3.60 ERA in 4 games with Auburn during his first professional season. Litsch was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 24th round of the 2004 MLB amateur draft out of South Florida Community College (Avon Park, Florida). Litsch has pitched in 88 career regular season MLB games over five seasons, as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Ricky Romero (LHP): In 2005, Romero pitched in 1 game with Auburn during his first professional season. Romero was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1st round (6th overall) of the 2005 MLB amateur draft out of Cal State Fullerton (Fullerton, California). Romero has made 93 career regular season MLB starts over three seasons, as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays. Romero was a member of the 2011 American League All-Star team.
J.P. Arencibia (C): In 2007, Arencibia batted .254 with 3 HR and 25 RBI in 63 games with Auburn in this first professional season. Arencibia was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1st round (21st overall) of the 2007 MLB amateur draft out of Tennessee (Knoxville, Tennessee). Arencibia has played in 140 career regular season MLB games over the past two seasons, as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Brett Cecil (LHP): In 2007, Cecil posted a 1-0 record with a 1.27 ERA in 14 games with Auburn in his first professional season. Cecil was drafted in the supplemental 1st round (38th overall) of the 2007 MLB amateur draft out of Maryland (College Park, Maryland). Cecil has pitched in 66 career regular season MLB games over three seasons, as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Brad Mills (LHP): In 2007, Mills posted a 2-0 record with a 2.00 ERA in 6 games with Auburn in his first professional season. Mills was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 4th round of the 2007 MLB amateur draft out of Arizona (Tucson, Arizona). Mills has appeared in 14 career regular season MLB games over three seasons, as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays. He is currently a member of the Los Angeles Angels after being traded for Jeff Mathis in December, 2011.
Luis Perez (LHP): In 2007, Perez posted a 3-3 record with a 3.70 ERA in 16 starts with Auburn in his first professional season in North America. Perez was signed by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2003 as an amateur free agent out of the Dominican Republic. Perez pitched in 37 games with Toronto in 2011.
Marc Rzepczynski (LHP): In 2007, Rzepczynski posted a 5-0 record with a 2.76 ERA in 11 games with Auburn in his first professional season. Rzepczynski was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 5th round of the 2007 MLB amateur draft out of California Riverside (Riverside, California). Rzepcznski has pitched in 96 career regular season MLB games over three seasons, as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays and St. Louis Cardinals. He was a member of the 2011 World Champion Cardinals.
David Cooper (1B): In 2008, Cooper hit .341 with 2 HR and 21 RBI in 21 games with Auburn during his first professional season. Cooper was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1st round (17th overall) of the 2008 MLB amateur draft out of California (Berkeley, California). Cooper played in 27 with Toronto in 2011, his first season in the majors.
Joel Carreno (RHP): In 2008, Carreno posted a 5-5 record with a 3.42 ERA in 15 games with Auburn in his second professional season in North America. Carreno was signed by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2004 as an amateur free agent out of the Dominican Republic. Carreno pitched in 11 games with Toronto in 2011.
~~~~~
For more on the Nationals, check out District on Deck.
For more on the Blue Jays, check out Jays Journal.
For more on the Astros, check out Climbing Tal’s Hill.
You can follow us on Twitter @Seedlings2Stars and yours truly @drewbalen. You can also keep up to date with all things S2S by liking our Facebook page.