AquaSox notes
Published 9:00 pm Saturday, July 29, 2006
When the Everett AquaSox returned from their six-game road trip on Friday, their roster had a substantially different look, with two players headed out and four coming in.
The most significant of the newcomers was Saturday’s starting pitcher, Tony Butler. The 18-year-old Butler, who was promoted from Peoria of the Arizona Rookie League, was the Seattle Mariners’ third-round pick in this year’s draft. The 6-foot-7, 205-pound left-hander was drafted out of Oak Creek (Wis.) High School. With Peoria Butler was 2-0 with a 2.57 ERA, giving up just five hits and nine walks in 14 innings while striking out 25.
Butler is the rare Everett player who is fresh out of high school – most of the AquaSox are either players who were just drafted out of college or have been in the Mariners system for at least one year. The only other player in the last three seasons to play in high school and Everett in the same year is infielder Matt Tuiasosopo in 2004.
Another notable addition was pitcher Will Fenton, a graduate of North Kitsap High School who also pitched for the University of Washington. The 24-year-old Fenton, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound right-hander, had a previous stint in the Northwest League with Boise in 2004. He was signed by the Mariners after being released by the Chicago Cubs during spring training.
Everett’s other additions were outfielder Kevin Reynolds and catcher Julian Henson. Reynolds, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound 24-year-old from St. Peters, Mo., is with his fourth team this season, having had brief stints with Class AA San Antonio, Class A Inland Empire and Class A Wisconsin. Henson, a 5-foot-10, 190-pound 19-year-old from Cordova, Tenn., is also with his fourth team this season, having had brief stints with San Antonio, Wisconsin and Peoria.
On their way out were catcher Curtis Ledbetter and right-handed pitcher Bryan Ball. Ledbetter, who hit .227 with two home runs and nine RBI in 12 games with Everett, was promoted to Class AAA Tacoma. Ball, who appeared in three games for Everett, giving up four runs in four innings, was returned to Peoria for rehabilitation purposes. Everett trainer Spyder Webb said Ball was suffering from rotator-cuff weakness.
Halman sidelined in brawl aftermath: The fallout from Everett’s bench-clearing brawl with Boise on July 15 technically came to an end Saturday with the completion of suspensions. However, the AquaSox will feel the fallout’s effects the rest of the season.
Everett outfielder Gregory Halman is expected to miss the remainder of the season because of an injury sustained during the fight, Webb said. Halman suffered a broken bone in his left hand and although he’s expected to be healed in time for the Mariners’ fall instructional league, he won’t be ready by the time Everett’s season concludes.
Halman, an 18-year-old from the Netherlands, will be missed. Perhaps Everett’s most-talented field player, Halman batted .259 with five home runs, 15 RBI and 10 stolen bases in 28 games.
On the plus side, all of Everett’s suspensions that came as a result from the brawl are now complete. Everett pitcher Natividad Dilone, catcher Jair Fernandez and outfielder Jose Graterol each received three-game suspensions because of the altercation, which erupted after Boise’s Alfred Joseph overreacted to a tag from Everett first baseman Joe White. However, the suspensions were staggered, with Graterol’s last day coming Saturday.
Dilone, who missed a start because of his suspension, is expected to take his place back in the starting rotation. Drew Fiorenza made the spot start in Dilone’s place Thursday in Eugene.
Nick Patterson, Herald writer
