ArizonaLeague.com

Six Arizona League Alums Named to 2005 Major League All-Star Squads

Garret Anderson.  Derrek Lee.  Matt Clement.  David Ortiz.  Jake Peavy.  Dontrelle Willis.

This impressive list of current Major League stars were all named to play in the 2005 Major All-Star Game in Detroit.  But the six players have another thing in common--they all started their professional careers in the Arizona League.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim outfielder Garret Anderson debuted with the Mesa Angels in 1990. Anderson, a 4th round pick in the free agent draft that year, appeared in 32 Arizona League games before a mid-season promotion to Boise in the Northwest League. Anderson's AzL statistics did not foreshadow his future stardom. The then 18-year-old Anderson batted only .213 (27-for-127) with two doubles and 14 RBIs.

Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee, the leading contender for the National League Most Valuable Player, started his pro career with the Peoria Padres after San Diego drafted him in the first round pick in 1993. Lee's Arizona stay was a short one. After putting up impressive numbers in his 15 AzL games (.327, 2 HRs, 5 RBIs), Lee was promoted to Single-A Rancho Cucamonga (California).

Red Sox hurler Matt Clement spent most of his first pro season pitching for the Peoria Padres. Clement, a third round draft choice in 1993, signed late and did not make his pro debut until the following summer. The 19-year-old Clement started 13 games for the AzL Padres and posted a league-high eight wins (8-5, 4.43). In 67 innings pitched, Clement fanned 76 and walked only 17.

The name David Ortiz does not appear in any Arizona League statistics. When Red Sox slugging first baseman made his pro debut with the Peoria Mariners in 1994 he was known as David Arias. Ortiz is toiled for two seasons in the Arizona League. In his first campaign in 1994, Ortiz struggled batting .246 (41-for-167) with two home runs and 20 RBIs in 53 games. The following year, Ortiz improved at the plate with a .332 average, four home runs, and a league-leading 18 doubles. Ortiz's 37 RBIs also tied for the league lead.

San Diego Padres pitcher Jake Peavy, the National League's ERA leader in 2004, accomplished the same feat during his Arizona League stay. A 15th round draft pick in 1999, Peavy compiled a 7-1 record in 13 games for the Peoria Padres and led the Arizona League with 1.34 ERA. The then 18-year-old fanned 90 batters in 73.2 innings pitched and held opposing hitters to a .202 average.

Dontrelle Willis, the Florida Marlins' flamboyant pitcher, spent his first full season in 2000 with the Mesa Cubs. Willis, the Cubs' eighth round draft pick that year, appeared in nine games (eight in relief), posting a 3-1 record with a 3.86 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 28 innings pitched.