- The Fresno Bee
Saturday, Apr. 07, 2012 | 11:29 PM
2009-10 stats: .337 batting average/.421 on-base percentage/.542 slugging percentage with 11 HRs and 54 RBIs in 82 games
Comment: Played equivalent of only half a season at Triple-A (end of 2009, start of 2010), but his numbers and overall impact outshine all other Grizzlies backstops.
What he's doing now: Starting catcher for the San Francisco Giants.
Honorable mention: Doug Mirabelli (1999), Giuseppe Chiaramonte (2000)
2011 stats: .312/.341/.530 with 25 HRs, 36 doubles and 107 RBIs in 133 games
Comment: Regained his 40-man roster spot with this breakout season. He even filled in (57 games) at second base without embarrassing himself.
What he's doing now: Made Giants' Opening Day roster as a right-handed bat off the bench.
Honorable mention: Damon Minor (2000), Mike Cervenak (2005)
Second base
1999 stats: .280/.364/.560 with 26 HRs, 78 RBIs and 16 steals in 106 games
Comment: Parlayed '99 success into starting gig in 2000 with Minnesota Twins, where he hit .269. Out of baseball by 2003.
What he's doing now: Gained notoriety in 2009 for telling author Jeff Pearlman that Barry Bonds and 12 others on '99 Giants used steroids. Later denied making the statements.
Honorable mention: Brian Dallimore (2004), Matt Downs (2009)
2011 stats: .315/.378/.457 with 14 HRs, 82 RBIs and 14 steals in 137 games
Comment: Older brother of Boston Red Sox slugger Adrian Gonzalez logged 12 seasons in the minors before putting up career-best numbers in Fresno.
What he's doing now: Signed with Chicago Cubs and playing at Triple-A Iowa.
Honorable mention: Cody Ransom (2001), Kevin Frandsen (2009)
Pedro Feliz
2000 stats: .298/.337/.571 with 33 HRs, 105 RBIs and 85 runs in 128 games
Comment: Spent 11 years in the majors with the Giants, Phillies, Astros and Cardinals. Will be long remembered in Philadelphia for his winning hit in 2008 World Series clincher against Tampa Bay.
What he's doing now: Not retired but unsigned.
Honorable mention: Tony Zuniga (2001), Justin Leone (2007), Ryan Rohlinger (2009)
2009 stats: .342/.451/.596 with 21 HRs, 83 RBIs, 82 runs and 10 steals in 104 games
Comment: Classic "Quad-A" player put up astonishing minor-league numbers but never established himself with Giants or Pirates.
What he's doing now: Playing for Yomiuri Giants of Japanese Central League.
1999 stats: .334/.389/.542 with 23 HRs, 73 RBIs, franchise-record 122 runs and 42 steals in 130 games
Comment: Drafted No. 7 overall in 1992 but never hit enough to become a regular major leaguer. Spectacular '99 season proved the exception.
What he's doing now: Player agent at Scott Boras Corp.
2005 stats: .321/.437/.682 with 30 HRs, 80 RBIs and 81 runs in 95 games
Comment: Once upon a time was considered a possible successor to Barry Bonds in left field. Boy, does that seem like a lifetime ago.
What he's doing now: Back with the Grizzlies following a six-year absence.
Honorable mention: Armando Rios (1998), Felipe Crespo (1999), Jason Ellison (2004), Nate Schierholtz (2008), Tyler Graham (2011)
2008 stats: .300/.389/.553 with 29 HRs, 108 RBIs, 87 runs in 134 games
Comment: Played 16 seasons in the minors and belted 310 career homers. Hit his first big-league homer with Giants in September 2008 at age 36.
What he's doing now: U.S.-based scout for Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Japanese Central League.
Honorable mention: Jesus Guzman (2010)
1998 stats: 11-3 with a 3.29 ERA in 115 IP; 112 Ks and 33 BBs
Comment: Parlayed his 1998 Triple-A success into 19 starts with Giants in '99, going 6-8 with a 5.48 ERA. Hung on for parts of three more seasons with Phillies and Orioles.
What he's doing now: Owner of Longwood, Fla.-based baseball instruction school Big League Warehouse.
2001 stats: 11-2 with a 3.48 ERA in 106 IP; 95 Ks and 34 BBs
Comment: Fresno's career record-holder in most pitching categories won 13 games for Giants in '02 but couldn't sustain that level.
What he's doing now: Finds and detonates unexploded artillery shells for The Shaw Group E & I at military bases.
2005 stats: 10-5 with a 4.39 ERA in 1452/3 IP; led PCL with 176 Ks; opponents hit .218 off him
Comment: Stoic right-hander buzzed through the Pacific Coast League at just 20 years of age.
What he's doing now: Member of Giants starting rotation.
2007 stats: 12-10 with 4.02 ERA in 1562/3 IP; led PCL with 141 Ks
Comment: Journeyman logged parts of five seasons in majors (combined 19-27, 5.29 ERA) and eight years at Triple-A (87-93, 4.50).
What he's doing now: Retired; staff member at All About Pitching, which sells baseball skills DVDs.
2010 stats: 7-1 with a 3.16 ERA in 822/3 IP
Comment: Started 2010 season in Fresno and ended it with eight shutout innings in World Series. Nice trajectory.
What he's doing now: Member of Giants starting rotation.
Honorable mention: Eric Hacker (2010), Matt Yourkin (2011), Chris Begg (2007)
1999 stats: 7-2 with a 2.47 ERA in 942/3 IP, 18 saves and team-record 1.02 WHIP
Comment: Original Grizzly came to Fresno from Phoenix, the Giants' former Triple-A home.
What he's doing now: Instructor at Hit Repair, a baseball skills clinic, in his hometown of Marion, Ill.
Honorable mention: Manny Aybar (2001), Dave Aardsma (2004), Brian Wilson (2007)
2010 stats: 7-2 with a 2.38 ERA in 641/3 IP
Comment: After injury plagued 2011, sinkerball specialist looking to regain superb form he displayed in '10. Made big-league debut last season.
What he's doing now: Back for third season with Grizzlies.
Honorable mention: Billy Sadler (2008), Scott Atchison (2007), Ben Weber (2000)
2005 stats: 3-0 with a 1.64 ERA in 491/3 IP; held opponents to .173 batting average
Comment: Affable lefty spent parts of four seasons with Giants, then ping-ponged to Phillies, Pirates and Dodgers.
What he's doing now: Police officer in Appleton, Wis.
Honorable mention: Geno Espineli (2008), Pat Misch (2007)
