Baseball Southern Conference

SoCon Baseball Pro Report

Former Catamount Charles Thomas
WCU's Charles Thomas called up to Braves

(NOTE: Some information provided by the Atlanta Braves and Richmond Braves Website)

Cullowhee, N.C. - Former Catamount outfielder and Asheville native Charles Thomas was called up from Triple-A Richmond to the Atlanta Braves Wednesday afternoon. Thomas, who arrived at Miami late due to a delayed flight, pinch hit versus the Marlins, marking his first Major League appearance.


Also announced today, Thomas and Richamond pitcher Matt Whiteside were elected to the International League All-Star Team that will participate in the Triple-A All-Star Game at Pawtucket's McCoy Stadium on July 14. International League front office personnel, field managers, and media representatives selected the club, which will meet all-stars from the Pacific Coast League in the 17th annual mid-season classic.

Thomas, a 25-year-old outfielder who was selected by the Braves in the 19th round of the 2000 draft, was called up after Dewayne Wise was placed on the disabled list. The International League leader with a .358 batting average, he will now be get the opportunity to start in left field in most games against right-handed starters. He was scratched from Wednesday's starting lineup because his flight into the Miami area landed approximately one hour before the scheduled first pitch.

"He's basically a line-drive hitter and can run a little bit for you, too," said Braves second baseman Nick Green, who played with Thomas at Double-A Greenville and again at Triple-A Richmond for the first six weeks this year.

Thomas' four-hit performance this past Tuesday night for Richmond further improved the impressive stats he's accumulated after getting off to a slow start. Since May 1, he was hitting an impressive .382 (68-for-178). In addition to leading the International League in batting, Thomas paces the league in on-base percentage (.416) and is tied for seventh on the circuit in triples (4).

While he compiled a .238 batting average during his first two full minor league seasons (2001 and '02), these type of impressive offensive statistics didn't seem to be in Thomas' future. But since being promoted from Class A Myrtle Beach midway through last season, he's established himself as a consistent threat at the plate.

"From what I hear, he's a plugger," Atlanta Braves manager Booby Cox said of Thomas. "He's a guy that's just gotten better, better and better."

While at Western (1998-2000), Thomas was a first team All-Southern Conference pick in 1999, leading the league with a .406 batting average that season. His 99 hits in 1999 ranks fourth on the WCU single-season list, three shy of the school's single season mark. In addition, he led the Catamounts in batting in 1998 (.364) and 2000 (.349), while pacing the Cats in hits (75), runs (44) and stolen bases (10) in 2000. In his three years at WCU, Thomas' .374 batting average ranks fifth all time, while adding 39 doubles, five triples, five home runs, 101 RBI and 38 stolen bases for his career.

Thomas is the sixth Catamount to reach the Major League, joining Jerry Reed (Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland Indians, Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox; 1981-90), Wayne Tolleson (Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees; 1981-90), Paul Menhart (Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres; 1995-97), Jason Beverlin (Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers; 2002) and David Pember (Milwaukee Brewers; 2002).

Citadel alums earn promotions

Charleston, SC - Former Bulldog Dallas McPherson has been called up to the Triple-A Salt Lake Stingers of the Pacific Coast League, while former Citadel teammate T.A. Fulmer has been promoted to Double-A San Antonio of the Texas League.

McPherson, who was named to Major League Baseball's Futures Game earlier in the week, was called up to the Anaheim Angels' Triple-A club on June 20. Since moving up, McPherson, who led the Double-A Texas League in homers and runs batted in, has played in one game for the Stingers.

With one game under his belt, McPherson is batting 1.000 on three hits, including a double and a home run. He has scored two runs and driven in one. McPherson now has 21 homers on the season between Double-A and Triple-A.

Fulmer, who started the season in High Single-A within the Seattle Mariners organization, was promoted to Double-A back on June 2. Before being called up, Fulmer was 3-4 with a 4.24 earned run average. He had fanned 53 and walked only 13 in 57.1 innings of work.


Since being promoted to the San Antonio Missions, Fulmer's highlight was pitching seven strong innings against McPherson's Arkansas Travelers on June 17. He did not earn the decision, but he did leave the game with a 3-2 lead and did not allow McPherson to reach base.

The Citadel has five former players in minor league baseball, including Fulmer and McPherson. Jonathan Ellis and Chip Cannon, who were drafted just this past month, have begun their professional careers, while Britt Reames has returned after an early season injury and is pitching in the Oakland A's organization.

McPherson to play in Futures game

Charleston, SC - Major League Baseball announced the rosters for its sixth annual All-Star Futures Game late Monday afternoon with former Citadel standout Dallas McPherson, who was drafted in the second round of the 2001 Amateur draft by the Anaheim Angles, earning a spot on the U.S. team roster.

The game, which features the top minor league prospects in a United States versus World formatted exhibition, will take place at Houston's Minute Maid Park on Sunday, July 11, two days prior to the 75th All-Star Game.

McPherson, who leads the Double-A Texas League in home runs (20), runs batted in (69), total bases (173) and slugging percentage (.660), will be slated in as the U.S. third baseman. He has also tallied 17 doubles and 6 triples along with 34 walks and six stolen bases in 68 games for the Arkansas Travelers.

The Bulldogs' third baseman will find himself among some of the top minor leaguers in all of baseball. Former Charleston RiverDog B.J. Upton has been selected to play in the infield along side McPherson, while current RiverDog Delmon Young will roam the outfield for the United States team.

Those selected in this year's contest should know they are joining a select group. There are 94 Futures Game alumni currently on Major League rosters, while dozens who have competed in the previous five Futures Games have gone on to participate in a Major League All-Star Game including Atlanta's Rafael Furcal and Marcus Giles along with Alfonso Soriano of the Texas Rangers.

Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com contributed to this story. For more information and a complete roster please visit www.MLB.com.

UNCG's Metzger earns first pro win

CASPER, WY--- Former UNC Greensboro pitcher Jay Metzger (UNCG class of 2004) picked up his first professional win in helping the Casper Rockies (A) defeat the Provo Angels, 9-5, Monday night.

Metzger, in his first appearance as a professional, tossed three innings of middle relief allowing three runs, while striking out four batters.

Metzger, a 23rd round selection by the Colorado Rockies, finished his Spartan career with 19 wins (seventh all-time at UNCG) and 237 strikeouts (fifth all-time at UNCG).

The Casper Rockies (Rookie-A) play in the eight-team Pioneer League. To follow Jay's career with the Casper Rockies log on to www.casperrockies.com.