Baseball Southern Conference

Minor League Update

Derek Norman, Furman

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Former Furman baseball standout Derek Norman, a free agent signee of the Kansas City Royals, was recently assigned to the Idaho Falls Chukars of the Pioneer League.

In five games since joining the Royals' rookie league affiliate, Norman has collected four hits in 18 at bats, including a pair of doubles and two RBI. Idaho Falls is currently tied for first place in the Pioneer League South Division with a 20-18 record. The Chukars' open a four-game series Wednesday night against the Provo Angels.

A four-year starter and 2004 Furman graduate, Norman played catcher, third base, and shortstop during his collegiate career. He batted .333 over 216 games and finished his tenure as the school's all-time leader in at bats (864), runs (190), hits (288), and doubles (52). He finished second in triples (12) and RBI (165).

The Knoxville, Tenn., native batted .362 and was named Southern Conference Freshman-of-the-Year in 2001. He was a two-time all-conference selection and member of Furman's 2003 squad that posted a school single season record 32 wins, including victories over N.C. State, South Carolina, and a pair of triumphs over Clemson.

Norman joins two former Furman teammates now in professional baseball.
Righthanded pitchers Danny Rueckel '02 of the Montreal Expos' Eastern League affiliate Harrisburg Senators (AA) and Tom Mastny '03 of the Toronto Blue Jays' South Atlantic League Charleston Alley Cats (A), were both named to their respective league all-star teams this summer. Rueckel currently sports a 5-5 record with a 1.82 earned run average and five saves. Mastny, meanwhile, has posted a 7-3 record and 1.91 ERA to date.

Ryan Johnson, College of Charleston

Charleston, S.C. -- Former College of Charleston pitcher Ryan Johnson has signed with the Schaumburg Flyers of the Independent Northern League.

Johnson is 1-1 after four appearances, including one start for the Flyers. Schaumburg is currently 6-6 and tied for second in the Southern Division of the Northern League.

Johnson, who was named the 2004 Southern Conference Pitcher of the Year, was 12-0 with a 3.11 ERA in 14 starts for the Cougars last season. He earned third team Louisville Slugger All-American honors.

Johnson, who finished 23-3 over his two-year CofC career, helped the 29th-ranked Cougars to a Southern Conference record 47-16 mark last spring, the school's first Southern Conference championship with a 25-5 league record and a second place finish in the Baton Rouge Regional.