Five Eagles to Appear in MLB Spring Training Camps

STATESBORO, GA. ? Five former Georgia Southern baseball standouts have been invited to their respective parent club’s spring training camp.

Players begin to report to spring training camps in the next few weeks.

Todd Greene signed a minor league deal with the San Diego Padres, returning to a team he originally signed with last year before joining the San Francisco Giants. With the injury to catcher Mike Matheny, Greene played in 61 games last season batting .289 with 17 RBI and 16 runs scored. If Greene makes the Padres roster he’ll begin his 12th season in the Major Leagues.

Brian Rogers was traded at the MLB trade deadline last July 31, going from the Detroit Tigers to the Pittsburgh Pirates. The right-handed pitcher received a late season call-up from the Pirates and appeared in 10 games from the bullpen, pitching 8.2 innings. In eight of his 10 appearances he allowed no more than one earned run, striking out seven to two walks issued.

Chris Walker played last season for the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx, Double A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. In 131 games, the centerfielder hit .292 with 70 runs scored and 35 RBI. He knocked 22 doubles and 11 triples in addition to his 40 walks and 50 stolen bases in 73 attempts.

Flint Wipke saw action in 108 games, mainly as catcher, for the Cedar Rapids Kernels (Class A of the Los Angeles of Anaheim Angels). He batted.236 with 18 doubles, eight triples and six home runs. Wipke scored 45 runs and drove in 34 while drawing 33 walks.

Dennis Dove moved up to the Class A Palm Beach Cardinals, advanced A affiliate of the World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals, then late in the season was called up to the Springfield Cardinals. Dove posted a 3-3 record with four saves and 2.81 ERA in 41 games out of the bullpen at Palm Beach. In Double A he was 0-3 and 8.79 ERA in 13 games. Dove fanned 15 batters in 14.1 innings.