Six-Year Free Agents
October 24, 2003
A total of 588 minor leaguers were granted free agency under baseball's six-year renewal plan, which provides freedom to players signed in 1997 or earlier who were not placed on major league 40-man rosters. They became eligible to sign with any club as of Oct. 15.
Top Names From Last Year's List
ANAHEIM ANGELS (21)
Pitchers: Ryan Cummings, Courtney Duncan, Gary Glover, Marc Kroon, Mark Lukasiewicz, Bart Miadich, Brian Rogers, Elio Serrano, John Snyder.
Catchers: Matt Abram.
Infielders: Jerome Alviso, Trent Durrington, Rodolfo Gomez, Adonis Harrison, Keith Johnson, Junior Zamora.
Outfielders: Jeff Guiel, Nathan Haynes, Kenny James, Julio Ramirez, Jake Weber.
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (13)
Pitchers: Jack Krawczyk, Lee Marshall, Jake Meyer, Eddie Oropesa, Erik Sabel.
Catchers: Matthew Ceriani.
Infielders: Mike Bell, Jhonny Carvajal.
Outfielders: Johe Acosta, Brian Gordon, Jaime Jones, Ozzie Timmons, Andy Wilson.
ATLANTA BRAVES (16)
Pitchers: Joey Dawley, Jamie Emiliano, Chris Fussell, Derrick Lewis, Travis Phelps, Michael Romano, Chuck Smith, Billy Sylvester.
Catchers: Lee Evans, Mike Hubbard.
Infielders: Ramon Castro, Travis Wilson.
Outfielders: Jason Fitzgerald, Damon Hollins, Rontrez Johnson, Donzell McDonald.
BALTIMORE ORIOLES (33)
Pitchers: Brandon Agamennone, Rigo Beltran, Dave Borkowski, Travis Driskill, Mike Drumright, Mike Garcia, Juan Guzman, Tim Harikkala, Mike Mohler, Rafael Pina, Bill Pulsipher, Fernando Rijo, Todd Rizzo, Juan Rosario, Carlos Torres, Jeffrey Wilson.
Catchers: Raul Casanova, Steve Lomasney, Islay Molina, Kelly Ramos, Saul Soto.
Infielders: Napoleon Calzado, Ivanon Coffie, Juan Diaz, Eddy Garabito, Josh Hoffpauir, Hugh Quattlebaum, Brian Rios, Randy Ruiz, Rob Sasser.
Outfielders: Kurt Airoso, Ray Cabrera, Ruben Rivera.
BOSTON RED SOX (20)
Pitchers: Scott Aldred, Matt Blaney, John Chapman, Mike Garber, Eric Glaser, Dicky Gonzalez, Junior Herndon, James Johnson, Tim Kester, Isauro Pineda, Paul Stewart.
Catchers: Chris Coste, Brian Loyd.
Infielders: Trace Coquillette, Kelly Dransfeldt, Carlos Leon, Sean McGowan.
Outfielders: Anton French, Kevin Haverbusch, Chad Mottola.
CHICAGO CUBS (13)
Pitchers: Willie Banks, Craig Dingman, Jason Karnuth, Justin Kaye, Mike Meyers, Rudy Seanez, Mike Sirotka.
Catchers: Mike Mahoney, Keith McDonald.
Infielders: Phil Hiatt, Donny Leon.
Outfielders: Midre Cummings, Jackson Melian.
CHICAGO WHITE SOX (19)
Pitchers: Brian Cooper, Clay Eason, Rolando Garza, Tom Jacquez, Ryan Kohlmeier.
Catchers: Jon Aceves, Carlos Maldonado, Steve Morales.
Infielders: Gabe Alvarez, Jorge Nunez, Juan Piniella, Danny Sandoval, Chris Saunders.
Outfielders: Chad Durham, Jon Hamilton, Scott Morgan, Nate Murphy, Mario Valenzuela, Eric Welsh.
CINCINNATI REDS (29)
Pitchers: Carlos Almanzar, Bobby Bevel, Rick Croushore, Lance Davis, Kris Keller, Willie Martinez, Chris Michalak, Aneudy Perez, Jose Rijo, Scott Service, Scott Sobkowiak.
Catchers: Jason Hill, Michael Stefanski.
Infielders: Wilmy Caceres, Dionys Cesar, Felipe Crespo, Jason Dellaero, Wilton Guerrero, Jason Maxwell, Santiago Perez, Calvin Pickering, Ivan Reyes, Eric Shanks.
Outfielders: Emil Brown, Mark Budzinski, Michael Coleman, Jacob Cruz, Bobby Darula, Robin Jennings.
CLEVELAND INDIANS (20)
Pitchers: Nick Bierbrodt, Chad Paronto, Kenny Rayborn, Paul Rigdon, Jake Robbins, Jose Santiago.
Catchers: Angel Bastardo, Josh Goldfield, Brian Luderer, Vic Valencia, Dusty Wathan.
Infielders: Luis Garcia, Benji Gil, Louis Lucca, Angel Santos.
Outfielders: Mark Little, Chris Magruder, Dennis Malave, Lyle Mouton, Derrick White.
COLORADO ROCKIES (22)
Pitchers: Brad Clontz, Melido Dotel, Randy Flores, Chris Gissell, Chris Jones, Matt Perisho, Benj Sampson, Matt Whiteside, Tim Young.
Catchers: Pascual Matos, Willie Morales, Agustin Sanchez, Kevin Sullivan.
Infielders: Kevin Burford, Brent Butler, Javier Colina, Thomas Evans, David Newhan, Enohe Polanco, Dave Post, Andy Tracy.
Outfielders: Wendell Magee.
DETROIT TIGERS (21)
Pitchers: Patrick Ahearne, Carlo Alvarado, Corey Brittan, Seth Greisinger, Jeff Farnsworth, Jason Jimenez, Mark Johnson, Adam Pettyjohn, Homero Rivera, Brian Schmack, Mike Spiegel, Tyler Walker.
Catchers: Luis Taveras, Yohanny Valera.
Infielders: Rayner Bautista, Kevin Jordan, Billy Munoz, Jhonny Perez, Kevin Witt.
Outfielders: Hiram Bocachica, Pat Lennon.
FLORIDA MARLINS (27)
Pitchers: Benito Baez, Marty Barnett, Sean Bergman, Doug Bochtler, Donnie Bridges, Ramon Castillo, Jose Cueto, Manuel Esquivia, Sean Fesh, Mike Fyrhie, Geoff Goetz, Craig House, Mike Judd, Allen Levrault, Scott Sanders, Hawkeye Wayne.
Catchers: Brandon Harper, Paul Hoover, Matt Treanor.
Infielders: Chris Donnels, Matt Erickson, Kevin Polcovich, Jose Santos, Jason Wood.
Outfielders: Chris Ashby, Anthony Iapoce, Rob Stratton.
HOUSTON ASTROS (24)
Pitchers: Eric Cammack, Juan Campos, Eric Ireland, Cheyenne Janke, Randy Keisler, Tim McClaskey, Greg Miller, Pete Munro, Manny Santillan, Bob Scanlan, Rob Stanifer.
Catchers: Mitch Meluskey, Tirzo Ochoa, Reinaldo Ruiz, Alan Zinter.
Infielders: Jason Alfaro, Josh Canales, Eric Cole, Mike Coolbaugh, Carlos Hernandez, Mike Moriarty, John Tamargo.
Outfielders: Jacques Landry, Kyle Logan.
KANSAS CITY ROYALS (22)
Pitchers: Buddy Carlyle, Ryan Douglass, Pat Flury, Jason Gilfillan, Bobby M. Jones, Garrett Lee, Jimmy Osting, Brian Rose, Shaun Shiery.
Catchers: Juan Brito.
Infielders: Morgan Burkhart, Jed Hansen, Brian Harris, Tom Lora, Julius Matos, Luis Ordaz, Nick Ortiz, Oscar Salazar, Mike Saunches.
Outfielders: Benny Agbayani, Mike Kelly, Steve Medrano.
LOS ANGELES DODGERS (20)
Pitchers: Bryan Corey, Lindsay Gulin, Aaron Hee, Masao Kida, Andrew Lorraine, Will McCrotty, Elvin Nina, Nathan Ruhl, Mike Saipe, Bill Simas, Lino Urdaneta, Scott Winchester.
Catchers: Ryan Kellner, Eric Langill, Brandon Rogers, Tony Socarras.
Infielders: Nelson Castro, Chris Clapinski, Victor Rodriguez.
Outfielders: Tarrik Brock.
MILWAUKEE BREWERS (22)
Pitchers: Mike Buddie, Pascual Coco, Aaron Dean, Derrin Ebert, Roberto Giron, Jeff Hundley, Derek Lee, Rob Marquez, Travis Miller, David Pember, Ruben Quevedo, Kenny Ray, Nate Teut.
Catchers: Alex Delgado, Mike Kremblas.
Infielders: Keith Luuloa, Richard Paz, Wilton Veras.
Outfielders: Jason Conti, Doug Jennings, Jim Rushford, John Toner.
MINNESOTA TWINS (6)
Pitchers: Matt Carnes.
Infielders: Shane Andrews, Jeff Deardorff, David Lamb.
Outfielders: Chad Green, Ryan McGuire.
MONTREAL EXPOS (26)
Pitchers: Jose Colon, Bo Donaldson, Richie Lewis, Cristobal Rodriguez, Jose Rodriguez, Dustin Seale, Blake Stein.
Catchers: Scott Ackerman, Jason Brown, Edwards Guzman, Randy Knorr.
Infielders: Jeff Bailey, Ryan Balfe, Felix Diaz, Luis R. Figueroa, Vic Gutierrez, Bill Hall, Albenis Machado, Anthony Medrano, Joel Noboa, Luis Ortiz, Jake Thrower, Joe Vitiello.
Outfielders: Quincy Foster, Noah Hall, Jeremy Ware.
NEW YORK METS (21)
Pitchers: Mike Bacsik, Leonardo Berrios, Yunior Cabrera, Enrique Garcia, Franklin Nunez, Javier Ochoa, Jason Roach, Adam Walker, Pete Zamora.
Catchers: Joe Depastino.
Infielders: Edickso Benitez, Tony Calabrese, Virgil Chevalier, Mike Glavine, Issac Isturiz, Edgar Rodriguez, Jorge Velandia.
Outfielders: Ron Acuna, Kenny Kelly, Tsuyoshi Shinjo, Esix Snead.
NEW YORK YANKEES (24)
Pitchers: Tim Adkins, Melky De la Cruz, David Glick, Greg Hansell, Dave Martinez, Argeli Moreta, Christian Parker, Adam Roller, David Shepard, Luis Solano.
Catchers: Omar Fuentes, Marcus Jensen, Sandy Madera, Keury Sierra.
Infielders: Hunter Bledsoe, Nick Covarrubias, Keoni DeRenne, Jose Nieves, Teuris Olivares, Brian Robinson, Nate Rolison, Bobby Smith, Torre Tyson, Craig Wilson.
Outfielders: John Rodriguez.
OAKLAND ATHLETICS (12)
Pitchers: Chris Enochs, Erik Hiljus, Dave Hooten, Mike Kusiewicz, Roy Smith, Ed Yarnall.
Catchers: Mark Johnson.
Infielders: Luis Lopez, Olmedo Saenz.
Outfielders: Juan Dilone, Chris Prieto, Gary Thomas.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (21)
Pitchers: Brad Baisley, Jose Cabrera, Wayne Gomes, Brad Guy, Aaron Myette, Ken Pumphrey.
Catchers: Edgar Cruz, Jesse Levis.
Infielders: Uriel Casillas, Jim Deschaine, Jason Knupfer, Aaron McNeal, Damon Minor, Kevin Sefcik, Juan Sosa.
Outfielders: Juan Camilo, McKay Christensen, Willie Glen, Jeff Inglin, Garry Maddox, Brian Simmons.
PITTSBURGH PIRATES (29)
Pitchers: Jon Berry, Shawn Camp, Blas Cedeno, Clint Chrysler, Steve Fitch, Tom Fordham, Mike Holtz, Neal McDade, Todd Ozias, Rick Palma, Melqui Torres, T.P. Waligora, Greg Withelder.
Catchers: Blake Barthol, Chris Heintz, Brad King, Chris Snusz.
Infielders: Cristian Berroa, Sam Bozanich, Joe Caruso, Tomas de la Rosa, Dave Doster, Ariel Gomez, Mike Gulan, Aaron Holbert, Kevin Nicholson, Chan Perry.
Outfielders: John Barnes, Brett Roneberg.
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (15)
Pitchers: Matt Duff, Matt Hammons, Jeremy Lambert, Gabe Molina, Kevin Ohme, Juan Pena.
Catchers: Luis Rodriguez.
Infielders: Caonabo Cosme, Corey Erickson, Larry Jacobsen, Marty Malloy.
Outfielders: Al Benjamin, Todd Dunwoody, Scott Krause, Jon Nunally.
SAN DIEGO PADRES (10)
Pitchers: Carlos Garcia, Jose Nunez, Bob Ramsay, Brian Tollberg.
Catchers: Yamid Haad.
Infielders: Danny Bravo, Luis Lorenzana, Ramon Martinez, Jack Santora.
Outfielders: Rich Gomez.
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (17)
Pitchers: Elliot Brown, Luis Estrella, Joe Horgan, Matt Montgomery, Kevin Pickford.
Catchers: John Pachot, Guillermo Rodriguez.
Infielders: Clay Bellinger, Julio Cordido, Brian Dallimore, Alejandro Freire, Carlos Mendoza, Marco Pernalete, Ramon Soler.
Outfielders: Pat Hallmark, Rob Ryan, Francis Santos.
SEATTLE MARINERS (16)
Pitchers: Ken Cloude, Brian Falkenborg, Tim Hamulack, Justin Lamber, Josue Matos, Chris Wright.
Catchers: John Castellano, Greg Connors, Julio Mosquera.
Infielders: Andy Barkett, Luis D. Figueroa, John Lindsey, Mickey Lopez.
Outfielders: Mike Curry, Adrian Myers, Charles Phillips.
TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS (15)
Pitchers: Todd Belitz, Cedrick Bowers, Greg Dukeman, Lee Gardner, Dan Guillory, Delvin James, Todd Williams.
Catchers: Chairon Isenia, Hector Ortiz, Ray Serrano.
Infielders: Ryan Jackson, Heath Kelly, Marc Mirizzi.
Outfielders: Jesus Feliciano, Scott Neuberger.
TEXAS RANGERS (17)
Pitchers: Ray Beasley, Spike Lundberg, Dan Murray, Justin Thompson.
Catchers: Lance Burkhart, Jason Dewey, Emmanuel Santana.
Infielders: Jermaine Clark, Joe Espada, Cole Liniak, Todd Mensik, Pedro Quero, G. J. Raymundo, Donnie Sadler, Ryan Soules.
Outfielders: Paul Ottavinia, Marcus Thames.
TORONTO BLUE JAYS (17)
Pitchers: Brian Bowles, Diego Markwell, Juan Pena, Tanyon Sturtze, Evan Thomas, Corey Thurman, Pablo Vega, Scott Wiggins.
Catchers: Carlos Amparo.
Infielders: Jimmy Alvarez, Gary Burnham, Kelvin Felix, Francisco Herrera, Tony Zuniga.
Outfielders: Bruce Aven, Mike Colangelo, Anthony Sanders.
Top Names From Last Year's List
The A's and Blue Jays were two of the more successful teams at uncovering productive major leaguers from last year's six-year free agent crop. Minor league soldiers like Brian Dallimore, who won the Pacific Coast League batting title for the Giants Triple-A Fresno affiliate, also have value. Here's 10 free agents who made their mark in the majors in 2003:
1. Jeremi Gonzalez, rhp, Devil Rays
Once promising Cubs rookie went five years in between big league wins thanks to arm trouble; went 6-11, 3.91.
2. Luis Ayala, rhp, Expos
The Expos got him in the Rule 5 Draft after Arizona had signed him, and he emerged as Montreal's most reliable reliever.
3. Josh Towers, rhp, Blue Jays
As if the Orioles can afford to lose pitching, the 26-year-old won eight of nine decisions for Toronto.
4. Adam Melhuse, c, Athletics
Ramon Hernandez' backup's role increased as he collected three hits in first playoff start.
5. Warren Morris, 2b, Tigers
Hit .288-15-73 as a rookie in '99 but spent most of last two years in minors; hit .272-6-37.
6. Brooks Kieschnick, rhp/of, Brewers
One-time first-rounder was productive as two-way reliever (1-1, 5.26) and pinch-hitter (.300).
7. Dan Wheeler, rhp, Mets
1999 Pan Am Games hero held lefties to a .208 average out of Mets pen; should figure into 2004 relief corps.
8. Amaury Telemaco, rhp, Phillies
Spent 2002 in minors, started meaningful games for Phillies down the stretch in 2003.
9. Billy McMillon, of, Athletics
Like Melhuse, was a key figure in the A's lineup during the postseason.
10. Ryan Freel, of/2b, Reds
Ended the season in Reds' depleted outfield with the likes of Wily Mo Pena, Dernell Stenson and Ruben Mateo.
- Josh Boyd
