CLEVELAND - Over the past few seasons, the Delta State University baseball program has enjoyed unparalleled successes in the professional ranks and this year is no different, as two former Statesmen -
Eli Whiteside (C/San Francisco) and
Dusty Hughes (P/Kansas City) begin the 2010 season on the Opening Day rosters of their parent clubs.
"It's certainly an honor and a testament to how hard Eli and Dusty have worked to get where they are, but it's also an honor for our program,"
Mike Kinnison, DSU head coach, stated. "Both of these young men have climbed through the minor league ranks and hopefully they will enjoy a fruitful season."
Whiteside, an All-American catcher during his days at Delta State, enjoyed a successful 2009 season for the Giants after getting the call in April of last year. What a year it turned out to be for Whiteside, as the New Albany native caught Jonathon Sanchez's no-hitter and catching the final pitch thrown by future Hall of Famer Randy Johnson.
Last season, Whiteside batted .228 with two home runs and 13 RBIs in 49 games. This spring, Whiteside batted over .260 and his knowledge and dependability behind the plate solidified his role with the Giants.
Hughes, a two-time All-GSC and All-Region pitcher for the Statesmen from 2001-2003, made the most of a late season call by the Royals and parlayed that into a solid spring to make the big club in 2010.
After battling injuries early in career, the lefty from Horn Lake turned into one of the top relievers in the Minors, eventually being named to the Triple-A All Star team in 2009.
Despite going 0-2 on the hill, Hughes impressed management and club personnel enough in his eight appearances last season and his 10 this spring to get the chance in 2010.
Two Statesmen are also stationed in Triple-A as the year begins - Edwin Maysonet (SS/2B/Houston Astros) is assigned to Round Rock and Brent Leach (LHP/L.A. Dodgers) is in Albuquerque.
GoStatesmen.com will provide updates and feature stories on these and several other former Statesmen who trying to live the dream of playing professional baseball this summer.
