All-DBAP Team: Outfield Finalists
With all infield positions taken care of, this week we turn our attention to the outfield. 10 players make our list of finalists for the outfield, and this week fans can vote for up to three players for a spot on the All-DBAP Team.
After taking a glance at our finalists below, remember to vote for who you think is most-deserving of a spot on the All-DBAP Team by voting on the Bulls’ Facebook page. Simply leave a comment on Facebook with the names (you can vote for three this time around) of your selections on the official finalist announcement post and you’re done!
Leslie Anderson
Leslie Anderson, a Cuban defector, didn’t join the Bulls until he was 28-years-old in 2010, but put together four memorable seasons with Durham. Twice he led the team in RBIs, while appearing in 115 games or more three times. He was named the MVP of the 2013 Governors’ Cup championship team, hitting .292–14–74, and was also the Team MVP in 2012 when he hit .309–14–56.
Career Numbers with Durham: .295–43–208, 175 R in 386 games (2010–2013)
Rocco Baldelli
Rocco Baldelli, the new 1st Base Coach for the Tampa Bay Rays, had a brief tenure in Durham, appearing in 23 games for the Bulls in 2002 before returning on rehab stints in 2006 and 2007. His final tour with the Bulls game in 2010, when he suited up for 11 games in what proved to be the final year of his career. His 2002 campaign was important though, as a late-season call-up to Durham he hit .292–3–7. In the playoffs he was arguably the team’s most important player, leading the squad to its first Governors’ Cup title. Of his seven-year MLB career, six came with Tampa Bay, appearing in 62 games for Boston in 2009.
Career Numbers with Durham: .308–6–20, 29 R in 48 games (2002, 2010, rehab in 2006, 2007)
MLB Career: .278–60–262, 281 R in 519 games (2003–2004, 2006–2010)
Russ Canzler
Although he played just one season in Durham (when he played 68 games in the OF, 40 at 3B and 17 at 1B), Russ Canzler had a large impact on the squad, winning the International League MVP award in 2011. That year, he ranked 4th in the league in average (.314), 5th in RBI (83), 3rd in hits (149), 1st in doubles (40), 2nd in OBP (.401), 1st in SLG (.530), 1st in extra-base hits (62), 2nd in runs (78), 2nd in total bases (251) and 5th in walks (67). Since that 2011 season, he’s appeared in the IL each of the last three years between Columbus, Norfolk, Indianapolis, Scranton/WB and Lehigh Valley.
Career Numbers with Durham: .314–18–83, 78 R in 131 games (2011)
MLB Career: .271–3–12, 9 R in 29 games (2011–2012)
Carl Crawford
The speedy outfielder Carl Crawford spent less than one season in the Bull City, appearing in 85 games in 2002 before his call-up to Tampa Bay. In those 85 games the outfielder was superb, hitting .297, tallying 105 hits and stealing 26 bases en route to earning the league’s Rookie of the Year award. He spent the first nine years of his Major League career with Tampa Bay, before joining the Red Sox (2011–2012) and the Dodgers (2013-present).
Career Number with Durham: .297–7–52, 59 R in 85 games (2002)
MLB Career: .292–132–744, 971 R in 1,617 games (2002–2014)
Johnny Gomes
Jonny Gomes played parts of five years with the Bulls, accruing a successful campaign each time. In 2004 he put up his best powers numbers in Durham, cracking 26 homers and driving in 78, while in 2005 in just 45 games he batted .321 with 14 dingers. He played for the Rays for parts of six seasons from 2003–2008, and since then he has played for Cincinnati, Washington, Oakland and Boston.
Career Numbers with Durham: .275–43–146, 134 R in 203 games (2003–2005, 2007–2008)
MLB Career: .244–155–500, 466 R in 1,108 games (2003–2014)
Desmond Jennings
Over parts of three seasons with Durham, Desmond Jennings was a consistent player who patrolled the outfield. In 2009 and 2010 he combined to hit six homers, but 2011 saw his power improve when he cracked 12 homers in 89 games. Over his tenure in the Bull City, he swiped 69 bags while he was only caught seven times. He has spent parts of five years in the majors, each coming with Tampa Bay.
Career Numbers with Durham: .282–18–92, 174 R in 233 games (2009–2011, rehab in 2012)
MLB Career: .248–47–164, 280 R in 474 games (2010–2014)
Andruw Jones
The first finalist at any position from the Atlanta Braves’ affiliation, Andruw Jones’ 1996 season was one Bulls fans won’t forget. As a 19-year-old in the Advanced-A Carolina League, Jones hit .313–17–43 while scoring 65 runs and stealing 16 bases in just 66 games. After tearing through Double-A and Triple-A as the summer progressed, he joined Atlanta that season and helped lead them to the National League pennant. Over a 17-year big league career, Jones went on to win 10 Gold Gloves and was a five-time All-Star.
Career Number with Durham: .313–17–43, 65 R in 66 games (1996)
MLB Career: .254–434–1289, 1204 R in 2,196 games (1996–2012)
Wil Myers
A heralded prospect entering the 2013 season, Wil Myers, a Thomasville, NC native, appeared in 64 games for the Bulls that year and proved quickly he was among the league’s best players. At the time he was promoted in mid-June, he ranked 1st in the league in RBIs (55) and 4th in the league in home runs (13) before going on to win American League Rookie of the Year honors. He returned to the Bull City in 2014 on a rehab stint and promptly hit a pair of home runs, including this moon shot in Rochester. He spent his first two big league seasons with the Rays before he was traded to San Diego this offseason.
Career Numbers with Durham: .283–16–63, 47 R in 71 games (2013–2014)
MLB Career: .258–19–88, 87 R in 175 games (2013–2014)
Justin Ruggiano
One of the most familiar faces in the Bulls’ history, Justin Ruggiano played 476 games in Durham over parts of five seasons. He’s the franchise’s Triple-A all-time leader in runs scored (304) and hits (531), while batting .300 or better three times. He totaled double-digit homers in four of his five seasons, while also swiping 20-plus bases on four occasions. In the 2009 playoffs he batted a team-high .290 to lead Durham to its lone Triple-A National Championship title.
Career Numbers with Durham: .289–68–300, 304 R in 476 games (2007–2011)
MLB Career: .257–43–137, 138 R in 398 games (2007–2008, 2011–2014)
Jon Weber
A fan-favorite in Durham, Jon Weber spent parts of three years with the Bulls from 2007–2009. In his final year with the squad the veteran produced his best season, hitting .302 with 14 homers and 69 RBIs. His average was good for 9th-best in the IL, while he led the circuit with 46 doubles and ranked 3rd with 60 extra-base hits and 224 total bases.
Career Numbers with Durham: .282–30–141, 141 R in 264 games (2007–2009)
You can cast your vote here.
Next Week: Starting Pitcher
