Former Blue Raiders head to spring training
MURFREESBORO — Nine former Middle Tennessee baseball players will take part in spring training this year, including three former standouts already in Major League camp.
Tullahoma, Tenn., native and 2001 first-round draft pick Dewon Brazelton is in camp with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Brazelton started last season in Class AAA Durham (NC) before spending time in the majors. But he struggled mightily with the major league club before the organization sent the righthander to Class A Bakersfield (CA). Brazelton finished the year in Class AA Orlando (FL) before pitching very well in the Arizona Fall League. He spent most of his offseason working out at a training center in the Phoenix area.
Jason Maxwell is also in camp with the Devil Rays after spending the last two seasons in the Cincinnati Reds organization at Class AAA Louisville (KY). Maxwell played for the Blue Raiders for three season from 1991-93 and has since spent time in the Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers organizations.
The third former Blue Raider in major league camp, Jeremy Owens, joined the Boston Red Sox as a Rule V draft choice during the winter of 2002. Owens spent last season at Class AA Portland (ME) before getting called up to Class AAA Pawtucket (RI) for the International League playoffs. Owens was previously in major league camp with the organization that drafted the Johnson City, Tenn., native, the San Diego Padres.
Five other former standouts are just beginning spring training in minor league camp.
Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year in 2001, Josh Renick has joined the Houston Astros organization after spending three seasons with the Minnesota Twins. Renick teammate Jason Moates returns for his fourth seasons in the Detroit Tigers organization after spending last season at Class A Lakeland (FL).
Bryan Peck starts his fifth season in the Colorado Rockies organization. Peck started 2003 in Class A at Visalia Oaks (CA) before a season-ending shoulder injury in May.
A Blue Raider for one season, Adam Larson enters his third year with the Chicago White Sox after playing all of last year with the Class A Kannapolis (NC) Intimidators. Perhaps the most valuable player on last year’s NCAA Tournament team, Chad Cooper starts his second year with the Devil Rays. Cooper spent last season at Rookie League Princeton (WV) before getting a late-season call-up to Hudson Valley (NY).
Former Oakland High School product Jerry Knox will continue his playing career next month with the Shreveport (LA) Sports, an independent team in the Central Baseball League. Knox played the final two months of last season for the sports, pitching and occasionally serving as the designated hitter.
More information may be found on all of these players at mlb.com or minorleaguebaseball.com.