Tuesday, September 07, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

51s win finale as quintet called up

Las Vegas veterans Chen, Thurston head to Los Angeles

By MATT YOUMANS
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Chin-Feng Chen Outfielder Joe Thurston Infielder

It's generally not considered an honor to play for the same Triple-A team three consecutive years. At some point, it's time to move on and Rick Bell, Chin-Feng Chen and Joe Thurston might have reached that point.

Of the 51s' triplets, only Bell played in Monday's season finale. He went 2-for-4 with one RBI in a 5-1 victory over Salt Lake before 2,395 fans at Cashman Field.

Chen and Thurston did not play because they were among five players called up by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Infielders Jose Flores and Antonio Perez also were promoted along with pitcher Edwin Jackson.

Las Vegas won eight of its final 11 games to finish the Pacific Coast League season 67-76 under manager Terry Kennedy.

"We all wanted to have a better record, but these guys did improve," said Kennedy, whose team went 27-25 after the All-Star break.

Chen, a 26-year-old outfielder, and Thurston, a 24-year-old second baseman, are unlikely to return to the 51s next year.

Both players are out of options, so if they aren't with the Dodgers after spring training another team probably will claim them. They could be traded, though their value as prospects is on the decline.

Chen is the Las Vegas franchise's career home run king with 72. He played in 351 games for the 51s in three seasons.

Thurston played in 369 games in three seasons. But after hitting .334 with 12 homers and 55 RBIs in 2002, his production this season dropped to .284 with four homers and 23 RBIs.

Bell played in 338 games in three seasons. The 25-year-old third baseman hit .302 this season with 36 doubles, 12 homers and 53 RBIs. He has not yet reached the majors.

Kennedy is not sure if he will return to manage a second season, but said Las Vegas' roster could have a much different look.

"Next year, I think this team will be younger. The Dodgers will move some guys up from Double A, so it will be a different situation," he said.

Kennedy talked of high expectations in April, but his team was marked by sloppy play in the field and poor baserunning.

"What perturbs me sometimes is that at this level, simple pop fly communication should be ironed out and some of the baserunning stuff should be ironed out," he said.

Jackson, a 20-year-old right-hander who is Los Angeles' top prospect, made 19 starts for the 51s and went 6-4 with a 5.86 ERA.

Jackson won his Opening Day start April 8, but Las Vegas slumped and finished the season's first homestand 2-6.

"I didn't expect Jackson to be here very long. He didn't throw that well, but he did learn some things," Kennedy said.

The pitching staff was thin on quality after the Dodgers traded Tanyon Sturtze to the New York Yankees. Right-handed starters Joel Hanrahan (7-7, 5.05 ERA), Mark Johnson (6-12, 5.39) and Heath Totten (8-11, 5.46) endured their struggles.

"Probably the biggest disappointment has been the starting pitching, but as the season went on, it wasn't a total waste for the starters," Kennedy said. "Totten has learned some things that are going to help him. Hanrahan is still trying to find that place. Johnson really became valuable."

Injuries to outfielders John Barnes and Cody Ross hurt the offense, but 25-year-old first baseman Luis Garcia picked up the slack with a career year, hitting .314 with 32 homers and 95 RBIs.

Despite his strong numbers, Garcia was weak in the field and wasn't promoted by the Dodgers.

"Luis had a really good year. It's a tough thing and I feel bad for him," Kennedy said. "But like I told him, most of these guys who are going up aren't going to play, either."