bucking the trend

Craig Westcott, the 2009 Ferriss Trophy winner from Belhaven, has been promoted to Double-A Richmond in the San Francisco system, which is rapid advancement for a 30th-round pick in his first full season of pro ball. The big right-hander was 6-0 with a 1.83 ERA at Class A San Jose. Obviously, he was ready to be challenged at the next level. His progress bears watching, and here’s why: Winning the Ferriss Trophy, a high honor for Mississippi collegians, hasn’t exactly been a good luck charm. The first recipient, Stephen Head in 2004, was a high draft pick but is now in independent ball. Brian Pettway and Thomas Berkery, the next two, apparently are out of baseball. Ed Easley, the 2007 winner, is a part-time catcher with Double-A Mobile in the Arizona system. Scott Bittle has yet to make his pro debut because of arm issues. The 2010 winner, Drew Pomeranz, the fifth overall pick by Cleveland earlier this month, hasn’t signed yet.
P.S. Saw Desmond Jennings in an MLB Network minor league broadcast today. The former Itawamba star, now at Triple-A Durham (Rays), went 3-for-5 and scored two runs, including the game-winner from first base on a double in the ninth. He’s got game.