Pelicans Highlight Propect List: Handfull Make 40-Man Roster

MYRTLE BEACH, SC - The Myrtle Beach Pelicans have six of their players from the 1999 championship season on Baseball America's Top 10 Prospect List in the Atlanta Braves organization. The recent issue of Baseball America is on newsstands through December 26, and it features Rafael Furcal on the front cover.

The Top 10 Prospect Lists are published for each major league team throughout the off season. Here are the 1999 Pelicans that made the prospect list: Rank Player Position Key stat(s) from 199:9 #1 Rafael Furcal Shortstop stole 102 bases (73 in Macon, 23 in Pelicans regular season and 6 in playoffs) to lead all of baseball; #3 Marcus Giles Second Baseman Carolina League MVP & batting champion with .326 BA; #4 Scott Sobkowiak Starting RHP 9-and-4 with 2.84 ERA & 161 strikeouts; #5 Luis Rivera RHP 2-and-0 with 0.00 ERA & 23 K in 12 IP of playoff baseball; #6 Jason Marquis Starting RHP first Pelican promoted; was 3-and-0 with 0.28 ERA with MB; #7 Junior Brignac Center Fielder combined to hit 14 HR and record 73 RBI in Macon & MB This issue of Baseball America lists Giles as the "Best Hitter for Average." Furcal is tabbed as the "Fastest Base Runner," "Best Defensive Infielder," and having the "Best Infield Arm." Rivera has the "Best Fastball" which topped out at 99 mph this season. Sobkowiak has the "Best Breaking Ball."These are all rankingS within the Braves organization.

The 1999 Pelicans are represented the Atlanta Braves 40-man roster as well. The following pitchers are on the protected list: Winston Abreu, Derrick Lewis, Jason Marquis and Luis Rivera. Junior Brignac (CF) is the lone position player on the roster from the Pelicans. All five of these players are protected from the Rule Five Draft that occurs each December.