From Bees to Leones ...

From April through June, Spottiswood was 4-2 with three saves and a 2.01 ERA. However, Spottiswood encountered some bouts of inconsistency over the second half of the season. From July through September, he was 2-4 with one save an a 6.75 ERA. Overall, Spottiswood finished 6-6 with four saves and a 4.59 ERA.

In 35 appearances with the Rawhide, Spottiswood struck out 67 and walked 24 in 68 2/3 innings. He allowed 76 hits, including 11 home runs, and 37 runs (35 earned).

Spottiswood began the season with the Double-A Reno Aces, where he posted an 18.69 ERA over two appearances.

Marco Estrada (Glendale Community College, 2003) Nashville Sounds pitcher: Estrada, who was selected by the Washington Nationals out of Long Beach State University in the sixth round (174th overall) of the June 2005 First-Year Player Draft, suffered from the injury bug during the season after he was called up on May 18.

He saw time on the mound for the Milwaukee Brewers, going 0-0 with a 9.53 earned-run average in seven appearances, but was bothered by shoulder fatigue in early June and subsequently placed on the disabled list.

At Nashville, Milwaukee's triple-A affiliate, Estrada, a right-hander, went 1-2 with a 3.15 ERA. Estrada struck out 33 and allowed 30 hits in 40 innings.

Estrada started seven games at Nashville, where he allowed just one home run and 15 runs (14 earned). Opponents batted .208 against Estrada at Nashville.

Fernando Rios (Glendale High, 1997) Dorados de Chihuahua outfielder: Rios put together some respectable numbers this season for Dorados de Chihuahua, a member of the triple-A Mexican League. Rios batted .314 (49 for 156) with three home runs and 21 runs batted in. In 54 games, Rios finished with four doubles, one triple and scored 31 runs.

Rios helped Dorados de Chihuahua finish at 31-23 and in third place in the Madero Division.

Fernando Valenzuela Jr. (St. Francis High, 2000) Leones de Yucatan designated hitter: Valenzuela, who also stood out at Glendale Community College, enjoyed a quality season in helping Leones de Yucatan, a triple-A franchise in the Mexican League.

Valenzuela, who previously played in the San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox minor league systems, batted .308 (90 for 292) with six home runs and 49 runs batted in.

He contributed 19 doubles and scored 35 runs for Leones de Yucatan, which finished 26-25 and in fifth place in the Hidalgo Division.