Overdue report from the bush leagues

Catching up on some long overdue news regarding Illini players who’ve gone on to the wild blue yonder otherwise known as the minor leagues:

Scott Shaw, who was drafted by the New York Mets in the 2008 draft, had a pretty awesome 2009 for the Port St Lucie Mets.  Shaw led the Mets in many categories including Wins (8), Strikeouts (118) and ERA (3.73). 

Port St Lucie relied heavily on Shaw pitching him 149+ innings.  My guess with his performance and time put in, he’s probably due for a promotion.

The Advanced A affiliate went 32-34 but placed third in the Florida State League and were only 3 1/2 games behind first place Fort Myers.

Speedy outfielder Kyle Hudson, who was listed as one of the Orioles “Top 20 Oriole Prospects” earlier this year,  had been playing in Maryland for the Delmarva Shorebirds for a good part of 2009.  Just before the season ended though, he got  promoted to Advanced A ball to play in the Carolina League. 

Hud didn’t have to go too far to get to his new team.  He got in about a week’s work for the Frederick Keys which is still in Maryland. 

Yeah, it was only about a week but true to Hudson’s style of play, he stole three bases in that time. 

Congrats to Scott and Kyle.