Former ULM pitcher Jim Miller is doing a very solid job for the surprising Oakland A's. Miller is 2-1 with a 2.16 ERA in 24 games out of the bullpen. Miller has allowed just 26 hits in 33 1/3 innings with 30 strikeouts.

Wade LeBlanc of Barbe has pitched very well for the Miami Marlins since being promoted to from the New Orleans Zephyrs. LeBlanc is 1-1 with a very good 1.50 ERA in 13 relief appearances. He has allowed just 22 hits in 24 innings pitched.

Former St. Amant and ULM star Ben Sheets rebounded from his first loss with a sterling performance as the Braves beat the Phillies 6-1. Sheets pitched 7 1/3 innings, allowing just one run on seven hits to move to 4-1 on the season with a 1.41 ERA.

Former Neville star Alex Presley, who was on a rehab assignment from the Pittsburgh Pirates at Triple-A Indianapolis, was officially optioned to the Indians by Pittsburgh. Presley is batting .301 with five home runs and 14 RBI in 20 games for the Indians. With the Pirates, Presley was hitting .234 with eight home runs and 16 RBI.

In Triple A, former Acadiana High star Luke Montz is on a tear. It is hard to find catchers with power. The Marlins certainly have one, and he is in Triple-A. Montz homered twice Monday as the New Orleans Zephyrs won at Tacoma 9-4 and followed it up with his 25th home run in a 5-3 victory on Wednesday, August 8. Montz is second in the Pacific Coast League in home runs.

Former Archbishop Hannan and Tulane star Tommy Manzella continues the climb back toward the major leagues. Manzella, who played for the Houston Astros in 2010, has been assigned to Triple-A Charlotte by the Chicago White Sox.

This is Manzella's third different organization this season. He opened the year with the Arizona Diamondbacks, playing for Triple-A Reno before going to the Milwaukee Brewers, playing for Double-A Huntsville most recently. Now, he is back in Triple-A as insurance for Chicago.

In Double-A, former Hannan and Delgado star Craig Westcott won his 10th game for the Richmond Flying Squirrels (San Francisco Giants) on August 5. Westcott is 10-8 with a 3.72 ERA in 23 starts. He is a consistent workhorse.

Former Baker and LSU star Leon Landry continues his superb year with a new team in Single-A. Landry hit for the cycle as High Desert (Seattle Mariners) pummeled Lancaster 11-2 on August 3. Landry drove in four runs. Landry is off to a blistering start, hitting in all six games for High Desert (12-for-.29/.414).

Former Hamilton Christian and McNeese State star Jace Peterson continues to play well for Fort Wayne (San Diego Padres). Peterson is batting .285 with 18 doubles, seven triples, 2 home runs, 38 RBI and leads the Midwest League with 43 stolen bases. Peterson is on a five-game hitting streak (6-for-16/.375).

Former Barbe star Garin Cecchini has a four-game hitting streak (7-for-15/.467) to raise his average to .307 for Greenville (Boston Red Sox). Cecchini has 29 doubles and 39 stolen bases which rank in the South Atlantic League.

Former Thibodaux and ULM star Drew Granier continues to look like perhaps the best pitcher in the Midwest League for Burlington (Kansas City Royals). Granier leads the league in games started, innings pitched and strikeouts and is second in wins (11).

Former Central and Southern star Cody Hall was promoted from Augusta to High-A San Jose (San Francisco Giants) and he earned it. Hall was 3-0 with a 1.60 ERA and 20 saves for Augusta with 54 strikeouts in 39.1 innings.

Former LSU star Tyler Hanover has a six-game hitting streak (10-for-29/.345) for Connecticut (Detroit Tigers) in the New York-Penn League to raise his average to .294 with eight doubles, two home runs and 11 RBI.

Former South Terrebonne and SLU star Brock Hebert is heating up. Hebert has a six-game hitting streak (9-for-23/..391) for Everett (Seattle Mariners) in the Northwest League. Hebert raised his average to .250 in 13 games played.

In Rookie League play, former Parkview Baptist pitcher Colin Rodgers is faring well for Burlington (Kansas City Royals) of the Appalachian League. Rodgers is 3-1 with a 1.83 ERA in eight games. In 34 1/3 innings, Rodgers has allowed just 21 hits and seven earned runs.

In Independent League play, former Nicholls State star Bubba Bell continues to show he can hit. Bell is up to .303 with 29 doubles, three triples, one home run and 37 RBI for Sugar Land in the Atlantic League.

Our HOMETOWN HEROES include all players from Louisiana who are in the major leagues and all players from the Greater New Orleans area high schools and from LSU, Tulane, Nicholls State, Southeastern Louisiana , Delgado and other Louisiana colleges. Any Louisiana native or player who played high school or college baseball in Louisiana and is playing for New Orleans Zephyrs has been added as well by popular demand.

If you have any additions to make, please send them to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

MAJOR LEAGUES

SCOTT BAKER--Minnesota Twins (Captain Shreve) **DL—Elbow surgery. Out for yr.

BRIAN BOGUSEVIC—Houston Astros (Tulane) .210, 8-2B, 2-3B, 6 HR, 22 RBI, 12 SB

CLAY BUCCHOLZ--Boston Red Sox (McNeese State) 9-3, 4.48 ERA, 19 starts

STEVE CLEVENGER—Chicago Cubs (SLU) .236, 9 doubles, 1 HR, 15 RBI

LOUIS COLEMAN—Kansas City Royals (LSU) 0-0, 4.19 ERA, 25 hits, 39 K's, 34.1 inn.

MIKE FONTENOT—Philadelphia Phillies (Salmen, LSU) .289, 2-2B, 1 HR, 5 RBI

CHARLIE FURBUSH—Seattle Mariners (LSU) 4-2, 2.17 ERA, 19 hits, 47 K's, 37.1 inn. (D.L.)

CHAD GAUDIN—Miami Marlins (Crescent City) 1-1, 4.36 ERA, 29 games

AARON HILL—Arizona Diamondbacks (LSU) .293, 13 HR, 25-2B, 5-3B, 47 RBI

WADE LEBLANC—Miami Marlins (Barbe) 1-1, 1.50 ERA, 13 games, 24 inn.

D.J. LEMAHIEU—Colorado Rockies (LSU) .232, 4-2B, 4 RBI

AARON LOUP—Toronto Blue Jays (Hahnville, Tulane) 0-2, 3.46 ERA, 10 games

JONATHAN LUCROY--Milwaukee Brewers (ULL) .329, 11-2B, 4-3B, 6 HR, 33 RBI

WADE MILEY—Arizona Diamondbacks (Loranger/SLU) 12-7, 2.85 ERA, 132.2 inn., 119 hits

JIM MILLER—Oakland A's (ULM) 2-1, 2.16 ERA, 24 games, 26 hits, 33.1 innings

LOGAN MORRISON—Miami Marlins (Northshore) .230, 11 HR, 15-2B, 36 RBI (D.L.)

MICAH OWINGS—San Diego Padres (Tulane) 0-2, 2.79 ERA, 6 appearances (D.L.)

JONATHAN PAPELBON—Philadelphia Phillies (B.R.) 3-4, 3.00 ERA, 24 SV., 56 K's, 45 inn.

XAVIER PAUL—Cincinnati Reds (Slidell, Rummel) .360 (9-for-25), 2-2B, 3 RBI

ANDY PETTITE—New York Yankees (Baton Rouge) 3-3, 3.22 ERA, 59 K's, 58.2 inn. (D.L.)

JUAN PIERRE—Philadelphia Phillies (Alexandria) .313, 27 SB, 7-2B, 4-3B, 1 HR, 19 RBI

**ALEX PRESLEY—Pittsburgh Pirates (Neville) .232, 9-2B, 3-3B, 8 HR, 16 RBI (Rehab Assignment AAA)

BEN SHEETS—Atlanta Braves (St. Amant, ULM) 4-1, 1.41 ERA (32 inn., 31 hits, 23 K's)

RYAN THERIOT—San Francisco Giants (Broadmoor, LSU) .264, 13 doubles, 25 RBI

RICKIE WEEKS--Milwaukee Brewers (Southern) .214, 21-2B, 12 HR, 39 RBI

VERNON WELLS—L.A. Angels of Anaheim (Shreveport) .219, 6-2B, 6 HR, 12 RBI

BRIAN WILSON--San Francisco Giants (LSU) 0-0, 9.00 ERA, 2 games—DL (Elbow)

AAA

RYAN ADAMS—Norfolk (Jesuit) .208, 13 doubles, 2 HR, 11 RBI

CHAD BECK—Las Vegas (ULL) 1-0, 1.75 ERA, 13 saves, 36 inn., 28 hits

REID BRIGNAC—Durham (St. Amant) .238, 12 doubles, 8 HR, 40 RBI

JOEY BUTLER—Round Rock (UNO) .284, 23-2B, 15 HR, 56 RBI **3rd in walks in PCL (67), 6th in runs

PRESTON CLAIBORNE—Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Tulane) 1-0, 7.13 ERA (11 games)

MATT CLARK--Tucson (LSU) .295, 24-2B, 22 HR, 72 RBI. **Tied 4th in HR's, 2nd in total bases, 10th in runs, 6th in RBI's, 7th in walks

BRAD EMAUS—Buffalo (Tulane) .226, 6 doubles, 4 HR, 16 RBI

DANNY FARQUHAR—Tacoma (ULL) 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 4 games

JOHNNY GIAVOTELLA—Omaha (Jesuit, UNO) .327, 19-2B, 10 HR, 65 RBI **9th in PCL in batting, 5th in OBP in PCC

BRANDON GOMES—Durham (Tulane) 5-3, 2.27 ERA, 7 saves, 58 K's, 43.2 innings

MARK HAMILTON—Memphis (Tulane) .242, 12-2B, 15 HR, 49 RBI

WILL HARRIS—Colorado Springs (Slidell, LSU) 2-0, 1.13 ERA, 17 Ks, 16 inn., 8 hits

CHASE LAMBIN—New Orleans (ULL) .246, 5-2B, 5 HR, 20 RBI

FRED LEWIS—Buffalo (Southern) .293, 20-2B, 7-3B, 9 HR, 35 RBI, 18 SB **Tied 2nd in I.L. in triples, Tied for 10th in SBs, 7th in OBP

TODD LINDEN—Fresno (LSU) .281, 22-2B, 6-3B, 9 HR, 55 RBI

TOMMY MANZELLA—Charlotte (Hannan, Tulane) 0-for-4 (1 game)

JARED MITCHELL—Charlotte (Westgate, LSU) .231 (15-for-52), 4-2B, 4 RBI

LUKE MONTZ—New Orleans (Acadiana) .244, 12-2B, 25 HR, 65 RBI **2nd in PCL in HR

ALEX PRESLEY—Indianapolis (Monroe) .301, 2 2B, 3 3B, 5 HR, 14 RBI, 4 SB (Rehab assignment)

GREG SMITH—Salt Lake (Alexandria, LSU) 7-8 4.15 ERA, 17 games

**BRIAN TALLET—Tucson (LSU) 0-2, 8.44 ERA, 11 games (Released)

RYAN VERDUGO—Omaha (LSU) 9-3, 3.62 ERA, 22 games, 19 starts

AA

JIMMY CESARIO—Tulsa (Jesuit, Delgado) .248, 4-2B, 4 HR, 19 RBI, 5-game hit streak

MILES DURHAM—Altoona (Northwestern State) .259, 11-2B, 2 HR, 14 RBI (Released)

BRAD HAWPE—Frisco (LSU) .260, 6-2B, 3 HR, 12 RBI (Released)

LEE HAYDEL--Huntsville (Riverside, Delgado) .301, 4-2B, 2-3B, 2 HR, 14 RBI

BEAU JONES—Midland (Destrehan) 1-1, 5.02 ERA, 14 games

MICHAEL LIBERTO—Northwest Arkansas (Rummel, Delgado) .216, 1-2B, 1 RBI

MIKIE MAHTOOK—Montgomery (St. Thomas More, LSU) .281, 6-2B, 1 HR, 11 RBI

BLAKE MARTIN—New Britain (LSU) 3-5, 4.68 ERA, 31 games, 63 hits, 65.1 innings

SEAN OCHINKO—New Hampshire (LSU) .271, 9-2B, 5 HR, 24 RBI

JOSH PRINCE—Huntsville (Tulane) .268, 24-2B, 6 HR, 49 RBI, 40 SB (Leads Southern League)

EDGAR RAMIREZ—Binghamton (LSU) 1-1, 4.96 ERA, 23 games

ANTHONY RANAUDO—Portland (LSU) 1-3, 6.69 ERA, 9 starts (D.L.)

RYAN SCHIMPF—New Hampshire (St. Paul, LSU) .250, 1-2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI

ROB SEGEDIN—Trenton (Tulane) .195, 2-2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI

CRAIG WESTCOTT—Richmond (Hannan, Delgado) 10-8, 3.72 ERA, 23 starts

JOSH ZEID—Corpus Christi (Tulane) 2-0, 6.08 ERA, 1 save, 50.1 inn., 59 K's

A

BEN ALSUP—Asheville (LSU) 11-5, 4.14 ERA, 20 starts **Tied 2nd in SALLY League in wins

JEREMY BLEICH--Tampa (Newman) 0-0, 2.25 ERA, 4 games, 8 innings, 6 hits

GARIN CECCHINI—Greenville (Barbe) .307, 29-2B, 3-3B, 4 HR, 54 RBI, 39 SB. **4th in Sally League in stolen bases, 10th in doubles, 11th in avg.,

BRAD DELATTE—Vancouver (St. Amant, Nicholls St.) 0-0, 27.00 ERA, 1 Game

CLINT DEMPSTER—Fort Myers (Thibodaux, Nicholls State) 0-0, 2.61 ERA, 5 Games

DALE DICKERSON—Carolina (West Ouachita, Nicholls State) 5-2, 4.38 ERA, 1 save

JOHNNY DISHON—Brevard County (LSU) .208, 3 doubles, 8 RBI, 11 SB

ALEX FUSELIER—State College (Teurlings Catholic, ULL) .213, 6 RBI

T.J. GEITH—Charlotte (ULL) 0-1, 2.65 ERA, 2 saves

MICAH GIBBS—Daytona (LSU) .207, 4-2B, 1-3B, 4 HR, 14 RBI

NICK GOODY—Charleston (LSU) 1-1, 0.95 ERA, 3 saves, 29 K's, 19 innings

DREW GRANIER—Burlington (Thibodaux, ULM) 11-7, 2.94 ERA **2nd in Midwest League in wins, tied 1st in games started, 1st in innings pitched, 1st in K's, 10th in ERA

**CODY HALL—Augusta (Central, Southern) 3-0, 1.60 ERA, 20 saves, 54 K's, 39.1 innings **Leads SAL in saves. Promoted to High-A San Jose

FRAZIER HALL—Cedar Rapids (Christian Life, Southern) .255, 16-2B, 11 HR, 37 RBI

TYLER HANOVER—Connecticut (LSU) .294, 8-2B, 2 HR 11 RBI

BROCK HEBERT—Everett (South Terrebonne, SLU) .250, 1-2B, 1 3B, 1 RBI

**SAM HONECK--Savannah (Tulane) .133 (2-of-15), 1 double—RETIRED

JAMES JONES—Fort Wayne (ULM) 1-3, 3.79 ERA, 19 games

RO JONES—State College (St. John, UNO, Southern) .128, 2-2B, 4 RBI (Released)

TYLER JONES—Beloit (LSU) 3-4, 4.97 ERA, 13 games, 67 K's in 58 innings

LEON LANDRY—High Desert (Baker/LSU) .414 (12-for-29), 2 HR, 7 RBI, 6 games

CHANDLER LAURENT—Asheville (Fontainebleau, Delgado).188, 2-2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI (RELEASED)

LUCAS LEBLANC--Salem (Central Lafourche, Delgado) .217, 5-2B, 6 RBI in 31 games

STEFAN LOPEZ—Staten Island (New Iberia, SLU) 0-0, 7.36 ERA, 10 games

DAYTON MARZE—Dunedin (Teurlings Catholic, ULL) 2-4, 2.94 ERA, 1 save, 42 games

AARON MUNOZ—Lansing (Northwestern State) .227, 4 doubles, 5 RBI, 20 games

CHRIS MURRILL—Charlotte (Nicholls State) .324, 4 RBI (11-for-34) (D.L.)

AUSTIN NOLA—Greensboro (Catholic, LSU) .265, 9-2B, 1 HR, 12 RBI

LEE ORR—Fort Wayne (McNeese State) .221, 12-2B, 3-3B, 9 HR, 31 RBI

ZACH OSBORNE—Myrtle Beach (ULL) 4-0, 1.20 ERA, 2 SV, 40 K's, 38.2 inn.

JACE PETERSON—Fort Wayne (Hamilton Christian, McNeese State).285, 18-2B, 7-3B, 2 HR, 38 RBI, **Leads Midwest League with 43 SB

RYAN O' SHEA—Frederick (Mandeville, UNO) DISABLED LIST—OUT FOR YEAR

MATTY OTT—Greenville (Holy Cross, LSU) 4-3, 3.34 ERA, 4 saves, 32 games

TAYLOR ROGERS—San Jose (Tulane) 8-10, 4.78 ERA, 22 starts

AUSTIN ROSS--Brevard (Captain Shreve, LSU) 0-0, 1.54 ERA in 3 starts (D.L.)

JEB STEFAN—Williamsport (Acadiana, La. Tech) 1-1, 2.14 ERA, 2 saves, 16 games

WES THIGPEN—Connecticuit (Hahnville) .130, 1 RBI, 7 games (Retired List)

ZACK VON ROSENBERG—West Virginia (Zachary) 3-4, 4.39 ERA, 11 games

GREG WILBORN—Great Lakes (ULL) 1-1, 4.57 ERA, 4 games, 21 K's, 21.2 inn.

ROOKIE LEAGUE

JUSTIN BOUDREAUX—Ogden (Dutchtown, SLU) .247, 5-2B, 1-3B, 1 HR, 14 RBI

WIL BROWNING—Bluefield (ULM) 0-1, 1.69 ERA, 6 games (5.1 inn.)

ZACH BUTLER—Princeton (McNeese State) 0-0, 2.38 ERA, 14 games, 22.2 inn., 23 K's

GAVIN CECCHINI—Kingsport (Barbe) .250, 7-2B, 2-3B, 1 HR, 13 RBI in 34 games

KOLBY COPELAND—Gulf Coast League Marlins (Parkway) .271, 9-2B, 5-3B, 22 RBI

JORDAN HARRISON—Gulf Coast Rays (ULL) 1-2, 1.69 ERA, 9 games, 28 K's in 26.2 inn.

HAYDEN JENNINGS—Gulf Coast Nationals (Evangel) .198, 2-2B, 2-3B, 3 RBI

MASON MELOTAKIS—Elizabethton (N.W. St.) 1-1, 1.35 ERA, 7 games, 10 K's, 6.2 inn.

PEDRO PIZARRO—AZL Angels (Byrd) .206 (7-for-34) in 10 games, 2-2B, 3 RBI

COLIN RODGERS—Burlington (Parkview Baptist) 3-1, 1.83 ERA, 8G, 34.1 inn., 21 hits

JEREMY SCHAFFER—Johnson City (Tulane) .270, 14-2B, 6 HR, 33 RBI in 41 games

STRYKER TRAHAN—AZL Diamondbacks (Acadiana) .279, 6-2B, 3 3B, 3 HR, 18 RBI

ALEX WILLIAMS—Bristol (Menard, Louisiana Tech) .252, 8-2B, 4 HR, 19 RBI

CHRIS WOLFE—AZL Athletics (Grambling) .280, (7-for-25), 3-2B, 1 RBI, 10 games

INDEPENDENT LEAGUES

BUBBA BELL—Sugar Land (Nicholls State) .303, 29-2B, 3-3B, 1 HR, 37 RBI

BLAKE BERGERON—Wichita (Terrebonne, Nicholls State) .250, 1-2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI

DEREK BLACKSHER—Wichita (McNeese State) 6-4, 5.23 ERA, 17 games

BRENNAN FLICK—Florence (Central Catholic, LSU-Eunice) 6-0, 2.41 ERA, 4 saves

GREG FONTENOT—Evansville (Acadiana, ULL) .271, 2-2B, 12 RBI, 12 SB

TAYLOR FREEMAN—Wichita (McNeese State) .231, 7 doubles, 2 HR, 14 RBI

ROY MERRITT—Somerset (Southern) 5-6, 3.48 ERA, 19 games

D.J PONDER—Evansville (Catholic, Tulane) 1-0, 9.00 ERA, 7 games

ANTHONY SCELFO—Laredo (Jesuit, Tulane) .257, 19-2B, 3-3B, 3 HR, 28 RBI

NICK SCHWANER—Evansville (Slidell, UNO) .263, 17-2B, 8 HR, 43 RBI

BARON SHORT—McAllen (Southern) 0-4, 8.84 ERA, 6 games (Released)

MICHAEL THOMAS—Rockford (Southern) .210, 6-2B, 1 HR, 17 RBI

TYLER WATKINS—Schaumburg (SLU) 3-4, 3.21 ERA, 56 innings, 50 hits