ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, September 1, 1996 TAG: 9609030130
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-9 EDITION: METRO
It will be difficult for the Colorado Rockies to overlook Blake Barthol now.
Coming into this season, Barthol was only one of a plethora of quality catchers in the Rockies' farm system. An organization that has made developing pitchers a priority hasn't overlooked the importance of the guys who have to handle those pitchers. Barthol may have played his way closer to the top of the heap.
Barthol was the Salem Avalanche's only representative on the Carolina League's year-end All-Star team. After batting near the .290 mark for most of the season, showing surprising power and improving as a pitch-caller, the Emmaus, Pa., native may be one of the Rockies' best prospects.
That's saying a lot, considering Colorado has young catchers ranging from Jayhawk Owens to Ben Petrick. Now, Barthol's name is mentioned with them.
Coming into the season, Barthol was a 21st-round draft pick who had hit performance this year at and behind the plate has earned attention throughout the organization.
Barthol realizes how far he's come.
``After the draft [this year], I was looking at the list in the clubhouse and it only listed the first 20 rounds,'' Barthol said. ``I asked somebody where the rest of the rounds were and he said, `Nobody cares about the guys picked after the 20th round.' Then I said, `Wait a minute. I was picked in the 21st!' We both laughed.''
Barthol's work ethic and leadership make him a player to watch.
AROUND THE HORN: Former Virginia standout Brian Buchanan has come back from a career-threatening injury to post solid numbers for the Tampa Yankees of the Class A Florida State League. Heading into the season's final weekend, Buchanan was batting .262 with 22 doubles, nine homers, 55 RBI and 23 stolen bases. Last year, Buchanan shattered an ankle on the basepaths and missed the last four months of the season. ... Roanoker and former Virginia Tech shortstop Dee Dalton regained the starting third-base job for the Arkansas Travelers of the Class AA Texas League after a slump. With two games to play, Dalton was hitting .236 with six homers and 41 RBI. He had committed 15 errors in 111 games. ...
AROUND THE CAROLINA LEAGUE: One player who was wasn't surprised that Lynchburg's Jose Guillen was named the leagues Most Valuable Player was Guillen. ``Nobody had those numbers,'' said Guillen, who batted .319 with 19 homers and 89 RBI. ``Being the MVP was not a surprise to me.'' ... Kinston left-hander Noe Najera went 7-0 with a 3.10 ERA in 11 starts from July 10 through Aug.28. ... Frederick outfielder Johnny Isom's 102 RBI heading into the weekend were 17 more than any other hitter in the league. ... Lynchburg's Freddy Garcia clubbed his 21st home run this past week, passing Ron Wright, who hit 20 for Durham before the All-Star break and was promoted two months ago. Wright was the major prospect included in the Atlanta Braves' trade for Pittsburgh Pirates ace Denny Neagle this past week.
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