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In the minors: Darvill, Grills, Houle, Jamieson

'In the minors’ is a regular feature on Baseball.ca that highlights Canadian players in the minor leagues. In this installment we take a look at three Junior National Team grads and a member of the 2012 World Baseball Classic Qualifier club.

2B Wes Darvill (Langley, BC) Daytona Cubs (A - Advanced)

Darvill began the season with Kane County in the Midwest League and after hitting .347 in 15 games earned a promotion to High-A Daytona in the Florida State League. The 21 year-old has adjusted nicely to the increased level of competition hitting .260 with two home runs and 23 RBI in 47 games as the Cubs everyday second baseman. Signing out of high school after the Chicago Cubs made his a fifth round selection in the 2009 MLB Draft, Darvill is in his second year of full-season ball after spending 2009-2011 in extended spring training and rookie-level leagues. The 2009 Junior National Team member has had a recent stretch where he’s hit .300 with three doubles, two triples and nine RBI in 40 at-bats. In the first game of a doubleheader on July 23rd, Darvill went 3-for-3 with a double and two RBI.

LHP Evan Grills (Whitby, ON) Tri-City ValleyCats (Short Season)

Darvill’s teammate on the 2009 Junior National Team was a 17 year-old left hander named Evan Grills. Grills joined the JNT as a 14 year-old in 2006, played in two IBAF 18U World Cups (2008, 2010), and was a 10th round selection of the Houston Astros by the time he graduated from the team in 2010. After beginning his pro career in the Gulf Coast League, Grills joined Single-A Lexington in 2012 where he worked out of the Legends bullpen, but found himself back in extended spring training at the beginning of 2013. Making his season debut with Short Season Tri-City, Grills looks to be in fine form with a 3-0 record in seven games with the ValleyCats including three starts. In his last two starts, Grills is 2-0 including a win on July 21st where he gave up only one earned run in five innings of work, while striking out three. In 27 total innings, Grills has only walked seven and has an ERA of 3.00.

C Dustin Houle (Penticton, BC) Helena Brewers (Short Season)

The Milwaukee Brewers made Dustin Houle the second highest Canadian selected in the 2011 MLB Draft when they took him in the seventh round. They also drafted Houle as a catcher meaning that the then 17 year-old had to switch positions from third base where he played as an amateur including with the 2011 edition of the Junior National Team. Houle was kept in extended spring training in 2012 and again this season before being assigned to Helena in the Pioneer League. Noted for his bat, Houle has been red-hot as of late hitting .349 in his past ten games and an overall .284 average on the season. In a recent six game span (July 17-24), Houle has gone 13-for-28 including a double, home run and five RBI.

SS Sean Jamieson (Simcoe, ON) Visalia Rawhide (A – Advanced)

Another player on a tear of late is Sean Jamieson with Visalia in the California League. Jamieson, a member of the 2012 World Baseball Classic Qualifier team, has hit .405 (15-for-37) with six doubles, one triple, one home run and six RBI in his past ten games. The Canisius College grad was a 17th round selection of the Oakland A’s in 2011, but was dealt to the Arizona Diamondbacks organization during the 2012 season. Jamieson is the everyday shortstop for the Rawhide and is putting together a nice season hitting .282 with seven home runs and 36 RBI to go along with five stolen bases. In a July 18th win over Bakersfield, Jamieson went 4-for-5 with three doubles and two RBI. 


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