AREA PLAYERS WITH MAJOR ASPIRATIONS

The following is a listing of players with area ties who are competing in professional baseball.

Included in the list are each players' name, his local connection, his last year as an amateur and his major league affiliation. Statistics are through Thursday.

Steve Bieser (Ste. Genevieve High School, Southeast Missouri State 1989) St. Louis Cardinals:

Bieser, an 11-year minor league veteran who has played parts of two seasons in the major leagues, is batting .250 with four doubles, two home runs and seven runs batted in for the Class AAA Memphis Redbirds. St. Louis acquired Bieser, primarily an outfielder who can play other positions, earlier this year from the Pittsburgh organization.

Lamonte Collier (Southeast Missouri State 1997) Philadelphia Phillies):

Collier, in his third year of professional baseball, is in his second season with the Class A Clearwater (Fla.) Phillies. After a slow start, the third baseman has lifted his average to .254, with five doubles, two triples and 20 RBIs.

Talley Haines (Cape Central High School, Southeast Missouri State, Freed Hardeman 1998) Tampa Bay Devil Rays:

Haines, a right-handed pitcher in his second pro season, continues to impress in his first year with the Class A Charleston (S.C.) Riverdogs. The reliever is 1-0 with 12 saves and a 2.90 earned-run average. In 40 1/3 innings, he has allowed 28 hits while striking out 49 and walking nine.

Steve Lowe (Southeast Missouri State 1999) Cleveland Indians:

Lowe is struggling in his first pro season, batting .146 for the Class A Mahoning Valley (Ohio) Scrappers. The shortstop has two doubles, one home run and four RBIs.

Cliff Politte (Cape Girardeau Capahas 1997) Philadelphia Phillies:

Politte, a right-handed pitcher who has spent parts of two seasons in the majors, is 5-7 with a 3.89 ERA for the Class AA Reading (Pa.) Phillies. In 88 innings, he has allowed 91 hits while striking out 80 and walking 29.

Kerry Robinson (Southeast Missouri State 1995) Cincinnati Reds:

Robinson, who played briefly in the majors late last season, was recently acquired by Cincinnati from Seattle after hitting .322 for Class AAA Tacoma (Wash.). The outfielder has gotten off to a slow start with the Class AAA Indianapolis Indians, batting .160 in five games. He has one home run, three RBIs and three stolen bases.

Ryan Spille (Southeast Missouri State 1999) Toronto Blue Jays:

Spille, a left-handed pitcher in his first pro season, is putting up solid numbers for the Class A Hagerstown (Md.) Suns. He is 3-1 with a 3.31 ERA, allowing 30 hits while striking out 30 and walking six in 32 2/3 innings.

Kevin Vent (Sikeston High School, Arkansas 1999) San Francisco Giants:

Vent, a right-handed pitcher in his first pro season, is 1-3 with a 5.28 ERA for the Class A Salem-Keizer (Ore.) Valcanoes. In 30 2/3 innings, he has allowed 37 hits while striking out 21 and walking nine.

Matt Whiteside (Charleston High School, Arkansas State 1990) San Diego Padres:

Whiteside, a right-handed pitcher in his 10th pro season, has spent more than five years in the majors. Hurling for the Class AAA Las Vegas Stars, he is 9-5 with a 5.26 ERA. In 78 2/3 innings, he has allowed 90 hits while striking out 80 and walking 25.