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' local connection, his last year as an amateur and his major league affiliation.

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 five doubles, two home runs and 10 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 .257, with seven doubles, two triples and 21 RBIs.

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

Haine s, a right-handed pitcher in his second pro season, continues to put up solid numbers in his first year with the Class A Charleston (S.C.) Riverdogs. The reliever is 2-0 with 14 saves and a 3.40 earned-run average. In 47 2/3 innings, he has allowed 38 hits while striking out 59 and walking 10.

Steve Lowe (Southeast Missouri State 1999) Cleveland Indians:

Lowe continues to struggle in his first pro season, batting .179 for the Class A Mahoning Valley (Ohio) Scrappers. The shortstop has three doubles, one home run and five 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 6-7 with two saves and a 3.79 ERA for the Class AA Reading (Pa.) Phillies. In 95 innings, he has allowed 97 hits while striking out 85 and walking 30.

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 is off to a slow start with the Class AAA Indianapolis Indians, batting .185 in 15 games. He has one home run, seven RBIs and five stolen bases.

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

Spille, a left-handed pitcher in his first pro season, continues to put up solid numbers for the Class A Hagerstown (Md.) Suns. He is 4-1 with a 2.79 ERA, allowing 33 hits while striking out 35 and walking six in 38 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 4.96 ERA for the Class A Salem-Keizer (Ore.) Valcanoes. In 32 2/3 innings, he has allowed 39 hits while striking out 21 and walking 10.

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 four saves and a 5.07 ERA. In 81 2/3 innings, he has allowed 91 hits while striking out 81 and walking 26.

--Compiled by Marty Mishow