IN THE PROS

The following is a listing of players from area high schools or Southeast Missouri State University 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 (if applicable). Statistics are through Sunday.

Talley Haines, RHP

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

Haines, who is in fourth pro season and second with the Class AA Orlando (Fla.) Rays, is 1-5 with seven saves and a 4.33 ERA. In 43 2/3 innings, he has allowed 46 hits while striking out 43 and walking 19.

Dan Huesgen, RHP

(Southeast Missouri State 2000), Toronto Blue Jays:

Huesgen, who competed in the New York-Penn Rookie League last year during his first season as a professional, is out for the year after having shoulder surgery prior to the start of the campaign.

Jeremy Johnson, OF

(Egyptian High School, Southeast Missouri State 2000)

Toronto Blue Jays:

Johnson, the Pioneer Rookie League MVP last season in his initial pro campaign, is out for the year after having shoulder surgery prior to the start of the season.

Darin Kinsolving, 1B

(Southeast Missouri State 2000):

Kinsolving, in his second pro season and first with the Chillicothe (Ohio) Paints of the Independent Frontier League, is batting .269 with six doubles, two triples, one home run, 26 RBIs and 19 runs scored. He is fourth in the league in RBIs.

Todd Pennington RHP

(Southeast Missouri State 2001) Cleveland Indians:

The 2001 Ohio Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year, Pennington was taken in the 46th round of the June draft and this week joined the Mahoning Valley (Ohio) Scrappers of New York-Penn Rookie League. He is scheduled to make his first pro start later in the week.

Kerry Robinson OF

(Southeast Missouri State 1995) St. Louis Cardinals:

Robinson, who is in his seventh pro season and has spent brief parts of two previous seasons in the majors, is batting .303 with two doubles, one home run, six RBIs, 13 runs scored and two stolen bases for the Cardinals.

Ryan Spille, LHP

(Southeast Missouri State 1999) Toronto Blue Jays:

Spille, who completed his second pro season last year with the Class AA Tennessee Smokies, is out for the year after having shoulder surgery prior to the start of the campaign.

Tommy Thomas, RHP

(Southeast Missouri State 2001):

Thomas, in his rookie pro season with the River City (Mo.) Rascals of the Independent Frontier League, is 3-0 with a 1.91 ERA. In 28 1/3 innings, he has allowed 17 hits while striking out 26 and walking 11. He is second in the league in ERA.

Kevin Vent, RHP

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

Vent, in his third pro season, is 3-2 with a 4.61 ERA for the Class A San Jose (Calif.) Giants. In 56 2/3 innings, he has allowed 56 hits while striking out 46 and walking 15.

Phil Warren, IF/DH

(Southeast Missouri State 2000):

Warren, who was in his second season with the Chillicothe (Ohio) Paints of the Independent Frontier League, recently announced his retirement.

Matt Whiteside, RHP

(Charleston High School, Arkansas State 1990) Atlanta Braves:

Whiteside, who is in his 12th pro season and has spent most of five previous seasons in the majors, is 0-1 with a 6.46 ERA for the Braves. In 15 1/3 innings, he has allowed 21 hits while striking out 10 and walking seven.