MAJOR AMBITIONS

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. Statistics are through Sunday.

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

Bieser, a 12-year minor league veteran who has played parts of two seasons in the majors, is batting .267 with nine doubles, two triples, nine RBIs, 26 runs scored and five stolen bases for the Class AAA Memphis (Tenn.) Redbirds.

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

Haines, who is in his third pro season and first with the Class AA Orlando (Fla.) Rays, has a 2-1 record with one save and a 1.73 ERA. In 28 innings, he has allowed 21 hits while striking out 20 and walking 14.

Dan Huesgen, RHP (Southeast Missouri State 2000), Toronto Blue Jays:

Huesgen, selected in the 38th round of this year's draft, has appeared in three games without a decision for the Rookie League Queens (N.Y.) Kings. In 2 1/3 innings, he has allowed no earned runs and four hits, with no strikeouts and one walk.

Jeremy Johnson, OF (Egyptian High School, Southeast Missouri State 2000) Toronto Blue Jays:

Johnson, selected in the 26th round of this year's draft, is batting .373 with five home runs, 12 doubles, 27 RBIs, 32 runs scored and one stolen base for the Advanced Rookie League Medicine Hat (Alberta) Blue Jays.

Steve Lowe, IF (Southeast Missouri State 1999) Cleveland Indians:

Lowe, in his second pro season, is batting .283 with one home run, three doubles, three triples, 19 RBIs, 15 runs scored and three stolen bases for the Class A Columbus (Ga.) Redstixx.

Cliff Politte, RHP (Cape Girardeau Capahas 1997) Philadelphia Phillies:

Politte, who is in his fourth pro season and has spent parts of two previous seasons in the majors, was recently sent back down to Class AAA Scranton-Wilkes Barre (Pa.) after spending several weeks with the Phillies. He was 1-2 with an 4.91 ERA with the Phillies. In his two stints at Scranton, he is 6-4 with a 3.07 ERA, allowing 65 hits while striking out 74 and walking 31 in 82 innings.

Kerry Robinson OF (Southeast Missouri State 1995) New York Yankees:

Robinson, who is in his sixth pro season and has spent brief parts of two seasons in the majors, is batting .286 with 13 doubles, five triples, 21 RBIs, 46 runs scored and 27 stolen bases for the Class AAA Columbus (Ohio) Clippers.

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

Spille, in his second pro season, is 10-6 with a 4.56 ERA for the Class A Dunedin (Fla.) Blue Jays. In 102 2/3 innings, he has allowed 106 hits while striking out 73 and walking 32.

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

Vent, in his second pro season, is 1-5 with a 5.23 ERA for the Class A Bakersfield (Calif.) Blaze. In 41 1/3 innings, he has allowed 61 hits while striking out 34 and walking 26.

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

Whiteside, who is in his 11th pro season and has spent most of five previous seasons in the majors, is 2-3 with an 3.82 ERA with the Padres after being called up earlier this year from Class AAA Las Vegas. In 30 2/3 innings, he has allowed 27 hits while striking out 24 and walking 15.