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 (if applicable). 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 .266 with nine doubles, two triples, nine RBIs, 28 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 2-2 record with one save and a 1.54 ERA. In 35 innings, he has allowed 25 hits while striking out 27 and walking 16.

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

Huesgen, selected in the 38th round of this year's draft, has appeared in eight games and is 0-1 with a 2:08 ERA for the Rookie League Queens (N.Y.) Kings. In 8 2/3 innings, he has allowed 12 hits while striking out five and walking five.

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 .381 with five home runs, 19 doubles, two triples, 36 RBIs, 45 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 .265 with one home run, four 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 promoted to his second stint with the Phillies this year. He is 2-2 with a 3.72 ERA, allowing 26 hits while striking out 25 and walking 13 in 29 innings. His combined totals at AAA Scranton-Wilkes Barre (Pa.) are 6-4 with a 2.91 ERA, allowing 73 hits while striking out 87 and walking 36 in 96 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 .283 with 13 doubles, six triples, 21 RBIs, 50 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, was recently promoted to the Class AA Tennessee Smokies. In one appearance covering seven innings, he is 0-0 with a 1.29 ERA, allowing five hits while striking out one and walking three. For the Class A Dunedin (Fla.) Blue Jays, he was 10-6 with a 4.27 ERA, allowing 107 hits while striking out 82 and walking 35 in 109 2/3 innings.

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

Vent, in his second pro season, is 2-6 with a 5.63 ERA for the Class A Bakersfield (Calif.) Blaze. In 56 innings, he has allowed 81 hits while striking out 45 and walking 33.

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 4.14 ERA with the Padres after being called up earlier this year from Class AAA Las Vegas. In 37 innings, he has allowed 32 hits while striking out 27 and walking 17.

Phil Warren, OF (Southeast Missouri State 2000):

Warren, who was not selected in this year's draft, recently signed with the Chillicothe (Ohio) Paints of the Independent Frontier League. His is batting .261 (6-for-23) with one double, three RBIs and five runs scored.