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 .267 with 11 doubles, three triples, 10 RBIs, 37 runs scored and seven 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 3-3 record with three saves and a 1.14 ERA. In 47 1/3 innings, he has allowed 31 hits while striking out 38 and walking 20.

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

Huesgen, selected in the 38th round of this year's draft, is 1-1 with one save and a 2.08 ERA for the Rookie League Queens (N.Y.) Kings. In 21 2/3 innings, he has allowed 24 hits while striking out 14 and walking eight.

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 .379 with nine home runs, 21 doubles, three triples, 55 RBIs, 60 runs scored and three stolen bases for the Advanced Rookie League Medicine Hat (Alberta) Blue Jays.

Darin Kinsolving, IF (Southeast Missouri State 2000):

Kinsolving, who was not selected in this year's draft, signed recently with the River City (Mo.) Rascals of the Independent Frontier League. He is batting .118 (2-for-17) with one double and six runs scored.

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

Lowe, in his second pro season, is batting .267 with one home run, four doubles, three triples, 19 RBIs, 16 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 from the Phillies to Class AAA Scranton-Wilkes Barre after his second stint with Philadelphia. He is 6-4 with a 3.40 ERA, allowing 83 hits while striking out 93 and walking 38 in 100 2/3 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 .314 with 14 doubles, seven triples, 27 RBIs, 62 runs scored and 36 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. He is 1-1 with a 4.18 ERA, allowing 23 hits while striking out eight and walking 10 in 23 2/3 innings.

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

Vent, in his second pro season, is 3-7 with a 5.94 ERA for the Class A Bakersfield (Calif.) Blaze. In 72 2/3 innings, he has allowed 110 hits while striking out 51 and walking 43.

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, was recently sent back down from the Padres to Class AAA Las Vegas, where he started the year. Since going back to Las Vegas, he is 2-3 with a 2.38 ERA, allowing 18 hits while striking out 21 and walking 10 in 22 2/3 innings.

Phil Warren, OF (Southeast Missouri State 2000):

Warren, who was not selected in this year's draft, signed earlier this summer with the Chillicothe (Ohio) Paints of the Independent Frontier League. He is batting .329 with one home run, six doubles, 10 RBIs and 12 runs scored.