The Los Angeles Dodgers gave the onetime Long Island and Newark outfielder a new contract, renewing their faith the 33-year-old can help the major league team. That's exactly what he did after his August 8 promotion from Albuquerque as he had the second best slugging percentage (.502), tied for third in home runs (five) and was fifth in RBI (17) for the rest of the National League season. Overall, Gibbons hit .280 in 37 games after going .347-19-83 in 95 games Triple-A.
The lefty-hitting Gibbons is one of four Atlantic League grads currently on major league 40-man rosters.
BUSY WINTER LEAGUE PLAY
It was not long ago when Independent league players had a difficult time finding Winter League opportunities, but that is not the case any longer.
The best winter league pitching marks belong to southpaw Alberto Castillo, who shuttled between the Baltimore bullpen and Triple-A all summer. He has five victories (in as many decisions) already to lead the Mexican Pacific League. Castillo ranks third with a 2.25 ERA after five starts. He has been a frequent Atlantic League player in Newark and Camden plus the traveling Road Warriors.
Jarrett Grube, whose contract was purchased by Seattle from Southern Maryland early in the Atlantic League season, is 3-1, 2.28 after five starts in Venezuela. Andy Van Hekken, a Houston farmhand and former Somerset hurler, has not figured in any decisions and has a 3.48 earned run average in the Dominican Republic.
Among hitters, the Mexican League batting leader is New York Yankees minor league outfielder Justin Christian (Southern Maryland) at .411, with Sandy Madera (Newark, NJ) sixth at .352. Christian has 12 extra base hits, including four homers, in 90 at-bats. Madera's 23 RBI in 91 at-bats rank No. 2 in the league, and the first baseman-DH has seven home runs.
Outfielder Michael Ryan (Somerset)is hitting .330 in Venezuela. A free agent after playing in the Los Angeles Angels system, including some time with the parent club, Ryan has three home runs and 16 RBI.
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