Dash Alumni Update

Matt Heidenreich will make his first professional start outside the White Sox system tonight (Jody Stewart/W-S Dash).

Over the last few weeks, the Dash’s roster has gone through drastic changes. Winston-Salem has endured 29 roster moves this month, with some of its bigger names leaving the Triad.

How have some of these former Dash players fared elsewhere? It’s time to find out.

Miguel Gonzalez (promoted to Double-A July 24): Gonzalez just joined the Barons after spending the entire season with the Dash. He started his first Southern League game last night and went 1-for-4 with a double during the Barons’ loss at Chattanooga.

Matt Heidenreich (promoted to Double-A July 4; traded to Houston July 21): After a starting spot in the All-Star Game and a team-leading eight wins in Winston-Salem, Heidenreich earned his first promotion to Double-A on our nation’s birthday. In three starts, the righty struggled a bit (1-2, 5.89 ERA). However, the White Sox saw a chance to improve their big league roster and shipped Heidenreich and Blair Walters to Houston for big league reliever Brett Myers. Heidenreich, now with Double-A Corpus Christi in the Texas League, makes his debut in the Astros’ system tonight against San Antonio.

Jake Petricka (promoted to Double-A July 21): The number five prospect in the White Sox minor league system according to Baseball America, Petricka was challenged with a promotion to Birmingham after having an up-and-down season in Winston-Salem. So far, so good for the right-hander, who recorded a quality start in his first appearance since the promotion. He held Montgomery to a pair of runs in six innings of action.

Carlos Sanchez has hit safely in all four games with Double-A Birmingham this season (Steve Orcutt/W-S Dash).

Carlos Sanchez (promoted to Double-A July 21): Sanchez, who still leads the Carolina League with 115 hits, has begun his Double-A career tremendously. The 20-year-old infield prospect is hitting .500 (8-for-16) with two runs scored through four games. He has hit safely in all of those contests, including a pair of three-hit showings. Sanchez went 3-for-4 in his Double-A debut Saturday.

Brady Shoemaker (promoted to Double-A July 2): A triple crown candidate in the Carolina League, Shoemaker is hitting .288 with two homers and 10 RBI in 20 games with the Barons. His power numbers may be a bit down, but the Brazil, Ind., native is still hitting .303 with a 1.023 OPS with runners on base.

Blair Walters (traded to Houston July 21): The other prospect shipped to Houston for Brett Myers, Walters was assigned to High-A Lancaster in the California League. He has yet to pitch for the JetHawks, but he is close to his home town of Oak Park, Calif., which is just an hour and a half away from his new home.

It was fun watching these guys, and many other former Dash players, compete in the Carolina League. Good luck to them in Alabama, California, Texas and beyond.

- Brian