Cal State Baseball News

CAL STATE EAST BAY ALUM FINDS SUCCESS IN PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL

Former Cal State East Bay baseball player Archie Gilbert joined the rest of the Midland RockHounds in celebrating their Texas League championship on Sept. 20, after the Oakland Athletics' AA-affiliate topped Northwest Arkansas in the decisive fourth game of the best-of-five championship series. Gilbert, a 2005 East Bay grad, has now been a part of two straight championship teams after helping the Stockton Ports take home the California League title in 2008.

An Association of Division III Independents first-team All-Independent selection, Gilbert hit .358 over four seasons as a Pioneer, writing his name into the record books as one of the most prolific hitters and base stealers in Cal State East Bay history. Hailing from Hayward, Calif., Gilbert holds the Pioneer career records for runs (169), hits (243), RBI (148), doubles (53) and triples (15). The James Logan High School product also ranks second all-time in homeruns with 26 and is among the top 10 in walks, stolen bases and batting average.

Gilbert contributed a homerun in the Rockhounds' 7-6 victory over the Naturals on Sept. 16 and finished the season batting .283 with three homeruns and 29 stolen bases to his name. The RockHounds clinched the South Division with a 41-29 record in the second half of the season and rebounded from a series-opening, 11-5, loss to Northwest Arkansas to capture the title with four-straight wins, including a 4-2 victory in 12 innings to end the series.

Last season, Gilbert played with the California League's Stockton Ports, the Athletics' single-A affiliate, collecting 2008 California League Postseason Most Valuable Player honors. The Ports downed the Lancaster Jethawks in four games, with Gilbert driving in six runs in the series opener and going 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs in the finale to take home the MVP hardware. Gilbert batted over .600 in the postseason and drove in eight runs in the four-game series. Gilbert also added his name to the Ports' record book in 2008, hitting for the cycle on June 19, 2008, and posting a California League season-high 25-game hitting streak in April and May.

The Ports recognized Gilbert's success with Archie Gilbert Bobblehead Day at Banner Island Ballpark this season, giving away collectibles featuring Gilbert's likeness on July 11. Gilbert was originally signed by the Boston Red Sox as a non-drafted free agent in 2005 before being picked up by the Chicago White Sox in May 2006. The Oakland Athletics signed Gilbert to a Minor League contract on Dec. 14, 2007.

After two straight successful seasons in minor league baseball, Gilbert looks poised to continue his rise up the ranks of the Athletics' organization.

Archie Gilbert honored with his own Bobblehead!

Former CSUEB Baseball Alum Enjoying Success
Archie Gilbert Honing Baseball Skills in Minor Leagues
9/30/2009 2:26:06 PM

Former Cal State East Bay baseball player Archie Gilbert joined the rest of the Midland RockHounds in celebrating their Texas League championship on Sept. 20, after the Oakland Athletics' AA-affiliate topped Northwest Arkansas in the decisive fourth game of the best-of-five championship series.

Gilbert, a 2005 East Bay grad, has now been a part of two straight championship teams after helping the Stockton Ports take home the California League title in 2008.

An Association of Division III Independents first-team All-Independent selection, Gilbert hit .358 over four seasons as a Pioneer, writing his name into the record books as one of the most prolific hitters and base stealers in Cal State East Bay history. Hailing from Hayward, Calif., Gilbert holds the Pioneer career records for runs (169), hits (243), RBI (148), doubles (53) and triples (15). The James Logan High School product also ranks second all-time in homeruns with 26 and is among the top 10 in walks, stolen bases and batting average.

Gilbert contributed a homerun in the Rockhounds' 7-6 victory over the Naturals on Sept. 16 and finished the season batting .283 with three homeruns and 29 stolen bases to his name. The RockHounds clinched the South Division with a 41-29 record in the second half of the season and rebounded from a series-opening, 11-5, loss to Northwest Arkansas to capture the title with four-straight wins, including a 4-2 victory in 12 innings to end the series.

Last season, Gilbert played with the California League's Stockton Ports, the Athletics' single-A affiliate, collecting 2008 California League Postseason Most Valuable Player honors. The Ports downed the Lancaster Jethawks in four games, with Gilbert driving in six runs in the series opener and going 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs in the finale to take home the MVP hardware. Gilbert batted over .600 in the postseason and drove in eight runs in the four-game series. Gilbert also added his name to the Ports' record book in 2008, hitting for the cycle on June 19, 2008, and posting a California League season-high 25-game hitting streak in April and May.

The Ports recognized Gilbert's success with Archie Gilbert Bobblehead Day at Banner Island Ballpark this season, giving away collectibles featuring Gilbert's likeness on July 11. Gilbert was originally signed by the Boston Red Sox as a non-drafted free agent in 2005 before being picked up by the Chicago White Sox in May 2006. The Oakland Athletics signed Gilbert to a Minor League contract on Dec. 14, 2007.

After two straight successful seasons in minor league baseball, Gilbert looks poised to continue his rise up the ranks of the Athletics' organization.

Rockhounds Win the 2009 Texas League Championship. Archie Gilbert is a Champion for the second year in a row!!!

The RockHounds won the 2009 Texas League championship against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals.

The 'Hounds defeated the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, 4-2 in 12 innings, to claim the third championship ... and the second outright title ... in franchise history. The title is the second in five seasons, with both of the outright titles coming in the RockHounds / Oakland A's era.

With the Hounds trailing 2-0 entering the ninth, Corey Brown laced his second home run to tie the game at 2-2.

Raul Padron then hit a 2-run home run in the 12th inning to give the Hounds the winning runs needed.

Tyson Ross who is another Bay Area product was on top of his game, throwing 6.0 shutout innings, allowing three hits and one walk, striking out eleven.

Archie Gilbert's Accomplishments:

Finished 18th in Texas League Batting Leaders with a .289 AVG.

Lead his team with 29 Stolen Bases.

Tied for 3rd as League leader in runs with 81.

Was 6th in Stolen Bases with 29.

Was 7th in On-Base Pct. at .384

Congratulations!!!

Archie Gilbert Homers in Game 2 Must Win

Archie Gilbert hit a homerun to left-center field in an inning that saw two other Midland player hit homeruns also.

The Rockhounds won 7-6 on the back of a huge 5 run sixth inning.

Archie is now batting .263 for the series.

Jemille Weeks also hit his second homerun of the series in the same inning.

Rockhounds Advance to the Texas League Championship Series

The RockHounds are the champions of the Texas League South Division, and will face the Northwest Arkansas Naturals in the league championship series, beginning Tuesday at Citibank Ballpark. They beat the San Antonio Missions 5-2 to win the series.

Archie was 1 for 2 with a run scored and 2 walks.

Archie dazzles in the outfield again!!

Hounds Survive Scare To Take 2-1 Series Lead

Archie Gilbert made the defensive play of the night, a full-tilt, diving catch of a sinking line drive off the bat of Mitch Canham, with one on, ending the sixth inning.

2009 SECOND HALF SEASON STATS FOR ARCHIE GILBERT

1ST Half/2ND Half
AVG. .292/AvG. .283
G 69/G 119
R 52/R 81
H 79/H 127
2B 8/2B 16
3B 4/3B 5
HR 1/HR 3
RBI 31/RBI 39
TB 98/TB 162
BB 33/BB 61
SO 28/SO 52
SB 17/SB 29
CS 9/CS 15
OBP .387/OBP .384
SLG .362/SLG .361
OPS .749/OPS .744

Rockhounds win Game 1; 1-0 in 11 innings.

The Rockhounds beat the San Antonio Mission 1-0 to take a 1 game lead in the best of 5 series for the Texas League South Division Championship Series.

Archie Gilbert's Perfect Game

Archie Gilbert went 3-for-3, plus a walk and a stolen base in the Midland Rockhounds 8-4 win over the San Antonio Missions.

Scouting Report 8/21/2009

This is a scouting report on Archie Gilbert. Ironically, Archie hit a homerun after this report was submitted.

Archie Gilbert, CF
Hitting .286/.387/.362 with 25 steals in 39 attempts, 53 walks, 46 strikeouts in 398 at-bats. Very fast, and can really scoot in center field. Didn't look like much offensively in this game other than his speed, appears to lack power. At age 26 his prospect status is limited, but it wouldn't surprise me to see him get some emergency action as a reserve outfielder sometime.

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2009/8/21/997716/scouting-report-midland-rockhounds
John Sickels

8/28/09

Archie Gilbert hit a solo shot homerun down the left field line for a 6-0 lead in the sixth inning. Archie also made two "Web Gem" caliber diving catches in center.

Archie Gilbert Hitting a Homerun

I found this video posted of Archie hitting a homerun and circling the bases.

Happy Birthday AG

ACHIE GILBERT'S FIRST HALF STATS

AVG. .292
G 69
R 52
H 79
2B 8
3B 4
HR 1
RBI 31
TB 98
BB 33
SO 28
SB 17
CS 9
OBP .387
SLG .362
OPS .749

CARTER TO PLAY IN THE FUTURES GAME

OAKLAND -- Less than a year after appearing in the showcase game for baseball's top prospects last summer at Yankee Stadium, right-hander Trevor Cahill and lefty Brett Anderson are very much a part of the present for the 2009 A's.
Both 21 years old, they claimed spots in the starting rotation in their first trip to big league Spring Training.

Also at camp with the big boys for the first time this spring were second baseman Jemile Weeks and first baseman Chris Carter, who were announced Thursday as Oakland's representatives in this year's showcase.

The 11th annual XM All-Star Futures Game, pitting the best Minor League prospects from the United States against the best from the rest of the World, will be held at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on All-Star Sunday, July 12, at 11 a.m. PT. MLB.com will provide complete coverage before, during and after the game, which can be seen live on ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD and followed live on Gameday.

Weeks, 22, was selected by the A's in the first round (12th overall) of last June's First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Miami. He batted .297 with a .422 on-base percentage in 19 games with Low-A Kane County last season before suffering a season-ending hip injury the forced him to stay behind for extra work at extended Spring Training this year.

Assigned to High-A Stockton once cleared to play, Weeks was batting .395 with six homers, 19 RBIs and a .489 OBP in 19 games for the Ports through Wednesday.

Also 22, Carter was a 15th-round pick of the White Sox in 2005, traded to the D-backs on Dec. 3, 2007, then flipped to the A's 11 days later as part of the deal that sent Dan Haren to Arizona.
A 6-foot-4 slugger, Carter was named Oakland's 2008 Organizational Player of the Year after batting .259 with 39 home runs and 104 RBIs in 137 games for Stockton. Only one player in the Minors hit more homers than Carter, who led all Minor Leaguers with 75 extra-base hits and 288 total bases.

Assigned to Double-A Midland to start the season, Carter was batting .295 with 10 homers, 23 doubles, 49 RBIs, a .400 OBP and a Texas League-high 57 runs in 70 games through Tuesday for the RockHounds.

Weeks and Carter will suit up for the U.S. Team in St. Louis; Weeks is from Florida and Carter is from Nevada.

Mychael Urban is a national writer for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

ARCHIE AT THE PLATE

Today, Archie went 2 for 3 with 3 runs scored and 1 RBI

Dee-termination: Brown perseveres during pro baseball career

By Laura Rasmussen / Albuquerque Isotopes

Over his 14-year career the team names scripted across Dee Brown's chest have changed 12 times.

Midway through a tumultuous part of that career, Brown grasped that it wasn't what was sewn on the front of his jersey that mattered, but rather the letters across the back - his last name.

"You may believe you are playing for the team on the front, but really you are playing for the name on the back, your last name," Brown said. "You are playing for yourself."
The shift signaled Brown's way of putting his situation in a perspective all his own.

A first round draft pick by the Kansas City Royals in 1996, Brown was a minor-league sensation. Long before becoming an Albuquerque Isotope, he was synonymous with the word "prospect."

He was drafted 14th overall at the age of 18, making his Major League debut by the time he was 20. Baseball America named him the Royals Minor League Player of the Year in 1999, the same year he started the first-ever Futures All-Star game at Fenway Park. By 2001, he found himself on Kansas City's Opening Day roster for the first time, playing in 106 games, his most in a single season at the big league level.

After spending 10 years in the Royals system, Brown, who signed as a free agent by the Dodgers in January, has spent the past three years with seven different franchises.
A list of injuries and some tough luck led Brown down an unforeseen path, but the Bronx, N.Y., native, stayed true to his talent, his ability, and himself.

"When you are young, you kind of expect to be in the Major Leagues. You expect to be great. You expect to make a lot of money. Then when it doesn't happen, it is a tough reality," he said.

"You realize it is a business and that was the hardest thing to swallow - the game within the game. It took me a long time, until I was about 27 or 28 to realize the business side. You have to form a shield and believe in yourself. It becomes a challenge, but it is what I have chosen."

While Brown has played in more minor league games (1,152) than Major League games (271), the Isotope says he has come to appreciate the things the game offers at each level, like traveling and meeting new people, in addition to the opportunity to simply still be playing.

"Deep down inside you have to know what you can and can't do, like anything in life. You learn to keep things in perspective."

The perspective Brown has adopted is that as long as there is a jersey with his last name on it, he will keep playing, despite the level.

"I am here for a reason. I could easily not be playing. I have friends making it in professional ball and those who lasted two or three years, so I see both aspects of that. Regardless of me switching from team to team, in the end I have to make the best of it.

I have battled injuries. That is why I am where I am. I have struggled a lot with my health in the big leagues, which always hurt my production. I am still here even though a lot of people didn't think I would still be here playing, but it has been fun, and I continue to have fun playing."
For Albuquerque, Brown has primarily played left field with occasional roles as the 'Topes designated hitter. His performance, like his personality, has become instantly entertaining.
The left-handed hitter has put on some remarkable shows at Isotopes Park, a place he admits he is fond of calling his home park.

"Since day one, since the first game, I felt really comfortable here," Brown noted of playing in Albuquerque. "I thought to myself I could really enjoy playing here all year. That is what I am trying to do, come out here and entertain the fans."

Since a 4-for-5 outing on May 8 against New Orleans, Brown has not batted below .280, collecting 10 of his 12 home runs since that game, three of which came in a single contest on May 22 when the Isotopes hosted the Salt Lake Bees, Brown's 2008 team.

The slugger has struck out just 11 times over 104 plate appearances since May 8 as well and finished the month with a .351 batting clip. His 41 RBI and .314 batting average through June 10 are third best on the team

The numbers are prospect-esque and reminiscent of Brown's early years.
And regardless of where they take him, Brown will keep them in an importantly discovered perspective.

The perspective of the name of the back of his uniform. His own.

WHAT A HOME RUN LOOKS LIKE!!!

ARCHIE AT THE PLATE

In Friday's game against the San Antonio Missions, Archie "A.G." Gilbert went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI's and 1 Stolen Base.

AG IN SPRING TRAINING BP!!!!

Here we find Archie Gilbert, Star Outfield Prospect of the Oakland A's getting his swings in. Spring Training 2009.

-Beno

VISIT THE HALL OF FAME

http://web.baseballhalloffame.org/index.jsp

ARCHIE'S BASEBALL CARD

Rockhounds are back on track!!

The Rockhounds won 7-6 against the Frisco RoughRiders, scoring 1 run in the bottom of the 12th inning!

Archie went 1 for 6 with a run scored and one RBI.

Pittsburgh is the Place!!! Exhibit that celebrates Negro League

By The Tribune-Review Saturday, June 24, 2006

The Pirates on Monday will unveil a unique, permanent exhibit at PNC Park which pays tribute to the Homestead Grays and Pittsburgh Crawfords.

The display, located behind the left-field gate entrance, will include a theater, statues and interactive features. It will highlight some of the greatest players -- such as Josh Gibson, Satchel Paige and Buck Leonard -- from the era of segregated baseball.

"It's about tapping into baseball history and Negro Leagues history, and how it really parallels the history of Pittsburgh," Pirates spokesman Brian Warecki said.

"It's a sort of celebration, but it's also an educational exhibit -- more than just a statue or some signage. It's truly going to be hall of fame-like."

The exhibit has been in the planning stages for more than a year. It was pieced together with the help of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Mo.

"We're very excited Pittsburgh continues to be one of the leaders among major-league teams in celebrating the heritage of black baseball," said Bob Kendrick, the museum's director of marketing. "The Pirates have been at the forefront of this for a long time."

In September 1988, on the 40th anniversary of the Grays winning the final Negro League World Series, the Pirates held a pregame ceremony to honor the Negro Leagues. That event, the first by a major-league team, helped spark a nationwide resurgence of interest in the Negro Leagues.
"The Pirates, for all their ineptitude on the field, ought to be given a lot of credit for staying with this topic," said Rob Ruck, a Pitt professor and Negro League historian.
There are small exhibits for the Negro Leagues in Kansas City and Milwaukee, but nothing on the scale of what the Pirates are doing. Kendrick hopes this starts another trend at big-league ballparks.

"Our dream would be to have these types of satellite exhibits in every city that had a Negro League team," Kendrick said. "There are so many stories that still need to be told."

Hounds lose Five Games in a Row.

The Rockhounds (33-28) have lost five straight games. The are now tied for first place with San Antonio.

ARCHIE GOES 4 for 4. Has 12 game Hitting Streak!

Archie Gilbert is having a great baseball season thus far for the Midland Rockhounds (AA Affiliate of the Oakland A's) Since moving to the lead-off spot Archie has been sensational, making several terrific plays in the outfield and continuing his torrid pace at the plate. Archie went 4-for-4, all singles, scoring after his first inning single and driving in a run with each of his next three. Gilbert extended his hit streak to 11 games and has now reached base in 23 straight. Currently hitting .335 with 26 RBI's and 14 Stolen Bases, we can't wait till he gets to the SHOW!!!.

ARCHIE GILBERT Named MVP!!!!

Archie Gilbert went 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored en route to postseason MVP honors. After hitting for the cycle earlier this season, he drove in six runs in the series opener, then delivered a bases-loaded single in the seventh leading up to Carter's grand slam.

"Archie, since day one of the playoffs, has really been very disciplined and intense at the plate," said Stockton manager Darren Bush. "It carried all the way through for him. He did a great job."
Gilbert was 0-for-11 with the bases loaded during the season but was batting .600 in the postseason before coming through with the go-ahead hit. He finished with eight RBIs in the four-game series.

It's the first championship for Stockton since the club signed on with the Oakland organization four years ago. The Ports' last title came as an affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.
Earlier Sunday, the Athletics' Triple-A affiliate in Sacramento won its second straight Pacific Coast League championship.


Danny Wild is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

The Launch of Archie Gilbert!!!

This blog is about following Archie Gilbert's baseball career. From his playing days at James Logan High School, through his stellar College Career at California State University, Hayward a.k.a. California State University, East Bay, to his debut to Major League Baseball.

Follow along, and you too will become a fan of this exciting and great baseball player.

-Beno

10 GAME HIT STREAK!!!

Archie Gilbert extended his hit streak to 10 games with a leadoff double in the third inning, and Josh Horton drove him in with an RBI single. Horton later came home on Josh Donaldson's ground out, scoring what would be the winning run.

THE GLOVE!!!

Archie Gilbert's sensational catch in deep center off the bat of Mark Ori denied a potential Corpus Christi threat in the second.

In addition to his great catch, Archie Gilbert had a 3-hit game, extending his on-base sreak to 13 games.

THE PERFECT LEAD OFF MAN

Archie Gilbert Breaks Out
By Bob Hards / Midland RockHounds

With Corey Wimberly sidelined, the role of lead-off batter for the RockHounds has gone to Archie Gilbert. Turns out he's a method actor and is absorbed in the role.

In the first inning, Archie singled to left, extending his hit streak to eight games, and he was just getting warmed up. He walked and stole a base in the third ... walked and scored in the fifth .... drove an RBI double to left-center in the sixth ... then capped the RockHounds scoring with his first home run at the Double-A level, a two-run laster into the left field bullpen.

Archie, the lead-off batter, lit the fuse, and the 'Hounds exploded. Chris Carter hit his second home run, part of a 4-for-5 night. The big guy scored twice, drove in his 22nd and 23rd runs, and stole a base for good measure.