Posted on: Wednesday, June 4, 2003

High school outfielder top pick by Devil Rays

Associated Press

Delmon Young thinks he can provide the Tampa Bay Devil Rays with some help within two years.

The power-hitting outfielder from Camarillo High School in California was the first pick in yesterday's baseball draft, and would like to reach the major leagues before he's 19 — a path similar to the ones taken by Ken Griffey Jr., Alex Rodriguez and Andruw Jones.

All of them made their major league debuts before they were 20.

"That's the ultimate goal," Young said by telephone from his parents' home. "I'm trying to be just like them, get to the big leagues as fast as possible and have a great career."

Tampa Bay selected Young, the brother of the Detroit Tigers' Dmitri Young, over college second baseman Rickie Weeks, the NCAA batting champion whom some scouts feel is closer to being ready to play in the majors. The Devil Rays love Young's potential, saying he has advanced hitting skills that will give him a chance to get to the big leagues in a hurry.

"We as an organization felt there was no more of a difference than one year. So with that said, you have to take the best player," said Cam Bonifay, Tampa Bay's director of player personnel and scouting.

Young hit .541 with seven homers, 28 RBIs and 26 intentional walks in 22 games as a senior.

GIANTS

• Williams called up again: Rookie pitcher Kurt Ainsworth has a strained muscle in the back of his pitching shoulder and was placed on the 15-day disabled list yesterday.

He will miss his scheduled start today. The move is retroactive to May 31.

The Giants recalled Jerome Williams from Triple-A Fresno to take Ainsworth's spot in the rotation for at least this week. He will make his second big league start today against Minnesota.

Williams, a right-hander from Waipahu, was 4-2 with a 2.68 ERA in 10 starts at Fresno. He is 0-1 with an 11.25 ERA, losing in his major league debut April 26.

YANKEES

• Jeter appointed captain: Shortstop Derek Jeter was named the Yankees' 11th team captain yesterday.

Owner George Steinbrenner is the only person in the organization who can name a captain, and he suggested in the offseason that Jeter wasn't ready to assume the title that had been vacant since Don Mattingly retired in 1995.

Steinbrenner also questioned Jeter's focus and work ethic, prompting the five-time All-Star to defend himself at the start of spring training.

"It was never brought up again," Jeter said yesterday.

BREWERS

• Cruz signs extension: The Milwaukee Brewers have extended the contract of infielder Enrique Cruz for two years.

Cruz, 21, was the team's first choice in the 2002 draft of minor-league veterans not on the 40-man roster.

Cruz is batting .154 in 24 games, but has hit .364 since getting his first major league hit May 12.

RED SOX

• Growth on Lowe's nose not cancerous: A small growth removed from the nose of Red Sox pitcher Derek Lowe is not cancerous.

Lowe flew back to Boston last week to have the growth removed. The procedure was on the same part of his nose where he had skin cancer surgery in December.

Lowe is scheduled to start against Pittsburgh today.