Jeff Tully
BURBANK -- The meteoric rise of Wes Hutchison's baseball career is
going at an amazing rate.
In just over a year in the minor leagues, the former Burroughs High
star pitcher has advanced to the Triple A level in the San Francisco
Giants' organization.
Starting the season with the Double A Shreveport Swamp Dragons in the
Texas League, Hutchison was called up to Triple A Fresno of the Pacific
Coast League.
The jump to Fresno even surprised Hutchison.
"I was really pumped when they told me," said Hutchison, who turned 23
on Friday. "I was also kind of surprised that I was called up so
quickly."
Just one level away from the major leagues, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound
right-hander is relishing his success -- and still taking it all in.
"There are a lot of former major-leaguers here in Triple A," Hutchison
said. "Just to be here in the little time I have been in the minors is
amazing to me. This is really awesome."
Since being called up in February, Hutchison has pitched in 13 games.
Along with a 1-1 record and a 3.48 earned-run average, Hutchison has
allowed 19 hits, 13 runs, struck out 26 and walked seven in 20 2/3
innings.
"I even got a spot-start the other night," Hutchison said. "In the
game I pitched five innings and I allowed two hits and no runs. So I was
pretty happy with that.
"When I first got here in my first six appearances I did great. But
then I had some problems in a couple of games. But the last few games I
have done [well] and now I'm back."
Along with a difference in talent level from Double A to Triple A,
Hutchison said there are some other distinct differences.
"They treat us so well here," he said. "We get to travel by airplane
instead of by bus and the food here is so much better."
Success is nothing new for Hutchison, who has thrived and made an
impact at every level he has participated.
At Burroughs, Hutchison helped the Indians win their first Foothill
League championship in 40 years in 1997.
After two years at Glendale Community College, Hutchison helped
Lewis-Clark State College in Idaho win a National Assn. of
Intercollegiate Athletics title in 2000.
He was taken in the 10th round of the 2001 amateur draft by the
Giants. In his first minor league season with the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
of the Northwest League, he helped the team win a league championship.
With all of his recent success, Hutchison said he is just hoping to
stay healthy and improve as a pitcher.
"I am still learning, and I know I still have a lot to learn,"
Hutchison said.
"The big thing for me is to stay healthy and not to get any injures.
Also, I have to continue to do what I have to do toimprove."
"But I'm having fun, and this is great."
