Oilers Corner

Oilers add Highlander to roster

The Peninsula Oilers added right-handed pitcher A.J. Shappi to the 2002 roster.

The 6-foot-1 freshman hurler from Yorba Linda, Calif., attends the University of California-Riverside and is studying political science.

The Division I Highlanders compete in the Big West Conference and their coaching staff includes 1989 Oilers head coach Doug Smith and 2001 Oilers pitching coach Andrew Cheketts.

J.D. Drew (Oilers 1995) has signed a one-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals for the 2002 season. The veteran of four major league seasons has a career batting average of .291 with 63 home runs.

Two members of the 1997 Oilers were involved in a trade recently when the Oakland Athletics sent pitcher Mario Ramos and outfielder Ryan Ludwick to the Texas Rangers.

The pair split time during the 2001 season with Oakland's Triple A affiliate Sacramento Rivercats and Double A Midland Rockhounds. Ramos combined for 16 wins against just four losses in 28 starts while Ludwick batted a combined .264 with 26 home runs in 136 games.

Jeff Pickler (Oilers 1995) also was acquired by the Rangers in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers late in the 2001 season. Pickler is the son of 1995 Oilers coach Scott Pickler, who is now head coach at Cypress College.

Oilers Corner is submitted weekly during the offseason by Mike Baxter, baseball operations manager for the Peninsula Oilers Alaska Baseball League team. For more information, contact the Oilers at 283-7133 or stop by the office on the corner of Cook Avenue and Main Street in Kenai.