Minor League Notebook : In a New League, He’s the Same Old Hamelin

One of Bobby Hamelin’s great attributes while at Rancho Santiago College was his home-run hitting prowess.

Hamelin, a first baseman, set state community-college records with 31 home runs and 105 runs batted in, and was named the Southern California player of the year. He also had a .514 batting average and led the Dons to the Orange Empire Conference championship.

He was drafted in the second round by the Kansas City Royals and was assigned to the team’s Class-A affiliate in Eugene, Ore. He chose the minors over a scholarship offer from the University of Texas.

Hamelin tried out for the U.S. Olympic team, but did not survive the third cut. He joined the Eugene Emeralds in late June and has made a big impact for the Northwest League team.

He is the league-leader in home runs with 12, which is half the Emeralds’ total this season. He has a .277 batting average, second-best on the club.

He leads the team in doubles (16), RBIs (49), walks (50) and games played (60).

This season has been nice, but Hamelin said it’s more of a learning experience, getting adjusted to playing everyday.

“It takes a couple weeks to get comfortable with the team and the atmosphere of the minor leagues,” Hamelin said. “With all those adjustments, I’m just starting to feel comfortable now and (the season is) just about over. I’m kind of just getting settled into pro ball.”

Hamelin said the city of Eugene really backs the club and that has boosted his confidence. The Emeralds draw an average of 3,000-4,000 spectators a game.

“It’s great to play here,” Hamelin said. “You don’t see that (big crowds) at other stadiums, especially in Class-A leagues.”

Bob Sharpnack’s future in professional baseball looked bright in 1985.

As a pitcher for Fountain Valley High School, Sharpnack had scouts stumbling over each other, trying to get a better look at the right-handed pitcher.

As a senior, Sharpnack had a 10-3 record with 117 strikeouts and a 1.05 earned-run average, helping the Barons to the Southern Section 4-A championship. As a junior, he was 10-2 with a 1.67 ERA.

He was selected in the second round of the June draft by the Angels.

“It’s a dream come true,” Sharpnack said the day he was drafted.

After three seasons struggling in Class-A ball in the Angel and the Oakland Athletic organizations, Sharpnack’s biggest claim to fame is that he was part of the deal that brought Don Sutton to the Angels.

Sharpnack and Jerome Nelson, a minor league outfielder, were sent by the Angels to the A’s in exchange for Sutton in September of 1985.

On the field, Sharpnack’s best season was 1987, when he went 7-10 with a 4.76 ERA for the A’s Midwest League team at Madison, Wis.

This season, Sharpnack moved up to the A’s double-A team at Huntsville, Ala., and has had a tough time.

Sharpnack has a 4-13 record. He was a starter for the first half, but has worked long relief in the second half.

“He’s a got a good arm on him, but it’s a big jump from single-A to double-A,” said Bill MacKay, the Huntsville general manager. “He gave up quite a few walks early in the year. You have to really get your curveball over for strikes. That’s the difference between single-A and double-A.”

Nevertheless, MacKay said the A’s have faith in Sharpnack’s abilities.

“He’ll start back here in double-A next year,” MacKay said. “Having this season of double-A ball under his belt, I think you’ll see him as one of our top starters.”

The Mota brothers, former Cal State Fullerton players, are making an impact at the plate this season.

Andy Mota, a first baseman for the Houston Astros’ rookie league team at Auburn, N.Y., is hitting .351, which leads the New York-Penn League. He also has a league-leading 86 hits, plus 40 RBIs and 28 stolen bases.

He has played first, second, third, left field and designated hitter this season.

Andy played for Fullerton in 1986 and was drafted by the Astros in 1987 in the 12th round. He hit .263 with 14 RBIs and 6 stolen bases in his first season.

Jose, who played for Fullerton from 1983-85, is an outfielder with the Dodgers’ double-A team in San Antonio, and is batting .262 in 79 games. The Dodgers obtained Jose from the Texas Rangers last year.