If Healthy, He Can Hurt Foes

Adam Riggs is up to his usual act with the bat. If he stays healthy, this will be a successful year.

In 1997, Riggs hit .304 at Albuquerque, but he missed two months after breaking a bone in his left hand. Last season, the second baseman led the Pacific Coast League with a .371 average before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in May. Riggs, 26, is hitting .310 this season.

Also at Albuquerque (23-27), outfielder Brent Cookson leads the league in slugging percentage (.695). He’s hitting .326 with 14 homers (one shy of league lead) and 37 RBIs in 46 games.

San Antonio (23-27): Outfielder Tony Mota, 21, the youngest of Dodger Coach Manny Mota’s eight children, ranks third in the Texas League with a .358 average. Shortstop Mike Metcalfe, 26, who played in one game for the Dodgers last September, leads the league with 22 stolen bases. With Cardinal phenom Rick Ankiel promoted to triple A, pitcher Eric Gagne (4-1) leads the league with a 2.00 ERA.

San Bernardino (28-22): The Stampede, the only Dodger farm team with a winning record, is armed with the latest Mexican find of Mike Brito, the scout who discovered Fernando Valenzuela. Left-hander Randey Dorame, 20, of the Mexican state of Sonora, leads the California League with a 1.49 ERA. Dorame (5-2), in his first season in the U.S., is holding opposing hitters to a .191 average.

Vero Beach (19-33): Outfielder Wynter Phoenix, 24, demoted from San Bernardino last year to Vero Beach this year, is bidding to return. He leads the Florida State League with a .371 average. Third baseman Damian Rolls, 21, the Dodgers’ first-round draft pick in 1996, remains in class A in his fourth pro season. He’s hitting .324, but has 14 errors in 46 games.