Posted August 3, 200321 yr Read this, especially the last paragraph. You'll get a kick. Willis Continues to Be "Impressive" March 8, 2003 Dontrelle Willis knows he is not poised to start off the 2003 season with the Florida Marlins. But the 21-year-old lefty may have nudged himself in the right direction Thursday night. In three innings against the Montreal Expos Thursday night, Willis gave up two total runs (one earned) off of two hits in his first start of the Grapefruit League season, as the Marlins drenched Montreal 11-2. "Impressive" says manager Jeff Torborg. "He's a winner." The 2002 Minor League Pitcher of the Year, Dontrelle has already compiled a large resume as minor leaguer in the Marlins organization after coming to Florida in last year’s Blockbuster deal that sent pitchers Antonio Alfonseca and Matt Clement to the Chicago Cubs for pitcher Julian Tavarez and a few minor-leaguers. One of those minor-leaguers happened to be Willis. The young minor-league star split a 12-2 record between Single-A and Double-A last year, with an ERA less than 2.00, and continues to turn heads as Spring Training progresses. He will most likely start out the 2003 season in Jupiter (Single-A), and will most likely end up in Carolina (Double-AA) later on, assuming that he doesn't land the fifth spot in the rotation (95% unlikely). When you will see Dontrelle pitching in the Majors, who knows. At this rate, he could end up as a starter in the Marlins young, high-powered rotation as early as next season, which might be a safe bet to make.
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