Minors offer major opportunity

By Chuck Carree

Staff Writer

Published: Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 9:26 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 9:35 p.m.

Trevor Lawhorn is not ready to retire, even though he is 25 and still in low Class A.

With the South Atlantic League season less than two weeks old, he has only four at-bats as a utility player for Hagerstown (Md.).

His twin brother Darryl also is a utility infielder for Stockton in the high Class A California League, where he has only six at-bats.

Both starred at New Hanover High School, where Darryl was a pitcher and Trevor was his catcher.

After speaking with Trevor by telephone on Friday, he is convinced the Washington Nationals' organization is keeping him as insurance in case of a rash of injuries throughout the system.

"There is a always a chance,'' he said. "In baseball you never know. What if two guys go down with injuries at the same position in Double A or Triple A and they have nobody to call up but you.''

"That's a real motivation to keep going, especially when you are not playing,'' he continued. "I am 25 in low A. That's what is keeping me going, you never know. As long as you work hard and stay in the organization, anything can happen.''

He can play first, second, third base and corner outfield spots and is an emergency catcher. And he said he would focus more on catching if the organization asks.

Lawhorn also understands his plight. The Suns are loaded with young prospects, many five and six years younger than him.

He played for Hagerstown last season, too, but expected to be at high A Potomac in the Carolina League. He blames his return on the trickle down effect created when Aaron Boone and Pete Orr, ex-big leaguers, accepted minor league assignments.

SUNS BREAK SLUMP WITH 3-2 WIN OVER CAPTAINS

EASTLAKE, OH – The Hagerstown Suns (7-10) broke a four-game slide with a 3-2 victory over the firstplace

Lake County Captains (11-6) at Classic Park in Eastlake, OH on Sunday.

With the game tied 2-2 Trevor Lawhorn drove in the winning run from second base.

Trevor has now improved his stats to:

.208  5 hits/1Double/1HR/5RBI...in only 10 games

Trevor a Pitcher????

Yup so it would seem. Trevor has pretty much been a utility player this year and to say he's "useful" would be an understatement. TWICE in the past weeks he has been called OUT OF THE BULLPEN!!  Yup...bullpen. Not only that but he's been quite successful...Check out these stats:

2 appearances, 2 hits, 2 Strikeouts, 1 save, ERA: 0.00

WAY TO GO TREVOR!!!