Fall has always been my favorite time of year.  With the weather getting colder it can only mean one thing – playoffs.  Summer was short lived and now the postseason is upon us.  There’s only one October and as we get closer to determining a World Series Champion, the Baseball Factory wanted to reflect on the 2008 season.  Many of Baseball Factory’s alumni had standout years this season.  Take a look:

Carlos Quentin – Attended Stanford University and helped the Cardinals reach the CWS in 2001 to 2003.  Drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2003.  Currently plays for the Chicago White Sox.  Was selected to play in the 2008 All-Star Game.

2008 Stats
BA: .288 HR: 36  RBI: 100
Baseball Factory Events: 1999 Team One National, 1999 Team One Midwest

C.C. Sabathia – Was one of the top high school prospects entering the 1998 Draft.  Selected by the Cleveland Indians in 1998.  Won the AL Cy Young Award in 2007.  Currently plays for the Milwaukee Brewers.

2008 Stats
ERA: 2.70 W-L: 17-10 SO: 251
Baseball Factory Events: 1997 Team One National

Roy Halladay – Drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1995.  Won the AL Cy Young Award in 2003.  Still currently plays for the Blue Jays.  Was also selected to play in the 2008 All-Star Game.

2008 Stats
ERA: 2.78 W-L: 20-11 SO: 206
Baseball Factory Events: 1994 Team One National

Mark Teixeira – Attended Georgia Tech and set several records as a freshman.  Went on to be named the College Player of the Year in 2000 and was presented the Dick Howser Trophy.  Drafted by the Texas Rangers in 2001.  Won the AL Gold Glove Award in 2005 & 2006.  Currently plays for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

2008 Stats
BA: .308 HR: 33  RBI: 121
Baseball Factory Events: 1997 Team One National

B.J. Upton – Drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2002.  Became the first Ray to hit 20 homers and steal 20 bases in a single season.  Upton is one of only five players to hit .300 with 20 homers and 20 steals in a single season at his age or younger.  Still currently plays for the Rays.

2008 Stats
BA: .273 HR: 9  RBI: 67 Stolen Bases: 44
Baseball Factory Events: 2000 Team One East, 2001 Baseball Factory All-American

Josh Hamilton – Drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in 1999.  Was named USA Baseball’s Amateur Player of the Year and Baseball America’s High School Player of the Year.  Currently plays for the Texas Rangers.  Was also selected to play in the 2008 All-Star Game where he came in second during the Home Run Derby.

2008 Stats
BA: .304 HR: 32  RBI: 130
Baseball Factory Events: 1998 Team One National

Prince Fielder – Drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2002.  Became the youngest player in MLB history to reach the 50 home run mark.  Still currently plays for the Brewers.

2008 Stats
BA: .276 HR: 34  RBI: 102
Baseball Factory Events: 2001 Team One National

David Wright – Drafted by the New York Mets in 2001.  Won the NL Gold Glove Award in 2007.  Was also selected to play in the 2008 All-Star Game.  Still currently plays for the Mets.

2008 Stats
BA: .302 HR: 33  RBI: 124
Baseball Factory Events: 1999 Team One East, 2000 Team One National, 2000 & 2001 Baseball Factory All-American

Xavier Nady – Attended UC Berkeley and set the all-time Pac 10 conference record for slugging percentage (.729).  Drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2000.  Currently plays for the New York Yankees.

2008 Stats
BA: .305 HR: 25  RBI: 97
Baseball Factory Events: 1996 Team One National

Ian Kinsler – Attended the University of Missouri.  Drafted by the Texas Rangers in 2003.  Was also selected to play in the 2008 All-Star Game.  Still currently plays for the Rangers.

2008 Stats
BA: .319 HR: 18  RBI: 71
Baseball Factory Events: 1999 Team One West     

We want to congratulate all of the Baseball Factory players that competed in the Majors in 2008.  Here’s to another great season!

For the full list of Baseball Factory Alumni that went on to play in the big leagues, click here.