1997 Kinston Indians Roster
Team Record: 87-53
Finished 1st in the CL's South Division
Manager: Joel Skinner (87-53)
Affiliation: Cleveland Indians
Location: Kinston, North Carolina
Ballpark: Grainger Stadium
Attendance: 151,953, Avg. 2,374 in 64 home dates
Finals - Lynchburg Hillcats 3 games, Kinston Indians 1
The Kinston Indians of the Carolina League ended the 1997 season with a record of 87 wins and 53 losses, finishing first in the league's South Division.
The Indians scored 775 runs, most in the league. Kinston conceded 597 runs, the lowest total in the circuit. Danny Peoples walloped 34 home runs for the team, while Heath Hayes, Scott Morgan, Russell Branyan, Tim Jorgensen and Darren Stumberger each swatted 15 or more as well. Danny Peoples drove in 84 runs. Darren Stumberger topped batters with significant playing time by hitting .283. Frankie Sanders led the squad with 11 wins, and Jim Crowell recorded a 2.37 ERA, tops among pitchers with enough qualifying appearances.
Members of the 1997 Kinston Indians who played in Major League Baseball during their careers were David Riske, Mark Budzinski, Jason Rakers, Russell Branyan, Jim Crowell, John McDonald, Marco Scutaro, Scott Winchester, Joe Horgan and Willie Martínez.
Joel Skinner served as manager.Click on column headings to sort.
| Player | Bats | Throws | Birth Date | Height | Weight | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ross Atkins | R | R | August 7, 1973 | 6'2" | 195 | Greensboro, NC US |
| Junior Betances | R | R | May 26, 1973 | 5'11" | 165 | La Vega, La Vega DO |
| Russell Branyan | L | R | December 19, 1975 | 6'4" | 235 | Warner Robins, GA US |
| Mark Budzinski | L | L | August 26, 1973 | 6'2" | 180 | Baltimore, MD US |
| David Caldwell | L | L | November 14, 1974 | 6'3" | 190 | Brooklyn, NY US |
| Jared Camp | R | R | May 4, 1975 | 6'2" | 195 | Huntington, WV US |
| Patricio Claudio | R | R | April 12, 1972 | 6'0" | 173 | Santiago, Santiago DO |
| Jim Crowell | L | L | May 14, 1974 | 6'4" | 220 | Minneapolis, MN US |
| Marc Deschenes | R | R | January 6, 1973 | 6'2" | 175 | Lowell, MA US |
| Jon Edwards | R | R | June 15, 1973 | 6'0" | 175 | Salem, OR US |
| Pat Evans | S | R | December 5, 1972 | 5'10" | 175 | Boston, MA US |
| Alberto Garza | R | R | May 25, 1977 | 6'3" | 190 | Toppenish, WA US |
| Ricky Gonzalez | R | R | November 13, 1974 | 6'0" | 185 | Miami, FL US |
| Chris Granata | R | R | February 26, 1972 | 6'0" | 205 | Toledo, OH US |
| Greg Granger | R | R | March 7, 1973 | 6'5" | 200 | Bloomington, IN US |
| Rafael Gross | R | R | August 8, 1974 | 5'10" | 155 | San Cristobal, San Cristobal DO |
| Heath Hayes | R | R | February 29, 1972 | 6'3" | 195 | Roseville, CA US |
| Joe Horgan | L | L | June 7, 1977 | 6'1" | 200 | Sacramento, CA US |
| Keith Horn | R | R | May 17, 1974 | 5'11" | 185 | Pine Bluff, AR US |
| Mike Huelsmann | S | R | November 21, 1974 | 5'11" | 165 | St. Louis, MO US |
| Tim Jorgensen | L | R | November 30, 1972 | 6'3" | 200 | Kewaunee, WI US |
| Joe Kilburg | L | R | December 20, 1975 | 5'11" | 180 | Cleveland, OH US |
| Matt Koeman | R | R | October 13, 1973 | 6'3" | 200 | Denver, CO US |
| Johnny Martinez | R | R | November 25, 1972 | 6'3" | 168 | Monte Cristi, Monte Cristi DO |
| Willie Martínez | R | R | January 4, 1978 | 6'2" | 180 | Barquisimeto, Lara VE |
| Jarrod Mays | R | R | October 8, 1974 | 6'4" | 190 | El Dorado Springs, MO US |
| John McDonald | R | R | September 24, 1974 | 5'9" | 185 | New London, CT US |
| Brett Merrick | L | L | May 30, 1974 | 6'0" | 180 | Seattle, WA US |
| Scott Morgan | R | R | July 19, 1973 | 6'7" | 230 | Westlake Village, CA US |
| Bobby Morris | L | R | November 22, 1972 | 6'0" | 175 | Hammond, IN US |
| Mel Motley | R | R | February 5, 1974 | 6'4" | 202 | Los Angeles, CA US |
| Danny Peoples | R | R | January 20, 1975 | 6'1" | 225 | Round Rock, TX US |
| Julio Perez | R | R | May 18, 1974 | 6'1" | 163 | San Cristobal, San Cristobal DO |
| Jon Petke | R | R | January 14, 1973 | 6'1" | 195 | Mission Viejo, CA US |
| Jason Rakers | R | R | June 29, 1973 | 6'2" | 197 | Pittsburgh, PA US |
| David Riske | R | R | October 23, 1976 | 6'2" | 175 | Renton, WA US |
| Frankie Sanders | R | R | August 27, 1975 | 5'11" | 175 | Sarasota, FL US |
| Marco Scutaro | R | R | October 30, 1975 | 5'10" | 185 | San Felipe, Yaracuy VE |
| Darren Stumberger | R | R | April 11, 1973 | 6'3" | 202 | West Nyack, NY US |
| Teddy Warrecker | L | R | October 1, 1972 | 6'6" | 215 | Santa Barbara, CA US |
| Scott Winchester | R | R | April 20, 1973 | 6'2" | 210 | Midland, MI US |
Average attendance is based upon the number of actual home dates where known (most leagues from 1992 and later). Where the number of home dates is not known, the average is calculated using half the team's total games.
