Not often do minor-league players have the chance to play in each of their club's games. Whether it's because of injury, promotion or even demotion. Come season's end, it is rare to find an "Ironman" who has endured an entire season of baseball.

With the midway point of the minor-league season upon us, there are 17 players who have participated in all of their respective teams games.

Three members of the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons headline the 2002 "Ironman" class. Outfielders Dave Doster and Eric Valent and third baseman Chase Utley each have appeared in 74 games for Scranton. Outfielder Marlon Byrd is one game shy, playing in 73 games for the Red Barons. Doster leads the quartet with a .309 batting average thus far.

Down at the Double-A level in the Phillies organization, outfielder Jorge Padilla played in 72 straight games thus far for the Reading Phillies of the Eastern League.

In the Triple-A Pacific Coast League, Edmonton outfielder Mike Restovich has played in all 72 games for the Trappers while shortstop Kelly Dransfeldt has appeared in 74 games for Oklahoma.

Double-A New Britain outfielders Papo Bolivar and Lew Ford have each played in all 71 games for the Rock Cats. More impressively, each is hitting over .300. Outfielder Kevin Reese has played in all 66 games for the Norwich Navigators.

In the Double-A Texas League, Midland first baseman Graham Koonce and Tulsa first baseman Jason Jones have each appeared in all 72 of their teams' respective games.

Class A Lynchburg's Jose Castillo is the only shortstop who has played in all of his team's games, appearing 71 times for the Hillcats of the Carolina league and posting a .300 batting average. Third baseman Albert Rodgers has also played in 71 straight games for the Potomac Cannons in that circuit.

Beloit first baseman Brad Nelson has played in all 70 games for the Snappers of the low Class A Midwest League, a good reason why he leads all of minor-league baseball with 71 RBI. West Michigan outfielder David Mattle has appeared in all 71 games thus far, also in the Midwest League.

Third baseman Edgar Gonzalez of the Charleston-SC Riverdogs in the low Class A South Atlantic League is just the third infielder -- excluding first baseman -- to have played in all of his team's games. Gonzalez has appeared in 69 contests thus far.

Savannah outfielder Anthony Mongeluzzo has played in 71 straight games for the Sand Gnats of the South Atlantic League. Mongeluzzo highlighted his season thus far by hitting four home runs against Asheville on April 20. However, in his other 70 games, he had just four home runs combined.

Familiar territory
Left-hander Dontrelle Willis of the low Class A Midwest League Kane County Cougars already owns the longest scoreless innings streak in the minor this season. He wants more.

Willis pitched 29 2/3 straight innings without allowing a run from April 25-May 18. He is now in the midst of a 22-inning scoreless stretch that began on May 29.

On June 14, the 20-year-old Willis went eight scoreless innings in a 2-1 victory over Michigan. He allowed just four hits and struck out a season-high 11 batters. He was 6-2 on the season and was leading the league with a 1.36 ERA at the All-Star break. Willis, who was acquired by the Marlins this spring in the deal that sent pitchers Matt Clement and Antonio Alfonseca to the Cubs this spring, started the All-Star Game for the West squad and pitched a scoreless first inning.

Willis' original season-high streak was being challenged by his Kane County teammate John Skinner. Skinner had gone 29 straight scoreless innings May 20-June 12 before being tagged for four runs in just a 1/3 of an inning in a loss to Michigan on June 15.

Minor-league highlights
Akron (Double-A Eastern League) left-hander Billy Traber recorded his league-leading 10th victory in the Aeros' 5-2 triumph over New Haven on June 17. Traber scattered five hits, hit a batter and struck out eight without issuing a walk over 6 2/3 scoreless frames, improving to 10-2 with a 2.78 ERA in 15 starts in his first year in the Indian system. Traber was part of the deal that sent Roberto Alomar to the Mets over the off season. The 22-year-old Traber retired eight of the first 10 batters and seven of the final eight that he faced in his most recent win, striking out two apiece in both the second and seventh frames. The California native improved to 3-0 with a 0.92 ERA in his last three starts and had recorded 70 strikeouts with just 16 walks through 90 2/3 innings in his second season as a pro.

Buffalo (Triple-A International League) first baseman Earl Snyder went 4-for-5 with two home runs and a career-high eight RBI in the Bisons' 13-8 triumph at Syracuse on June 13. The 26-year-old, part of the Roberto Alomar deal over the winter, surpassed his previous best of five RBI. He had done that three times, including a 5-for-6, two-homer performance for high Class A St. Lucie of the Florida State League on April 16, 2000.

Charlotte (Class A Florida State League) first baseman Ryan Soules homered and drove in five runs to help the Rangers down Lakeland, 21-11, on June 16. The 6-2, 190-pounder delivered a sacrifice fly, drew a bases-loaded walk and scored to highlight a 13-run fifth inning. He then launched a three-run shot in the next frame for a 20-3 cushion. Outfielder Laynce Nix hit a pair of home runs in the win, his first multi-homer game of the season. The run total by the Rangers was a league-high and tied for the third-highest run total in the minor leagues this year.

Dayton (Class A Midwest League) shortstop Wandel Campana collected a career-high six RBI in the Dragons' 8-1 victory over Burlington on June 15. Campana lofted a sacrifice fly in the second inning, connected on a three-run homer in the fourth and added a two-run shot in the sixth. Entering the game, he had been hitting just .211 (16-for-76) with four extra-base hits and four RBI in 19 games.

Hickory (Class A South Atlantic League) catcher Ryan Doumit homered twice and drove in a career-high six runs to lead the Crawdads past Hagerstown, 10-3, on June 13. The 21-year-old switch-hitter belted a solo blast with two outs in the top of the first inning, crushed a grand slam in the fifth for a 6-0 cushion and delivered a sacrifice fly to right field, igniting a four-run seventh. Doumit hit safely in 18 straight games through June 13.

Louisville (Triple-A International League) third baseman Brandon Larson belted two homers -- with a career-high six RBI -- to help the Bats down Norfolk, 11-2, on June 17. The LSU product and league All-Star hit three-run shots in both the first and third innings for his third multi-homer performance of the season. A first-round selection of the Reds in the 1997 draft, Larson homered in three straight games June 16-18, going 5-for-14 with four homers and eight RBI. Larson's claim to fame this season so far is his three grand slams already. He hit two in three days May 6-8.

New Orleans (Triple-A Pacific Coast League) third baseman Morgan Ensberg had a career-high five hits, including a double and a home run, with five RBI in the Zephyrs' 10-3 victory over Memphis on June 13. Five nights later, lefthander Jeriome Robertson went 3-for-3 with three RBI and pitched seven solid innings to lead the Zephyrs' to a 12-1 rout of Portland. Robertson, who entered the game with nine career RBI in 98 at-bats, laced an RBI single in the second inning and had run-scoring base hits and scored in both the fourth and fifth frames. On the mound, the 25-year-old yielded a run and six hits, with five strikeouts and a walk in the win.

Norfolk (Triple-A International League) outfielder Rob Stratton hit two home runs with a career-high six RBI in the Tides' 9-8 victory over Louisville on June 16. Stratton doubled home a pair of runs in the first inning and drilled two-run shots in both the third and fifth frames. It was the highest run production for Stratton since he belted three homers with five RBI on June 10, 2001 for Binghamton of the Double-A Eastern League.

Portland (Triple-A Pacific Coast League) third baseman Alex Pelaez went 7-for-8 with a home run and five RBI, hitting safely in seven consecutive at-bats, as the Beavers swept a doubleheader from Iowa on June 15. The 26-year-old All-Star raised his batting average 26 points to .349 with the performance and became the third player in the minors this season to hit safely in seven straight at-bats. Jose Leon reached base by a hit in 10 straight at-bats for Rochester back in April.

South Georgia (Class A South Atlantic League) catcher Jared Price collected two home runs, giving him three consecutive games with a longball, and recorded his first-ever five RBI game for the Waves in a decisive 20-4 triumph over Columbus on June 13. The Idaho native, who drew a walk and scored during a seven-run second inning, hit a grand slam to highlight a six-run seventh and launched a two-out solo shot in the next frame to cap the scoring.

St. Lucie (Class A Florida State League) shortstop Jose Reyes had his first-ever five-hit game and drove in a run to help the Mets down Clearwater, 10-1, on June 16. The 19-year-old All-Star tripled and scored in the bottom of the first inning, laced a base hit in the second and hit an RBI triple that capped a five-run third. Reyes had a base hit in the sixth and doubled and crossed home plate in the eighth to complete the scoring. He was promoted to Double-A Binghamton at the end of the week, where at just 19 years of age -- Reyes just turned 19 last week -- he will become one of the youngest players to ever play in the Eastern League.

Minor-league leaders
(Through June 20)
AVERAGE (Minimum 165 TPA): Chad Tracy, El Paso, .377; ON BASE PERCENTAGE: Mike Campo, Rancho Cucamonga, .482; SLUGGING PERCENTAGE: Corey Hart, High Desert, .668; HITS: Joe Thurston, Las Vegas, 103; HOME RUNS: Josh Phelps, Syracuse and Mike Ryan, Edmonton, 21; RBI: Brad Nelson, Beloit, 71; STOLEN BASES: Wayne Lydon, Columbus, 43; DOUBLES: Miguel Cabrera, Jupiter, 28; TRIPLES: Jose Reyes, St. Lucie, 11; RUNS: Lew Ford, New Britain, 63; WALKS: Graham Koonce, Midland, 66; STRIKEOUTS: Jorge Soto, Visalia, 99; ERRORS: Scott Youngbauer, Clearwater and Bronson Sardinha, Greensboro, 29.

BEST ERA (55 IP): Ray Aguilar, Myrtle Beach, 0.77; WORST ERA (55 IP): Jim Parque, Charlotte (INT), 7.95; WINS: John Koronka, Chattanooga, 12; LOSSES: Several tied with 10; SAVES: Evan Rust, Bakersfield, 23; COMPLETE GAMES: Several tied with 3; GAMES: Brian Bowles, Syracuse, 40; INNINGS PITCHED: John Stephens, Rochester, 105.1; STRIKEOUTS: Rich Harden, Midland, 109.

BEST WINNING PERCENTAGE/CLUB: Akron (Indians), .708 (51-21); Stockton (Reds), (.700) 49-21; Lynchburg (Pirates), .662 (47-24); Wilmington (Royals), .662 (47-24).

BEST WINNING PERCENTAGE/ORGANIZATION: Houston Astros (.600); Cleveland Indians (.587); Pittsburgh Pirates (.574).

Top pitching performances
Altoona (Double-A Eastern League) left-hander John Grabow spun his first career shutout in the Curve's 9-0 victory over Erie on June 13. He scattered five hits, three walks and struck out four batters in his second career complete game.

Asheville (Class A South Atlantic League) right-hander Matt Roney threw a three-hit shutout at Macon, 1-0, on June 14. Roney issued a pair of walks, hit a batter and struck out 11. After allowing a single to start the bottom of the first, he retired 14 of the next 16 batters. Roney also struck out six of 10 batters between the seventh and the ninth en route to notching a career-high in strikeouts. He earned the league's most recent Pitcher of the Week award and was promoted to high Class A Salem.

Brevard County (Class A Florida State League) right-hander Gustavo Mata spun eight scoreless innings (4 H, 1 BB, 4 SO) in a 1-0 win against Sarasota on June 16. He yielded just four earned runs over 28 innings over his first four starts for the Manatees but went just 2-2 in that span.

Indianapolis (Triple-A International League) left-hander Jimmy Osting tossed his second career shutout and struck out 10 batters in the Indians' 2-0 victory at Ottawa in the first game of a doubleheader on June 17. Osting scattered four hits and issued one walk in his first shutout since July 30, 2000, when he pitched for Reading of the Double-A Eastern League. It was Osting's first 10-strikeout performance since June 22, 2000 with Greenville of the Double-A Southern League.

New Britain (Double-A Eastern League) right-hander Jon Pridie carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning in the Rock Cats' 7-3 victory over Reading on June 19. Pridie, who retired 19 of the first 21 hitters he faced, including 16 in a row between the second and seventh frames, spun 7 1/3 hitless innings before yielding a single to catcher Russ Jacobson. Overall, the 22-year-old yielded a run, two hits, three walks and struck out eight batters in 7 2/3 frames for the win.

Portland (Double-A Eastern League) right-hander Orlando Woodards tossed his first career complete game in the Sea Dogs' 13-1 triumph at New Britain on June 16. Woodards yielded a run, five hits and pair of walks with five strikeouts in his first complete game in just 11 career starts over six years of pro ball. The 24-year-old retired 20 of the final 23 batters in his first win since April 25.

Richmond (Triple-A International League) right-hander Trey Hodges recorded his first career shutout and his seventh straight victory in the Braves' 9-0 triumph at Scranton/WB on June 17. Hodges scattered five hits, issued a walk, hit a batter and struck out six. The 23-year-old retired 16 of the first 18 batters through five hitless frames before yielding a leadoff base hit in the sixth and induced 11 groundouts in the second complete game of his career.

Rochester (Triple-A International League) right-hander John Stephens spun a three-hit complete game in the Red Wings' 4-2 victory at Charlotte on June 16. Stephens yielded two runs, hit a batter and struck out nine, including the side in order in the second, without issuing a walk for his third win in as many starts and ninth career complete game. The 22-year-old retired 18 of the first 19 batters through 6 1/3 scoreless innings in the win, improving to 9-3 with a 2.14 ERA in 15 starts. He captured the league's Pitcher of the Week award after going 2-0 with a 1.13 ERA, striking out 15 and walking only one in 16 innings of work.

Streaking
Akron (Double-A Eastern League) third baseman Corey Erickson homered in four consecutive games for the first time in his eight-year career June 10-14.

Bakersfield (Class A California League) right-hander Evan Rust saved his 16th straight game in the Blaze's 3-2 victory over Stockton on June 15, the club's final game before the All-Star break. Rust struck out a pair in a perfect ninth inning to notch his minor-league leading 23rd save. The 24-year-old, who did not allow a run over his last 8 2/3 innings, posted a 0.96 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 18 2/3 frames during the streak.

Buffalo (Triple-A International League) right-hander Tim Drew won his eighth consecutive start in the Bisons' 7-6 victory over Durham on June 16. After yielding five runs and six hits to the first 12 batters, the 23-year-old Drew retired 18 of the final 22 hitters he faced. Over his last eight starts, the Georgia native allowed 43 hits, issued 10 walks and struck out 28 batters over 59 innings, with a 1.68 ERA and two shutouts.

Fort Myers (Class A Florida State League) outfielder Josh Rabe reached base safely in 48 straight games April 22-June 20. During the streak, Rabe had just seven hitless games and hit .381 (69-for-181) with 26 walks.

Rancho Cucamonga (Class A California League) catcher Jared Abruzzo homered in his fourth consecutive game, the Quakes' 5-1 loss to Modesto on June 15. Abruzzo snapped a shutout bid with a leadoff homer in the eighth inning. A second-round selection in 2000, Abruzzo homered for the seventh time in his last 15 games.

Salt Lake (Triple-A Pacific Coast League) outfielder Robb Quinlan hit safely in a league season-high 21 games May 29-June 19. Quinlan, who went 4-for-4 in a 9-3 loss to Tucson on June 16, surpassed Colorado Springs' John Barnes for the longest hitting streak in the league this season.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Triple-A International League) right-hander Joe Roa won his fifth consecutive start, spinning eight scoreless frames in the Red Barons' 5-0 victory over Richmond on June 16. Roa yielded just three hits and struck out seven without issuing a walk to improve to 10-0 with a 1.98 ERA in 13 starts. The 30-year-old retired 23 of the 26 batters he faced in the win.

South Georgia (Class A South Atlantic League) left-hander Orlando Rodriguez had not allowed a run in 20 outings all season (28 1/3 IP, 12 H, 10 BB, 42 SO) and held opponents to just a .135 batting average against him, yet he was not selected to play in the All-Star Game which took place this past week.

West Tenn (Double-A Southern League) first baseman Dave Kelton homered in four consecutive games June 11-14 for the first time in his career. During the four-game stretch, the 22-year-old went 6-for-10 with a double, five homers, 10 RBI and six runs scored.

Lowlights
Beloit (Class A Midwest League) outfielder Terry Mayo, who missed the first six weeks of the season with a groin injury, went 1-for-32 with 17 strikeouts in his first nine games.

Binghamton (Double-A Eastern League) right-hander Pablo Ochoa was tagged for eight runs and nine hits in just one inning of work in a 10-1 loss at New Haven on June 16 in the first game of a doubleheader.

Clinton (Class A Midwest League) right-hander Eric Charron allowed seven runs on nine hits and one walk over 1 1/3 innings in a no-decision at Cedar Rapids on June 16. He had not yielded more than two earned runs in any of his previous 11 outings and saw his ERA rise from 3.10 to 5.82 in just that one game.

Columbus (Triple-A International League) third baseman Drew Henson had his offensive production come to a virtual standstill since the end of May. The former third-round pick of the Yankees in 1998 hit just .214 with a homer and five RBI in his first 19 games in the month of June. He hit .327 with six homers and 21 RBI in the month of May.

Pawtucket (Triple-A International League) outfielder Manny Ramirez went 3-for-20 with one homer and two RBI in seven games during his rehab stint June 13-19. Ramirez, who fractured the index finger on his left hand sliding into home plate on May 11 in Seattle, appeared in five games as the designated hitter and played the outfield twice. He had a two-run homer against Syracuse on June 16 as the Red Sox posted a 7-1 win.