Mariners announce 2007 staff awards for scouting and player development

[BronxBomberz]

Seattle Mariners Vice President of Scouting Bob Fontaine and Director of Player Development Greg Hunter announced today the Mariners 2007 Staff Awards for Scouting and Player Development. Steve Jongewaard, Wayne Norton, Chris Pelekoudas and Scott Budner will honored in a pre-game ceremony before the Mariners game vs. Tampa Bay tonight at Safeco Field. Jongewaard, the Mariners National Scouting Coordinator, was named Amateur Scout of the Year. He was one of the National Crosscheckers when Adam Jones, Brandon Morrow, Mark Lowe, Eric O'Flaherty, Jeff Clement, Ryan Feieraband and Rob Johnson were drafted and signed by the Mariners. Jongewaard has been a Mariners scout since 1997 and was promoted to National Crosschecker in 1999. Norton, who has been a Mariners scout for the past seven years and is responsible for Canada and all of Europe, was named International Scout of the Year. Norton scouted and was instrumental in signing right-handed pitcher Phillippe Aumont, who was the Mariners first round selection (11th overall) in the 2007 June Draft. He has scouted and signed 12 current players in the Mariners Minor League system, including outfielders Greg Halman and Mike Saunders, both of whom were all-stars this season. Pelekoudas, who has been has been a Mariners scout since 2003, was named Professional Scout of the Year. He has spent the last several seasons scouting and evaluating Major League and Minor League talent for possible future acquisitions. He has covered six professional organizations spanning the USA and also scouted numerous amateur games. Pelekoudas is a rare third-generation member of Major League Baseball. His grandfather, Chris, was an National League umpire for 16 years, and his father, Lee, is the Mariners Associate General Manager. Budner, who completed his fourth season as pitching coach for Single-A High Desert and his eighth season as a coach in the Mariners Minor League System, was named Player Development Staff Member of the Year. In his last four seasons as pitching coach with the Mariners California League affiliate, two teams have qualified for the postseason play, including winning the League Championship last season. This year with the Mavericks he has worked closely developing right-handed pitchers Chris Tillman and Marwin Vega. Budner has also played a role in developing many of the current Mariners pitchers including, Ryan Feierabend, Mark Lowe and Eric O'Flaherty.

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