Todd chosen for prestigious Futures Game
Will pitch in Yankee Stadium on ESPN2 July 13; could be tabbed for Olympics
By MITCH LUCAS sports@kilgorenewsherald.com

Life has been a bit of a whirlwind for Kilgore native Jess Todd since his breakout season at the University of Arkansas last year.

He was drafted in the second round by the St. Louis Cardinals organization, played in three minor league assignments since then, achieving all sorts of individual honors, and the latest is sort of overwhelming: Todd has been selected to play in the Futures Game, to be played at Yankee Stadium in New York on July 13, and to be televised on ESPN2.

Todd's mother, Kim, said Jess was at the park and received a phone call from a friend - that's how he found out about the selection.

In the game, Todd and other players from the U.S. will take on foreign-born players. Todd and his teammates will wear USA Baseball uniforms, and that might just be his next stop.

These players are under consideration to represent the U.S. in the Olympics in Beijing in August. If Todd is selected, there's a good chance that two athletes from Kilgore will be Olympians: Kenta Bell, also a Kilgore native and a USA track and field athlete, competed in the Olympics in 2004, and is seeking to make a return trip this summer.

USA Baseball would have to get the Cardinals' permission for Todd to play in the Olympic Games, however.

Jess pitched in New York following his selection last year, and began this season in Palm Beach, Fla. He was brought up to Springfield, Mo., on May 7.

In the Texas League All-Star Game Thursday in Springfield, after giving up a double, Jess struck out five of the seven batters he faced. Since arriving in Springfield, Todd is 2-2. In 55 1/3 innings, the former Kilgore Bulldog has a 1.79 ERA. He's struck out 37 and walked 11.

For the season, including time spent pitching in the Cardinals' single-A Palm Beach organization, Todd has an ERA of 1.79, has notched 72 strikeTODD outs and given up just 18 walks in 82 2/3 innings.