Minor League Standouts In 2010

Triple-A

Sam Fuld (OF, 28, Cubs): Fuld put up a line of .272/.383/.394 for an OPS of .777 in 440 PAs. He hit 4 HRs, 15 doubles, 9 triples, swiped 21 bags, drove in 27 runs, and scored 69 runs. He posted the best BB/K ratio of his career at 66/37. That's nearly twice as many walks as strikeouts. Pretty impressive. With the loss of Derrek Lee, the Cubs are seriously contemplating moving Tyler Colvin to first base. Should that come to pass, Fuld could see more playing time.

Ben Guez (OF, 23, Tigers): Guez split time at 3 levels this year. He played 28 games in Class A-Advanced, 9 games in Double-A, and 68 games in Triple-A. In Triple-A, he put up a line of .251/.339/.439 for an OPS of .778 in 259 PAs. His overall line for the season was .249/.341/.411 for an OPS of .752 in 393 PAs. He hit 10 HRs, 19 doubles, 3 triples, swiped 14 bags, drove in 43 runs, and scored 43 runs. Considering Guez was playing in Single-A last year, he's moved up fairly quickly through the Tigers' farm system.

Jason Hirsh (RH SP, 28, Yankees): Hirsh was 9-7 in 122 1/3 innings (19 starts) with a 3.90 ERA, 1.153 WHIP, 95 Ks, 7.5 H/9, 1.3 HR/9, 2.9 BB/9, 7.0 K/9, and 2.44 K/BB. Hirsh pitched well after he joined the Yankees' organization towards the end of 2009, but this was really his 1st good season since 2006. He will most certainly get another Spring Training invite.

Ryan Kalish (OF, 22, Red Sox): Kalish played 41 games in Double-A and 37 games in Triple-A. Overall, he put up a line of .294/.382/.502 for an OPS of .884 in 343 PAs. He hit 13 HRs, 18 doubles, 2 triples, drove in 47 runs, scored 57 runs, and stole 25 bases (only caught 3 times). His BB/K ratio was 42/53. Kalish could very well be a 5-tool player. He figures to get more playing time next year with the Sox. He may even get a shot to start at some point.

Aaron Poreda (LH RP, 24, Padres): Poreda pitched 25 innings in Double-A and 29 innings in Triple-A. Throwing strikes started to become a problem for Poreda last season, and this season was no different. Poreda's BB/9 in Double-A was 9.4 and 11.8 in Triple-A. That's obviously abysmal. However, his other peripherals were actually quite good. Only gave up 1 HR all year. And he didn't give up many hits, either. His H/9 was 5.2 (6.5 in Double-A, 4.0 in Triple-A). His K/9 was also respectable at 7.8 (9.0 in Double-A, 6.8 in Triple-A). Control issues aside, still a lot of upside here.

James Rapoport (CF, 25, Cardinals): Rapoport played 25 games in Double-A and 112 games in Triple-A. His overall line was .276/.350/.354 for an OPS of .703 in 560 PAs. He hit 4 HRs, 18 doubles, 4 triples, swiped 8 bags, drove in 46 runs, and scored 74 runs. This Stanford product's BB/K ratio was 54/69.

Michael Schwimer (RH RP, 24, Phillies): Schwimer pitched 40 innings in Double-A and 20 innings in Triple-A. In Triple-A, he was 2-2 with a 1.35 ERA, 1.150 WHIP, 7.2 H/9, 0.4 HR/9, 3.2 BB/9, 8.1 K/9, and 2.57 K/BB. In Double-A, he was 5-3 with 11 saves, a 3.60 ERA, 1.200 WHIP, 7.6 H/9, 1.1 HR/9, 3.2 BB/9, 13.0 K/9, and 4.14 K/BB. Overall, he was 7-5 with 11 saves, a 2.85 ERA, 1.183 WHIP, 7.5 H/9, 0.9 HR/9, 3.2 BB/9, 11.4 K/9, and 3.62 K/BB. I think we'll see his MLB debut some time in 2011.

Adam Stern (OF, 30, Brewers): Stern put up a line of .325/.399/.462 for an OPS of .860 in 322 PAs. He hit 5 HRs, 18 doubles, 3 triples, drove in 29 runs, and scored 48 runs. His BB/K ratio was 35/47. This was his best season since 2004.

Josh Whitesell (1B, 28, Nationals): Before signing with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, Whitesell played 54 games for the Nationals' Triple-A affiliate, putting up a line of .304/.406/.446 for an OPS of .852 in 219 PAs. If you're the curious sort, you might be interested to learn that with the Swallows, Whitesell put up a line of .309/.399/.591 for an OPS of .990 in 230 ABs. Combined, he hit 19 HRs, 28 doubles, 3 triples, and drove in 87 runs in 414 ABs.

Double-A/Class A-Advanced

Dylan Axelrod (RHP, 25, White Sox): Axelrod pitched 99 1/3 innings (13 starts) in Class A-Advanced and 10 innings (2 starts) in Double-A. Overall, he was 8-4 with a 2.06 ERA, 1.079 WHIP, 8.5 H/9, 0.2 HR/9, 1.2 BB/9, 7.6 K/9, and 6.13 K/BB. That K/BB ratio is filthy.

Richard Bleier (LH SP, 23, Rangers): Bleier was 7-11 with a 5.04 ERA, 1.333 WHIP, 10.5 H/9, 0.7 HR/9, 1.5 BB/9, 4.5 K/9, and 2.93 K/BB in 164 1/3 innings (28 starts in Double-A). Like Axelrod, you've got to like the command. Just needs to miss more bats.

Charles Cutler (C, 23, Cardinals): Cutler played 38 games in Double-A and 41 games in Class A-Advanced. His overall line was .260/.350/.341 for an OPS of .691 in 314 PAs. He did very well in Class A-Advanced but struggled in Double-A. His BB/K ratio was 32/33. He threw out 25% of the baserunners who attempted to steal against him. I could see him being another Ryan Hanigan or Francisco Cervelli.

Jonathon Fixler (C, 24, Astros): Fixler played 20 games in Single-A and 33 games in Double-A. In Double-A, he put up a line of .265/.363/.500 for an OPS of .863 in 115 PAs. His overall line was .242/.344/.427 for an OPS of .771 in 185 PAs. Not bad for a catcher.

Jason Kipnis (2B, 23, Indians): Kipnis played 54 games in Class A-Advanced and 79 games in Double-A. In Double-A, he put up a line of .311/.385/.502 for an OPS of .887 in 355 PAs. His overall line was .307/.386/.492 for an OPS of .878 in 592 PAs. He hit 16 HRs, 32 doubles, 8 triples, swiped 9 bags, drove in 74 runs, and scored 96 runs. Kipnis was named the Indians' Minor League Player of the Year. May not be long before he joins his old teammate from Arizona State, Ike Davis, in The Bigs. Has September call-up written all over him for 2011.

David Kopp (RH SP, 24, Cardinals): Kopp pitched 121 innings (21 starts) in Double-A and 24 innings (5 starts) in Triple-A. In Double-A, he was 12-4 with a 3.05 ERA, 1.364 WHIP, 9.4 H/9, 0.7 HR/9, 2.9 BB/9, 5.8 K/9, and 2.00 K/BB. Overall, he was 12-9 with a 3.97 ERA, 1.476 WHIP, 10.2 H/9, 0.8 HR/9, 3.1 BB/9, 5.6 K/9, and 1.80 K/BB. He struggled mightily during his 5 starts in Triple-A, just like he struggled mightily in his 5 starts in Double-A in 2009. If the pattern keeps up, he'll pitch well in Triple-A next season and struggle mightily in The Show.

Ryan Lavarnway (C/DH, 23, Red Sox): Lavarnway played 82 games in Class A-Advanced and 44 games in Double-A. In Double-A, he put up a line of .285/.395/.494 for an OPS of .888 in 190 PAs. His overall line was .288/.393/.489 for an OPS of .882 in 550 PAs. He hit 22 HRs, 27 doubles, drove in 102 runs, and scored 91 runs. His BB/K ratio was 70/104. He also threw out 33% of the baserunners who attempted to steal against him. For the 2nd consecutive season, Lavarnway was named the Offensive Player of the Year in the Red Sox's farm system. If he remains a catcher, he should have a ton of value moving forward. Catchers who can swing the lumber like he can don't grow on trees. Could be a September call-up next year.

Josh Satin (2B/INF, 25, Mets): Satin played 58 games in Class A-Advanced and 79 games in Double-A. In Double-A, he put up a line of .308/.395/.472 for an OPS of .867 in 332 PAs. His overall line was .311/.399/.467 for an OPS of .866 in 577 PAs. He hit 12 HRs, 39 doubles, 1 triple, drove in 74 runs, and scored 76 runs. As a second baseman, he gets overshadowed by Kipnis, but he's another potential September call-up next year.

Scott Schneider (RHP, 22, Cardinals): Schneider pitched 74 innings (13 starts) in Class A-Advanced and 63 2/3 innings (8 starts) in Single-A. Overall, Schneider was 8-9 with 2 saves in 137 2/3 innings, a 3.46 ERA, 1.140 WHIP, 7.6 H/9, 0.5 HR/9, 2.6 BB/9, 7.5 K/9, and 2.88 K/BB.

Single-A

Nathan Freiman (1B, 23, Padres): Freiman put up a line of .294/.369/.457 for an OPS of .826 in 594 PAs. He hit 14 HRs, 43 doubles, drove in 84 runs, and scored 83 runs. At 6' 7", he certainly looks the part of a first baseman. According to his numbers, he also plays the part pretty well.

Casey Haerther (1B, 22, Angels): Haerther put up a line of .307/.352/.432 for an OPS of .784 in 471 PAs. He hit 8 HRs, 26 doubles, 2 triples, swiped 10 bags, drove in 74 runs, and scored 54 runs. Very nice all-around 1st full season season for the former UCLA Bruin.

Jason Knapp (RHP, 20, Indians): Knapp missed most of the season because he was rehabbing from shoulder surgery in the offseason, but his numbers were impressive when he finally did pitch. He pitched 12 1/3 innings (5 starts) in Rookie League and 16 innings (4 starts) in Single-A. Overall, he was 1-2 with a 2.86 ERA, 1.024 WHIP, 47 Ks in 28 1/3 innings, 5.4 H/9, 0.0 HR/9, 3.8 BB/9, 14.9 K/9, and 3.92 K/BB. Coming into the season, Baseball America had him ranked as the 64th best prospect in the Minors, just behind Ike Davis at 62. It's still unclear whether Knapp will remain a starter or be converted into a reliever, but one thing is certain: he's a power pitcher who can rack up the Ks.

Tyler Kolodny (3B/1B, 22, Orioles): Kolodny played 10 games in Short-Season A and 41 games in Single-A. His overall line was .251/.365/.525 for an OPS of .890 in 220 PAs. He hit 11 HRs, 11 doubles, 3 triples, swiped 9 bags, drove in 33 runs, and scored 37 runs. From what I've read, the Orioles plan to move him to the outfield.

Brett Lorin (RH SP, 23, Pirates): Lorin missed most of the season because of a hip injury. He pitched 7 innings (3 starts) in Rookie League and 41 2/3 innings (9 starts) in Single-A. Overall, he was 2-3 in 48 2/3 innings with a 4.62 ERA, 1.295 WHIP, 9.4 H/9, 1.1 HR/9, 2.2 BB/9, 7.8 K/9, and 3.50 K/BB. It'll be interesting to see what he can do in a full season.

Jason Markovitz (LHP, 22, Mariners): Markovitz pitched 19 2/3 innings in Short-Season A and 20 innings (2 starts) in Single-A. Overall, he was 2-2 with 4 saves in 39 2/3 innings, 40 Ks, a 3.86 ERA, 1.160 WHIP, 8.4 H/9, 0.5 HR/9, 2.0 BB/9, 9.1 K/9, and 4.44 K/BB. With those peripherals, he probably deserved a better ERA. Didn't log too many innings at Long Beach University where he was teammates with Lorin for a year, but his numbers there were solid.

Jason Novak (RHP, 22, Cardinals): In 36 1/3 innings, Novak was 3-1 with 1 save, a 3.47 ERA, 1.239 WHIP, 7.9 H/9, 1.5 HR/9, 3.2 BB/9, 11.1 K/9, and 3.46 K/BB. Novak played with Haerther and Gabe Cohen at UCLA.

Daniel Rosenbaum (LH SP, 23, Nationals): Rosenbaum pitched 101 innings (18 starts) in Single-A and 43 innings (7 starts) in Class A-Advanced. Overall, he was 5-7 in 144 innings with a 2.25 ERA, 1.188 WHIP, 8.1 H/9, 0.4 HR/9, 2.6 BB/9, 7.2 K/9, and 2.80 K/BB. The 5-7 record doesn't do him justice. Rosenbaum and Hirsh were the best starters in the minors this year, IMO.

David Rubinstein (OF, 23, Pirates): Rubinstein put up a line of .289/.347/.409 for an OPS of .755 in 480 PAs. He hit 3 HRs, 37 doubles, 3 triples, swiped 23 bags, drove in 50 runs, and scored 54 runs. Doesn't possess a lot of power, but 37 doubles is nothing to sneeze at.

Josh Zeid (RHP, 23, Phillies): Zeid was 8-4 with 8 saves in 107 1/3 innings (12 starts), a 2.93 ERA, 1.137 WHIP, 111 Ks, 8.0 H/9, 0.6 HR/9, 2.3 BB/9, 9.3 K/9, and 4.11 K/BB. Outstanding numbers across the board. Zeid was voted as the Best Reliever at the Single-A level. With Schwimer, B.J. Rosenberg (injured for most of the season), and Zeid the Phillies have a solid core of relievers in their farm system.

Short-Season A/Rookie League

Jeremy Gould (LH RP, 22, Mets): In Rookie League, Gould was 1-2 with 1 save in 17 1/3 innings, a 3.12 ERA, 1.212 WHIP, 7.3 H/9, 0.5 HR/9, 3.6 BB/9, 5.7 K/9, and 1.57 K/BB. Didn't pitch much at Duke; he was a solid every day player there.

Alex Kaminsky (RH SP, 22, Indians): Kaminsky pitched 69 innings (14 starts) in Short-Season A and 3 innings in Double-A. Overall, he was 7-5 with a 2.38 ERA, 1.069 WHIP, 7.1 H/9, 0.5 HR/9, 2.5 BB/9, 7.5 K/9, and 3.00 K/BB. Not bad for a guy who inexplicably went undrafted. Had a pretty good career at Wright State University.

Jake Lemmerman (SS, 21, Dodgers): In Rookie League, Lemmerman put up a line of .363/.434/.610 for an OPS of 1.044 in 303 PAs. He hit 12 HRs, 24 doubles, 2 triples, drove in 47 runs, and scored 69 runs. This former Blue Devil was teammates with Freiman and Gould at Duke. Middle infielders with this kind of pop are few and far between. If he sticks at shortstop, he could go real far.

Ben Orloff (INF, 23, Astros): In Short-Season A, Orloff put up a line of .307/.405/.324 for an OPS of .729 in 285 PAs. He hit 4 doubles, swiped 23 bags (only caught 5 times), drove in 16 runs, and scored 52 runs. Also had a nifty BB/K ratio of 34/19. Was teammates with Axelrod for 2 years at the University of California-Irvine.

Andrew Pevsner (LHP, 22, Dodgers): In Rookie League, Pevsner was 3-0 in 28 1/3 innings (18 appearances) with a 1.91 ERA, 1.376 WHIP, 30 Ks, 7.9 H/9, 1.0 HR/9, 4.4 BB/9, 9.5 K/9, and 2.14 K/BB.

Justin Schumer (RHP, 22, Giants): Schumer pitched 5 2/3 innings (1 start) in Rookie League and 21 1/3 innings (4 starts) in Short-Season A. Overall, he was 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA, 1.185 WHIP, 6.3 H/9, 0.0 HR/9, 4.3 BB/9, 6.0 K/9, and 1.38 K/BB. Schumer went undrafted. He obviously took umbrage at that.

Michael Schwartz (1B/DH, 23, White Sox): In Rookie League, Schwartz put up a line of .241/.414/.339 for an OPS of .753 in 146 PAs. His BB/K ratio was 26/33.

Mauricio Tabachnik (RHP, 20, Padres): In Short-Season A, Tabachnik was 3-4 in 62 innings (6 starts) with a 3.48 ERA, 1.306 WHIP, 10.0 H/9, 0.9 HR/9, 1.7 BB/9, 6.1 K/9, and 3.50 K/BB. Great name to go along with a great BB/9.

Jeff Urlaub (LHP, 23, A's): In Rookie League, Urlaub was 1-0 with 2 saves in 26 1/3 innings, a 2.39 ERA, 0.987 WHIP, 26 Ks, 7.9 H/9, 0.0 HR/9, 1.0 BB/9, 8.9 K/9, and 8.67 K/BB. That's about as dominant as it gets. Was teammates with Ike Davis for 1 year at Arizona State.