With names like Priest, Daunte, Donovan and Peytan are on the minds of most fans, Boof Bonser’s 168 strikeouts and Andy Green’s 125 runs are not even a blimp on 99.9 percent of most fans minds. Heck, Jeb Putzier has more pull right now.
As the vast majority of Fantasy diehards shift their attention from the diamond to the gridiron, minor league baseball’s regular season will quietly come to a close this week. Phenoms and journeymen alike will box up all their belongings and start the next step of their baseball careers; some will get a call to the Show, some will head home for some good old rest and relaxation, while others will prepare for winter ball.
When the season ends this week, it will be followed by a seven-month absence. If you like numbers, they’ll be there to break down and dissect as you ask yourself, “Who will be the next great prospect?” The following numbers reflect the best players in each major fantasy statistical category in Triple-A and Double-A this year. It is a somewhat unfair gauge at determining each league’s premiere players because many players saw split time at multiple levels. However, these numbers do a tell a story.
Names like John-Ford, Gorneault, Shelley and Delmon are going to be bona fide sluggers, while Esix Sneed, Esteban German and Josh Anderson are terrors on the basepaths. Boof, Lester and Nippert might evolve into studs on the hill down the road as well. Take a glance and remember the names. A bunch of these kids will be household names at the highest level within the next couple years.
Leaders through Friday 9/2
* Denotes player is currently in the major leagues
International League: Triple-A
Batting Average: Brian Daubach, Mets, .333 (112-for-336) *
Home Runs: Earl Snyder, Devil Rays, 29; John-Ford Griffin, Blue Jays, 29
Stolen Bases: Esix Snead, Braves, 46-for-60 in SB
RBI: Griffin, Blue Jays, 99
Runs: Shane Victorino, Phillies, 93 *
ERA: Scott Baker, Twins, 3.01 (22 GS, 134.2 IP, 45 ER) *
Strikeouts: Boof Bonser, Twins, 168 (28 GS, 160.1 IP)
Wins: Jason Scobie, Mets, 14
Saves: Mark Corey, Pirates, 28
Pacific Coast League: Triple-A
Batting Average: Rick Short, Nationals, .383 (144-for-376)
Home Runs: Luke Scott, Astros, 31 *
Stolen Bases: Esteban German, Rangers, 42-for-48 in SB
RBI: Nick Gorneault, Angels, 107
Runs: Andy Green, Diamondbacks, 125 (in 135 games) *
ERA: Kevin Jarvis, Cardinals, 3.38 (25 GS, 157 IP, 59 ER)
Strikeouts: Matt Cain, Giants, 176 (26 GS, 145.2 IP, 71 ER) *
Wins: Chris Oxspring, Padres, 12 *
Saves: Brad Baker, Padres, 27
Eastern League: Double-A
Batting Average: Randy Ruiz, Phillies, .349 (120-for-344)
Home Runs: Shelley Duncan, Yankees, 33
Stolen Bases: Rajai Davis, Pirates, 45-for-54 in SB
RBI: Mike Jacobs, Mets, 93 *
Runs: Chris Roberson, Phillies, 85; Duncan, Yankees, 85; Brandon Moss, Red Sox, 85; Dan Ortmeier, Giants, 85
ERA: Jon Lester, Red Sox, 2.61 (26 GS, 148.1 IP, 43 ER)
Strikeouts: Lester, Red Sox, 163 (26 GS, 148.1 IP)
Wins: Allen Davis, Phillies, 12; Jeffrey Karstens, Yankees, 12; Chris Rojas, Phillies, 12
Saves: Edwin Almonte, Tigers, 33
Southern League: Double-A
Batting Average: Delmon Young, Devil Rays, .336 (111-for-330)
Home Runs: Brandon Sing, Cubs, 26; Chris Young, White Sox, 26
Stolen Bases: Todd Donovan, Dodgers, 61-for-74 in SB
RBI: Dan Uggla, Arizona, 87
Runs: Jerry Owens, White Sox, 96
ERA: Dustin Nippert, Arizona, 2.38 (18 GS, 117.1 IP, 31 ER)
Strikeouts: Ricky Nolasco, Cubs, 168 (26 GS, 155.2 IP)
Wins: Sean Tracey, White Sox, 14
Saves: Dale Thayer, Padres, 27
Texas League: Double-A
Batting Average: Justin Huber, Royals, .343 (115-for-335) *
Home Runs: Mike Napoli, Angels, 29
Stolen Bases: Josh Anderson, Astros, 49-for-68 in SB
RBI: Napoli, Angels, 97
Runs: Andre Ethier, Athletics, 104
ERA: Bobby Livingston, Mariners, 2.86 (18 GS, 116.1 IP, 37 ER)
Strikeouts: Jason Hirsh, Astros, 159 (28 GS, 166.1 IP, 55 ER)
Wins: Randy Leek, Cardinals, 14
Saves: P.J. Bevis, Rockies, 21