In this edition of Minor League Spotlight, we take a look down in the minor leagues and see how some of the game’s top prospects are doing through about a dozen games. Each of these players has the talent and potential to make the big league squad sometime this season.
Stats are through April 17
1. Delmon Young, OF Devil Rays, Triple-A
.391 (18-for-46), 9 SB in 12 G, 5 RBI, 9 R
Nine stolen bases in 12 games! That’s crazy. With the potential to hit 30 home runs, his numbers appear headed to be downright scary. Expect him to get the call to the majors by midseason. He remains one of the elite keeper candidates in baseball.
2. Brandon Wood, SS Angels, Double-A
.295 (13-for-44), 2 HR, 8 RBI, 8 R, 6 2B
Wood is 21 years old and is already capable of hitting 40-50 home runs a season. Alex Rodriguez may have been the last prospect that had the power and potential at the shortstop position that Wood has.
3. Stephen Drew, SS Diamondbacks, Triple-A
.229 (11-for-48), 4 HR, 11 RBI, 6 R
Drew hit a combined .346 (115-for-332) with 18 HR and 70 RBI in just 84 games in the minors last season. He’s already smashing homers at Tucson and it’s just a matter of time before he takes over at shortstop over Craig Counsell.
4. Daric Barton, 1B Athletics, Triple-A
.355 (11-for-31), HR, 7 RBI, 11 R, 10 BB in 10 G, .512 OBP
With Dan Johnson 1-for-32 through 10 games, Oakland might give the kid a chance sooner then later.
5. Lastings Milledge, OF Mets, Triple-A
.357 (15-for-42), HR, 4 RBI, 8 R, 5 2B, 3 SB
The Mets have a stud outfield so Milledge might not make it to the major leagues this season. He’s got blazing speed, a little bit of pop and tremendous range in the outfield. Expect him to be one of the top rookies in the game… next year.
6. Howie Kendrick, 2B Angels, Triple-A
.449 (22-for-49), 2 HR, 11 RBI, 8 R, 2 SB, 5 2B
Kendrick is one of the most complete players in the minor leagues today. It’s just a matter of time before he takes over for veteran Adam Kennedy at second base in the major leagues. If you want to have minor league roster spots and want a five-tool prospect, Kendrick is your boy.
7. Jon Lester, LHP Red Sox, Triple-A
0-2, 12.46 ERA, 5 K, 4 BB, 4.1 IP
When David Wells went on the shelf, there was some talk Boston might call up hard-throwing-prospect Jon Lester. They elected to go with fellow flame-thrower Jermaine Van Buren because of Lester’s poor start.
8. Felix Pie, OF Cubs, Triple-A
.348 (16-for-46), HR, 3 SB, 6 R, 14 RBI in 12 G
Juan Pierre’s presence in centerfield roadblocks Pie’s ascension to the big leagues this season, but he’ll likely get the promotion at season’s end. Pie has power and speed and is off to a fast start in Triple-A, knocking in 14 runners in just a dozen games.
9. Andy Marte, 3B Indians, Triple-A
.262 (11-for-42), 3 2B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 6 R, 10 K in 11 G
Marte has averaged over 20 home runs the past four seasons in the minor leagues, but was atrocious after being a late-season call-up last year. He’s off to a slow start in the junior ranks again this season, and Aaron Boone has done an adequate job at the hot corner for the Tribe.
Other Notables
10. Andy LaRoche, 3B Dodgers, Double-A
.256 (10-for-39), 0 HR, 5 RBI
11. Alex Gordon, 3B Royals, Double-A
.348 (16-for-46), 2 HR, 6 RBI, 7 R, 6 2B, 5 SB
12. Joel Guzman, 3B/OF Dodgers, Triple-A
.298 (14-for-47), 2 HR, 10 RBI, 7 R, SB
13. Chad Billingsley, RHP Dodgers, Triple-A
2-0, 2.93 ERA, 3 GS, 19 K, 7 BB, 15.1 IP, 12 H
14. Carlos Quentin, OF Diamondbacks, Triple-A
.265 (9-for-34), 0 HR, 0 SB, 4 2B, 5 RBI
15. Ian Stewart, 3B Rockies, Double-A
.319 (15-for-47), HR, 10 RBI, 8 R, 8 2B, 2 3B, 7 BB
16. Billy Butler, OF Royals, Double-A
.240 (12-for-50), HR, 5 RBI, 5 R, .250 OBP, 4 2B
17. Anthony Reyes, RHP Cardinals, Triple-A
0-0, 3.44 ERA, 17 K, 1 BB, 18.1 IP, 18 H
18. Dustin Pedroia, 2B/SS Red Sox, Triple-A
.200 (1-for-5), RBI, R
19. Yusmeiro Petit, RHP Marlins, Triple-A
1-0, 3.86 ERA, 3 GS, 10-5 K-BB ratio, 19 H, 16.1 IP
20. Justin Huber, 1B Royals, Triple-A
.343 (12-for-35), 4 HR, 6 RBI, 7 R, SB, 8 BB, 12 G