55.09 London Calls Up Top Prospect to Play CF

[Bob Breum]

Barely a month into the young season, the Monarchs lost their starting center fielder, Dave Dempsey, to an oblique strain. It is expected to sideline him for at least 5 weeks, but oblique strains are notoriously difficult to heal, and he could be out much longer.


Amin Asim
Facing the choice of elevating veteran CF Jerry Pearson, who started 99 games for them last season, or dipping into their strong farm system, the Monarchs went the latter route. Twenty-two year-old Nigerian Amin Asim has arrived in London, and will make his big league debut in center field tonight as the Monarchs attempt to win their fourth home series, facing the Jerusalem Hebrew Hammers.

A sixth round pick in the 2052 amateur draft, Asim has far exceeded scouts' expectations as he has risen through the Monarchs farm system. Originally projected as a 30 on the 80 point scale, Asim now evaluates as a 45 and projects to a 50, and he is still only 22. He is listed as the #30 overall prospect by the Baseball News Network, and ranks #7 within the Monarchs farm system. The team had planned to give him a full season in AAA, but Dempsey's injury forced their hand. In 21 games at AAA Victoria this season, Asim was hitting .301/.362/.425.