Sox Scoops 40.174: "Hitter of the Year: Grand Junction"

[HoosierVic]

By Rick Mariotti
Minor Leagues Beat Writer
Chicago Sports Online

The Grand Junction Gold Sox have honored left fielder Hao Hang as their Hitter of the Year for 2040.

Grand Junction is the Class A minor league affiliate for the Chicago Black Sox.

Hao Hang

Although the Gold Sox had a solid lineup featuring several good hitters, Hang was considered something of a shoo-in: he slashed .332/.381/.670 for the season, with 59 doubles, 5 triples, 37 homers, 104 RBIs and 7.9 WAR.

The 20-year-old native of St. Catharines, Canada, led the Charley Pegler League in batting average, on base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, WAR, Runs Scored, doubles, total bases, extra base hits, WOBA, and several other categories.

He won Player of the Week for three times in the 2040 season, and Batter of the Month for June. He also was selected to the All-Star team.

Hang was Chicago’s first round selection in the 2039 amateur draft, the 16th overall pick. He played last season for Monclova, where he put together a solid Rookie League campaign (.276/.331/.612 with 16 homers and 2.9 WAR).

Hang credited his selection last year to the Florida Prospect League – where he won the HL Platinum Stick Award for LF – as an “Ah Ha” moment for him.

“I don’t know – something clicked during the Prospect League, and I just felt I had a better handle on how to hit professional pitching,” he said. “I was able to carry that into this season, and things worked out pretty well.”

Hang had some worthy competition for the Grand Junction award – most notably RF Ricardo Torres, who slashed .308/.332/.549 with 27 HRs, 118 RBIs and 4.7 WAR on the year.

“We think both of these guys – Hao and Ricardo – have bright futures,” said Chicago GM Vic Caleca. “We may send them both to the Prospect League this year to let them hone their games a little further, but we’ll decide that in a week or two.

“For now, let’s just say we look forward to watching them both progress towards wearing the Black Sox pinstripes one day soon. They are both part of our Blueprint™ going forward.”

[shoeless.db]

Double--H can certainly mash... hopefully he doesn't get lost out in one of Vinnie's vast corner outfield spots.

[jleddy]

Stud.

[HoosierVic]

The question for next season, is where should he go? The minor league scouting reports say he's ready for the majors, which I don't want to do yet. Should he go to AA? AAA? It's a quandary ...

[shoeless.db]

I think I'd send him to either AA or AAA dependent on the hitting coach and manager relations/specialties. He's 40/70, so he could probably contribute at the major league level to begin the year, but, I think, some seasoning in the minors yet (along with a solid spring training with the big club) would benefit him and you (financially, anyway)... he's a good prospect to be a super 2 next year...

[HoosierVic]

I think I'd send him to either AA or AAA dependent on the hitting coach and manager relations/specialties. He's 40/70, so he could probably contribute at the major league level to begin the year, but, I think, some seasoning in the minors yet (along with a solid spring training with the big club) would benefit him and you (financially, anyway)... he's a good prospect to be a super 2 next year...

Oh, for sure he’s not going to the majors next season. My original plan had been to take him to AA next year, AAA in 2042, and the majors in 2043. Given that he’s developing quickly, the question is whether he should go to AA or AAA ... I’m leaning toward AA.