60.34 AA Spartans Bring in Reinforcements for Playoffs

[Bob Breum]

The Mississauga Spartans have clinched the Drake Outpost title for the eighth time, but they have their sights set on something higher. Manager Ron Whitney says that there’s “something special” about this group. “This team has got what it takes to be a champion.” This is the first time that the Spartans have advanced to the playoffs in 14 years, tied for the longest drought among the Blazers' farm clubs with Single-A Dearborn Heights.

The Blazers front office heard this and sent reinforcements from the Single-A Dearborn Heights Knights, who failed to make the playoffs. Joining the Spartans from the Knights for the playoffs will be (Single-A statistics shown):

2B Bengt Zippro .325/.398/.468 (131 OPS+) 47 SB - 211 PA
RF Herman 'Sheriff' de Jonge .301/.389/.496 (136 OPS+) 35 2B, 14 HR - 334 PA

Platooning versus RHP – statistics versus RHP only:

1B Javier Martinez (LH) .382/.414/.485 (140 OPS+) 8:16 K:BB - 145 PA [Drafted 13th round 2060]
SS Raghib Sayf (SH) .379/.419/.448 (132 OPS+) 31 PA

Platooning versus LHP – statistics versus LHP only:

C Doug Draves .260/.360/.390 (101 OPS+) - 89 PA
1B Juan Hernandez .379/.406/.483 (137 OPS+) - 32 PA [Drafted 4th round 2060]
SS Young-sik So .250/.316/.404 (92 OPS+) - 57 PA

Also joining the club will be 25-year-old relief pitcher Luis Manuel from AAA New Jersey, which also failed to make the playoffs.