Charm City 2061.15 - Top Minor League Performers Announced

[DaveB]

Another minor league season is in the books. It's time to take a look at who our outstanding minor league hitter and pitcher of the year were for each level. This has become one of my favorite team news posts to make each year because I find it fun to go back every so often now and think "Wow there's a name I haven't heard in awhile" or "I always had high hopes for _____".

AAA - ANNAPOLIS SAILORS:

Best Hitter:
James Darvell has become a common name on these posts since being drafted in 2055. I liked the potential he showed when we drafted him and he's slowly made his way up the minor league system and has a real shot to be a regular on the major league roster next season after spending a significant amount of time with the big league team this year. James posted a .334/.377/.474/.851 slash line with the Sailors this year with 3.5 WAR in just 84 games.

Best Pitcher:
Blaine Stewart wins the AAA award this year. Stewart posted a 12-6 record with a 3.43 ERA in 173.1 innings of work in AAA this year. Originally a 5th rounder in 2057 he's made his way to AAA. I'm not sure what the future holds for him. I think he's a AAAA/GBC pitcher, but anything can happen in OOTP.

AA - FREDERICK TRAVELERS:

Best Hitter:
A no doubter for Antonio Huerta in AA this year. Our first round pick in 2060, Huerta posted a .274/.431/.536/.968 slash line with 22 homers and 74 RBI this year for the Travelers. He's ticketed for AAA next season. I think we're going to try to work him out in the development complex to try to improve his work in CF this off season.

Best Pitcher:
I've been a fan of Ian Tolley since we signed him as a minor league free agent in 2058. Tolley made his way to AAA after posting an 8-9 record with a 3.09 ERA in 139.2 innings in Frederick this year. I'm hoping that he'll be pushing for a job with the big league club some time in 2062. We're going to need him.

A - CUMBERLAND MINERS:

Best Hitter:
Jesus Llado takes the hardware this year for Cumberland. Llado posted a .275/.372/.456/.828 slash line with the Minors before he was promoted to Frederick. Llado to me looks like a super utility type player if he reaches his current full potential. The ability to play just about everywhere a lot of different slots on the field well and not embarrass yourself with the bat makes him a player to keep an eye out for in the future with us.

Best Pitcher:
I'm not going to lie. I was starting to get worried about the development of Jorge Nava between 2059-2061 he seemed to stagnate in terms of development, but he really busted out this year. Nava was 5-4 with a 2.32 ERA in 124 innings with the Miners before being promoted to to Frederick around mid season. I think Nava was start 2062 in AA with an eye toward promoting him to AAA in mid 2062 and with an eye towards competing for a job in the rotation in 2063. That all can change if he continues his trends from this season though. I'm quite a bit excited about the future of our rotation with Nava and Tolley joining what we already have in Charm City.


SA - CAYMAN ISLANDERS:

Best Hitter:
I hate to do this to @Trebro, but Carlos Macerino gets the award for SA Cayman this year. Macerino was selected by the Nine in the Rule V draft because I didn't think anyone would select him. Thankfully they returned him and he performed decently hitting .245/.315/.423/.738, but more importantly with a 2.2 WAR. I won't make the mistake not adding him to the 40 man roster this off season.

Best Pitcher:
There were a few ways I could've gone with this selection, but I went with choosing [https://statspl.us/brewster/reports/new ... 79426.html]Owen 'Tangles' Byram[/url]. Byram was our 3rd rounder this year and posted a solid 2.61 ERA in 58.2 innings of work after being selected in the 3rd round this year. I like his potential, but I'm unsure what his future outlook is going to be as his endurance currently makes him look like a 5 inning pitcher. It might be a smart move to try to improve his endurance in the development complex this off season...if that's possible.

R - ASSATEAGUE PONIES:

Best Hitter:
Seth Mckeehan takes the rookie ball award as our best hitter this year. Mckeehan posted a .283/.346/.530/.877 slash line with 12 homers and 38 RBI this season. He looks to me like a future 4th outfielder who might be able to bounce around to 1B/DH. He might be another guy who is a development complex possibility.

Best Pitcher:
Finally Mohsin Akbar takes the pitcher of the year award for Assateague this year. We acquired Akbar from Boise in the trade for Lucious Lou Tinter back in 2060. Akbar posted a 1.84 ERA in 78.1 innings of work for the Ponies this year. I'm not sure what the future holds for Akbar, but I like that his arrow seems to be pointing up.