Beloit, WI - With the end of the minor-league regular season in Yount, we wanted to recognize the All-Pro Team, which will undoubtedly create controversy.
Catcher - Delanor Bichette Triple-A Yankees
Runs: 102 Hits: 163 HR: 34 RBI: 131 SB: 0
AVG: .331 OBP: .389 SLG: .616 OPS: 1.005
The son of prison guards at the Ionia Correctional Facility and the Michigan Reformatory, Bichette has always played with an edge, having yet another great season at the plate. In eight minor league seasons, Bichette has a career slash of .297/.365/.583, amassing five silver sluggers. He hasn't found his way up to the majors and might be destined for the minor league Hall of Fame.
First Base - A.J. Phillips - Triple-A Angels
Runs: 110 Hits: 183 HR: 46 RBI: 107 SB: 0
AVG: .328 OBP: .420 SLG: .645 OPS: 1;065
Phillips was a 2nd round pick of the Angels in Season 43 and has done nothing but hit in the minors. He has a major league bat and should see some time there in season 48. Phillips was drafted out of Owens Community College, which counts as their alumni Bill Laimbeer.
2nd Base - Ramon Hukata - Low A Phillies
Runs: 120 Hits: 189 HR: 39 RBI: 161 SB: 10
AVG: .317 OBP: .392 SLG: .624 OPS: 1.016
Good Ol' Grey Brows has been a monster in his three seasons in the minors, as last year he was the Designated Hitter. The 22nd pick overall in the Season 45 draft, Hukata was a monster at the plate this season. He only saw limited time in his first two seasons, but played in all 144 games in Low A. He has the unique hobby of extreme ironing, whereby people take ironing boards to remote locations and iron items of clothing. According to the Extreme Ironing Bureau, extreme ironing is "the latest danger sport that combines the thrills of an extreme outdoor activity with the satisfaction of a well-pressed shirt." It has led to issues on the road, as Hukata is more focused on the local topography. If he continues to knock in 160+ per year, the Phillies will probably tolerate it.
Shortstop - Charlie Bessire - Double A Brewers
Runs: 144 Hits: 205 HR: 54 RBI: 183 SB: 8
AVG: .335 OBP: .405 SLG: .691 OPS: 1.096
Yeah, the offensive numbers are amazing, but Bessire also had 12 plus plays at SS this year. The second overall pick in the Season 44 draft, Bessire is just another cog in the machine that is the Milwaukee Brewers. Bessire had his best season overall, repeating Double-A. How long until he joins the bigs or will he be trade bait?
Third Base - Ian DeMichele - Low A Dodgers
Runs: 116 Hits: 178 HR: 46 RBI: 173 SB: 2
AVG: .311 OBP: .402 SLG: .635 OPS: 1.037
Nothing on the top but a bucket and a mop
And an illustrated book about birds
You see a lot up there but don't be scared
Who needs action when you got words
Those lyrics from Nirvana's "Plateau" will haunt Ian for the rest of his life. As a rookie, he was caught in a viral video, clearly intoxicated and shirtless, sitting on a bucket, playing Call of Duty. He has recovered nicely and put it all together this season. Pretty remarkable for a 21st round pick in Season 45, but in the end, DeMichele's fifteen minutes on TikTok might end up being a career highlight.
Outfield - Alex Moreno - Rookie Cubs
Runs: 94 Hits: 94 HR: 26 RBI: 117 SB: 9
AVG: .393 OBP: .484 SLG: .773 OPS: 1.257
There were some gaudy performances in rookie ball, as there always are, but the combination of OBP and SLG make Moreno the only rookie to make the minor All-Pro team. A stud out of Kenosha, Wisconsin, Moreno starred at Wisconsin-Parkside, where as a Ranger he set the school marks in every major offensive category. He was drafted in the 2nd round and has solid enough projections to make the majors. He might not hit like this again, but he will hit well enough with good pop.
Outfield - Don Chang - Triple A Brewers
Runs: 144 Hits: 194 HR: 42 RBI: 156 SB: 32
AVG: .328 OBP: .382 SLG: .664 OPS: 1.046
Chang has developed into a true power and speed threat, posted back-to-back 30+ steal seasons as his pop returned again this year. Chang is just 21 and in a jammed up major and minor league system, so what his future holds remains to be seen. Ranked as the #18 prospect in the Yount 100, Chang has a bright future, but in what uniform? Chang was signed in Season 44 for a bonus of $23M, the third highest amount paid by the Brewers under willsauve.
Outfield - Jose Guzman - High A Yankees
Runs: 106 Hits: 160 HR: 37 RBI: 157 SB: 1
AVG: .378 OBP: .457 SLG: .761 OPS: 1.218
Guzman might have been the best hitter in the minors, as all of his numbers came in just 101 games. Guzman continues to suffer strange injuries that limits his time, although he has never spent time on the DL. For example, he had a strained philtrum, which is the vertical groove on the median line of the upper lip. He also suffered a rash in his armpit after using too much Axe body spray, which did not allow him to lift his arms.
Designated Hitter - Wally Truman - High A Red Sox
Runs: 147 Hits: 226 HR: 44 RBI: 148 SB: 6
AVG: .380 OBP: .460 SLG: .710 OPS: 1.170
Some dudes try and play a position and can't. Truman has spent all four years in the minors at DH and reportedly doesn't even own a glove. The 12th overall pick in the Season 44 draft, he served as the bat boy growing up for the Battle Creek Battle Jacks. Battle Creek has the distinction of the being the birthplace of the Cereal Industry, so there is that.
Starting Pitcher - Zeus Adkinsson - Low A Rays
Games: 28 Games Started: 28 W-L: 18-3 Inn: 202.2
BB: 31 SO: 206 WHIP: 0.93 ERA: 2.31
A tradition unlike any other, as the Rays seem to have the market cornered on old pitchers who dominate Low A, as for the 2nd year in a row, a Rays pitcher won this award. Last year's award winner, Tuck Daily was promoted to High A. Zeus, the God of Low A, had almost identical numbers to last year. Can he threepeat?
Relief Pitcher - Yorrick Russell
Games: 54 Saves: 30 W-L: 2-2 Inn: 74.0
BB: 8 SO: 72 WHIP: 0.72 ERA: 1.34
Russell was downright nasty, appearing in 54 games and throwing 74 innings in the minors. He projects out as a dynamite closer in the majors and has plenty of time to get there.
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