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 - Marcos Oliva - Washington High A
Runs: 113 Hits: 160 HR: 48 RBI: 163 SB: 3
AVG: .282 OBP: .356 SLG: .616 OPS: .972
Oliva is a high-priced international free agent, signing in season 49 for $28.0M from Panama. Although the price tag was high, Oliva has shown his worth, with two all-star appearances and a Silver Slugger in High A. Last season, he was rated as the #35 prospect overall. The question becomes, when does the youth movement in D.C. start? The system is loaded with prospects.
First Base - Carl Sisler - Chicago Cubs Double-A
Runs: 120 Hits: 180 HR: 35 RBI: 128 SB: 3
AVG: .352 OBP: .443 SLG: .669 OPS: 1.112
The great-grandson of MLB Hall of Famer George Sisler, Carl is one of the best players from the state of Vermont. Sisler has been a consistent minor-league player after being drafted out of Junior College in the 4th round in Season 47. With two all-star teams and a Silver Slugger award, Sisler projects as a solid 4A player. Sisler also holds the distinction of having his family appear as extras in the Farrelly brothers movie Me, Myself, and Irene.
Second Base - Tike DeJean - Arizona Low A / High A
Runs: 131 Hits: 192 HR: 50 RBI: 192 SB: 7
AVG: .341 OBP: .414 SLG: .737 OPS: 1.151
What a great name, Tike DeJean. The fifth overall pick in the season 50 draft was an absolute RBI machine with 192 RBI. Tike hails from Wytheville, Virginia, named after George Wythe, who was in the room where it happened as a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Third Base - Glenn Darensbourg - Anaheim Low A
Runs: 132 Hits: 188 HR: 34 RBI: 127 SB: 8
AVG: .310 OBP: .385 SLG: .593 OPS: .978
Alright, alright, alright. Every minor league all-pro team has its Wooderson. He gets older, and his teammates stay the same age. After a three-year absence, Glenn left his job at Tireworld, where he had moved into an assistant to the Associate General Manager position. He was out of baseball since season 48 but gave it one more shot. He hasn't hung it up yet, so look for him on the free agent market.
Shortstop - Arthur Stark - Florida High A
Runs: 111 Hits: 202 HR: 19 RBI: 83 SB: 28
AVG: .349 OBP: .411 SLG: .540 OPS: .951
The Staff at GUGUGOOHG didn't know who to select at SS with the MLB promotion of Wilson Milone, the mainstay in minor-league shortstops. The 12th overall pick in Season 49, Stark should make it up to the majors at some point. Stark hails from Gillette, Wyoming, the third largest city in Wyoming. Stark has a solid glove and some speed.
Outfield - Sam Linden - Minnesota High A
Runs: 131 Hits: 183 HR: 45 RBI: 128 SB: 20
AVG: .372 OBP: .453 SLG: .758 OPS: 1.211
Inglewood always up to no good. Linden was the #2 overall pick in the Season 49 draft and has a potential all-star written all over him. Already the owner of 99 minor league home runs and an insane 421 RBI in three seasons, Linden has racked up many minor league honors. Will he make it up to the bigs soon? He has spent one season at each level, and the Twins usually do not rush prospects. The only concern is Linden not playing in a full number of games in any season.
Outfield - Butch Christiansen - Arizona Rookie
Runs: 85 Hits: 108 HR: 28 RBI: 93 SB: 1
AVG: .360 OBP: .464 SLG: .757 OPS: 1.221
It is always hard for rookies to make the minor league All-Pro squad, as they play in so many fewer games. Christiansen stood out with significant numbers in just 76 games. A first-round pick of the Diamondbacks with the 24th overall pick, his given name was Floyd, but he quickly acquired the nickname Butch by mimicking his Uncle Butch Buddenhagen's catchphrase, "Oh Boy." Butch has some serious pop and could make it up to the big club at some point.
Outfield - Miguel Acosta - Atlanta Rookie
Runs: 78 Hits: 101 HR: 26 RBI: 123 SB: 2
AVG: .365 OBP: .429 SLG: .812 OPS: 1.241
So much for being hard not to put rookie leaguers on the All-Pro team; Acosta was living large in rookie ball with a $1.2M salary. After he received the Silver Slugger award at the banquet, he promptly told the assembled Elks, "I did it, you mother*******; I told everyone back in Wisconsin I still had it, and that's it. I am out." Acosta played 1555 games in the majors and, in retirement, plans to take his talents to the Jackson softball league, where he plans on doing some serious yard work that hasn't been done since Cornelius Feider was hitting bombs.
Designated Hitter - Torrey Arredondo - Tampa Rookie / Low A
Runs: 126 Hits: 183 HR: 44 RBI: 167 SB: 0
AVG: .343 OBP: .421 SLG: .687 OPS: 1.108
Every league has minor league legends, and Torey falls into that category. He has hit 406 minor league home runs without sniffing the majors. He has won many awards in the minors, with five all-star games and three silver sluggers to go along with his MVP award in season 51, as he got sent down to terrorize just-drafted players in rookie ball.
Starting Pitcher - Christian Kinzler - Tampa Low A
Games: 29 Games Started: 29 W-L: 18-6 Inn: 222.0
BB: 41 SO: 202 WHIP: 1.04 ERA: 2.43
Two years and two Cy Youngs for Kintzler. The 20th overall pick in the Season 50 draft out of Ball State, Kintzler is the #21 rated prospect in the minors, and that is sure to go up this season as many of the players ahead of him will be in the majors this season. Kintzler is a workhorse, throwing 222.0 innings in 29 starts with eight complete games. Given his age, he has a bright future and could be up soon.
Relief Pitcher - Domingo Gonzalez - Atlanta Low A
Games: 26 Saves: 24 W-L: 0-0 Inn: 23.2
BB: 10 SO: 27 WHIP: 0.97 ERA: 1.14
Continuing with the theme this year of a bunch of has-beens and never-will-bes, Gonzalez, in his limited innings, made the most of it, putting up impressive numbers in short stints. Gonzalez is still hanging on and hoping to catch on with someone in spring training, as he owns 292 MLB saves and is a two-time NL Fireman of the Year. Thanks for hanging around Domingo.
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