Beloit, WI -Â 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 - Fernando Martinez - Phillies Low A
Runs: 103 Hits: 188 HR: 31 RBI: 139 SB: 2
AVG: .316 OBP: .384 SLG: .582 OPS: .977
Fernando seems to be a great bargain at his $4.8M signing bonus in Season 52, as he has put together back-to-back great minor league seasons. It is debatable how great of a prospect Martinez is, as he won't have a position to play in the majors and might not be a polished enough hitter to play DH. Nonetheless, he will be a fun minor leaguer, putting up big numbers in the years ahead.
First Base - Saul Melendez - Nationals High A
Runs: 137 Hits: 200 HR: 46 RBI: 174 SB: 0
AVG: .335 OBP: .411 SLG: .649 OPS: 1.066
Better Call Saul is yet another gem in the Nationals minor league system, signing for $21M in Season 51 and appearing in Season 52 for the first time. Melendez has gone for 40+ bombs in each of his first two minor league seasons. Melendez might have a major league bat already, but without a position and being relegated to DH duties, he wasn't ranked among the top 100 Yount prospects last season.
Second Base - David Alou - Diamondbacks High A
Runs: 99 Hits: 158 HR: 43 RBI: 142 SB: 10
AVG: .323 OBP: .396 SLG: .663 OPS: 1.059
Welcome to the Dominican National Team, as this marks the third straight pick that is age 21 from the Dominican. Alou was a relative bargain at $5.1M, ranking as the 90th best prospect in Yount last season. Alou is close to the majors, but probably grades as an outfielder in the majors, as he might not have the range to play 2B.
Third Base - Wilking Jacquez - Colonels Double A
Runs: 89 Hits: 166 HR: 48 RBI: 122 SB: 0
AVG: .310 OBP: .346 SLG: .631 OPS: .977
You can always count on somebody born in Wisconsin. Growing up on the banks of the mighty Mississipi, Wilking learned at a young age how to hit. Located on the border of Iowa, although born in Prairie Du Chien, Wilking attended high school at John. R. Mott in Postville, Iowa. Drafted in the 4th round in Season 48, Jacquez has always hit in the minors with his prodigous power, but doesn't have enough defensively on a good enough eye to make the 40 man roster and is currently a free agent.
Shortstop - Clayton Miller - Brewers High A/Double A
Runs: 126 Hits: 192 HR: 45 RBI: 135 SB: 10
AVG: .315 OBP: .378 SLG: .624 OPS: 1.002
The 11th overall pick in the Season 50 draft, Miller is knocking on the door of the two-time defending champs, but as always, is blocked by other talent. Miller put together his best season in the minors starting at High A before being promoted 19 games in to Double A. Miller was born in Seabrook, New Jersey, which is named for Charles F. Seabrook, a businessman who at one ponit wan the largest irrigated truck farm in the world.
Outfield - Ruben Lorenzo - Reds Double A
Runs: 116 Hits: 167 HR: 43 RBI: 148 SB: 23
AVG: .301 OBP: .366 SLG: .653 OPS: 1.019
The 15th overall pick in the Season 50 draft, Lorenzo put together another 43 home run season and has eye-popping minor league numbers. Lorenzo should be in the majors soon, as he ranked 36th overall in the Yount prospect rankings, just behind 32nd Clayton Miller. Lorezno projects as a CF with lots of pop and should be a borderline all-star in the majors.
Outfield - Aaron Rollins - Arizona Double A
Runs: 138 Hits: 186 HR: 46 RBI: 139 SB: 28
AVG: .330 OBP: .407 SLG: .688 OPS: 1.095
This might be Rollins last minor league All-Pro team, as the first overall pick in the Season 52 draft is ready for the majors, ranked as the second overall prospect behind Robert Hayes in Washington. Rollins was a member of the LSU Tigers squad that won the national championship.
Outfield - Cookie Rosado - Rangers High A
Runs: 137 Hits: 184 HR: 61 RBI: 164 SB: 1
AVG: .339 OBP: .438 SLG: .753 OPS: 1.191
Cookie is ready to eat, as he has been a monster on the minor league level. Ranked as the 51st best prospect last season, Rosado has crazy power and a crazy good eye, which lets him hit bombs. He should be in the majors soon.
Designated Hitter - Terry Bland - Tigers Double A
Runs: 93 Hits: 124 HR: 51 RBI: 141 SB: 0
AVG: .321 OBP: .434 SLG: .775 OPS: 1.209
Bland is an absolute home run machine, with 188 roundtrippers in four minor league seasons. A 6th round pick in Season 49, Bland doesn't have a position, so likely will continue to hit bombs in the minors unless an AL team wants to try him at DH.
Starting Pitcher - Stewart Erlin - Orioles Low A
Games: 29 Games Started: 29 W-L: 22-1 Inn: 174.1
BB: 39 SO: 183 WHIP: 0.93 ERA: 1.96
The 29th overall pick in Season 52 out of Coffeyville Community College, Erlin has put together two ridiculous seasons and is well on his way to being a top of the rotation starter. He checks in at 60th on the Yount prospects list and has one of the best mustaches in the game.
Relief Pitcher - Alex George - Orioles High A
Games: 60 Saves: 39 W-L: 7-4 Inn: 75.2
BB: 17 SO: 60 WHIP: 1.06 ERA: 1.90
George was picked up off the scrap heap by Baltimore and promptly won the Cy Young and Newcomer of the Year at High A. He also decided to retire after the year.