Beloit, WI - With the minor-league regular season in Yount over, we wanted to acknowledge the All-Pro Team, a decision that is sure to spark controversy.
Catcher - Harold Garcia - Braves Rookie League
Runs: 93 Hits: 108 HR: 32 RBI: 115 SB: 0
AVG: .362 OBP: .472 SLG: .795 OPS: 1.267
Garcia was a standout in both literal and figurative senses. After playing 859 games in the majors, Garcia spent his second straight year in the rookie league and performed exceptionally well. He put up impressive numbers with a staggering .795 slugging percentage, reminiscent of the RBI Baseball video game. Garcia had plans of receiving a spring training invite, but unfortunately, he tragically passed away in a ferry boat accident in his hometown of Saint Joseph, Michigan, leaving behind his wife, Ruby, and three children.
First Base - Fausto Ortiz - Cincinnati Triple-A
Runs: 120 Hits: 168 HR: 53 RBI: 143 SB: 4
AVG: .315 OBP: .430 SLG: .662 OPS: 1.092
The power is real and it is spectacular. Ortiz has slugged 190 home runs in just four minor league seasons and should see the majors in Season 54. Fausto was a relative bargain signing in season 51, signing for $8M, as he looks like the power will translate. His fielding has been a bit suspect, but the trade off is definitely worth it. Ortiz is meticulous about his facial hair grooming, using a tape measure in the clubhouse to ensure his sideburns are "just so".
Second Base - Desi Perez - Colorado Double-A
Runs: 123 Hits: 176 HR: 44 RBI: 191 SB: 15
AVG: .300 OBP: .368 SLG: .618 OPS: .986
If you put runners on base, Perez would knock them in. He racked up 191 RBI last season, which was the highest in the minors last season. Perez was the 8th overall pick in the Season 51 draft by Texas out of Nimitz High School in Irving, Texas. Nimitz HS was named after former U.S. Navy Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. Perez is the son of carnies, who lived a gypsy lifestyle until settling down in Irving, after his Uncle Verne said it was the best place to raise children.
Third Base - Marv Crane - Atlanta Rookie League
Runs: 119 Hits: 119 HR: 35 RBI: 110 SB: 6
AVG: .432 OBP: .534 SLG: .910 OPS: 1.444
It's pretty challenging to make the all-pro team in the rookie league because they play a shortened season. If you have a slugging percentage of .910, you're definitely getting the nod. Crane, an ML free agent, didn't find a team after playing with Houston in Season 53. However, he gave it one more shot with the Braves, and he retired after the season, not dying.
Shortstop - Chance Berken - Arizona High A
Runs: 138 Hits: 194 HR: 40 RBI: 140 SB: 1
AVG: .367 OBP: .435 SLG: .673 OPS: 1.108
The Diamondbacks have built up a lot of offensive talent in the minors and we went with a bat at shortstop, a slight departure from teams of the past. Berken was a supplemental 1st round pick in Season 53 out of the University of Oklahoma. Berken's Uncle Ryan Rohlinger played at the University of Oklahoma and he followed in his footsteps.
Outfield - Justin Milliard - Arizona Double A
Runs: 126 Hits: 197 HR: 30 RBI: 162 SB: 18
AVG: .352 OBP: .445 SLG: .609 OPS: 1.054
Milliard is an absolute on-base machine, which should translate well at the major-league level. Paired with other young talent in Arizona, if they can get some pitching they could be well on their way to a nice run in the NL South. The third overall pick in the Season 53 draft, Milliard migrated from Ferriday, Louisiana to Binghamton in New York for college. Ferriday has the distinction of producing more famous people per square mile than any town in America. Jerry Lee Lewis and Jimmy Swaggert both hail from Ferriday and Milliard might be on his way to joining those immortal Js from Ferriday.
Outfield - Wilbur Thayer - Baltimore Double A
Runs: 113 Hits: 177 HR: 43 RBI: 142 SB: 2
AVG: .337 OBP: .409 SLG: .663 OPS: 1.072
Wilbur is a minor league legend, who might be the very definition of a high 4A player. A 2nd round draft pick in Season 51 out of Central Missouri State University, Thayer does have great power, bombing 172 home runs in his four seasons. With a career slash of .336/.412/.693 Thayer is looking to make the majors in the next few years.
Outfield - Kendry Chavez - Texas Low A
Runs: 97 Hits: 145 HR: 31 RBI: 113 SB: 3
AVG: .336 OBP: .414 SLG: .669 OPS: 1.083
Chavez spent a second straight year at Low A, and despite only playing in 107 games he put up some great numbers. A 2nd round pick in Season 52 out of Rome Free Academy in New York, Chavez enjoys paint by numbers in his free time.
Designated Hitter - Jin Ho Ishida - Toronto Double A
Runs: 101 Hits: 161 HR: 49 RBI: 149 SB: 2
AVG: .307 OBP: .388 SLG: .624 OPS: 1.012
Ishida has been very consistent the past two years in the minors, putting up almost identical statlines. Ishida put up the above numbers in just 131 games. With prodigous power, but lacking in contact and splits, Ishida is shaping up to be a minor league monster for years to come. Ishida was a relative bargain in the international market at just $1.1M, as being named a minor league all-pro has a value of at least $2M in Yount.
Starting Pitcher - Stewart Erlin - Baltimore High A
Games: 29 Games Started: 29 W-L: 21-3 Inn: 197.2
BB: 44 SO: 185 WHIP: 0.99 ERA: 1.78
Erlin captured his second straight Yount Minor League Starting pitcher of the Year and won mustache of the year yet again. The 29th pick out of Coffeyville Community College, Erlin has put together three straight minor leauge seasons with a sub 1.00 WHIP. Erlin clearly knows how to pitch and is likely a few years away from the show.
Relief Pitcher - Rich Gardner - Baltimore High A
Games: 53 Saves: 37 W-L: 3-6 Inn: 64
BB: 15 SO: 72 WHIP: 0.97 ERA: 1.55
Erlin's roommate in the minors the past two seasons has been Rich Gardner, who is carving out his own path to the majors. A high strikeout pitcher, Gardner excelled yet again in Season 54. Gardner was a supplemental 1st round pick out of LSU, where he was teammates with the 1st overall pick and rookie of the year Aaron Rollins, winning a national championship. Gardner struck out the side in the 9th and threw his glove into the crowd, grabbing his cup in one of the most iconic moments in the storied history of LSU baseball.
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