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 - Rusell Faulk - White Sox Low A
Runs: 101 Hits: 191 HR: 30 RBI: 107 SB: 3
AVG: .356 OBP: .434 SLG: .628 OPS: 1.062
Well, Faulk didn't even bother giving himself a shot at becoming a 4A player, throwing in the towel after just one year in the White Sox system. This guy was originally drafted by the Orioles in the 4th round from Middlesex County College back in Season 48, but last year he made a comeback and ruled the Low A level. Fun fact: he's actually NFL Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk's cousin. But alas, Russell decided to call it quits on his dreams when the White Sox didn't extend an invite to spring training this year.
First Base - Harry Macias - Rangers High A
Runs: 109 Hits: 174 HR: 49 RBI: 139 SB: 0
AVG: .331 OBP: .420 SLG: .674 OPS: 1.094
Macias has been crushing it in the minor leagues for three seasons straight and this season actually was his lowest output and he still was a monster. This Cuban sensation was scooped up for a cool $4.2M back in season 53. With eyes like a hawk and power to boot, Macias just needs to work on his contact game and those pesky splits if he wants to hit the big leagues. Otherwise, he might just become the stuff of minor league folklore.
Second Base - Jerry Henry - Tigers High A
Runs: 105 Hits: 184 HR: 30 RBI: 138 SB: 7
AVG: .348 OBP: .409 SLG: .607 OPS: 1.016
Henry, the sunglass-wearing superstar from Caverna High School in Horse Cave, Kentucky, has been rocking the baseball field like a boss. This first-round pick in Season 52 has been shining brighter than a disco ball, ranking as the 77th best prospect in all of Yount last season. And guess what? He's not just any player - he's the cousin of none other than big-leaguer Corey Hart. Talk about keeping it in the family, right? With his shades always on point, Henry was always sure to abide by the Caverna High School rules of never wearing a hat or sunglasses inside the classroom. It is likely that Henry starts the season in Double-A and will be in Comerica Park at some point in the future.
Third Base - Jacoby Hamill - Phillies Low A
Runs: 128 Hits: 174 HR: 41 RBI: 165 SB: 12
AVG: .299 OBP: .396 SLG: .602 OPS: 1.065
Hamill had everyone in stitches during his time in Low A, where he became the ultimate crowd-pleaser with his wild antics whenever the Zooperstars made an appearance. Picture this: Ken Giraffey Jr. was swinging his neck like there's no tomorrow, and there goes Hamill, bobbing and weaving like a champ, evading a massive inflatable neck like a boss. Talk about a showstopper. But hey, don't let the goofiness fool you - Hamill means business. Ranked 67th in the Yount Prospect list, this guy is no joke. He smashed the Junior College home run record with a mind-blowing 47 homers after being a first-round pick from Suffolk County Community College-Selden. Whether he ends up as a Zooperstar or holding it down at 3B, one thing's for sure - Hamill's future shines as bright as a supernova.
Shortstop - Yan Mercado - Twins High A
Runs: 113 Hits: 186 HR: 30 RBI: 135 SB: 8
AVG: .317 OBP: .393 SLG: .557 OPS: .950
Hardball Dynasty and the Yount League are as obsessed with defense as a cat is with a laser pointer, and Mercado? Well, let's just say he's not just a pretty face at the plate - he's a regular wagon in the field, making 24-plus plays that even had the birds in the stands chirping in amazement. Now, as a free agent, Mercado is like a lost puppy looking for a new home in the minors, where his trusty glove and solid bat are sure to make him the talk of the dugout. At a sprightly age of 28, he still has dreams of sipping that big league coffee, even if it's just a small, tiny, itty-bitty cup. Hey, a sip is a sip, right?
Outfield
Rick DeLucia - Braves Triple A
Runs: 106 Hits: 145 HR: 54 RBI: 138 SB: 2
AVG: .363 OBP: .458 SLG: .842 OPS: 1.300
Imagine this: a player who only shows up in 120 games somehow manages to snag a spot on the minor league all-pro team! How? Well, when you're smashing 54 bombs and slugging at a whopping 1.300, the awards just start raining down like confetti. DeLucia, or should I say "Brick S***House" as his pals fondly call him, is a pint-sized powerhouse at 5'9" and a solid 210 lbs. This guy was a 4th round pick back in Season 46 straight outta Lindwold High School in New Jersey. And get this - he's got some seriously cool genes too, being the nephew of the legendary roller derby queen Suzy Hotrod.
Chip Patterson - Padres Rookie League
Runs: 101 Hits: 125 HR: 22 RBI: 82 SB: 3
AVG: .392 OBP: .482 SLG: .759 OPS: 1.241
Once upon a time, the blog always whined about the Rookie League being as tough as nailing jelly to a tree, but lo and behold, Patterson waltzed right onto the All-Pro team, making heads spin with his mind-boggling stats in just 76 games - the equivalent of a hiccup in baseball time. Despite a mid-season owner switcheroo, Patterson, a shining star in Season 54 as a first-round bonus baller, outdid himself with even more jaw-dropping performances. He's a jack-of-all-trades kind of guy, not exactly breaking the scales in any one area, but hey, his defense might need a bit of a spruce-up if he's ever gonna strut his stuff on the big stage.
Louis Falk - Mariners Double A
Runs: 129 Hits: 203 HR: 44 RBI: 181 SB: 8
AVG: .331 OBP: .401 SLG: .630 OPS: 1.031
Falk is basically a big deal from Texas A&M - he was the 15th pick in Season 54 and dove straight into his career in Double-A. Sitting pretty as the 14th overall prospect and the 6th best offensive prospect in the Yount prospect ratings, Falk flexed his muscles by driving in a whopping 181 runs last season. The only hiccup? His base-stealing skills could use a little boost, considering he got caught stealing 15 times. Falk is all about those stats, often getting into heated debates with the team statistician, Bob Pick, about tweaking his hit chart down to the exact spot - sometimes even dragging poor Bob out to the field to show him where the ball left its mark. Rest assured, Falk is destined for the big leagues, either this season or the next.
Designated Hitter - Einar Sucre - Rays Low A
Runs: 144 Hits: 166 HR: 47 RBI: 181 SB: 0
AVG: .288 OBP: .379 SLG: .606 OPS: .985
So, Sucre went from being the benchwarmer for his first three seasons (just 58 at-bats) to the home run king in Low A. He went bananas, smashing 47 long balls and sending 181 runs batted in. And guess what? He was so proud of himself that he decided to retire and leave the game on a high note.
Starting Pitcher - Chad Howe - Orioles Double A
Games: 29 Games Started: 29 W-L: 21-3 Inn: 183.1
BB: 39 SO: 183 WHIP: 1.09 ERA: 2.31
Looks like the Orioles are hogging all the goodies in the minor league starting pitcher department. For the third year in a row, they've snatched the title like it's no big deal. Howe is the real MVP here, shining bright like a diamond in the rough. If he keeps leveling up, he might just find himself rubbing shoulders with the big shots in the major leagues. Howe's story is straight out of a fairytale - an undrafted rookie free agent back in season 52, now slaying and making everyone eat their words.
Relief Pitcher - Harry Posada - Cubs Double A
Games: 53 Saves: 44 W-L: 1-1 Inn: 51.2
BB: 6 SO: 39 WHIP: 0.97 ERA: 1.57
Posada was basically plucked from Mexico City, Mexico as an IFA in season 54 for $3.9M and boy, did he hit the ground running. This dude was like a beast at the Double-A level, collecting a mind-blowing 44 saves throughout the season. He's now strutting his stuff as the 70th best prospect in Yount, and mark my words, he's about to take Wrigley Field by storm and shut things down.
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