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 - Luke Romine - Oakland Low A
Runs: 108 Hits: 186 HR: 42 RBI: 138 SB: 0
AVG: .325 OBP: .395 SLG: .639 OPS: 1.034
The second overall selection in the Season 55 draft has been outstanding in his initial two seasons in the minors. Romine is projected to be an all-star catcher, excelling defensively and capable of hitting both for contact and power. While his batting eye could use some improvement, the Walters State Community College alumnus is expected to appear in a major league ballpark near you soon.
FIRST BASE - Tony Johnson - San Diego High A
Runs: 132 Hits: 208 HR: 43 RBI: 171 SB: 12
AVG: .338 OBP: .401 SLG: .641 OPS: 1.042
Good ol' Johnson went down to the minors to recover from an injury during spring training and ended up becoming one of the top players there. As an average journeyman with only 514 major league at-bats, Johnson is clearly a 4A player and is now a free agent. Drafted in the 2nd round by Houston in season 47, Johnson clearly has a future in the minors if he decides to keep playing.
SECOND BASE - Felipe Carrasco - St. Louis Rookie League
Runs: 78 Hits: 124 HR: 21 RBI: 81 SB: 0
AVG: .388 OBP: .461 SLG: .663 OPS: 1.124
Carrasco was signed from Aruba in Season 56 for a modest $175K and likely won't advance much beyond Double-A, but he excelled against rookie league pitching. Aruba, with a population of just over 100,000, isn't renowned for baseball talent. Carrasco was spotted by a scout on vacation, who saw him dominating in stickball. For the Cardinals, taking a chance on him was worthwhile, and Carrasco is starting off strong.
THIRD BASE - Benny Cruz - Seattle Double A
Runs: 126 Hits: 174 HR: 61 RBI: 178 SB: 24
AVG: .300 OBP: .369 SLG: .693 OPS: 1.062
Cruz was a strong acquisition by Seattle in Season 53 for $5M. With his immense power, Cruz has the potential to reach the majors based on that skill alone. However, he might be considered a 4A player since his splits, eye, and contact aren't at an elite level to make a significant impact. Nonetheless, Cruz arguably had one of the best seasons in the minors, as hitting over 60 home runs and driving in more than 170 runs is quite impressive.
SHORTSTOP - Pat Bishop - Cincinnati Double A
Runs: 138 Hits: 206 HR: 35 RBI: 175 SB: 15
AVG: .334 OBP: .397 SLG: .608 OPS: 1.005
Picked 9th overall in the season 54 draft out of SUNY-Delhi, Bishop is fast-tracking his way to the big leagues. He’s got the defensive chops to play SS/3B and swings a bat big enough to make major league pitchers sweat. Every season in the minors, he’s racked up an OPS over 1, like he's playing a video game on easy mode. Hailing from Ishpeming, Michigan, Bishop’s parents were roadies for the Da Yoopers in the 1980s, with his dad inspiring the legendary hit "Da 30 Point Buck." Clearly, talent runs in the family.
OUTFIELD - Billy McMurty - San Diego High A
Runs: 129 Hits: 179 HR: 53 RBI: 154 SB: 0
AVG: .315 OBP: .394 SLG: .663 OPS: 1.057
A supplemental first-round pick in Season 55 from the prestigious Northern Essex Community College (home of the Knights), McMurtry has power that could light up a small city—he's hit 75 minor league home runs in just two seasons. Originally picked by Washington, he was traded along with prospect Angel Pena for the mysterious Marcus Anderson, who may or may not be a baseball wizard. McMurtry comes from the lobster-loving state of Maine, where his family sends a yearly shipment of crustaceans to the Midwest's seafood connoisseur, J Larson, who dreams of lobsters in his sleep.
OUTFIELD - Mac Dransfeldt - Anaheim Rookie League
Runs: 92 Hits: 121 HR: 15 RBI: 97 SB: 4
AVG: .403 OBP: .500 SLG: .780 OPS: 1.280
An exceptional talent, Dransfeldt stands as the likely top prospect in all of Yount under the new ownership in Anaheim. As the first overall pick in Season 56 from Lansdale Catholic in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, Dransfeldt quickly established his presence by delivering outstanding performances in his debut season. He excelled in three sports for the Crusaders, earning accolades as an all-state wide receiver, conference player of the year in basketball, and the Gatorade National Player of the Year in baseball. Dransfeldt is projected to play as a left fielder or first baseman, showcasing a keen eye, strong batting skills, and significant power.
OUTFIELD - Dominic Patterson - San Diego Rookie League
Runs: 107 Hits: 119 HR: 23 RBI: 90 SB: 3
AVG: .377 OBP: .479 SLG: .766 OPS: 1.245
The Season 56 draft might be remembered as one of the greatest in Yount history due to the impressive debuts of the top two selections. Patterson, the second pick from West Monroe High School, has been a baseball prodigy, receiving an offer from LSU in 7th grade. Patterson might develop a more powerful bat, given his larger frame and superior eye. The concern with Patterson is his defensive position, as he is projected to be a first baseman at best and likely has a brighter future as a designated hitter.
DESIGNATED HITTER - Will Castillo - Chicago White Sox Double A
Runs: 133 Hits: 211 HR: 36 RBI: 164 SB: 2
AVG: .342 OBP: .406 SLG: .601 OPS: 1.007
Castillo, a second-round pick in Season 54 from Lindsay High School in Lindsay, Texas, requires a trade to the American League to enhance his prospects of being called up. Although he has participated in 26 games at first base, he has yet to fully adapt to the position. With strong contact and power skills, Castillo is likely to remain in the minor leagues for as long as he chooses.
STARTING PITCHER - Gerald Pritchett - Boston Low A
Games: 29 Games Started: 29 W-L: 16-3 Inn: 145.1
BB: 33 SO: 149 WHIP: 0.90 ERA: 1.86
The 23rd overall pick in the Season 55 draft out of Wallace State Community College-Hanceville, Pritchett showed incredible promise as a starter, as anytime you have a sub-one WHIP and sub-two ERA you are in elite company. Pritchett hails from Attalia, Alabama, which is the home of the football-playing Nix family.
RELIEF PITCHER - Rich Gardner - Baltimore Double A
Games: 59 Saves: 39 W-L: 9-2 Inn: 78.1
BB: 19 SO: 85 WHIP: 0.94 ERA: 2.30 Gardner was the minor league relief pitcher of the Year 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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