DelPrez's Monthly Minor League (Late Round) Players to Watch

[Delandis]

May 2005 DMLLP Award Winner

Tristan Nelson (OF)
(AA) Fort Lee Generals
OSA: 5-5-3-2-5| 5-5-3-2-5

-This month, we'll profile another hitter and I swear I'm not picking on Davenport. More known for their production of pitchers, Tristan was one of the better positional players produced by the Southern California school, Long Beach State. A four year starter, Tristan's senior was his best where he hit over .300 and 11 home runs.

Tristan was the first pick of the 5th round in 2003. Cut just two weeks later, Tristan was immediately picked up by the Dinos organization. After an impressive performance at the Single A level in 2003, Tristan was promoted to Fort Lee early in the 2004 season. Nelson was able to post a 128 OPS+ during his time in AA during 2004.

Now in 2005, Tristan is punishing AA level ball and believes he's ready for The Show. The question is, does Los Angeles think he's ready?

BLB Potential Comparison:
Weston Day (WIL)

[Jimmy]

LA's official press response:

We are thrilled about Nelson's recognition with this prestigious reward. Sometimes kids slip through the cracks and he were lucky to find him available. Our plan was to promote him at some point after the draft as he is certainly ready for AAA. I wouldn't say he's on the fast track but he is definitely on our radar for the not-so-distant future. The competition for the remaining OF positions next year will be tough and he may not crack the roster right away with Gutierrez and Van de Putte higher in our depth chart. But I wouldn't bet against him seeing some action later in the season next year.

[tomr1962]

[
Now in 2005, Tristan is punishing AA level ball and believes he's ready for The Show. The question is, does Los Angeles think he's ready?

BLB Potential Comparison:
Weston Day (WIL)[/QUOTE] THIS RUINS HIM

[Delandis]

June 2005 DMLLP Award Winner

Wilfredo Hernandez(SP)
(AA) Sacramento Amish
OSA: 5-4-3 / 5-5-5

-We're a little late here, but this month we profile former 5th round pick, Wilfredo Hernandez. Originally selected by Guides organization, the DR Republic native is described as a very intelligent club house leader. At just 19 years old, Wilfredo has already been a professional player for over 3 years now. Wifredo already possesses three plus pitches and is currently developing a seldom seen screwball to increase his chances to frustrate undisciplined lefty hitters. There is no doubt Hernandez has the talent but the question is whether he will continue to work to become the caliber of pitcher he can become.

BLB Potential Comparison:
Cho-Yeong Lee (LAD)

[Delandis]

July 2005 DMLLP Award Winner



Donny Morse(SS)
(A) Tallahassee Thunder
OSA: 5-4-2-3-4 / 6-6-3-4-5

-Selected relatively recently as the 202nd pick in the 2003 draft, Morse really looks like a real find. Already very competent as a defensive shortstop, this California kid played his college ball in his home state for the Golden Bears. Morse's best college year came as a sophomore, where he led the team in hits and doubles.

While in Tallahassee, Morse has continued to develop over the last couple of years and has exploded as arguably the most talented player on the Thunder this year. Morse is sure to have earned a promotion to at least AA ball this year and will likely see the bigs before too long.

BLB Potential Comparison:

Tyler Debenedetti (DAL)

[Carlos]

Tyler De? Yeah, good bye to any potentially good career Morse.

[Delandis]

Tyler De? Yeah, good bye to any potentially good career Morse.

He was infected in Denver. He's not playing too badly in Dallas.

[Carlos]

He was infected in Denver. He's not playing too badly in Dallas.

He's playing okay. He's still OPS+ing below average and is riding one really good month. I've seen it before with him and I made a stupid extension because I got caught up in the same signs once upon a time.

He's a waste of space.


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[Sully]

He's playing okay. He's still OPS+ing below average and is riding one really good month. I've seen it before with him and I made a stupid extension because I got caught up in the same signs once upon a time.

He's a waste of space.


Sent from my mobile device.

He's played a lot better than we expected when we claimed him, but he's really nothing more than a suitable bench player. With Wentworth now in the BLB, we'll be looking for a better option at 3B this offseason.

[Carlos]

Somehow he's worth two wins. I find that amazing. He's playing better than ever and I'm sure Denver had something to do with his lack of production but I wouldn't want any of my prospects to project to him.


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[Delandis]

April 2007 DMLLP Award Winner



Terry Copeland(SP)
(AA) Frisco Beavers
OSA: 5-5-2 / 6-5-3

-Its been a while but I'm back again with another edition. We'll start 2007 profiling a pitcher from the 2003 draft, Terry Copeland.

A member of the 2-time NCAA Champion Oklahoma Sooners in 2000 and 2001 (the 2000 squad had "Barbed Wire"), Copeland started 31 games posting a 4.71 ERA and 1.42 WHIP. Copeland started his college career well but it seems like nagging elbow injuries forced Copeland to end his NCAA career with little more than a whimper Consequently, he was the 106th player selected in 2003 draft.

Despite a promising start in Tallahassee for the New York Single A team, Copeland was released before the start of the 2004 season, but quickly signed a little over one week later by the Dallas organization.

Copeland has spent the last 3+ years in the Dallas minor league system picking up the April AA Mash POM Award. With his questionable control, Copeland is not likely to be an everyday starter in the BLB, but he should eventually get an opportunity as a long reliever/spot starter situation because he does command 6 decent pitches, with 5 of those above average.

Zach Amaral (Death Valley)

[Delandis]

May 2007 DMLLP Award Winner




Travis Fox (1B/OF)
(AA) Oklahoma City Bulls
OSA: 5-7-3-3-5 / 5-7-3-3-5

-Selected in the 6th round by the Slammers in 2001, Travis has made his rounds through a few BLB minor league systems before finding his home with the Bulls. A kid who blossomed into a top high school hitter in his senior year with Maine West, Fox struggled to find his swing in his first few years as a professional.

Cut in June of 2002 by the organization that drafted him, Fox found himself with the Patriots organization at the beginning of 2003. Although he played a little bit better, Fox again was cut, but this time from the Patriots Single A affiliate in July of 2003. Fox signed with Death Valley in 2004 who saw his potential and gave the kid a chance at the AA level. Although Fox struggled his first year in AA, he exploded in 2005, with 124 OPS+ and even swiping 15 bags.

Fox was most recently included in the trade that sent power hitter, Wessin Ramirez, to DVS for free and has hit very well at both the A and AA level for Denver. Fox lacks power and patience but may eventually find a spot in the BLB with his speed and ability to make contact when he does swing the bat.

BLB Potential Comparison:

Tom Moore (CLE)

[Carlos]

Great. Now he's going to collapse.

I've been happy with his "development." He will be in AAA next year at 25 with a chance to sniff the pros either later that year or at 26(!) years of age.




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[Pat]

Bring it back.

[Delandis]

Maybe.

I started this to try and help keep the BLB alive post-scandal.

I'm glad we are still going strong.