Your Minor League Player(s) of the Year (2017)

[Pat]

Post them here!

[Pat]

2B Kaden Wooten (AA - Washington Oaks)

In 62 career collegiate games at UNLV, Wooten hit .296 with a .943 OPS, tore his labrum his senior year and went undrafted in 2015. Maine immediately signed him to a minor league deal and Wooten responded by hitting .294 with an .861 OPS at Single-A and .298 with an .895 OPS at Double-A. In 2016 he jumped to Triple-A where he struggled hitting just .190 with a .621 OPS before being sent back down. Wooten was acquired on April 12th by Seattle after being released on New Years Day by Maine.

In 2017 at Double-A, Wooten hit .312 with an .895 OPS and a 4.5 WAR, good for 6th best in the league and All-Star appearance. The now 23-year-old currently ranks as the 7th best position player in the league and expects to be in the BLB. However, he has never been ranked as a Top 100 prospect nor has he been featured on the Pilot's Org Top 20 prospect list. Nor does the Minor League System Report say he is ready for Triple-A. He might be one of those guys that can kill it in the lower levels but just isn't Triple-A/BLB quality.

Despite leading his club to a 73-47 inaugural season, the Washington Oaks finished one game back of the Wild Card, ending Wooten's season. The Pilots are loaded with RH second basemen at the BLB level (Dave Nelson, Rory Gray, Dave Hallock), so Wooten will likely spend all of 2018 in Triple-A and possibly all of 2019.



SP Jamie Coffman (AAA - Vancouver Thunderbirds)

Coffman was drafted 31st overall in the expansion draft, originally of the Wilmington Wildcats. The 27-year-old posted a 10-2 record, 1 save, 2.08 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 192 ERA+ and 2.4 WAR in just 103.2 IP, 16 GS. His ERA was good for 4th in the league. Didn't make the All-Star game but does currently rank as the 15th best pitcher in Triple-A.

Coffman, 27, is ready for the BLB as he will ever be. He did get three starts at the BLB level and will be immediately returned when rosters increase to 40. The Triple-A Vancouver Thunderbirds finished the year 79-41 and Coffman is pencilled in as #1 starter for the playoffs. He's armed with a 96 MPH fastball and 70% groundball.

With the Pilots needing to clear budget room, Coffman is on the short list of Spring Training invites and likely to make the rotation as the #5-#6 SP.

[Carlos]

Denver BC 2017 Minor League Players of the Year

Tucson Toros (AAA)
3B Eric Rider, 23-years-old

G 	AB 	H 	2B 	3B 	HR 	RBI 	BB 	K 	AVG 	OBP 	SLG 	SB 	WAR
87 	324 	87 	17 	0 	14 	50 	35 	81 	.269 	.349 	.451 	0 	2.5

Hardly a top prospect, the third baseman has done nothing but show he can play the game at every level. Rider went undrafted in 2014 and was signed by Denver late into the Single A campaign. In 2015 he quickly became the starting 3B, earning an All-Star nod. He spent only some time in AA in 2016 before being promoted to AAA. This season he made the Horizon League All Star team and continues to dazzle as one of the top fielding third base man in the minors.

Oklahoma City 89'ers (AA)
RF Tom Dobratz, 23-years-old

G 	AB 	H 	2B 	3B 	HR 	RBI 	BB 	K 	AVG 	OBP 	SLG 	SB 	WAR
104 	336 	81 	13 	4 	14 	55 	61 	83 	.241 	.358 	.429 	5 	1.9

The July Batter of the Month was an undrafted free agent that showed promise in 2015 while playing for Little Rock. Dobratz struggled in his first season of AA baseball last year, but this year, he led the team with 14 home runs and 55 RBI. His future in the BLB isn't very bright, and chances are Tom Dobratz's potential is minor league depth.

Little Rock Travelers (A)
SP Dave Gotschall, 20-years-old

G 	GS 	Rec 	SV 	ERA 	IP 	HA 	HR 	BB 	K 	WHIP 	WAR 		
24 	24 	13-5 	0 	2.23 	141.0 	107 	9 	40 	138 	1.04 	3.5

Finally, after three years of poor results in the minors, Dave Gotschall finally figured out how to pitch. Gotschall came into the league as a skinny 16-year-old with high potential. Now the 2017 Bush League All Star is 6'7" with a 98 mph cutter. Gotschall posted an 8.81 K/9, going 13-5 with a 2.23 ERA in 141 innings and is expected to compete for an Outstanding Pitcher Award in the Herbert League.*

*Gotschall was voted the Herbert League Outstanding Pitcher of the Year on September 8, 2017.

[liquidcrash]

WAS Minor League Pitchers of the Year

SP Roger Villasenor

The Bats' 2016 first round pick, Roger Villasenor, had a great season in the minors. He spent most of the season as AA Auburn and was one of the most dominant pitchers at the AA level. His stats there included a 9-0 record, 2.01 ERA, 89:28 K to BB ratio, and only 1 HR allowed. He earned a promotion to AAA Richmond in July, where he's posted a 3.45 ERA. His strikeout numbers have improved at the higher level, but he's issuing a few more walks and the ball has left the yard much more frequently than it did in AA.

All in all, it's a been a great year for the Bats' #1 prospect. He sits #8 on the BA Top 100, and the minor league system report says that he's probably ready for the BLB, though that won't likely happen this season.

SP Dave Koehler

Dave Koehler has become one of the top prospects in the BLB during the 2017 season, tossing a dominant season for the A-level Eugene Sting. Though standing only 6'0 tall and weighing in at just 160 pounds, Koehler has seen a dramatic increase in his velocity since the Bats took him in in the second round of the 2015 draft. After topping out at 91-93 mph in high school, Koehler now hits triple digits with his fastball at age 19.

This season in Eugene, Koehler went 13-4 with a 1.92 ERA. He struck out more than a batter per inning, and saw both his walk numbers and HR's allowed drop from where he'd been in the past. He still needs to do a better job keeping the ball on the ground and in the park, but he could emerge as a big time pitcher with this high velocity stuff and control. He currently ranks as the #18 prospect in the BLB.

[Pat]

SP Dave Koehler

Dave Koehler has become one of the top prospects in the BLB during the 2017 season, tossing a dominant season for the A-level Eugene Sting. Though standing only 6'0 tall and weighing in at just 160 pounds, Koehler has seen a dramatic increase in his velocity since the Bats took him in in the second round of the 2015 draft. After topping out at 91-93 mph in high school, Koehler now hits triple digits with his fastball at age 19.

This season in Eugene, Koehler went 13-4 with a 1.92 ERA. He struck out more than a batter per inning, and saw both his walk numbers and HR's allowed drop from where he'd been in the past. He still needs to do a better job keeping the ball on the ground and in the park, but he could emerge as a big time pitcher with this high velocity stuff and control. He currently ranks as the #18 prospect in the BLB.

Big fan of Koehler. Reminds me a LOT of a former Bat, Robby Duffy. At his peak, Duffy was a 7-4-7 lefty, but didn't have the stamina potential that Koehler has. Speaking of Duffy, you should retire his #30. He did pitch a perfect game in the 2012 Brewmaster's. Magical season.

http://www.simgamingnetwork.com/blb/...ayer_4687.html

[liquidcrash]

Washington Minor League Hitters of the Year

Geoff Dorsey has been the best hitter in my minor league system, spearheading the AAA Richmond Rams to an 83-37 record. But, I'm not going to spend much time on a 34 year old AAA player, so.....

1B CJ Turnbow

We might not have the top end talent that Villasenor and Koehler bring to my pitching ranks, but I like several of my hitting prospects, highlighted by Turnbow. The 2016 4th round pick out of UCLA spent the season at AA Auburn and finished with our organization's highest batting average, at .342. The high average continues the trend for Turnbow, who has never had a season below .331 at any level in his short college or pro careers.

CJ shook off a rough June to hit .398 in July and .429 in August. There's a solid chance we'll see him at the BLB level in 2018. He's the #98 rated prospect in the BLB right now.

3B Jarrod Sanders

Sanders had the highest WAR of any player in the Bats' system, finishing at 4.2 despite missing the last few weeks of the season. Coming off a big season in AA, Sanders moved up to AAA Richmond and didn't miss a beat, with a .276/.426/.394 line at the plate and solid defense at 3B. The 22 year old has already been in the Washington system for a while, originally being picked in the 5th round of the 2012 draft. He'll get his chance at the BLB level next year, as the Bats' BLB roster will likely be very different.

[Sharkn20]

Denver BC 2017 Minor League Players of the Year

Tucson Toros (AAA)
3B Eric Rider, 23-years-old

G 	AB 	H 	2B 	3B 	HR 	RBI 	BB 	K 	AVG 	OBP 	SLG 	SB 	WAR
87 	324 	87 	17 	0 	14 	50 	35 	81 	.269 	.349 	.451 	0 	2.5

Hardly a top prospect, the third baseman has done nothing but show he can play the game at every level. Rider went undrafted in 2014 and was signed by Denver late into the Single A campaign. In 2015 he quickly became the starting 3B, earning an All-Star nod. He spent only some time in AA in 2016 before being promoted to AAA. This season he made the Horizon League All Star team and continues to dazzle as one of the top fielding third base man in the minors.

Oklahoma City 89'ers (AA)
RF Tom Dobratz, 23-years-old

G 	AB 	H 	2B 	3B 	HR 	RBI 	BB 	K 	AVG 	OBP 	SLG 	SB 	WAR
104 	336 	81 	13 	4 	14 	55 	61 	83 	.241 	.358 	.429 	5 	1.9

The July Batter of the Month was an undrafted free agent that showed promise in 2015 while playing for Little Rock. Dobratz struggled in his first season of AA baseball last year, but this year, he led the team with 14 home runs and 55 RBI. His future in the BLB isn't very bright, and chances are Tom Dobratz's potential is minor league depth.

Little Rock Travelers (A)
SP Dave Gotschall, 20-years-old

G 	GS 	Rec 	SV 	ERA 	IP 	HA 	HR 	BB 	K 	WHIP 	WAR 		
24 	24 	13-5 	0 	2.23 	141.0 	107 	9 	40 	138 	1.04 	3.5

Finally, after three years of poor results in the minors, Dave Gotschall finally figured out how to pitch. Gotschall came into the league as a skinny 16-year-old with high potential. Now the 2017 Bush League All Star is 6'7" with a 98 mph cutter. Gotschall posted an 8.81 K/9, going 13-5 with a 2.23 ERA in 141 innings and is expected to compete for an Outstanding Pitcher Award in the Herbert League.

Love this quotes

[mike]

Pittsburgh Millers Minor League Players of the year

The Pittsburgh Millers are proud to announce the following.

Allentown Talons 73-47 1st place

Pitcher Joey Marohnic RHP

This award could have gone to a number of pitchers on this staff. It finished with the least runs against in the FF. Having briefly tasting some big league time in 2016 out of the pen, the 24 year old started as the ace of the Talons. For the season he went 9-4 with a 2.52 ERA and 0.99 WHIP. After Johnny Talley was moved in a surprising July trade, Marohnic got the call to join the Millers rotation. In five starts he's 1-1 with a 2.48 ERA. Just a tremendous season for the young man out of Belle Glade, Florida which, you may also know as "Muck City". Our scout believes he has the potential to be a number 1 or number 2 starter, and we certainly hope he can become one.

Honorable mention(s): Jimmy Griffith 3-1 2 Saves, 1.04 ERA while only allowing 1 home run in 52 innings pitched. He will be joining the Millers following Allentown's post season.
Acquired in the Ethan Bafford deal, young Jamie DeShon posted 9-9 2.97 ERA, 8.1 K/9 2.4 K/9. The imposing 6'6 210lb Righty looks poised to earn a spot in the Millers rotation soon.

Hitter

Dave Gurley - OF --

Gurley started the year in Single A reading where he hit .315/.367/.500 for an .867 OPS. Quickly he was moved to AA Harrisburg where he posted a.309/.403/.430/.833 OPS. Finally he reached AAA, where he led the first place Talons to a tune of .305/.343/.429 in his third league of the year. The transition to left field has been underwhelming but improving daily and with his strong intangibles and skill set, it is expected that he will be making a successful transition to left field. The 21 year olds bat is expected to arrive in Pittsburgh sometime during the 2018 season.

Honorable Mention: Bruce Gonzalez - 3B (.277/.424/.447/.871 4.6 WAR)

Harrisburg Capitals

Hitter 1B Dave Kendrick

Kendrick has been with the Millers since he, like previously mentioned Jamie DeShon, was acquired in the deal involving Bafford. He's slowly shown signs of the makings of a really productive 1B in Pittsburgh down the line. This year he took a big step in terms of power, blasting 17 HR to go along 25 2B and 75 RBI Overall he produced a .286/.334/.447 slash. Defensively Kendrick posted a career high ZR of +5.8. As a team leader, he carries the intangibles we look for and we can't wait to see how he does next year, when he's playing in AAA Allentown.

Reading Royals

Hitter Jamie Gardner

The 19 year old in his third season after being a second round pick in 2015 posted career highs in just about every category this year and overall slashed .299/.344/.440 was 12/13 in SBs, and swatting 35 2Bs in 110 games.

Pitcher Pat Conlee

The 6'7 left handed 19 year old showed dramatic improvements on the mound this season. As an 18 year old last year, he had a 5.34 ERA and struck out only 49 batters in 86 IP. This year, his era lowed to 3.35 and his K/9 jumped from 5.1 to 8.5. Hopefully this indicates an upcoming ratings bump.

[Pat]

SP Jamie Coffman (AAA - Vancouver Thunderbirds)

After receiving his Minor Leaguer of the Year award, Coffman went on to lead the Vancouver Thunderbirds to a Triple-A Championship in their inaugural season.

5/21: 5.2 IP, 5 H, ER, BB, 8 K in 2-1 W
5/26: 7.2 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K in a 5-3 W

Is it September 1st yet?

[Matt]

3B Tony Mireles (A)



Mireles hit .301/.370/.487 with 16 HRs and 80 RBIs. Drafted in the 1st round of 2015 the 19 year old finally broke through in A ball this season. He finished 2nd in the Herbert Outstanding Hitter Award (to Hondo C Mat Wood) and led the Owls to the 2017 Bush League Championship (which we just saw that we won...alright!)

[Sharkn20]

3B Tony Mireles (A)



Mireles hit .301/.370/.487 with 16 HRs and 80 RBIs. Drafted in the 1st round of 2015 the 19 year old finally broke through in A ball this season. He finished 2nd in the Herbert Outstanding Hitter Award (to Hondo C Mat Wood) and led the Owls to the 2017 Bush League Championship (which we just saw that we won...alright!)

Batavia is back in the N'TNL Newspeipah brah!

[Spectre]

Liked Mireles a lot in the draft, don't think he has a position unfortunately.

[Spectre]

AAA Player of the Year

SP Dave Kauffman
Frankenstein had a great year in AAA after starting off slow in AA. I could have called him up this year but my starters were doing their job. He's the #6 prospect in the game for a reason- he throws hard and hits his spots. He went 9-2 with a 1.04 WHIP in AAA. He's coming at you with those nasty sideburns. Osborn/Gaxiola/Kauffman/Daley/Miller/Ballard will form a fun starting rotation if they stay healthy.

AA Player of the Year
2B Jamie Bryce
He played half the year at AA and was incredibly productive. He hit .299 with a .363 OBP this year with 11 SB in half a season in Lexington. He plays solid defense and has an advanced approach at the plate. Not sure if he'll be ready to man 2B at the start of 2018 but this top 100 prospect is close.

A Player of the Year
1B Jimmy Norman
My 2nd round pick of the 2017 draft, Norman has prodigous power. He hit 31 HR and drove in 102 runs between the Cape and A ball. He's the 1B of the future on my squad as long as he continues to hit for power. He's got that rare 8 power rating from from scout and his stats back it up. He's somebody who could move fast up my farm.

[Matt]

Liked Mireles a lot in the draft, don't think he has a position unfortunately.

When a guy has a cannon you find a position!

[Hank]

C Ron Bedell #7

The 25YO, 2012 71st overall pick lit up AAA hitting with a .342 BA, 15HR's, 74RBi and a .946OPS in 103 Games.

Once the Badgers season came mercifully to an end, he was called up to the Show where he's backing up Vinny Flores.

P Joey Nunamaker #24

Selected 176th overall in the 2011 draft, the 25YO LHP from Knoxville, TN was dominating AAA hitters with 1.84 ERA, .96 WHIP and 11-3 record in 20 game's before being called up to Morgantown.

Honorable mention goes to J.J. Moore.
Drafted 37th overall in 2016, the 21YO OF'er transitioned from Single-A to Double-AA in 2017, hitting a combined .295 and 10 HR's while providing a whopping +13.0 zone rating in center field.
Morgantown officials are expecting him to start the season in Martinsburg for the 2018 season.