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With another long BLB season underway in California, we take a look back on a minor league season that is starting to provide the Kodiaks with actual players the last few years, and hopefully for years to come!
AAA Level - Bakersfield 72-48 (29 game improvement over last year and in playoffs)
AA Level - Sacramento 64-56 (6 game improvement)
A Level - Moose Jaw 51 - 69 (Yuck)
RL Level - Austin 30 - 58 (Yuck)
Top Pitching Prospects
SP Harold Valentine made huge strides in his second year in rookie league. After disastrous season as a 17 year old, he responded by throwing 82.2 innings and sporting a fabulous 2.50 ERA and 1.15 WHIP. Kodiak fans have high hopes for the top pitching prospect in the system and former #1.3 pick in the 2034 draft.
SP Miles McIntyre hade a great rookie season as a 20 year old after being selected with the #6 pick in this year's draft. His innings were limited to 38.8, but he had a solid 3.52 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. Hopefully he can anchor a rotation along with Valentine in a few years, as the current crop off Kodiak pitchers ride into the sunset.
RP Judson Turner was found while our scouts were on safari in South Africa. What started as a well deserved vacation for a scouting staff that has been overworked with all of the picks in previous years, ended with finding this gem, while he was playing catch with his older brother outside the scout's safari retreat. He is still in California's International Complex, but team officials are excited about 65/55/80 potential and two plus pitches.
Players That Appear to be Ready
2B Brendan Santoro got the call up to the big club in June, and after a slow start has responded by hitting 0.320/.0283/0.281 the last three months. His versatility has allowed him to be used throughout the lineup and he's also provided decent fielding at both second base and left field. Offensively, California is looking for big things from the former 1.3 pick in what will be his first full big league season next year.
3B Logan Jacobi got the call up to the Kodiaks early on in May, and has provided stellar defence (+4.0 ZR and 1.039 EFF) all year. His bat has been slow to come around, as he is used mostly versus right handed pitchers to protect against his lacklustre splits. Just like Santoro, the Kodiaks are hoping for a large jump forward next season.
RF Brevin Guo has rocketed through the Kodiak system after being scooped up with the second pick of the 2033 draft. Splitting his time between AA and AAA, Guo banged out 28 doubles, 3 triples, 23 home runs, and provided solid defence at both corner positions. With a crowded outfield in the big club at the moment, Guo will be looking to have a big spring to break camp with the Kodiaks next year.
Players That are Getting Closer
3B/RF Adam 'Fuck You Batavia' Watson is finally starting to show the form that made him the #2 overall pick in the 2032 draft. A breakout season in AA saw Watson claim the Platinum Stick at 3B while rotating between 3B and all three outfield positions. This season he showed a great power improvement as he crushed 53 extra base hits, of which 23 were home runs. Bakersfield manager Ruben Mendoza is looking for Watson to anchor a lineup that finished second this year and made the playoffs.
2B Colby Davis doesn't have much of a glove, but he can absolutely rake! After hitting 0.449 in RL and 0.307 in A ball in 2034, he stroked 0.330 with 27 doubles in AA. His defence is well below par for second base, so in trying to get that bat on the field, Davis will be spending much of his time in AAA next year driving in runs while trying to learn 1B and LF.
1B Drew Ansell was the forgotten man of the 2032 draft, even though he was taken 10th overall. After toiling in the minors for three fairly 'meh years, he had a breakout season in AA. A solid slash line of 0.281/0.374/0.446 with 41 extra base hits will be enough to find a place in AAA next season.
This Year's Drafted Players, Not Already Mentioned, to be Excited About
CF Tony Micheletti was drafted with the 1st pick of the second round this year. He has shown great promise defensively in all three outfield spots, but at 20 years old, his first season with the bat was a struggle for the young Rustler. His average did improve by 40 points from month to month so the Rustlers are looking for a strong start to next season for Micheletti in Rookie League.
RP Mason Graham only threw 29.2 innings but showed a lot of promise as a future closer after being scooped up 54th overall. At 21 years of age already, Graham will find himself vying for important bullpen innings next year in AA.
3B Derek Bailey was a great find for the Kodiaks with the 66th overall pick in this year's draft. A plus defender at third, and a solid slash line of 0.265/0.300/0.375 will likely see Bailey start the season in A ball where he hopes to build on a solid first pro season.
IAFA Players to Watch
RF Jaren Muga took a huge jump this year in his second pro season after being signed out of Kenya. He slashed a solid 0.301/0.392/0.573 in A ball while playing a very efficient outfield in all three spots. At only 18 years of age, he likely starts again in A ball hoping to build on this year's solid half season.
CF Neel Benarrivo also looks to improve in his second year of pro ball. His ceiling is not quite as high as Muga's but in his rookie season he managed to hit 0.299 with 12 extra base hits. He is scheduled to continue his development with another full season of RL to continue to work on his offensive and defensive skills.
AAA Level - Bakersfield 72-48 (29 game improvement over last year and in playoffs)
AA Level - Sacramento 64-56 (6 game improvement)
A Level - Moose Jaw 51 - 69 (Yuck)
RL Level - Austin 30 - 58 (Yuck)
Top Pitching Prospects
SP Harold Valentine made huge strides in his second year in rookie league. After disastrous season as a 17 year old, he responded by throwing 82.2 innings and sporting a fabulous 2.50 ERA and 1.15 WHIP. Kodiak fans have high hopes for the top pitching prospect in the system and former #1.3 pick in the 2034 draft.
SP Miles McIntyre hade a great rookie season as a 20 year old after being selected with the #6 pick in this year's draft. His innings were limited to 38.8, but he had a solid 3.52 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. Hopefully he can anchor a rotation along with Valentine in a few years, as the current crop off Kodiak pitchers ride into the sunset.
RP Judson Turner was found while our scouts were on safari in South Africa. What started as a well deserved vacation for a scouting staff that has been overworked with all of the picks in previous years, ended with finding this gem, while he was playing catch with his older brother outside the scout's safari retreat. He is still in California's International Complex, but team officials are excited about 65/55/80 potential and two plus pitches.
Players That Appear to be Ready
2B Brendan Santoro got the call up to the big club in June, and after a slow start has responded by hitting 0.320/.0283/0.281 the last three months. His versatility has allowed him to be used throughout the lineup and he's also provided decent fielding at both second base and left field. Offensively, California is looking for big things from the former 1.3 pick in what will be his first full big league season next year.
3B Logan Jacobi got the call up to the Kodiaks early on in May, and has provided stellar defence (+4.0 ZR and 1.039 EFF) all year. His bat has been slow to come around, as he is used mostly versus right handed pitchers to protect against his lacklustre splits. Just like Santoro, the Kodiaks are hoping for a large jump forward next season.
RF Brevin Guo has rocketed through the Kodiak system after being scooped up with the second pick of the 2033 draft. Splitting his time between AA and AAA, Guo banged out 28 doubles, 3 triples, 23 home runs, and provided solid defence at both corner positions. With a crowded outfield in the big club at the moment, Guo will be looking to have a big spring to break camp with the Kodiaks next year.
Players That are Getting Closer
3B/RF Adam 'Fuck You Batavia' Watson is finally starting to show the form that made him the #2 overall pick in the 2032 draft. A breakout season in AA saw Watson claim the Platinum Stick at 3B while rotating between 3B and all three outfield positions. This season he showed a great power improvement as he crushed 53 extra base hits, of which 23 were home runs. Bakersfield manager Ruben Mendoza is looking for Watson to anchor a lineup that finished second this year and made the playoffs.
2B Colby Davis doesn't have much of a glove, but he can absolutely rake! After hitting 0.449 in RL and 0.307 in A ball in 2034, he stroked 0.330 with 27 doubles in AA. His defence is well below par for second base, so in trying to get that bat on the field, Davis will be spending much of his time in AAA next year driving in runs while trying to learn 1B and LF.
1B Drew Ansell was the forgotten man of the 2032 draft, even though he was taken 10th overall. After toiling in the minors for three fairly 'meh years, he had a breakout season in AA. A solid slash line of 0.281/0.374/0.446 with 41 extra base hits will be enough to find a place in AAA next season.
This Year's Drafted Players, Not Already Mentioned, to be Excited About
CF Tony Micheletti was drafted with the 1st pick of the second round this year. He has shown great promise defensively in all three outfield spots, but at 20 years old, his first season with the bat was a struggle for the young Rustler. His average did improve by 40 points from month to month so the Rustlers are looking for a strong start to next season for Micheletti in Rookie League.
RP Mason Graham only threw 29.2 innings but showed a lot of promise as a future closer after being scooped up 54th overall. At 21 years of age already, Graham will find himself vying for important bullpen innings next year in AA.
3B Derek Bailey was a great find for the Kodiaks with the 66th overall pick in this year's draft. A plus defender at third, and a solid slash line of 0.265/0.300/0.375 will likely see Bailey start the season in A ball where he hopes to build on a solid first pro season.
IAFA Players to Watch
RF Jaren Muga took a huge jump this year in his second pro season after being signed out of Kenya. He slashed a solid 0.301/0.392/0.573 in A ball while playing a very efficient outfield in all three spots. At only 18 years of age, he likely starts again in A ball hoping to build on this year's solid half season.
CF Neel Benarrivo also looks to improve in his second year of pro ball. His ceiling is not quite as high as Muga's but in his rookie season he managed to hit 0.299 with 12 extra base hits. He is scheduled to continue his development with another full season of RL to continue to work on his offensive and defensive skills.
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