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While the Tobs cling to life in the Bock division "race," most of Carolina's focus for the 1992 campaign has been directed to their highly decorated minor league system. With as many as 13 Carolina prospects showing up in the Baseball America Top 100 list and the system locking down the top overall spot for nearly the entire season, Carolina's management would like to believe that they have the pieces to become a contender. Here are a few of the outstanding performers from the farm in 1992:
Pitcher of the Year- Val Aparicio- AA Charleston
Selected by the Tobs with the 5th overall pick in the 1991 draft, the 19 year old Aparicio had a great season leading the AA Rebels to a division title. On the year Aparicio posted a 15-5 record, with a 2.36 ERA while striking out 153 batters in 164 innings pitched. The performance earned Aparicio MASH Pitcher of the Year honors. Despite still only being a teenager, it appears that Aparicio will be moved up to AAA next season.
Hitter of the Year- Ismael Reyes- AAA Winston-Salem
Reyes has long been considered one of the better prospects in the Carolina system, but until 1992 hadn't shown the production to match the hype. A monstrous season in Winston-Salem culminating in BCC outstanding Hitter honors may indicate that the light has come on for the 25 year old first baseman. In 129 games for the Warthogs Reyes posted a line of .348/.425/.584 with 22 HRs and 86 RBI before getting the call up to Carolina, where he projects to hold down a spot in the lineup for a long time to come.
Other notable hitters:
CF Pat Faulkner- A Kinston
The Tobs' second round selection in the 1991 draft out of the University of Texas, Faulkner destroyed single-A pitchers this season, finishing with a line of .345/.436/.505 with 10 HRs, 84 RBI, 95 runs scored and 22 stolen bases while jumping into the BA Top 100. Faulkner is also a plus fielder in both center and right.
3B Masaoki Matsumoto- A Kinston
Matsumoto was beginning to become an afterthought in Carolina's system after being selected in the 4th round of the 1990 draft, but he came on strong in 1992. The Japanese third baseman hit .358 for the Indians with a .955 OPS as the leader of a potent Kinston lineup.
Pitcher of the Year- Val Aparicio- AA CharlestonSelected by the Tobs with the 5th overall pick in the 1991 draft, the 19 year old Aparicio had a great season leading the AA Rebels to a division title. On the year Aparicio posted a 15-5 record, with a 2.36 ERA while striking out 153 batters in 164 innings pitched. The performance earned Aparicio MASH Pitcher of the Year honors. Despite still only being a teenager, it appears that Aparicio will be moved up to AAA next season.
Hitter of the Year- Ismael Reyes- AAA Winston-SalemReyes has long been considered one of the better prospects in the Carolina system, but until 1992 hadn't shown the production to match the hype. A monstrous season in Winston-Salem culminating in BCC outstanding Hitter honors may indicate that the light has come on for the 25 year old first baseman. In 129 games for the Warthogs Reyes posted a line of .348/.425/.584 with 22 HRs and 86 RBI before getting the call up to Carolina, where he projects to hold down a spot in the lineup for a long time to come.
Other notable hitters:
CF Pat Faulkner- A KinstonThe Tobs' second round selection in the 1991 draft out of the University of Texas, Faulkner destroyed single-A pitchers this season, finishing with a line of .345/.436/.505 with 10 HRs, 84 RBI, 95 runs scored and 22 stolen bases while jumping into the BA Top 100. Faulkner is also a plus fielder in both center and right.
3B Masaoki Matsumoto- A KinstonMatsumoto was beginning to become an afterthought in Carolina's system after being selected in the 4th round of the 1990 draft, but he came on strong in 1992. The Japanese third baseman hit .358 for the Indians with a .955 OPS as the leader of a potent Kinston lineup.