Tuesday, September 13, 2005 |
Minor League Scorebook
And with that, on the heels of one of the most thoroughly depressing games I've ever had to sit through (well, Game 5 of the 2002 World Series), not to mention what is probably -- without looking -- the worst game Edwin Jackson has ever turned in in a Dodgers uniform, the minor league postseason games.Last but certainly not least, I wanted to close today with Brandon Wood. As I said earlier, the Baseball America Player of the Year award attempts to combine 2005 performance with perceived future value. Because of this, Delmon Young was able to steal the 2005 award away from Brandon Wood. In actuality, it was Wood's 100+ extra-base hit season that was worthy of award, not Young, whose chances were hurt by a midseason promotion.
In 2003, I feverishly disagreed with Baseball America when they gave Joe Mauer the Player of the Year award. Jeremy Reed had flirted with .400 for much of the season, and Reed had clearly been the minors' best player that year. To me, he was worthy of the award in 2003. Last year, both my system and BA's system agreed upon Jeff Francis. This season we will again end in disagreement, as I believe Brandon Wood was the minor league baseball player of the year.
Wood's future is a little murkier than Delmon's, to be sure, but his 2005 season was damn near flawless. Sure, you can attack his environment and non-perfect patience numbers, but Wood more than made up for that. Add his premium position into the mix, and out comes one of the top ten prospects in baseball. Wood has created a SS debate -- Joel Guzman, Stephen Drew, Wood -- that should go on all offseason. Finally, he has likely created debate within his own organization, where the Angels have to put up with Omar Cabrera for three more seasons.
Few players in minor league baseball history had a season like Brandon Wood in 2005. We can't provide perspective to his numbers by using historical context, but simply put, Wood was the minors most lethal hitter in 15 years. That, my friends, is a lot more deserving than just a Cal League MVP trophy.
Willits, R: 1-3, 2 BB
Kendrick, H: 3-5
Napoli, M: 2-5, 1 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 K
Morales, K: 1-4, 1 3B, 1 BB
Aspito: 1-3, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 K
Shell: (L, 0-1), 4.2 IP, 6 ER, 7 H, 0 K, 2 BB, 11.57 ERA
Tough game for the Travs, as Shell pitched poorly despite plenty of offensive support. The Travs actually outhit the 'Hounds, 12-10, but three errors didn't help matters, two by Kendrick alone. Still, only one run was unearned, and it hurt.
Morris: 2-4, 1 3B, 1 K
Trumbo: 2-3, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 BB
Wipke: 2-3, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K
Martinez: 2-3, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB
Mosebach: (W, 1-0), 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 3 K, 1 BB, 1 HR, 3.60 ERA
Aldridge: 1.1 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 2 K, 0 BB, 0.00 ERA
Lynch: 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 2 K, 1 BB, 0.00 ERA
A good game offensively and pitching-wise for Orem, who scored two in each of three innings.
Weber, J: 2-4, 1 2B, 1 RBI
LaRoche, A: 1-4, 1 2B, 1 RBI
Loney: 1-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 K
Martin, R: 0-3, 1 BB
Guzman, J: 1-3, 1 BB, 1 K
Billingsley: (L, 0-1), 2.0 IP, 6 ER, 3 H, 4 K, 4 BB, 2 HR, 27.00 ERA
Billingsley just got crushed in this one; not only did he walk four batters in his two innings of work, surrender three hits (two of which were home runs), but he also hit a batter. Just gruesome. The Suns' offense, while adequate, was inadequate to the task, as Diamond Jaxx starter Ryu held the Suns to four runs over six, and the bullpen prevented any further damage.
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