PEBA 2014 Minor League Players of the Year Awards

[Reg]

New Orleans ML Hitter of the Year: 1B Rob McGrath
New Orleans ML Pitcher of the Year: CL Edgardo Rodríguez

[Alan Ehlers]

Tempe Minor League Hitter of the Year: 2B Jerry Neal (AAA Chandler Waxers)
Tempe Minor League Pitcher of the Year: SP Jaime Salinas (AAA Chandler Waxers)

After hitting .312 with a .839 OPS last year in AA, Jerry Neal continued to defy scouts' expectations in 2014. Despite the fact that recent reports suggest he has "poor plate discipline," and "is expected to be a below-average hitter," Neal played the entire season for Chandler and ended up batting just a tick below .300 for the season in 450+ at-bats, with a .362 OBP and a 112 OPS+, good enough for a 28.0 VORP rating. Sure, he only walked 32 times, but he has been extremely consistent over the past two years, and that's all you can ask. At age 25, he's reaching a point where he may deserve a shot at the big leagues.

Jaime Salinas earned just a 7-12 record this year pitching for the 55-85 Chandler Waxers, but his stats line told a different story. The 23-year old Mexican lefty used his solid array of pitches to toss 158 innings, with a 2.85 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. He struck out nearly a batter per inning, and opponents batted just .208 against him this season.

[Nigel]

London Underground Minor League Hitter of the year: 3B Scott Morris (AAA)

Not much a contest here. Morris, who was aquired during the 2013 season from West Virginia in a move made to save the Underground cash, hit .365 with 25 homeruns and 93 RBI. Morris is expected to be manning the hot corner for the Underground in 2015.


London Underground Minor League Pitcher of the Year: SP Bryan Bedell (A)

Selected in the 3rd round of the 2013 draft, Bedell split time between SS-A and A striking out 155 batters in 148 IP with a 3.33 ERA. Bedell is slated to pitch in AA next year with a possible September callup.

[Dinosaurs]

Fargo Minor League Hitter of the Year: LF James Martin (A)
Fargo Minor League Pitcher of the Year: SP Matt Dreiling (AA)

Martin edges out fellow outfielder Nick King (AAA) who had an outstanding season that has placed him firmly in line to compete for a spot on the major league club next season. But, it was Martin who showed the most offensive flair within the organization, hitting .355/.452/.584 line in 433 PAs and a 59.1 VORP.

Dreiling led an unspectacular year for the pitcher within the Fargo minor league organization. No real standouts, though some decent numbers across a few starters at each level. Dreiling is a control specialist, and it is unknown how far he will actually travel, though a transition into a bullpen role could result in a possible role in the majors at some point.

[Lions]

Connecticut Minor League Pitcher of the Year: SP Clarence King (SS-A)
Connecticut Minor League Batter of the Year: C Héctor Martínez (SS-A)

SP Clarence King
There weren't any particularly obvious candidates for this honor. Sadly, it wasn't because we had several guys who were great. Rather, we had a handful of guys who were very good over a shorter time frame and a handful of guys who were less good over more innings. In the end, we went with King, who started 18 games for the short season Pearl City Oysters and went 7-5 with a 2.35 ERA and 1.15 WHIP. He struck out 95 in 121 2/3 innings of work, while allowing just 4 home runs and 33 BB's.
Honorable Mention: SP Christian Murdoch

C Héctor Martínez
Scouting director Kisho Motsuzuki's team of international scouts signed Martínez out of Cuba to a minor league deal last October. Motsuzuki didn't think particularly highly of him at the time, but his Caribbean contacts told him to give Martínez a shot, and so he was allowed to start for the short season Pearl City Oysters. He responded tremendously, posting a .347 average with 13 home runs and 67 walks in 73 games. His .485 OBP was good enough for 3rd in the Surf and Snow Amalgamation.
Honorable Mention: 1B Ron Frederick, RF Danny Holt

[James Bowman]

Charleston Minor League Pitcher of the Year: SP John Matthews

(Stay tuned for news regarding Matthews)


Charleston Minor League Batter of the Year: CF Thomas Gore

2014 Columbia (Hi-A): 449 PA - .348 / .447 / .575

Mere hours after being selected in the 15th Rd of the 2011 Amateur Draft, the fickle Underground Front Office released this lanky Oregon native as if the pick was made from a randomly generated list of draft-eligible players. Exactly 3 weeks later, Gore would sign a minor league contract with Charleston where he'd spend the first 2.5 years of his pro career in Sitka as a utility outfielder.

Admittedly, we didn't see much of a future outside of short-season ball for him, but we're always willing to give young athletes like Gore a chance and hope they prove us wrong, rather than somebody 4-5 years older that doesn't have much of a future to project.

Outside of what looked like mediocre skills at the plate, Gore possessed plus speed and displayed excellent raw ability to play the outfield.

In 2013, with 177 S-A at-bats under his belt, Gore really seemed to turn the corner and impress the coaching staff by making solid contact and developing a keen eye at the plate, earning him a spot in the SSA All-Star Game. Towards the end of the season he was promoted to Hi-A Columbia where he'd continue to rake, scrapping together 27 hits in 60 ABs.

If Gore's 2014 season doesn't give Charleston's Front Office the feeling they may have caught lightning in a bottle, I'm not sure what would. Highlighted by a 25-game hit streak, Gore powered his way to 18 homers, a .348 batting average in 374 at-bats, drew 64 walks, and posted a +7.6 ZR in center field on his way to leading the Columbia Helos to setting a new club record for wins. He also swiped 19 bags, while being caught only 4 times.

Now 22, Gore will begin the 2015 season in Rockville, Charleston's Double-A affiliate, where we hope he'll continue his once written-off ascent to the PEBA.

[klewis]

Tribe Announces Organization Minor League Players of the Year

• Florida Minor League Hitter of the Year: LF Newton Wilcox (AA/Hi-A)
• Florida Minor League Pitcher of the Year: SP Avery 'Neanderthal' Carson (Hi-A)

[Borealis]

Aurora Minor League Hitter of the Year: 2B John 'Gypsy' Foster (AA Gatineau Balloonists)
Aurora Minor League Pitcher of the Year: SP Christian George (S A Mokule'ia Oceanic)

Foster was named the CAAL Hitter of the Year in 2014 after a stellar season. The former high schooler selected with Aurora's #1 pick in 2011 hit .338 with 22 HR and 99 RBI. The organizations scouts are going bonkers over how he has progressed over the past two seasons after taking some time to adjust to the professional game. Aurora management feel the sky's the limit for Gypsy and expect him to be in the line-up in 2016, if not this coming year.

Christian George was arguably the top pitcher in the Hawaiian League this year as he posted a 9-0 record and a 2.72 ERA. He struck out 70 hitters in 109 IP over 16 starts. Teams hit a weak .180 against George. The 5th round selection in the 2013 draft, also out of high school, has had two very solid seasons and is expected to begin 2015 at A ball SLRC. George is part of an interesting collection of young arms that Aurora has drafted in recent years. Today, George is the best of the group.

[Denny]

• Palm Springs Minor League Hitter of the Year: 2B Nick Dunlop (AA)
• Palm Springs Minor League Pitcher of the Year: CL Ed Emery (AA)

Nick Dunlop, a second-round pick by Palm Springs in 2011, has been named the Codgers' 2014 Minor League Hitter of the Year. The 25-year old second baseman hit a blistering .352 and was named a NAFTA All-Star while playing for Single-A National City in the early part of the year, then upon being promoted compiled a .313/.358/.521 line to help lead AA Edmonton to the Great Northern League playoffs. With skills like that we're bound to see him in Palm Springs soon!

Ed Emery, a 2011 fourth-round pick, has been named the Codgers' 2014 Minor League Pitcher of the Year. Emery, a 24-year old closer with "electric" stuff according to OSA, compiled a 1.86 ERA and racked up 54 strikeouts in just 38 2/3 innings with Single-A National City. He was a NAFTA All-Star and had 24 saves. Team officials thought his success this year was impressive, and shows every indication of continuing at AA and beyond.

[Cole]

Kalamazoo Minor League Hitter of the Year: 1B Steve Collette (A)

Steve Collette has really opened some eyes with stellar offensive performances last season at SS-A followed by an equally impressive and dominating 2014 season playing A ball. Badger brass is hopeful that Collette will be able to maintain a high level of play as climbs the ladder and faces stiffer competition at AA.

Kalamazoo Minor League Pitcher of the Year: SP Luis Montoya (AAA)

After a mediocre 2013 season at AA, Luis Montoya seemed to figure things out in 2014. He began the season in AA, and after 4 starts was promoted to Grand Rapids where he immediately began to contribute. Montoya baffled the league to the tune of a 1.05 WHIP while twirling 5 complete games along with 2 shutouts. It will be hard to keep Montoya off the big league roster in 2015.

[Ghosts]

Bakersfield Bears Minor League Hitter of the Year:

3B SHAWN DAVID (AAA) http://pebabaseball.com/reports/news/ht ... _4410.html

Bakersfield Bears Minor League Pitcher of the Year:

SP RALPH DEAN (AAA) http://pebabaseball.com/reports/news/ht ... r_233.html

[Denny]

Bakersfield Bears Minor League Hitter of the Year:

3B SHAWN DAVID (AAA) http://pebabaseball.com/reports/news/ht ... _4410.html

Bakersfield Bears Minor League Pitcher of the Year:

SP RALPH DEAN (AAA) http://pebabaseball.com/reports/news/ht ... r_233.html

I've always said never trust a guy with two first names....and here the Bears are trotting out TWO of them!? :eek:

[Ghosts]

Bakersfield Bears Minor League Hitter of the Year:

3B SHAWN DAVID (AAA) http://pebabaseball.com/reports/news/ht ... _4410.html

Bakersfield Bears Minor League Pitcher of the Year:

SP RALPH DEAN (AAA) http://pebabaseball.com/reports/news/ht ... r_233.html

I've always said never trust a guy with two first names....and here the Bears are trotting out TWO of them!? :eek:

Jeez, can't we sneak anything past you guys?

[Coqui]

• Canton Minor League Hitter of the Year: 1B José 'Vapor Lock' Martínez (AAA)
• Canton Minor League Pitcher of the Year: SP José Márquez (AAA)

1B José 'Vapor Lock' Martínez

This pick might come as no surprise to some, as Martínez was named the #4 best prospect in baseball in 2014, and #1 best prospect in 2013. Martínez split the 2014 season between the AA Youngstown Thunder, and the AAA Allentown Falcons. Martínez had a .329 BA in AA, with 15 HR and 54 RBI over 59 games. In 79 games with Allentown, he hit .326, with 20 HR and 65 RBI. Combined over the two leagues, Martínez had a .327 BA with 35 HR and 119 RBI. Martínez has shot up the organizational ladder, visiting all four minor league teams over the span of just three years.

SP José Márquez

Márquez was a surprise this year, as he was the ace of an Allentown Falcons pitching staff that was full of possible aces. This season, Márquez posting a record of 14-5, with an ERA of 3.53, a WHIP of 1.34, and 149 strikeouts over 191.1 innings. Márquez led the team in wins, complete games (3), winning percentage (.737), innings pitched, and strikeouts.

[Arroyos]

Yuma's Minor League Players of the Year:

SP Alonso Rodríguez: 5-0, 1.48 ERA (Kivalina Bowheads, S A)

SS Diego González: .292/.372/.486, 13 HR, 53 RBI (Kivalina Bowheads, S A)