By Bert Miller, Players of Fortune Magazine
Friday, December 2, 2016??

The Palm Springs Codgers have not exactly rocked the PEBA‘s Desert Hills division in recent years, but backstage in the minor leagues, they’ve accumulated prospects with a chance to make some real noise in the majors.  These prodigies are ready to strike a chord with people just like the band Winger did in 1989: with power, teamwork, technical brilliance, and a mane of beautiful hair.  Let’s take a look at some of these stars to be.

Just like Winger’s first charting hit “Madalaine,” SP Eric Madelen, 22, had Codgers brass excited from the moment they acquired him from Gloucester in mid-2015.  He has three plus pitches and was dominant in Single-A in 2015.  Unfortunately, a torn labrum limited him to just seven starts this past season, but doctors say he’s made a full recovery and is expected to be a big contributor at AAA Provo this coming year – possibly even taking the mound in Palm Springs by September.

MR Félix Bonilla, only 17, was discovered by Codgers scouts in far-flung Venezuela.  While his family was reluctant for him to leave home at such a young age, the siren song of big-time baseball was too much to ignore.  Palm Springs General Manager Denny Hills raves about his leadership qualities, citing his “dazzling smile and firm handshake.” Scouts love the potential of his curveball and sinker.  Bonilla posted a quite respectable 3.49 ERA at Low-A Lanai City before a strained forearm prematurely ended his season but is expected to be ready by spring training.

“Headed for a Heartbreak” is how batters feel when facing CL Hisamitsu Suzuki, 23.  An early-round draft pick in 2015, Suzuki has great stuff and an overpowering fastball.  He anchored the bullpen for High-A National City‘s NAFTA Free Trade Throwdown championship this season, leading him to be named Palm Springs’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year.  It shouldn’t be too long before he takes his talents to a bigger and brighter stage.

Meanwhile, SP Jim “Numbers” Evans, age 22, is quietly “Hungry” to move up the ladder.  The Washington State grad was acquired from New Jersey in the big Roberto Rodríguez trade of 2016 and immediately made an impact, striking out more than a batter an inning with AA Edmonton.  Jim will get a chance to feast upon AAA hitters to begin next season.

Codgers brass also “Can’t Get Enuff” of SS Thom Wright.  The 22-year old, a second round pick in 2015, blasted 27 HR for National City, forcing a mid-year promotion to AA Edmonton, where he more than held his own.  The Colorado native is adept with the glove at any spot on the infield, flexibility which might lead to further promotions in his near future.

“Miles Away” is where baseballs tend to land after 1B Juan Maldonado lays a bat on them, which accounts for his team-best 37 home runs for the Mall Ratz.  That and a .322 batting average led to the 23-year-old taking home the Canadian Alliance Outstanding Hitter Award for 2016.  Maldonado will start the new season at AAA Provo, with promotion to the big club at an early date not out of the question.

You might best express RF Alexander O’Neal‘s baseball philosophy as “Easy Come Easy Go.” While his attitude toward defense could be charitably described as “indifferent,” his eye at the plate is deadly. The 22-year-old’s dominance of High-A pitching led to a midseason promotion to AA Edmonton, where continued success resulted in his being named Palm Springs’ Minor League Hitter of the Year.  O’Neal will begin 2017 at Provo, but we can almost certainly expect to see him in salmon and green at some point… hopefully as a designated hitter.

“Down Incognito” in Santiago, Chile, Codgers pitching great Felipe Lara spotted SP José Campos while the youngster was playing in a pickup game in a local park.  “I knew it was, like, 98 percent for sure the kid was gonna be a star,” says Lara, now coaching Campos in National City.  Campos, still only 21, struck out 130 batters over 137.2 innings while helping the Bankers win the Free Trade Throwdown – it’s safe to say the word has now gotten out.

We would be remiss without mentioning one final Codgers prospect.  Hills kept bringing up SS José Segura, one of the many pieces to come to Palm Springs in the Rodríguez trade, and it’s obvious the GM is infatuated with his potential.  Says Hills, “I could not be happier with what Segura has done this year.  I know he was unhappy with his performance after he came to us – as if a .766 OPS for a 21-year-old at High-A was bad!  I just told him, ‘José, relax.  “Everything You Do” turns me on.’  He got kind of an odd look on his face, but he doesn’t need to worry – we think he is a five-star prospect.  Do you think he likes music?”