Every Team’s Hidden Gem: Part 6

Continuing from part 5.

Traverse City Beach Bums:

The Beach Bums have all the talent, on paper, but have no been able to put it together on the field, losing ground in their division, and now are in a tie for the second wildcard, which only a week ago looked like a lock that they would hold onto. While they lost their ace, Riley Ferrell, to a torn flexor tendon, before he even got an out on opening day, Traverse City still looked to be a competitor in the Frontier League East, and still have plenty of time to get back in the race, or take back the wildcard. Star left fielder Oscar Taveras has done as expected this season, playing spectacular defense, while batting.306 and hitting 17 home runs.

Rafael Montero, starting pitcher
Rafael Montero, starting pitcher

It has been starting pitcher Rafael Montero who has been the surprise this season. With a 3.49 ERA, he is second on the team, and is also second in strikeouts, with 113, which works out to 7.6 K/9. Coming to the team in the same trade that saw them lose superstar outfielder Bryce Harper. Still only 28, Montero has always been expected to be an ace, and the pressure has caused him to falter. This season though, coming off of a season in which he won the PCL Best Pitcher Award, the media has laid off, and allowed Montero to lay low and focus on the game. This has shown in his game as he had his best season by far, at the CBL level.

Traverse City has the 11th ranked minor league system, but their highest ranked prospect is only 29th overall. The reason they are 11th is that they have 5 prospects in the top 100. Despite just receiving a call-up to the CBL, left fielder Gareth Morgan and triple-A starting pitcher Curt Stinson have both had fantastic seasons.

Gareth Morgan, left fielder
Gareth Morgan, left fielder

Morgan spent the season up until July 16th at single-A, where he was clearly undermatched, but his numbers were still so impressive it couldn’t go unmentioned. Not only does he play very good defense in left field, but he hit .359 and mashed 43 home runs and 111 runs batted in, this in just 82 games. He also stole 5 bases without being caught, and while he won’t start at the CBL level, he could be one of the best backup outfielders in the game, providing excellent defense in the corners, and a potential home run every time he steps up to he plate, this young 23-year-old could be a star in the league in only a few short seasons.

Curt Stinson, starting pitcher
Curt Stinson, starting pitcher

Stinson started the season at double-A, where he started 18 games, with an ERA of 3.44, and earned himself a call-up to triple-A. So far he’s thrown in 2 games, going 7.1 and 6.1 innings respectively, and allowing only 5 hits and striking out 13. Stinson is effective, despite a low velocity and not having a fastball, and no real dominant pitch. He instead uses a deep repertoire consistent of a cutter, a curveball, a slider, a change-up and a forkball. This 6’4″ pitcher is known as a leader in the clubhouse, and even though he would be one of the youngest, that could be useful on a struggling team. Look for him to be called up in September, but if not, at 24, Stinson will have been a professional for 6 years after this season, and he will certainly be a candidate for the CBL roster come next spring.

Vallejo Admirals:

Vallejo decided to make the push for the playoffs, giving up number one overall prospect Don Smith and several others to acquire shortstop Corey Seager and several relievers. While this depleted their farm system, it did set them up to hopefully win the division, if not then one of the two wildcards. Although ace Chris Sale has struggled, the team has still performed well enough to hold a 1 1/2 game lead for the second wildcard. While they’ve had good seasons from many players, including most of their starting pitchers, two players have really outperformed any expectations that could have been set for the.

Jose Altuve, second baseman
Jose Altuve, second baseman

Second baseman Jose Altuve has put together a career year, in what could be a contract season, as he has a player option for next season. Batting .300, Altuve has been a good part of Vallejo’s offense, often getting on base and scoring, almost always in the 9th spot in the lineup. He also has added 14 stolen bases, and has been very effective at turning the lineup over for breakout rookie José ‘Decoy’ Peña, who would be the player mentioned here if an article wasn’t already written on him.

Scott Elbert, closer
Scott Elbert, closer

Scott Elbert has had an absolutely dominant season, going 18 outings, 23 innings total, before allowing an earned run. Up until July 4th, he only gave up 2 earned runs, and only 10 hits in 35 outings. Although he has struggled in the last two weeks, he still has a 2.80 ERA, a miniscule 0.82 WHIP and a 12.4 K/9. At age 33, Elbert was not expected to perform this well, not even close, as before this year, in his best season he had a 3.50 ERA. This is also the first season in which he was the full-time closer, and the first time he was selected to the All-Star Game. If he can continue this dominance he is in for a huge pay jump, as he is only making $1.6 million this season, and will be a free agent come the offseason.

The Admirals have a very depleted farm system, ranked 16th best, but winning the Premier Cup, something general manager Nick Oppenheimer has shown he knows how to do, is very worth it. Double-A reliever Shane Scott and Vallejo’s top prospect triple-A center fielder Michael Gettys have both had outstanding seasons.

Michael Gettys, centerfielder
Michael Gettys, center fielder

Gettys became Vallejo’s top prospect following their trade of Smith, and he’s well deserving of it. A five-tool player, Gettys is destined to be a star at the next level. He patrols centerfield at an elite level, with a cannon for an arm, while his approach at the plate projects him as a 20-30 home run player in the CBL, while batting .290 or better, and potential stealing 30 bases. While this season is not his best, he is on pace to bat .268 with 18 home runs and 18 stolen bases. His defense and speed are his elite tools, but he’s shown much promise at the plate, and if it translates to the next level, Gettys will be the next star to don an Admirals uniform.

Shane Scott, relief pitcher
Shane Scott, relief pitcher

Shane Scott was a starter the last three seasons, but in his first season out of the bullpen he has become dominant. At double-A, Scott has shown his stuff is better off in the bullpen, saving 16 games in 19 opportunities. Along the way, he has used six different pitches, including two breaking pitches and two different change-ups, to keep batters BABIP extremely low. Despite topping out at 98, he is not an extreme power pitcher, as no one pitch is a go-to put away pitch. Either way, Scott has been very dominant, and at just 21, he could develop into a very effective relief pitcher down the road.

Vancouver Canadians:

Vancouver has been in a battle with Calgary all season, back and forth for the Frontier League West division. Led by strong pitching from Jose Fernandez and Jeff Hoffman and star young shortstop Jeff Hoffman, they have done great to keep Vancouver in the race, but there are other players that have been vital to their winning ways. Both first baseman Matt Davidson and left fielder Mike Papi have both had good seasons, and are underappreciated.

Matt Davidson, first baseman
Matt Davidson, first baseman

Davidson in particular, is having a career year. Although in 2017 he led the league in doubles, this season he is on pace for his best WAR yet, 3.4. He is having his best season batting average wise, at .279, with 9 home runs, and 40 runs batted in. He’s also played very good first base, and his overall play got him selected to his second CBL All-Star Game. Vancouver must be happy, as they signed the 28-year-old to a 5 year extension, worth just less than $13 million total.

Vancouver has the 9th ranked farm system, with 4 prospects in the top 50. Double-A third baseman Cees ‘Stinger’ Boudewijn and triple-A starting pitcher Lewis Thorpe have both had outstanding seasons and have potential to be productive players at the next level.

Cees 'Stinger' Boudewijn
Cees ‘Stinger’ Boudewijn, third baseman

Boudewijn was a minor league free agent signing just after the season started, and at just 5’11” he has a ton of power for his size. He is also able to play anywhere in the infield and both corner outfield spots, although none at an elite level. Despite this, he is an attractive option as a future CBLer, as his versatility and big bat would be useful off the bench. Between single and double-A, he has hit .319 with 20 home runs, and has very low strikeout rates for a high power bat. If he can fully develop, he could become a super utility, pinch-hitting star, able to play anywhere he’s needed, or come off the bench for late inning heroics. At 22 and in his first professional season, he has a lot to prove, but could end up being the next star from the Netherlands.

Lewis Thorpe, starting pitcher
Lewis Thorpe, starting pitcher

The Canadians fifth rated ranked prospect, Thorpe is a 23-year-old left-handed starting pitcher having a good year between double and triple-A. With four pitches that all can get a hitter out, Thorpe has good strikeout numbers for a starting pitcher and also his fantastic control, leading to very low walk rates, he is liked as a future starter for the organization. His left-handedness and strong repertoire are liked by many, and he could see himself back in the CBL, where he got a cup of coffee in 2017, but struggled. He believes he should be in the majors, and come September, he may find himself back on there.

 

 

 

Thank you all for reading.

Matt Wells

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
2 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

[…] Link to part 6. […]

Tim Imasa

Looking back to the Bryce Harper trade, I wonder how people feels about it now, now that Montero is pitching well.

2
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x