{ Whoops. This never got published, despite being about 3 weeks ago, in terms of game-time.
It’s the first of June, so it’s time to look at the minor leagues; throughout, we identify both the AAA team and their WBL franchise. }
Featured Team: Albuquerque Isotopes
When writing the April summary, Albuquerque’s teenage pitchers caught my eye, so they’re the focus this time around. This is a bit of a departure, as the Isotopes have a mediocre 28-25 record, 5 games behind in the AA-West. This represents a fairly strong degree of underperformance, as (other than homeruns), Albuquerque is one of the top offenses in the league.
Two of their better performers–OF Cy Williams and IF Bunny Downs–have been promoted to AAA. That hurts, as Williams led the team with 11 homeruns and 35 RBIs and Downs’ 360/436/472 was a key cog in their offensive engine.
OF Danny Green‘s 11 homeruns and 34 RBIs pace the Isotopes currently, and a trio of infielders–Bert Campaneris (333/379/580), Frank Grant (312/408/453), and Luis Aparicio (339/394/402)–have kept the offense going. But it’s a team that really could use some pop: after Green, Campaneris has 5 homeruns and Cap Anson has 4, and that’s it.
Which brings us to the real interesting part. Albuquerque’s pitching staff is led by a trio of teenagers. 17 year-old Larry Dierker has been the best of them at 7-4 with a 3.93 ERA and Joe Nuxhall, at a tender 15 years of age, is 5-1 with a fantastic 2.18 ERA. They’re joined by 19 year old Jack Jenkins, who has chipped in with a 3-0 record.
Jeff Heathcock–at the venerable age of 23–anchors the bullpen with 11 saves and Tom Harrison (20 years old) has been almost unhittable as his setup man.
#Checking In On …
We left the Madison Black Wolf struggling at 6-20, having lost 15 consecutive games. They’ve stabilized slightly, sitting going 10-17 since that point. They’re still in last place, but it’s certainly an improvement. Scott Radinsky is all the way up to 7 saves.
#AA Leaders
In terms of record, Vern Law (9-0; Syracuse/Homestead), Al Spalding (8-1; Troy/New York Gothams), and John Anderson (7-0; Montgomery/Birmingham) lead the way. Sean O’Sullivan (Las Vegas/Los Angeles) leads the league with a 1.80 ERA, followed by phenom Joe Nuxhall (Albuquerque/House of David) at 2.18.
Steve Bedrosian (Montgomery)’s 17 saves have already gotten him promoted to the big leagues, leaving Heathcliff Slocumb (Hudson Valley/New York Black Yankees) the league leader with 13. (Mychal Givens also has 13, but Homestead has already moved him to AAA.) Montgomery’s Rick Camp (3-1, 2 saves, 5 holds, 0.90 WHIP) and Hudson Valley’s Joba Chamberlain (1-2, 5 holds, 1.08 WHIP) deserve a mention as well.
Offensively, John Briggs (Jersey City/Brooklyn) and Jimmie Foxx (Sacramento/San Francisco) have dominated the league. Briggs is hitting 333/455/559 with 37 RBIs and Foxx has 19 homeruns and a .705 slugging. Willie Crawford of Tulsa/Memphis leads the league with a .367 average and a .466 OBP. Oklahoma City/Kansas City’s Kolten Wong leads AA with 45 RBIs.
#AA Awards
AA Pitcher of the Month: Al Spalding, Troy/New York Gothams
AA Batter of the Month: Ken Keltner, Rochester/Cleveland
AA Players of the Week: Kolten Wong (Oklahoma City); Travis Jackson (Austin/Houston); Nate Colbert (Montgomery/Birmingham); Charlie Grimm (Rochester/Cleveland).
#Hottest Prospects (24 Years and Younger)
SP: Vern Law (24; Syracuse/Homestead) 9-0, 2.88 ERA; Joe Nuxhall (15; Albuquerque/House of David) 5-1, 2.18 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 77 K [*]; Al Spalding (24; Troy/New York Gothams) 8-1, 3.62 ERA.
RP: Heathcliff Slocumb (24; Hudson Valley/New York Black Yankees) 0-2, 2.89 ERA, 13 Sv; Rick Camp (23; Montgomery/Birmingham) 3-1, 3.63 ERA, 5 H; Elmer Burkart (19; San Diego/Los Angeles) 2-0, 1.12 ERA.
C: Frankie Hayes (24; Vancouver/Portland) 282/377/664, 17 HR. [*]
1B: Jimmie Foxx (20; Sacramento/San Francisco) 313/395/705, 19 HR. [*]
2B: Kolten Wong (23; Oklahoma City/Kansas City) 295/337/608, 45 RBI.
3B: Ken Keltner (22; Rochester/Cleveland) 289/372/615.
SS: Travis Jackson (21; Austin/Houston) 298/340/555, 43 RBI.
OF: Adam Dunn (21; Nashville/Indianapolis) 317/442/698; Willie Crawford (17; Tulsa/Memphis) 367/466/627, 20 2B [*]; John Briggs (20; Jersey City/Brooklyn) 333/455/559, 43 R, 43 BB.
Bold indicates league leader; * indicates a player selected for April’s list as well.