The month of April might just stand out as the best in all of sports.
The NCAA Men’s Final Four is played in the first weekend of the month, the NBA and NHL Playoffs get underway, and the pageantry and spectacle that is Opening Day celebrates the return of Major League Baseball. In most years, it also opens the door to seemingly endless NFL Draft chatter. This year, the NFL labor impasse has forced the draft to the backburner of most conversations, though the “Who’s No. 1?” talk has gained momentum in the past several days.
In some markets, baseball fans are already looking forward to the next infusion of talent. Terrible pitching or a lineup devoid of power has fans spying the minor leagues for a glimmer of hope.
Let’s get this edition of the minor-league roundup started in Louisville.
Former NL Rookie of the Year and World Series winner Dontrelle Willis is working to rebuild his career in the Cincinnati organization. In four starts for the Triple-A Louisville Bats, Willis has pitched to a 1.13 ERA with 19 strikeouts against seven walks in 24 innings pitched. He’s logged a 1.13 WHIP in these starts.
Johnny Cueto is also on the Louisville staff as he rehabilitates a biceps injury. He’s been battered for nine earned runs in five innings during his two appearances. Cueto has surrendered 11 hits while walking four batters.
Super prospect Jesus Montero of the Yankees couldn’t hit worth a lick this spring and was ultimately shipped to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Montero immediately went down to Triple-A and went to work. He’s batting .407 (24-for-59) with four doubles, one home run and four RBI. Interestingly, Montero has yet to draw a walk.
Kansas City prospect Mike Moustakas has yet to find his stride for the Omaha Storm Chasers. Moustakas is batting .225 (16-for-71) with two home runs and 12 RBI. He’s struck out 14 times.
Teammate Clint Robinson (1B), on the other hand, is positively crushing it. He’s registered a dominant .373 batting average (25-for-67) with six doubles, six home runs and 14 RBI. Robinson has also walked 10 times in his 77 plate appearances.
Fantasy owners kept an eye on Atlanta hurler Julio Teheran this spring. Terehan has been fantastic for Triple-A Gwinnett Braves, earning a 2.25 ERA with 18 strikeouts against seven walks in 24 innings pitched.
Mets fans and fantasy owners anxiously await the arrival of Jennry Mejia. Mejia has struggled at times with his control during his tenure at Triple-A Buffalo, but he packs a fantastic strikeout punch. He’s registered a strong 2.59 ERA with 20 strikeouts and a 1.03 WHIP (11 walks) in 24 1/3 innings pitched.
Arizona prospect Brandon Allen lost the first base job to Russell Branyan and Juan Miranda this spring. He’s logging at-bats for the Reno Aces, as he awaits an opportunity to return to the major leagues. Allen carried a .286 batting average (18-for-63) with three doubles, two home runs and 14 RBI into Tuesday’s action.
Emmanuel Burriss posted a dismal .238 batting average with 11 stolen bases in 61 games for the San Francisco Giants last season. Burriss is performing brilliantly for the Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies this spring, batting .339 (19-for-56) with 15 runs and 15 stolen bases. He’s a good contact hitter with great instincts on the basepaths. Unfortunately, Burriss was only able to surmount a terrible .292 on-base percentage in his last major-league stint.
The White Sox offense is stagnant, but Dayan Viciedo hasn’t done much at Triple-A Charlotte to warrant a reconsideration of the third-base position. Viciedo is batting .231 (15-for-65) with three doubles, one home run and seven RBI. He’s also struck out 14 times.
I conclude this piece with a player who has jumped on and off the fantasy radar for years. Wily Mo Pena is currently batting .420 (21-for-50) with two doubles, six home runs and 19 RBI for the Reno Aces, Arizona’s Triple-A club. He owns a ridiculous .473 OBP with 16 runs scored.
