2009 Minor League Awards - AAA

Here they are. I think I'll pan them out over the course of a couple posts, it will give me time to think them out and can provide filler to when there isn't much going on. AAA right now.

Well, not the best year ever for AAA Nashville. The Sounds played pretty good ball, especially considering 2008's dismal 59-81 record. However as many of us know the Brewers are somewhat low on upper level depth, and the AAA roster shows it. Lots of fill in names to go alongside (hopefully) future stars SS Alicides Escobar and 3B Matt Gamel.

So awards for AAA? I only took guys that ended up on the big league roster.

Position Player-
ESCOBAR
The slick fielding shortstop finally showed he could hit at a higher level. After a questionable stick for years he followed up a strong 2008 AA performance with solid numbers even higher up. Batting .298 in 109 games, he managed to steal 42 of 52 bases. This probably isn't legal, but as I'm making this up why not...In 125 big league ABs Alcides hit .304 with another 4 steals. He still needs to work on pitch selection, as lowering Ks and raising walks could turn him into a great lead off hitter. Also, a season under Willie Randolph can hopefully calm him down in the field, and teach him to pick his spots on the bases getting that SB% up some more. Super exciting player all around, this kid can fly. Alcides Escobar is the future: The Future is Now!

Pitchers-
Starter-
BURNS
Maybe this 31 year old has found his place, after years in the minors he finally throws up a great minor league season resulting in 50 innings for the Brewers big league club. In the Minors Burns had a 8-3 record with a 2.62 ERA throwing 92.2 innings in 14 starts (6 1/2 ip per start). Less hits than IP, more ground outs than fly outs, and a K/B ratio of almost 4. Pitching in the MLB was a little bit different of a story. Mike went 3-5 with a 5.75. However he stepped in the the 'Crew needed him most, because I have no idea who would've pitched if he hadn't...

Reliever-
SMITH
I know, I picked the most exciting last names... you caught me. Smith is also a long time farm hand. Had decent numbers last year, but was really on this season in the AAA bullpen. Chris went 2-0 with 17 saves and a 1.27 ERA in 42.2 ip. Opponents hit only .204 against him, coupled with just 6 bb and 49 K. Spent some good time in Milwaukee, putting up a 4.11 in 46 innings. He still held hitters to a .232 avg, but walks went up and was got for 11 HR. I would imagine he'll fight for a roster spot next spring training.



Triple A was a little bit plain, but that will happen. There are some really good teams down in A-ball that should be fun. I may just do overall awards as there were some good players that did some bouncing around (see Axford). Also, I think in the works I will try out the creation of my own prospects sheet.

Congrats to Mike, Alcides and Chris. Welcome to Rick Peterson. Starting a new blog I think, BaseballTheories. Yankees v Dodgers WS? Brew Up.