Weekly Minor League Recap

This will be the last week for the recap. The leagues are all finished or are finishing as of today, so time to give my final updates. Gamers know any of these prospects, if called up, could provide a boost in the playoffs. Small sample size rules the day from here on in.

AAA:

–Jesus Montero, NYY, C, Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees (#3): Montero made his beyond much anticipated debut with the Yanks last Thursday against, of all teams, Boston. He went 0 for 4 in that game, but has since gone 5 for 9 with a two HR game on Labor Day. I could see him being a valuable add against lefties for the rest of the month. Keeper? maybe in deeper leagues, and definitely in dynasties. Will be interesting to see what the Bombers do with him and Russell Martin over the winter.

Weekly Minor League Recap

AAA:

At this point, you will want to monitor all of the AAA, and some of the more impressive AA guys (minus SPs who have reached innings limits) to see if they get called up on 9/1 or thereafter. Many a fantasy championship has been won on the backs of super propects, especially ones who play for teams either completely out of it, or teams who are comfortably ahead and are looking to rest regulars.

–Jesus Montero, NYY, C, Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees (#3): This is the week people were waiting for all year: 4 HRs, 11 RBIs, 11 for 24 in his last five. Montero’s season line is resembling more and more what he did last year (identical batting avg., 4 less HRs, similar OBP), so it is safe to say the kid is ready as he will ever be for his MLB debut in September. The Yankees sure could use a dependable DH bat to cement a playoff spot – their pitching is now looking like it is what we thought it was.

-Dayan Viciedo, CWS, OF, Charlotte Knights (unranked): Viciedo got the call this past week after Carlos Quentin went down with an injury. He was going to be a 40 man roster add anyway. He finished up his minor league season with a bang; 4 HRs and 10 RBIs in his last ten, with only 4 Ks. And, in his first action, he went 2 for 3 with a HR and 3 RBIs (I picked him up to replace Quentin, and of course had him on my bench for monitoring purposes…story of my season).

–Devin Mesoraco, CIN, C, Louisville Bats (#64): Mesoraco went 6 for 24 with 2 HRs and 8 RBIs – both HRs and 5 ribbies came in one game. With the Bats eliminated from playoff contention, he is certainly a candidate to get called up after September 1; curiously though, he is not on the 40 man roster.

Weekly Minor League Recap

AAA:

–Jesus Montero, NYY, C, Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees (#3): Montero had a quiet week; no HRs, no RBIs, no extra base hits at all. The boredom of minor league baseball is just too much for him right now. The most anticipated call up of the year (at least in NYC) should be less than 2 weeks away. Unless he goes .350/.450/.650, it will of course be deemed a colossal failure.

-Dayan Viciedo, CWS, OF, Charlotte Knights (unranked): Viciedo had three HRs (two in one game) and 7 RBIs last week, which should make him more attractive to fantasy owners come September. He also only K’ed once; bonus!

–Devin Mesoraco, CIN, C, Louisville Bats (#64): Mesoraco was 4 for 17 last week, but with 5 BBs and only 2 Ks. He has a nifty .250/.375/.536 line over his last ten.

–Adrian Cardenas, OAK, DH, Sacramento River Cats (unranked): Cardenas had one his best weeks in a while, going 14 for 29 with 6 RBIs and 3 steals. Now back over .300 (.312) for the year, to go with a .378 OBP.

–Brandon Guyer, TB, OF, Durham Bulls (unranked): Guyer was 10 for 27 with 5 RBIs and 2 steals last week, and has only 3Ks since returning on 8/13.