A's Top Choice In The Northwest League

Now that the Oakland Athletics have affiliated with the Vermont Lake Monsters, it is time to welcome them into the NYPL family.  Yesterday, Baseball America (BA) released its Top 20 NYPL Prospects.  Today, BA has released its Top 20 Prospects of the Northwest League (NWL), an 8-team Short Season A League, which is similar to the NYPL.

Oakland's Michael Choice (Center Field) was listed as the League's second overall prospect.  Choice was the 10th selection in the 2010 MLB Draft out of the University Texas-Arlington and negotiated a 2 million dollar signing bonus.  After spending 3 games in the Arizona Summer League, he was promoted to the Vancouver Canadians, where he played the next 27 regular-season games.  Following the completion of the first round NWL Playoffs, Choice was again promoted to the team's Class A Midwest League affiliate, Kane County Cougars, for its playoffs.  Now that the regular season and the playoffs are over, Michael will close out his first professional season by traveling to Phoenix for the Athletics' Instructional Legaue games.

Choice's Stats in Vancouver:

G   AVG.   AB   H   2B   3B   HR   RBI   TB   BB   SO   SB   CS   OBP   SLG   OPS
27 .284    102   29   10     2      7     26    64    15     43    6      1     .388   .627    1.016

Andy Seiler of MLB Bonus Baby wrote about Choice in his Pre-Draft Profile:

A monster year as a junior has only elevated his status as a potential big-time bat, and the tools, seen as fringy before the spring, started to receive more favorable ratings as the season went on. His best tools involve his bat, as he’s an above-average hitter with plus-plus raw power, and his speed rates as above-average, as well, giving him big offensive potential. He’s a little more raw as a fielder, and the majority of scouts think he’ll shift over to a corner outfield spot as a pro, as his range is more average than true center field range, and his arm is solid-average. He has the potential to be an all-star player due to his bat, and while he’s not a huge ceiling player, he’s a solid first round option.

Baseball America Notes 2010 NYPL Top 20 Prospects

Yesterday, Baseball America (BA) published its list of the Top 20 Prospects in the 2010 New York-Penn League.  The list is determined by polling scouts and league managers.  For a player to be considered for the list, he must have been with the team for at least one-third of a season.  Position players must have one plate appearance for each game.  Pitchers must have thrown for at least one-third of an inning in each appearance, and relievers must have had a minimum of 10 appearances.

According to those polled, the NYPL had a down year, since there were not as many star-studded players as in the past.  According to Connecticut Tigers Manager Howard Bushsong,

"The New York-Penn League wasn't as good as it was last year. Especially the pitching—it wasn't even close. And there wasn't a position player who blew you away like Westmoreland last year, and no (Alex) Colome like last year that made you go, 'Wow.' I saw some good players, but I didn't see the 'wow' factor we saw last year."

Despite Mr. Bushsong's assessment, there was certainly plenty of top-flight talent on display in the NYPL this past season.  Here is the list of players from BA:

1.  Carlos Perez, Catcher, Auburn Doubledays (Blue Jays)
2.  Jake Thompson, Right Hand Starting Pitcher, Hudson Valley Renegades (Rays)
3.  Cory Vaughn, Outfield, Brooklyn Cyclones (Mets)
4.  Marcell Ozuna, Outfield, Jamestown Jammers (Marlins)
5.  Roman Mendez, Right Hand Starting Pitcher, Lowell Spinners (Red Sox):
          traded during the season to Texas for Jarrod Saltalamaccia
6.  Zach Von Rosenberg, Right Hand Starting Pithcer, State College Spikes (Pirates)
7.  Kolbrin Vitek, Third Base, Lowell Spinners (Red Sox)
8.  Nick Longmire, Outfield, Batavia Muckdogs (Cardinals)
9.  Cesar Hernandez, Second Base, Williamsport Crosscutters (Phillies)
10. Colton Cain, Left Hand Starting Pitcher, State College Spikes (Pirates)
11. Darrell Ceciliani, Outfield, Brooklyn Cyclones (Mets)
12. Domingo Santana, Outfield, Williamsport Crosscutters (Phillies)
13. Bryce Brentz, Outfield, Lowell Spinners (Red Sox)
14. Mike Kvasnicka, Outfield/Third Base/Catcher Tri-City Valley Cats (Astros)
15. Aaron Altherr, Outfield, Williamsport Crosscutters (Phillies)
16. Drew Hutchinson, Starting Right Hand Pitcher, Auburn Doubledays (Blue Jays)
17. Zachk Dodson, Left Handed Starting Pitchers, State College Spikes (Pirates)
18. Daniel Webb, Right Handed Starting Pitchers, Auburn Doubledays (Blue Jays)
19. Josue Carreno, Right Handed Starting Pitchers, Connecticut Tigers (Tigers)
20. Madison Younginer, Right Handed Starting Pitchers, Lowell Spinners (Red Sox)

Note: For those people with a subscption to Basebal America, you can go to the home page to find a scouting report on these 20 players, as well as a New York-Penn Leage Chat Room held earlier today.

MiLB Names Players of the Postseason

Today, Minor League Baseball (MiLB) named its "Players of the Postseason" for the recently concluded 2010 Minor League Playoffs.  In the New York-Penn League, Darrell Ceciliani of the Brooklyn Cyclones (Mets) was named Best Position Player and Andrew Moss of the Batavia Muckdogs (Cardinals) was named Best Pitcher. 

For Ceciliani, the Mets' 4th round pick in 2009, this award is added to his NYPL Batting Championship (.351) and All-Star start in Center Field.  As well as leading the league in average, Darrell was first in hits (95), at-bats (271), runs (56), and triples (12). 

Andrew Moss, the Cardinals' 35th round pick in 2009 and the 2009 Appalachian League ERA leader (1.32), adds this recognition to his earlier award as NYPL Pitcher of the Week for the period of June 28-July 4, 2010.  In that week, Moss threw 7 innings of no-hit ball against Mahoning Valley.

From Minor League Baseball:

Darrell Ceciliani, Brooklyn

          .474/.565/.579, 9-for-19, 2 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 6 RS, 4 BB, 2 K, 4 SB, 1 CS

New York-Penn League batting champion Darrell Ceciliani, who was picked by the Mets in the fourth round of last year's Draft, had plenty of hits left in the tank for the postseason. He had two hits in each of the three games Brooklyn played against Jamestown in the first round of the playoffs. In the series vs. the Jammers, he stole a base in the first game, two in the second game and another in the third game. After he went 0-for-4 in Game 1 of the Finals, and he was 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored in decisive Game 2.

Andrew Moss, Batavia

          0-1, 1.00 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 1 CG, 9 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 0 HBP, 0 BB, 5 K

Andrew Moss did what he could, but his Muckdogs were eliminated in his lone postseason start. Moss, a late-round pick by the Cardinals in last year's Draft, gave up one run on four hits while striking out five without walking anybody over the course of his complete game against the Tri-City ValleyCats, who went on to win the New York-Penn League championship. Moss was 8-2 with a 3.35 ERA in the regular season.

Will the NYPL Soon Include The Pfizer Phillies?

This past Tuesday, the Turk's Head Stadium Alliance (THSA) announced a verbal agreement with Pfizer Pharmaceuticals and the Borough of West Chester (PA) for the purchase of a 30-acre plot of land that will lead to the building of a new 4,000 - 5,000 seat baseball stadium.  The new park, located at the former site of Wyeth Laboratories and owned by Pfizer, ideally would be ready in time for the 2013 season.

There are, however, several hurdles to clear before the stadium becomes a reality.  The cost of the project is expected to be around $40 million, with half coming from state funding and the other half from local sources.  According to Al Kelly, a West Chester retiree involved with the project, the THSA has a local source who will match a State grant.  As of yet, the State of Pennsylvania has not committed any monies to this endeavor.

In addition to the announcement of the possible purchase, the THSA stated that they have a verbal agreement with the Philadelphia Phillies to place a Class A team in the new stadium.  The stadium, which would be owned by the West Chester Redevelopment Authority, would lease the park to the Phillies, who would run the facility and the franchise.  Later that day, the Phillies denied any such commitment to this project.  It was confirmed by a Phillies spokeswoman that team President, David Montgomery, met with representatives of the THSA, but did not promise anything other than general support.

If these large financial issues can be resolved and the Phillies actually have promised to buy and move a Class A team into a new West Chester stadium, which of its three Class A affiliates would it be?  Their Advanced A (Florida State League) team, which is owned by the parent club, is located at the team's Spring Training Complex in Clearwater, Florida.  A move away from its Southern home to Pennsylvania and a transfer to the Carolina League would be possible but not likely or necessary. 

The Phillies Low A (South Atlantic League) team is located in nearby Lakewood, NJ, and is not owned by the team.  The two-time defending SAL Champions, have been the top SAL draw in each of its 10 years.  While the transfer would be an easier logistical move than the Clearwater Threshers, it would not seem likely that the Phillies would be able to convince the owners of this franchise to move such an economically successful team.  It would also seem to be an expensive option for the team to buy out the Blue Claws ownership, as well.

This would leave the Short Season A (NYPL) affiliate in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, which is not owned by the Phillies.  According to MiLB's Benjamin Hill, "the Crosscutters play at 84-year-old Bowman Field, a charming but undeniably ancient ballpark that fits snugly into a residential section of small-market Williamsport".  Since the Phillies would be able to keep a team within the NYPL, move from a small market to a much larger Philadelphia market, and reap the benefits of full franchise ownership, it would seem more likely for the Phillies to purchase either the Williamsport, Batavia, or Vermont franchises and move it into West Chester if the new stadium project becomes a reality.

As THSA member and former West Chester mayor Dick Yoder said, "There is a lot of work that has to be done. This is just the beginning."  However, this is something, for NYPL fans including those in the smaller markets, to keep their eyes on in the months and years ahead.

A's get the last seat in the NYPL musical chairs

On Thursday, the Oakland Athletics, as expected, signed a two-year Player Development Contract (PDC) with the Vermont Lake Monsters.  For the previous 10 years, Oakland had fielded a Short Season A team with Vancouver of the Northwest League.  Vermont, previously, had a 17 year relationship with the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals.

On Tuesday, the Nationals left Vermont and affiliated with the Auburn Doubledays.  The Nationals stated that there was a desire to bring their minor league teams within closer proximity and lessen the amount of travel for its scouts.  However true those reasons may be, the team was also dismayed at the unsafe and substandard conditions of the facilities at Vermont's home field, Centennial Field.

Centennial Field, which is owned by the University of Vermont and rented to team owner, Ray Pecor, Jr., is presently undergoing an engineering study to determine what modifications can be made to the stadium.  According to Mr. Pecor, he believes that Major League Baseball will ultimately force him to move his team to a better facility.

Last season, the Connecticut Defenders in Norwich, CT lost its AA Eastern League team to Richmond, Virginia.  The NYPL then relocated the Oneonta Tigers to Norwich.  While Oneonta, a member of the NYPL for 44 years, would have Damaschke Field available for an affiliated team, its low attendence (23,521 in 2009), unfavorable local demographics, and economic slow down, would not seem to be favorable for a return of a NYPL team.

For now, the A's are willingly or unwillingly in Burlington with Ray Pecor Jr.'s Vermont Lake Monsters.  We'll see where the future will lead .....

Nationals agree to 2 year deal with Auburn

Last week, the Toronto Blue Jays ended their 10 year affiliation with the Auburn Doubledays in order to go to Vancouver of the Short Season (A) Northwest League.  Tonight, the Nationals/Expos have ended their 17 year relationship with Vermont.

This evening, the Washington Nationals and Auburn Doubledays have announced the signing of a two-year Player Development Contract (PDC), which will cover the 2011 and 2012 seasons.  According to Ben Gossling of MASN Sports, the 35 mile distance between AAA Syracuse and Short Season A Auburn will make it easier for the scouts to travel between the affiliates.

Nationals Press Release:

"We are delighted to add Auburn to the Nationals' family," said Kasten. "This agreement again narrows the footprint of our Minor League system, and starting next summer, Auburn and the Doubledays' fan base will get their first glimpse at the rewards reaped from both our scouting and player development systems."

The Nationals have again compacted the geographical footprint of its affiliates. By partnering with Auburn, the Nationals' NY-P League affiliate is now closer to the nation's capital and just 35 miles west of Syracuse, the Nationals' Triple-A International League affiliate.

Looking at Baseball America's PDC Chart, there are expiring Short Season A-Contracts at Aberdeen, Jamestown, and Vermont of the NYPL, and Yakima of the Northwest League. The teams without a deal are Baltimore, Florida, Oakland, and Arizona. Most people expect the Orioles and Marlins to sign with Aberdeen and Jamestown respectively. The same is true for Arizona and Yakima, which would send the A's to Burlington.

It appears that scout travel distance does not mean as much to the A's as it does to the Nationals.

Batavia lives to see another day... And keeps the Cards, as well.

Earlier today, the Batavia Muckdogs and St. Louis Cardinals announced a new two-year Player Development Contract (PDC).  The Muckdogs became the Cardinals' Short Season (A) Affiliate in the 2007 season, and this agreement will extend the relationship until the completion of the 2012 season.  Additionally, Red Wing Management, LLC reportedly will continue to operate the Muckdogs.

The Muckdogs are owned by the non-profit organization, Genesee County Baseball Club (GCBC).  Three  years ago, the GCBC faced $150,000 in debt.  The members of the GCBC asked Red Wing Management (owners of the Rochester Red Wings of the AAA International League) to pay off the debt and operate the Batavia franchise.  In August, the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reported that the team has lost close to $400,000 over the previous two seasons and will be losing anywhere up to $140,000 this year.  As a result, the two groups are looking to sell the team for the going NYPL rate of $4 million.

The agreement between GCBC and Red Wing Management calls for Red Wing to net 5% of the total sale price for each year they operate the Muckdogs.  If the team does sell for $4 million next season than Red Wing will earn $800,000.

The huge economic debt, low team sponsorship, and low fan attendence (Batavia is lowest in the NYPL at 1,016 fans per game, while Brooklyn leads the League with 7,147), had caused people to speculate that Red Wing Management would get out of their partnership with GCBC and the Cardinals would seek an affiliation with another team.  Today's news puts a rest to those stories for now.