by Jim Brown and Marc Hefferan
Here is the third and final edition of the 'Under the Radar' (NL) Minor League Breakout Candidates. In case you missed it, click here for the NL East list and here for the NL Central list.
NL West
Arizona Diamondbacks
RHP Ryan Cook: 2009 stats - 11-11, 3.66 ERA; 142.2 IP, 140 H, 44 BB, 103 K in 25 starts (Lo-A)
A 27th Round pick back out of USC in 2008, Cook induces ground balls at a high rate with a power sinker. The 22 year-old allowed just 5 HR's in 142.2 IP last season and aside from a rough nine-start span after coming off of the disabled list with a blister on his throwing hand, the right-hander went 10-3 with a 2.83 ERA in 95.1 IP. If Cook can improve on his secondary pitches, which consist of a slider and change-up, the Diamondbacks may have found themselves a gem.
OF Ollie Linton: 2009 stats - .295 BA, HR, 28 2B, 10 3B, 51 RBI, 65 BB, 104 K, 28 SB (HiA)
A prototypical leadoff hitter with his propensity to draw a walk (65 BB's in '09) and steal bases (28 SB's in '09), the 24 year-old is also regarded as the best defensive center fielder in the system. If he can have a successful debut in the Southern League with Double-A Mobile, we could be talking about the team's leadoff hitter of the future this time next year.
Colorado Rockies
RHP Joey Williamson: 2009 stats - 13-3. 3.17 ERA; 113.2 IP, 94 H, 35 BB, 108 K in 38 appearances, 12 starts (AA/HiA)
A 36th Round pick out of Notre Dame with average 'stuff', Williamson would seem to need the 'Luck of the Irish' to reach the majors. The 24 year-old just might have it as he won his first 19 decisions as a pro before suffering his first loss this past July. Opponents hit just .225 against Williamson, who also got a taste of Double-A with 6.2 scoreless innings in two starts. If he continues his success (OK, one more Irish reference), the Rockies might have a baseball version of 'Rudy' on their hands.
1B Ben Paulsen: 2009 stats - .280 BA, HR, 10 2B, 2 3B, 25 RBI, 12 BB, 32 K (Rookie-Level Tri-City)
A smooth-fielding first baseman that some scouts say looks like 'he was born to play the position', the 22 year-old has an extremely fluid and well-balances swing that has been likened to former big leaguer Mark Grace. His power has yet to develop and he lacks plate discipline at times, but the left-handed hitter could pop up on the radar as a top prospect with a big year with Hi-A Modesto, where he is off to a 7-for-30 start with 2 BB's and 9 K's.
Los Angeles Dodgers
LHP Geison Aguasviva: 2009 stats - 4-2, 1.58 ERA; 62.2 IP, 53 H, 20 BB, 46 K in 19 appearances, 4 starts (LoA)
After beginning his professional career with a mediocre season in the DSL back in 2006, Aguasviva had a breakout season in 2007 with an 8-2 record and a DSL-leading 1.50 ERA. The left-hander made a jump to Lo-A Great Lakes the following year but struggled in eight starts before finishing the season in short-season Ogden, where he regained his dominant form and finished with a 2.90 ERA in 13 starts. A return to Great Lakes in 2009 gave the Dominican no problems the second time around as he began the season with 18.2 scoreless innings and finished with a 1.58 ERA in 62.2 IP, mostly in relief. His 0.86 ERA in four starts, however, is likely the reason the 22 year-old is starting the season in the Inland Empire rotation in the hitter-friendly Cal League, where he began with a solid four-inning outing in his debut (4 IP, ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 3 K).
C Tony Delmonico: 2009 stats - .285 BA, 9 HR, 22 2B, 2 3B, 43 RBI, 46 BB, 86 K, 5 SB (LoA)
Originally an infieler, Delmonico was drafted in the 6th Round out of Florida State in 2008 and made a quick transition to catcher. The Dodgers have had success converting players to catchers early in their career (i.e. Lucas May, Russell Martin, Carlos Santana) and while Delmonico struggled with 10 passed balls in his first 38 games behind the plate last season, the team is sticking with the plan as the 22 year-old is the starting catcher with Hi-A Inland Empire.
San Diego Padres
RHP Brad Brach: 2009 stats - 3-3, 1.27 ERA; 63.2 IP, 36 H, 11 BB, 82 K, 33 Sv in 60 games (LoA)
Talk about getting a steal in the draft. In the 2008 draft, the Padres may have found a future closer in 42nd Round pick Brach, who set numerous records during his career at Monmouth University in New Jersey. The 6'6" right-hander quickly established himself with the AZL Padres, where his manager called him a 'bulldog' with his attitude and poise on the mound. Jumping to Fort Wayne in the Midwest League for his first full pro season, Brach was dominant (33-for-34 in save chances, .164 BAA, 1 HR allowed) as the closer on a team that won 101 games and capped off the season with the 'Class A Relief Pitcher of the Year' award. The 24 year-old is now the closer in Lake Elsinore, where he has four saves in four scoreless outings.
3B Vince Belnome: 2009 stats - .321 BA, 10 HR, 19 2B, 2 3B, 54 RBI, 56 BB, 60 K in 75 games (LoA/SS)
Tremendous make-up. Intense. Aggressive. Gamer. These are just a few of the terms used to describe Belnome, a 29th Round pick in '09 out of the University of West Virginia. The left-handed hitter is known for his quick hands and ability to drive the ball to all fields. The 22 year-old tends to chase pitches high in the strike zone but punishes ball belt-high or lower. After a very impressive debut in which he posted a .963 OPS, the Padres have made Belnome their starting 3B for Lake Elsinore, where he is off to a slow start (3-for-27) but is someone to keep an eye on as the season progresses.
San Francisco Giants
LHP Ari Ronick: 2009 stats - 7-6, 2.65 ERA; 136 IP, 111 H, 34 BB, 114 K in 24 appearances, 23 starts (LoA)
The left-hander was drafted in the 38th Round by the Reds in 2007 but he chose to return to school at the University of Portland where he improved his draft stock and was taken by the Giants in the 12th Round in 2008. In his first full professional season, Ronick posted the second best ERA (2.65) in the South Atlantic League and was promoted to Double-A Connecticut for the playoffs where he tossed 5.1 scoreless innings to help lead the team to the Eastern League Championship. The 24 year-old, who compensates for a mid-80's fastball with a plus change-up, debuted in the Cal League by allowing 1 ER and 2 hits in 4 IP for San Jose.
1B Brandon Belt: 2009 stats - DNP
In a system without an elite first base prospect, the 21 year-old Belt is starting his pro career in Hi-A as the cleanup hitter for a San Jose team that has top prospects Ehire Adrianza and Francisco Peguero. Drafted three times before finally signing with the Giants after being drafted in the 5th Round of '09, the 6'5" left-hander is an emerging hitter with good size and strength, a strong arm, and potential to become a good fielder. Most impressive during his first seven pro games in 2010 might be the 5 SB's to go along with a .350 BA, HR, 2B, and 3 BB's.
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