by Marc Hefferan
*MLBDepthCharts.com considers any player not on a team's 40-man roster, in AAA, or ranked as a top 10 prospect by Baseball America or top 11 prospect by Baseball Prospectus before the 2010 season as an 'under the radar' player.
Under the Radar Minor League NL Hitting Performance of the Week
OF Kyle Jensen, Hi-A Jupiter (FLA)
season stats: .449 BA, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 5 2B, 7 BB, 8 K, 2 SB in 13 games
When the 2011 Minor League baseball season began, one of the biggest stories was Phillies prospect Joe Savery, a once heralded hurler who's recent struggles have been well documented. After much debate the Phillies decided to attempt their own “Rick Ankiel experiment” and convert Savery into a first baseman. Immediate results have proven to be more than what the Phillies could have imagined, but with the spotlight shining brightly on Savery, a much lesser known hitter was making a name for himself early and often in the Florida State League.
Generally the common feeling would be for UTR writers to stray away from our 'Breakout Candidates' but sometimes you simply cannot deny the truth of a player’s numbers. My 2011 'Under the Radar' Breakout Candidate for the Marlins, Jensen is off to an incredible start that includes seven multi-hit games. The current FSL Player of the Week presently sits atop the league leader board in total bases (36), runs (12), and hits (22). The 6'4" slugger also ranks within the top three in OPS (1.294), SLG% (.766), OBP% (.528), RBI (15) and BA (.468). With a career 2.6 K/BB ratio, the 22 year-old has also brought much improved plate discipline to the new season with six walks and eight strikeouts in 52 plate appearances. Pre-season predictions had Jensen starting off with Lo-A Greensboro, but his assignment to Jupiter is paying off much more than what the Marlins could have hoped.
Honorable Mentions
1B Matt Curry, Lo-A West Virginia (PIT): .390 BA, HR, 8 RBI, 5 2B, 3 3B, 8 BB, 4 K, 2 SB
1B Mike Zuanich, Hi-A Modesto (COL): .425 BA, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 5 2B, 5 BB, 13 K in 12 games
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UTR Minor League NL Pitching Performance of the Week
UTR Minor League AL Hitting Performance of the Week (posted later today)
UTR Minor League AL Pitching Performance of the Week (posted later today)
UTR NL Breakout Picks for 2011
UTR AL Breakout Picks for 2011
Under the Radar 2010 Archive
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