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 Adam Eaton, Hi-A Visalia (ARI)
season stats: .376 BA, 2 HR, 16 RBI, 9 2B, 3B, 20 BB, 22 K, 13 SB in 29 games
May 11-May 17: 12-for-25, 6 RBI, 3 2B, 8 BB, 4 SB
This week’s UTR installment presented a bit of a leveling out, so to speak. Two weeks ago, my collection of stats left my proverbial prospect cupboard dry. But a few kids rose to the occasion and Mets prospect Matt den Dekker was my UTR honoree. Last week gave the complete opposite and offered a virtual buffet of players to choose from. Cardinals prospect Matt Adams is simply not getting the attention and respect he deserves and appeared to be the best fit for the message I wanted to convey. That message also spilled over into this week. Most often in sports, a team will draft the best athlete and figure out what to do with them after the fact. Others will focus strictly on need, going after the players that best fit into their future plans. The word 'fit' kept popping into my head when choosing from my list of hitters this week. The 'best fit' is the category that Eaton falls into as the 'Hitter of the Week'. The 22 year-old, who was a 19th round draft pick out of the University Miami last season, raised his average to .376 and OBP to .489 after a terrific week in which he reached base in 20 of 33 plate appearances.
Even though the Diamondbacks knew they drafted an exceptional hitter, they didn’t expect to see Eaton produce a debut season slash line of .385/.500/.575 at Rookie Level Missoula. In 2011, the 5'9" outfielder has picked up right where he left off despite jumping to the Cal League for his first full pro season. Facing much better pitching, Eaton has produced near identical stats to 2010. The ‘4th OF’ tag has been placed on Eaton, but all he’s done is rise to the occasion and not let his size get in his way. Along with an effortless ability to put the ball in play with hard contact, he possesses gap power and the ability to hit an occasional home run. He also displays an average arm in the outfield and shows good base running instincts. My draw to Eaton and all players like him is that they have to continue to prove that they belong day in and day out. The stereotype is that size will get in the way and the player will eventually fall behind the higher-ceiling prospects. Frankly, there is not a thing Eaton does not do well. He’s an on-base machine who could fit perfectly at the top of the Diamondbacks' lineup in the near future.
Honorable Mentions
OF Kent Matthes, Hi-A Modesto (COL): .273 BA, 4 HR, 23 RBI, 14 2B in 32 games; 10-for-30, HR, 7 RBI, 5 2B in last week
3B Jedd Gyorko, Hi-A Lake Elsinore (SD): .376 BA, 9 HR, 36 RBI, 18 2B, 23 BB, 5 SB in 39 games; 12-for-29, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 3 2B, 5 BB, 4 SB in last week
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UTR Minor League NL Pitching Performance of the Week
UTR Minor League AL Performances of the Week
Under the Radar 2011 Archive
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