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
IF/OF Ryan Flaherty, Double-A Tennessee (CHC)
season stats: .327 BA, 11 HR, 48 RBI, 11 2B, 20 BB, 31 K, 3 SB in 43 games
May 18-May 24: 13-for-25, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 2 2B, 6 BB
It is common in most, if not all sports, for fans and media to identify teams by their players. For example we’ve all seen or heard commercials with announcers promoting ‘Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers take on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in a Monday Night clash.” The media has created the ‘player first’ identity for most teams based on success. Baseball, of course, is no different and has its fair share of players that provide the face of their franchise. Derek Jeter’s name will always be synonymous with the storied New York Yankees. Tim Lincecum embodies the character of the San Francisco Giants. But some teams don’t have that player outside of their own respective markets. This certainly doesn’t imply that a team without a face isn’t successful. For years the Chicago Cubs have lacked that key player who helped identify their franchise. However, baseball has seen the slow inception of a youth movement in the windy city with the emergence of breakout star shortstop Starlin Castro in 2010. His electric bat and smooth glove has helped put the Cubs back into the national spotlight. Hopefully, this week’s UTR Hitter of the Week can be a key piece to help Castro’s Cubs regain prominence once again.
A three-year starter at Vanderbilt, Flaherty was the Cubs first overall pick in 2008 following Commodore teammate and current Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez. Playing shortstop exclusively in his debut season, Flaherty hit .297 with 8 HR and 26 RBI but committed a staggering 16 errors for short-season Peoria. He's showed more aptitude as an infielder the past few years but the Cubs decided to use the 6'3" Flaherty in a super-utility role, playing everywhere except catcher and mostly in the outfield this season with Double-A Tennessee. It’s Flaherty’s bat, however, that will carry him to the majors. He has above-average bat speed from the left side of the plate that gives him 15 HR+ potential in the big leagues. With his move to the outfield, the 24 year-old has a chance to move quickly and give them another good young player to help bring national attention back to Chicago.
Honorable Mentions
OF Adam Eaton, Hi-A Visalia (ARI): .402 BA, 3 HR, 21 RBI, 11 2B, 3 3B, 24 BB, 15 SB in 35 games; 12-for-23, HR, 5 RBI, 2 2B, 2 3B, 4 BB, 2 SB in last week
OF Destin Hood, Hi-A Potomac (WAS): .273 BA, 3 HR, 26 RBI, 16 2B, 2 3B, 24 BB, 5 SB in 43 games; 13-for-30, HR, 10 RBI, 7 2B, 3B 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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