by Jason Martinez
*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 AL Hitting Performance of the Week
1B Cameron Seitzer, Rookie Level Princeton (TB)
season stats: .435 BA, HR, 7 RBI, 2 2B, 3 BB, 8 K, 2 SB in 7 G
June 22-June 28: 8-for-20, 5 RBI, 2 2B, 2 BB, 2 SB
He can't be 'under the radar' for too long with the name 'Seitzer' stitched onto the back of his jersey. That's because many baseball fans will likely remember Cameron's dad, two-time All-Star and career .295 hitter Kevin Seitzer. While Kevin's was 5'11", a right-handed hitter, and primarily a third baseman throughout his 12 big league seasons, Cameron is a left-handed hitter and six inches taller at 6'5", which probably limits him to first base. Like his dad, he's considered more of a line-drive hitter as opposed to a power hitter but the 21 year-old has the potential to become more of a home run threat down the road. This year's 11th Round pick out of the University of Oklahoma, Seitzer is off to a 10-for-23 start for the Princeton Rays. Here's some video of him in action a few months back in a game against USD.
Under the Radar Minor League AL Pitching Performance of the Week
RHP Jon Lucas, Rookie Level Bluefield (TOR)
season stats: 0.00 ERA, 7 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 5 K in 3 appearances
June 22-June 28: 6 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 4 Kin 2 appearances
It's hard to get any more 'under the radar' than Lucas, a 23 year-old undrafted free agent out of Wagner College who had a 4.15 ERA in 12 starts. He was the team's MVP and an All-Northeast Conference Second-Team selection, but that was as a designated hitter. It also doesn't help that the Bluefield roster includes pitchers Aaron Sanchez and Noah Syndergaard, both 1st Round picks in 2010. So it will take a lot to get noticed but he seems to have the right idea. Just never allow a baserunner. Well, at least that's what he's done so far. In his first three professional games in the Rookie Appalachian League, the right-hander has struck out five hitters in seven perfect innings. Now if he can keep that up, he'll be in the big leagues with another former Wagner College pitcher, A's closer Andrew Bailey, in no time. In all seriousness, a guy like Lucas is a long way from the majors but it's fun to root for the underdog and see if he can beat the odds.
UTR Minor League NL Hitting Performance of the Week
UTR Minor League NL Pitching Performance of the Week
Under the Radar 2011 Archive
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