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
SS Tyler Pastornicky, Double-A Mississippi (ATL)
season stats: .303 BA, 5 HR, 33 RBI, 9 2B, 3 3B, 14 BB, 24 K, 13 SB in 56 games
June 1-June 7: 10-for-27, HR, 7 RBI, 2B, 2 BB, 4 SB
For years, the Toronto Blue Jays have been swimming in the undertow of the embattled American League East. While employing the largest scouting department the baseball industry knows, the system has successfully developed homegrown talent and watched many move quickly towards the limelight of the major leagues. But being in the same division as the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays would mean to any franchise that money and the draft may simply not be enough. The Blue Jays have traded away some of their best known players in order to preserve the greater good of the franchise. Roy Halladay was traded in December 2010 to Philadelphia for a list of prospects to ensure the organization's future success. In a lesser trade made a few months earlier in July 2010, the Jays received left-handed starter Jo-Jo Reyes and shortstop Yunel Escobar from the Braves. In return, the Jays traded minor league pitcher Tim Collins, veteran shortstop Alex Gonzalez, and, ironically, the Braves also received a younger shortstop and Gonzalez’s possible replacement. That would be this week’s UTR pick Tyler Pastornicky.
The Blue Jays knew they were drafting a sure-handed rangy defender with a strong arm in Pastornicky but the former 5th Round pick has worked his way through the minors while having no real standout tool. His only negative is a lack of power but he showed his fluid line-drive stroke by rapping out 10 hits this week, including two three-hit efforts while collecting 7 RBI and 4 stolen bases. The 21 year-old also maintains doubles power with game speed and is viewed by some as a future top-of-the-order hitter that can be a stolen base threat every time he reaches base. His defense plays soundly at shortstop and the Braves feel he has the range, instincts, and arm to stay there. Even though he’s young for Double-A, the Braves believe he has the makeup to meet the challenge. Through reliable scouting and equally systematic trades, the organization has improved their overall depth and, for the greater good of the organization, have obtained who they feel could be their shortstop of the future.
Honorable Mentions
C David Freitas, Lo-A Hagerstown (WAS): .296 BA, 6 HR, 40 RBI, 14 2B, 34 BB, 28 K in 53 games; 11-for-26, HR, 8 RBI, 3 2B, 2 3B, 7 BB in last week
1B Ryan Cuneo, Lo-A Peoria (CHC): .329 BA, 2 HR, 16 RBI, 6 2B, 7 BB, 8 K in 19 games; 10-for-21, HR, 6 RBI, 3 2B, 5 BB 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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