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
2B Vince Belnome, Double-A San Antonio (SD)
season stats: .318 BA, 12 HR, 47 RBI, 16 2B, 40 BB, 51 K in 59 games
June 8-June 14: 13-for-26, 5 HR, 14 RBI, 2B, 6 BB
For years (or maybe even decades), the Padres have had trouble producing homegrown position players that go on to be solid major league regulars. That trend appears to be changing, however, as Chase Headley and Nick Hundley are both considered, at the least, solid major league regulars and minor leaguers such as Kyle Blanks, Drew Cumberland, James Darnell, Jaff Decker, and Blake Tekotte all appear to be on their way to starting big league jobs in then next couple of years. One name you probably won't hear when discussing the Padres' improving farm system is Belnome, a former 28th Round pick who is playing with Double-A San Antonio.
The 23 year-old, who fits the mold of the old regime that favored hitters with good plate discipline and power above all other tools, is fifth in the Texas League in OBP (.426) and sixth in OPS (.996) and SLG (.570). Ahead of him in all three categories is teammate Darnell, whose future in San Diego is uncertain only because of Headley's presence at third base. He could be a trade candidate or he could switch positions. The same can be said for Belnome, who was primarily a third baseman last season with Lake Elsinore but has played mainly second base with Darnell manning the hot corner. Second base doesn't exactly present a clear path either with Orlando Hudson signed through 2012 and Logan Forsythe, Cumberland, and this year's 1st Round pick, Cory Spangenberg, candidates to take over in 2013. Regardless, all Belnome can do is continue performing and hope things will fall into place. He's done exactly that in 2011, especially in the last week. The left-handed hitter, who has a 10-game hitting streak going, has 15 hits, 6 HR, 9 BB, and 18 RBI in his last eight games. If he keeps on swinging the bat like that, other prospects will start changing positions to accommodate him instead of the other way around.
Honorable Mentions
OF Brock Kjeldgaard, Hi-A Brevard County (MIL): .286 BA, 17 HR, 46 RBI, 9 2B, 21 BB, 65 K, 12 SB in 57 games; 11-for-26, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 2B, 2 3B, 4 BB in last week
2B Jose Altuve, Double-A Corpus Christi (HOU): .404 BA, 7 HR, 46 RBI, 17 2B, 10 3B, 21 BB, 32 K, 22 SB in 65 games (AA/HiA); 11-for-30, HR, 6 RBI, 2 2B, 2 3B, 2 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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