by Jim Brown
*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 Pitching Performance of the Week
RHP Red Patterson, Hi-A Rancho Cucamonga (LAD)
season stats: 6-4, 3.28 ERA, 115.1 IP, 94 H, 27 BB, 116 K in 19 starts (HiA/LoA)
July 13-July 19: 1-0, 14 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 18 K in 2 starts
Plenty of things happen when you take a two-week hiatus. I got to follow my beloved Pittsburgh Pirates' climb to the top the NL Central, even making the trek to PNC Park to see a Buccos win that secured a tie for 1st place, the first time since 1992. As I immersed myself back into the UTR realm this past week, it was evident that most pitchers were suffering from a post-Minor League All-Star break hangover. There also seemed to be an usual amount of promotions and demotions in the low minors. One who was promoted was Patterson, one of my 2011 pre-season breakout selections. Selecting him was a no-brainer after a solid pro debut for Rookie Level Ogden in 2010. The 6'3" right-hander finished with a record of 6-1 and a 3.33 ERA over 67.2 IP while earning a post-season Pioneer League All-Star selection.
The Dodgers selected Patterson in the 29th Round after an unspectacular senior year at Southwest Oklahoma State. The Dodgers' system is renowned for grooming young arms and they overlooked Patterson’s high ERA in college and focused on his outstanding control and strikeout rate (103 K in 72 IP). This season, the 24 year-old has shown impressive control with just 27 walks in 115.1 innings. The most notable improvement is how he is handling left-handed hitters compared to last season with Ogden. Fresh off a Midwest League All-Star appearance, Patterson tossed eight strong innings in his first July start and followed that up with three straight outings of 7 innings, including two starts this past week where he struck out 18 batters and walked only one. It's unclear which is his best pitch, a low 90’s fastball (which has touched 95) or a slider/curve combo that has a 3-to-9 tilt. But it's the continued success of his off-speed stuff that may have him chugging off to Double-A Chattanooga before the season ends.
Relief Pitcher of the Week
RHP James Allen, Rookie League Billings (CIN): 2-0, 1.76 ERA, 15.1 IP, 13 H, 3 BB, 18 K, 3 Sv in 10 appearances ; 1-0, 1 saves, 4.2 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K in 3 appearances over the past week
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UTR Minor League NL Hitting Performance of the Week
UTR Minor League AL Performances of the Week
Under the Radar 2011 Archive
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