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 2011 season as an 'under the radar' player.
Under the Radar Minor League NL Hitting Performance of the Week
2B Adalberto Santos, Hi-A Bradenton (PIT)
season stats: .319 BA, 5 HR, 41 RBI, 18 2B, 33 BB, 43 K, 24 SB in 85 games (HiA)
August 3-August 9: 12-for-31, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 3 2B, 4 SB
While on vacation recently it was clear that Pirates fever was taking over the country. Strolling through the Boston Harbor, I overheard a couple of Red Sox faithful discussing the acute success of a team that’s been suffocated by futility. Two fans of the best team in the American League discussing how on earth the Pittsburgh Pirates could maintain the level of play we’ve witnessed so far this season. Amazing! But, before fans become overwhelmed, we must keep our joy in check. Looking much like the Pirates we all thought they would, they’ve fallen out of the NL Central race and bring to mind the old adage: “All good things must come to an end!” Still, the surprise success of the Pirates is refreshing. Youth, gutsy play, and optimism is the new world order in Pittsburgh and this philosophy has trickled down well through their farm system. In Hi-A Bradenton, this theory has been proven with the play of 'Under the Radar' Pre-Season Breakout Candidate Jarek Cunningham. Finally starting off a season healthy, Cunningham was steadily producing much to the delight of an organization anxiously waiting for him to explode. That is, until Cunningham recently suffered a concussion that has put him on the shelf indefinitely. The injury, however, has allowed this week's UTR pick, Santos, to show off his versatility by moving from the outfield to take over for Cunningham at second base.
The 23 year-old Santos, who was drafted by the Pirates in the 22nd Round last year, began his pro career with Short-Season State College. He batted .319, showed plus outfield defense, and even more impressive plate discipline so the Pirates felt he could handle an aggressive promotion to Bradenton in 2011. They were right as he's 3rd in the league in batting average and amongst the league leaders in OPS and SLG. The right-handed batter is showing no signs of slowing down. His .342 BA since June 1st gives him a shot at a late-season promotion to Double-A.
Honorable Mentions
2B Tom Belza, Rookie Level Missoula (ARI): .351 BA, 6 HR, 21 RBI, 12 2B, 2 3B, 13 BB, 27 K, 5 SB in 37 games; 12-for-25, HR, 4 RBI, 3 2B, 4 SB in last week
3B Brett Tanos, Lo-A Asheville (COL): .284 BA, 6 HR, 36 RBI, 21 2B, 3 3B, 52 BB, 66 K, 4 SB in 87 games; 10-for-17, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 4 2B, 3B, 7 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 - posted later today
Under the Radar 2011 Archive
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