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 David Nick, Hi-A Visalia (ARI)
season stats: .304 BA, 13 HR, 66 RBI, 32 2B, 5 3B, 29 BB, 77 K, 5 SB in 126 games
August 24-August 30: 14-for-25, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 3 2B, 3B
Although I’m not big into clichés, a particular phrase clearly came to mind while narrowing down my choice for hitter of the week: killing two birds with one stone. When the Diamondbacks sent Kelly Johnson to the Blue Jays for Aaron Hill and John McDonald, they improved their team and acquired two players who are set to become free agents after the season. This move could very well hint that the D-backs have a lot of faith in some of their up-and-coming middle infielders, including this week’s 'UTR' pick. If Nick’s name sounds familiar, it’s because the 21 yr old Cypress, CA native was my choice as the 2011 Diamondbacks pre-season 'Breakout Candidate'. The 6'2" second baseman has provided solid production at each level, especially for a hitter much younger than his average competition.
Nick was off to a decent start this season with Visalia but once the summer heat of July and August took off, so did the ball off of his bat. The tenacious hitter has a .327 BA with 7 HR, 18 2B, 4 3B, and 36 RBI in the second half. His torrid pace has continued as he rapped out 14 hits in the last week, including multi-hit games in five of his last six contests highlighted by a 4-for-5 performance on August 28th in which he knocked in four runs and fell a double shy of a cycle. With the surprise lead in the NL West and two middle infielders off the books in 2012, Arizona has killed two birds with one stone in providing fans with a winning product and clearing a path for one of their most promising youngsters. With polished plate discipline, Nick could position himself for an aggressive push towards a late-2012 big league debut and a possible starting job sometime in 2013.
Honorable Mentions
1B Mark Tracy, Lo-A Asheville (COL): .261 BA, 9 HR, 54 RBI, 20 2B, 19 BB, 117 K, 4 SB in 76 games; 13-for-33, 4 HR, 16 RBI, 4 2B in last week
OF Joc Pederson, Rookie Level Ogden (LAD): .350 BA, 11 HR, 59 RBI, 17 2B, 3B, 31 BB, 51 K, 21 SB in 61 games; 11-for-25, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 2 2B, 3 BB in last week
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UTR Minor League NL Pitching Performance of the Week
Under the Radar 2011 Archive
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