posted 6/20/12 4:42 PM PST
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 2012 season as an 'under the radar' player.
Under the Radar Minor League NL Hitting Performance of the Week
OF Anthony Hewitt, Hi-A Clearwater (PHI)
season stats: .243 BA, 8 HR, 29 RBI, 6 2B, 2 3B, 11 BB, 61 K, 6 SB in 49 games
June 13-June 19: 7-for-17, 3 HR, 2B, 9 RBI
UTR contributor Jim Brown and I recently had a discussion about the 'Under the Radar' criteria and its relation to the annual Major League Baseball Draft. After agreeing on several points, Jim landed on the question: “After what round would a draft pick begin to qualify as a UTR candidate?” We determined that the criteria is partially conditional. Each organization offers a diverse circumstance for every player regardless of their draft position while player performance and organizational prospect rankings can deem any player eligible. Nevertheless, Jim and I remain true to our mission of mining deep for players that most within the inner circles of the baseball world are not discussing; or at least not discussing anymore. This leads me to this week’s pick, Anthony Hewitt.
With a week shortened by the Florida State League All-Star game, the 2008 1st round draft choice made easy work of league pitching with seven hits in 17 at-bats, including a home run and four runs batted in on June 13th. The 23 year-old went on to add two more home runs and an additional four runs batted in on June 14th.
The Phillies possess the philosophy of drafting great athletes with hopes of turning them into great baseball players and targeted Hewitt who was a 2008 High School All-American shortstop out of Salisbury Prep (CT). The Brooklyn, NY native, who was the 24th overall pick, brought unmatched strength, intelligence and light tower power to the organization. He drew comparisons to former Atlanta Braves outfielder Ron Gant for his chiseled physique, magnetism and workman-like approach on the field every day. But what the Phillies got for the next four seasons was a combined slash line of .215/.259/.357, error-filled defense and a staggering 9:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Scouts said that Hewitt looked lost at the plate, but this season the 23 year-old righty has made improvements with breaking ball recognition and is allowing his work ethic and athleticism to work for him in game situations. With over half of the 2008 1st round draft choices already playing at the major league level, Hewitt has a lot of work to do just to see a promotion to Double-A Reading. The Phillies want to see his athletic ability and intelligence guide his way through the ranks and give the Phillies a return on their first round investment.
Honorable Mentions
SS Joshua Prince, Double-A Huntsville (MIL): .260 BA, 5 HR, 32 RBI, 9 2B, 2 3B, 43 BB, 55 K, 23 SB in 68 games; 6-for-17, 2 HR, 2B, 5 RBI, 4 BB, 2 SB in last week.
2B Ryan Cavan, Double-A Richmond (SF): .245 BA, 6 HR, 22 RBI, 10 2B, 26 BB, 39 K, 3 SB in 66 games; 8-for-24, 3 HR, 5 RBI in last week.
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UTR Minor League NL Pitching Performance of the Week
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