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The most improved minor league hitters of 2007by Chris ConstancioNovember 08, 2007 Who were the most improved minor league hitters in 2007? To answer this question, I compared players' league- and park-adjusted rates from 2005-2006 and compared them to their 2007 performances. I've listed the top three improved hitters (along with a handful of honorable mentions) as judged by strikeout rate, walk rate, and isolated power (slugging percentage - batting average). Most Improved ContactWladimir BalentienSeattle Mariners | OF | 23 years old SO% BB% ISOP 2005 A+ 23.8% 6.1% .262 2006 AA 29.7% 13.4% .205 2007 AAA 19.2% 10.4% .218 Balentien has developed into a complete hitter over the past two seasons. While he has always had exceptional raw power, he added patience to his repertoire in 2006 and walked more times in that season than he had in his entire professional career. In 2007, Balentien drastically cut down on his strikeouts while maintaining above-average patience and power. He still won't be a high average hitter in the major leagues, but he can now hit enough to be a good fourth outfielder and useful power bat off the bench for the Mariners. Reid BrignacTampa Bay Devil Rays | SS | 21 years old PA SO% BB% ISOP 2005 A 565 23.2% 7.1% .152 2006 A+ 455 18.0% 7.7% .231 2006 AA 121 24.6% 5.8% .173 2007 AA 599 15.7% 9.7% .173 Brignac experienced a breakout season at the hitter-friendly California League last year, and his plate approach continued to improve as he posted career-best walk rates and strikeout rates in the Southern League this year. His traditional statistics were underwhelming in 2007 as he only hit .260 in a full season with the Montgomery Biscuits. The components of that performance are highly encouraging, however. Asdrubal CabreraCleveland Indians | 2B/SS | 21 years old PA SO% BB% ISOP 2005 A 229 14.0% 13.2% .156 2005 A+ 244 19.3% 6.1% .134 2006 AAA 233 21.9% 10.8% .124 2006 AAA 208 18.8% 3.8% .074 2007 AA 425 9.9% 10.6% .144 2007 MLB 186 15.6% 9.1% .138 Cabrera was widely regarded as a defense-only infielder until this year, and it was hard to view him as anything else given the way he was rushed to Triple-A and overmatched against much more experienced pitchers. Cabrera struck out so often that he only posted .263 and .236 batting averages for Tacoma and Buffalo last year. He started the 2007 season down a level in the Double-A Eastern League, where he made contact enough to post a .310 batting average and .381 OBP. By the end of the season, he was maintaining those skills in the middle of a major league pennant race. Honorable Mentions: Chris Nelson, Paulo Orlando, Nelson Robledo, and Nate Schierholtz Most Improved Walk RatesNeil WalkerPittsburgh Pirates | 3B | 22 years old PA SO% BB% ISOP 2005 A 520 13.7% 3.9% .151 2006 A+ 294 13.9% 6.5% .125 2007 AA 431 14.8% 11.4% .174 The switch-hitting Walker improved his on-base skills and power production while learning a new position in 2007. The Pittsburgh-area native has always possessed a pretty swing, and now his well-rounded offensive performance deserves positive attention as well. Matt TuiasosopoSeattle Mariners | 3B | 21 years old PA SO% BB% ISOP 2005 A 466 20.7% 9.5% .110 2006 A 252 23.0% 5.6% .073 2006 AA 240 26.7% 8.3% .033 2007 AA 550 20.5% 14.2% .144 It looked like Tuiasosopo made a mistake. He was lured away from a promising football career when the Mariners offered him a $2.3 million signing bonus, and he struggled at every level until this year. In 2007, he cut down on his strikeouts and was among the league's top ten line drive hitters and top ten most patient hitters. And he's only 21 years old. Drew MaciasDrew Macias | CF | 24 years old PA SO% BB% ISOP 2005 A+ 546 14.2% 8.3% .107 2006 AA 485 19.4% 9.1% .109 2007 AA 394 13.5% 13.7% .148 2007 AAA 131 19.1% 16.0% .127 While the light-hitting Macias batted in the bottom half of his teams' lineup all year, he demonstrated the speed and patience of a traditional leadoff hitter. Macias was called up to San Diego in the final week of the 2007 season, but he did not get an at-bat. Honorable Mentions: Eric Campbell, Dexter Fowler, John Jaso, and Alan Rick Most Improved PowerGeovany SotoChicago Cubs | C | 24 years old PA SO% BB% ISOP 2005 AAA 345 22.3% 13.9% .089 2006 AAA 391 21.0% 10.5% .114 2007 AAA 447 23.3% 11.6% .299 Soto has a strong arm and good skills behind the plate, and was viewed as a well-rounded backup catcher for most of his career. Then, he launched 26 home runs and drove in 109 runs in only 110 games for Triple-A Iowa this year. Soto will compete for the starting job in Chicago in 2008. Chase HeadleySan Diego Padres | 3B | 23 years old PA SO% BB% ISOP 2005 A- 260 13.1% 13.1% .173 2006 A+ 570 16.8% 13.0% .143 2007 AA 529 21.6% 15.3% .250 Headley was in a hitter-friendly league, but 63 extra-base hits is noteworthy in any context. He may force a trade or position move for the Padres' Kevin Kouzmanoff. Jed LowrieBoston Red Sox | 2B/SS | 23 years old PA SO% BB% ISOP 2005 A- 240 12.5% 14.2% .120 2006 A+ 436 14.9% 12.4% .112 2007 AA 337 14.2% 16.4% .204 2007 AAA 177 18.6% 6.8% .206 Did Lowrie improve or was he just finally healthy? Either way, he quietly emerged as a top prospect while Boston's major league rookies were grabbing the spotlight during the 2007 season. Lowrie has always demonstrated exceptional on-base skills, and his improved power production suggests he's a well-rounded hitter who could compete for a role in Boston as soon as next year. Honorable Mentions: Jeff Clement, Fernando Perez, Pablo Sandoval, and Jordan Schafer Chris Constancio analyzes prospects and the minor leagues at FirstInning.com. He welcomes comments, questions, and suggestions via e-mail. Do you have a general question or comment for one of THT's writers? Send it in to our weekly mailbag We also welcome unsolicited op-ed pieces of approximately 500 words for consideration. We reserve the right to edit for length, clarity and consistency of style. Please include your whole name and location to be considered. If you have a comment about this specific article, please email the writer. Next Article: This annotated week in baseball history: Nov. 4-10, 1944>> <<Previous Article: BOB: Marlins stadium update and general managers |
