Who: The Scranton Wilks Barre/ Empire State Yankees vs Pawtucket Red Sox

The Starting pitcher for the Yankees was just some scrub, someone that no one has ever heard of, a 39 year old man that is still pitching in the minor leagues. Andy Pettitte, winner of four World Series championships took the mound on his road back to the majors; the only thing standing in his way was opposing pitcher Doug Mathis, Ryan Lavarnway, Lars Anderson and the rest of the Pawtucket Red Sox.

What: Yankee pitching legend Andy Pettitte pitching in his first AAA start of the 2012 season, in his attempt to come back from a year off from baseball.

When: 2:05PM Sunday May 6^th, 2012

Where: Frontier Field Rochester, NY

Why: My main reason for attending this game was the opportunity to not only see Andy Pettitte pitch, but to see history made at Frontier Field. “Chris what do you mean?” Thanks for asking pretend reader, Frontier Field broke their all-time regular season attendance record with Pettitte’s start with 13,584 in attendance. The only other time that there were more people was in 1997 when the Baltimore Orioles played an exhibition game against the Red Wings, and there was this guy named Cal Ripken Jr. that was playing in that game.

What: From the start of the game Pettitte struggled with his control, giving up 4 hits and two runs in the top of the first inning. He managed to get out of the inning with two strikeouts and picking a guy off at first with his patented pickoff move that has deceived many base runners of years past. The second inning was not much better, allowing three of the first four batters to reach base, and then a bases loaded walk to Jose Iglesias gave the Paw Sox a 3-0 lead.

In the fourth inning Pettitte gave up two more runs, before settling down and retiring his last six batters to end the game on a positive note. According to manager Dave Miley post game he was hoping that Pettitte would have been lower in his pitch count to see what he could have done in the 6^th maybe 7^th inning, because he just kept getting stronger as he went.

The Yankees made a late comeback of pitcher Junichi Tazawa, but it just was not enough as Garrett Mock came in to pick up the save in the 9^th inning to give the Paw Sox a 7-5 on what was proclaimed “Andy Pettitte Day” in Rochester before the game.

WP: Doug Mathis (1-2 6.15 ERA)
LP: Andy Pettitte (0-1 5.40 ERA)
Save: Garrett Mock (4)

Chris Fee: First off, I wanted to talk about your transition from Catcher to First Baseman after you were drafted. What were some of your biggest challenges, and how did you respond to the move?

Matt Adams: The challenges were just learning the position, when to go out for cutoffs and relays, when you go out and when you stay home and the footwork around the bag. It was easier because you have to have soft hands as a catcher so the defensive side of it wasn’t too challenging because you need to scoop the ball with your hands out of the dirt. So for the most part it wasn’t too challenging, it was just a new thing that I needed to get all the instructors in the minor leagues to help you out to help get the challenges away from you.

CF: Do you feel that the transition was easier due to the similarities between the two, being a catcher you’re constantly behind the plate scooping balls out of the dirt and things like that, was it easier because you were already used to it?

MA: Yeah, it definitely helped with the transition. Being able to have all of the good infield coordinators that we have in the Cardinals organization, to help in spring training and each level I’ve been at, it’s been a big help too.

CF: You’ve had a lot of success in your career so far, hitting above .300 in each level. What do you accredit that success to, hitting program, time in college, coaches? What would you say that you give the most credit too?

MA: It’s the hard work, what goes in during the season and then with my hitting coach in the offseason as well.

CF: At the end of the 2011 season Albert Pujols was the starting first baseman up in St. Louis, when he went to the Angels, did you find that it gave you a little bit more drive knowing that the position at the major league level was no longer blocked and you had an opportunity with the parent club soon?

MA: I really didn’t let that affect me, I knew that we had Allen Craig and Lance Berkman up there that could play first base, I just went about my business in the same way in the offseason this year as I did in the past. I was ready for spring training and got ready to prove myself again.

CF: You’ve moved up the prospect list, not only on the Cardinals but on a national level as well. Do you find that the expectations or talks about your game have distracted you at all? How do you stay focused and not really listen to what people are saying and just focus on the day to day?

MA: I don’t even look at those lists, or stuff on the internet, I gotta stay away from that because it is a distraction and I need to keep my head clear and I want to go out each night and give it my best shot and leave everything I got on the field.

CF: What would you say your biggest strength is on the field, and what do you feel like you still have room to improve on? Obviously being in AAA, whether it be an injury or just it being your time you can be called up at any time, what are you still trying to develop while still in the minors?

MA:  I feel like my biggest strength is my offense, just being able to have good at bats day in and day out. I gotta work on everything in my game to be able to become a big leaguer, but I still focus on the defensive side, trying to master that position at first base.

CF: Bring me back to the day you were drafted, how did you find out that the Cardinals had drafted you? Did they call you ahead of time, did you have a sense that they were interested in you or was it a bit of a surprise when it happened?

MA: Draft day was pretty hectic, pretty stressful. I did some pre-draft work outs for a couple of other teams and they had told me that I’d be going right around the 10^th round. After the 10^th round I started to wonder if I was ever going to be drafted. I did a pre-draft work out in Busch Stadium for the Cardinals but after that I didn’t really have any contact with them until the day they called me on draft day.

CF: What’s that feeling like when you get the phone call, I mean you told me you were looking at the 10^th round and you went a little bit later, what was it like to finally to get that phone call?

MA: It was amazing, it’s been my dream ever since I was little to get drafted and be able to play professional baseball and for that dream to come true, I mean to have my family and friends around me when I got that call, I can’t even put it into words.

CF: When people talk about your “breakout year” in 2011, do you wonder why people didn’t take notice in 2009 or 10? You put up good numbers consistently over .300, hit 22 homers your first season, do you hope that the scouts are watching that and you’re continuing to advance to the next level each year?

MA: I really don’t like the limelight being just on me, I like it being on my team and we go out and play hard every night and that I can continue to progress like I have in the past and if I can do that I will hopefully get the call to the big leagues.

CF: During spring training did you expect to start the year with the Cardinals or did you have an idea that you would start the year in Memphis?

MA: I mean my goal going in was to have a good spring and to break with the team, but I kept my mind clear thinking that I was going to make it, and whenever I got called into Mike’s office and he told me that I was going down to start my year in Memphis, I was happy that I still had a job and that I was only one step away from the big leagues. I knew that I had to continue to do my thing  and that hopefully things work out.

CF: What is it like to have another top prospect on your team like Shelby Miller, I know you mentioned that you didn’t like the limelight on you, does that help to have another guy that people are trying to draw a lot of attention to as well?

MA: We have a lot of guys on the team that get a lot of the media and all that after them. Like I said before it’s always a distraction no matter who it is, but the guys on our team definitely helps eases my mind and takes my mind off of it even more.

CF: As you’ve jumped from level to level you’ve been very consistent, obviously the power numbers have gone up and the on base percentage has gone up and the batting average has consistently been above .300, what has been the challenge at each level? Starting in Batavia and moving up to Memphis, what have been the biggest changes at each level?

MA:  Mainly, just recognizing that change up. The pitchers at each level get better and better, and their command with their off speed pitches. When you’re in a hitters count up here in AAA, you don’t always get fastballs. The main thing is to get in there and hit some pitches early in the count.

My thanks to Matt Adams for taking some time out to talk to me, as well as Jordan Johnson media relations manager for helping set the interview up. 

Scott Diamond started for the Red Wings against Buffalo’s Dylan Owen. Diamond came into the game at 4-0 with an ERA just over 1.00. The start was Owen’s second of the year after five relief appearances (spoiler alert: he did not hit a homerun).

When: 1:05 PM, Sunday, April 29

Where: Coca-Cola Field (Buffalo, NY)

This is my second visit to Coca-Cola Field; Chris and I hit the Syracuse-Rochester-Buffalo trifecta last May. Yesterday’s game was mostly spent taking pictures and video and just enjoying the day (that’s code for, “I forgot to grab my notebook before we left and I wasn’t spending $10 for a new one at the ballpark.”), but I do want to include some of my notes from last season. The Bisons issued Chris a credential and comped me a ticket, so I figure I owe it to them to present some of my thoughts here (even if it IS eleven months later; there are no deadlines in my world).

Okay, first things first, some stuff that I liked. The video board is, in a word, AMAZING. Eighty feet long, 33 feet tall, high definition – it’s like watching TV in my living room, except I’m sitting at a ballpark enjoying a baseball game. It’s the best of all worlds. Chris’s early entry to the ballpark last season allowed him to watch the Kentucky Derby on this behemoth, a fact of which I remain supremely jealous.

They make sure to actually utilize the video board as well, integrating it nicely into their in-game entertainment and showing lots of replays throughout the game. I will never not be bothered by stuff like “MAKE SOME NOISE!” and “LOUDER!” at any point prior to the seventh inning.

I didn’t notice it this season, maybe because it wasn’t as much of a surprise, but last year I was surprised to note that the stadium’s speakers were in center field instead of around the seating bowl (Syracuse has the same setup). Compared to a place like Rochester’s Frontier Field, which I liked overall, it’s unbelievable how much easier it is to hear when you don’t have a speaker right behind you.

Something else I liked was the location. You get off the highway, make a couple turns, and you’re there. Chris referred to is as a downtown ballpark, which is a very good thing when you’re looking to get in, see a game, and get back out. For three bucks you can park a short distance away. We’re lazy, though, so we paid ten bucks and parked literally across the street from the ballpark.

The downtown location, though, impacts the backdrop, which is something I look for at most ballparks I visit. Where some places have mountains, or trees, or something cool like that, Buffalo has the highway. It’s not that exciting. On the other hand, there are some pretty cool buildings visible behind the main seating bowl, including the HSBC Building, which looks almost as though it’s rising up out of the top of the ballpark. It’s a very neat look.

A couple things I noticed last season in terms of sponsorships had either changed or weren’t as noticeable this time around: one, a promotion in which a kid would be allowed onto the field to get an autograph from a player during the pre-inning warmup, and two, numerous things that were sponsored for the first two innings (stuff like speed pitch). I don’t remember seeing them this time.

Something else different was the removal of the Bisons championship banner in the left field corner. It was pretty cool, a banner that listed the team’s league, Triple-A World Series, and division titles, but it was gone in favor of a sign touting the upcoming Triple-A All-Star game. Maybe they use that area as a sort of revolving door for different team-related information, so it’s not weird to see something different there. I’m not sure. But I liked the championship banner.

One removal that I enjoyed was the ball return over the backstop. Last season, the netting they had up made it difficult to see from certain areas behind home plate; this year, it was gone, leaving that area more open.

A piece of history that remains is the line of retired numbers along the wall in left-center. The players featured are Oliver Carnegie (known as “Ollie”, he hit 30+ homeruns four times for Buffalo), Luke Easter (three straight 30-homerun seasons), and Jeff Manto (a Bison for four seasons, including International League championships in 1997 and 1998).

Why: Billy and I were making a trip out to visit Chris in western New York for the weekend, which seemed like as good a time as any to take in a ballgame at a park we don’t usually get to visit. That originally was supposed to be Syracuse, but the call-ups of Bryce Harper and Tyler Moore and the fact that it was more out of the way than Buffalo led us to rethink our plans and head west to take in a game at The Coke (do they call it that? They have to call it that, right?)

What: We left in the eighth inning because Billy and I wanted to get back to New Hampshire sometime before he had to head to work this morning (actual arrival time: 12:05 am). By that point, the home team had busted open an early pitchers duel and reached Diamond for seven runs (Diamond came into the game with a 4-0 record, and at one point before all hell broke loose his ERA was below 1.00) on their way to an 8-2 win. Buffalo’s Owen was the winning pitcher, working seven innings and allowing one run on four hits.

Also of note: Buffalo’s catcher was Lucas May. I would like very much for him to be traded to Philadelphia and assigned to Double-A, at least for the time being. (I am truly disappointed that there has never been a professional baseball player named “December”.)

Many more pictures from this game can be found here. Videos of Diamond, Ben Revere, Matt Tuiasosopo, Brad Emaus, Josh Satin, and Darin Mastroianni can be found on my YouTube channel.

I predicted weeks back that Bryce Harper would be in the Big Leagues before the All-Star break.  Heck! I told you if you played Fantasy Baseball, put him on your bench.  He wouldn’t be there for too long.

I know.  For my next trick, I will predicted that Kim Kardashian will date Kanye West just long enough for the NFL draft to finish. On a side note, why hasn’t she ever gone for baseball players?

Back to Bryce Harper, the Washington Nationals are pulling the trigger as early as expected. With the injury to a lackluster Ryan Zimmerman, and no one else ready to step up to the plate (the 3-2 loss to the Dodgers might have been the straw that broke the camel’s back), the Nationals sure aren’t going to let their hot start languish for too long.  Is Harper going to give them the power they are looking for?

The 19-year-old Harper comes with an impressive pedigree. He was the 2010 overall first round draft pick and Golden Spikes award winner.  Nonetheless, he was hitting .250 with one homerun in 20 games at Triple A Syracuse.   Normally, that’s not enough to get you on the varsity team. Forget about clicking your ticket to the show.

Harper is a kid with exceptional promise who is doing ok … kind of… in the minors.  Are they calling him up too early?  Absolutely.  Could this blow up in the Nationals’ face and do irreparable damage to both the kid and the organization? Possibly. Regardless, if you listen quietly, you can hear the screenplay for the Disney adaptation of his life being written right now.

Can you smell the desperation on the Nationals? Yeah, and I really don’t know why.  I picked Jose Reyes number one in my Fantasy Baseball Draft.  Do you see me panicking? (Insert picture of me dabbing my sweating brow furiously.)

Hardly fazed by playing in front of a sellout crowd at Dodger Stadium last night, Bryce Harper sure didn’t leave that eye-popping talent in Syracuse.  He nearly nailed a runner at the plate with a perfect throw from left field. He singled in his third at-bat and hit a sacrifice fly lineout to left against Javy Guerra, which gave the Nationals a 2-1 lead.  That lead grew to 3-1 in the top of the ninth, but Henry Rodriguez (interim Nationals closer) could not make it stand.  He allowed three hits and let the tying run reach on a wild pitch.

Did Harper show up?  Absolutely.  Is he the savior for the Nationals current slide?  Apparently not, they still lost and he’s only one person.

Bryce Harper was less of a physical cure-all for the Nationals’ issues and more of an emotional cure-all. He did give the team a jolt and the fan-base something to watch.  Let’s face it.  I’m not a Nationals fan and I just devoted an entire article to him.

Overall, the Bryce Harper story has gotten off to a great start. But like any good story, we’re not done with the exposition yet.  Even his representation, Super Agent/Dark Overlord Scott Boras, predicts he’ll return to Syracuse for more seasoning once Zimmerman is off the DL. Syracuse isn’t going to be giving away Harper’s locker yet, but based on last night’s performance, this won’t be the last we’ll see of Harper in the big show.

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him.

HE is here.

The Chosen One. Born of pure midiclorians, HE is the one of the great prophesy of the Book of Doubleday.

For years now, we have awaited this glorious day. The day in which HE would descend upon us, don the uniform of our capitol city, and we would bask in HIS glory. How fitting that HE would arrive in The City of Angels. Even the stars dare not blink when HE crosses their path. Sound the horns and mark the day, for it is one we must never forget.

Since 2010, we have attempted to purify our souls in anticipation. We oogled at HIS god-like adolescent strength. We compared HIS mental make-up to the greatest hitter of all-time. We compared HIS on-the-field actions to those who grace our great Halls. We have been penitent and humble in HIS glory. And now, on this day when he stops riding buses and toiling among the common folk of small towns and small fields, we hope that we have done enough. We hope we are worthy of HIS presence.

Sceptics, blasphemers, and non-believers will try to dissuade us. They say today is not the right day for HIS arrival. They will downplay HIS impact on our lives. They might even say HE is not the savior we know HIM to be. But they do not understand.

This is the day we will tell our grandchildren about.

Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter

The Bryce Harper Era starts today.

The Autism Action Partnership and the Omaha Storm Chasers proudly unveil a very special item being sold in the Storm Front Gift Shop for the 2012 season. The Storm Front’s newest item is a Storm Chasers inspired t-shirt hand drawn and designed by 11 year old Donovan Jones. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of Jones’ shirt will go to the Autism Action Partnership to help improve the quality of life of persons on the Autism Spectrum and their families through education, advocacy and support, thereby enabling them to be an integral part of the community…

…”Donovan has been drawing since he could pick up a pencil so he was glad to design a t-shirt,” Donovan’s mother, Stacia Jones, explained in an e-mail to the AAP. “This contest has made him the talk of town; everyone wants to celebrate with him. It has been a huge self-esteem boost. Donovan (is) usually scared to be around people, (but) will conquer his fear by throwing out the first pitch of the game. This will help him grow socially. Thank you for everything!”

Donovan, who is a fifth grader at Osceola Public School, won a design contest that was held by the AAP and the Storm Chasers; will come out to Werner Park on June 9th for Omaha’s game against the Round Rock Express where the Jones’ will take part in a press conference and Donovan will sign his Storm Chasers contract. He will then be given a personalized jersey, be able to play catch on the field during batting practice in addition to handing the line-up cards to the umpires with Omaha’s manager Mike Jirschele and throwing out the first pitch.

I think I speak for all of us here at Bus Leagues when I say that I fully support anyone who can make a positive impact on the lives of others simply by doing what he or she loves. As my old boss Bill Doehring used to say, “That’s a beautiful thing.” Granted, I worked for him at Target, and he was usually talking about a truck that we unloaded quickly or a record pallet-clearing run in the backroom, but I think the sentiment still applies.

Also, pretty much the only part of the story that I didn’t quote mentioned that the Storm Chasers are going to wear special puzzle piece-themed jerseys on June 9. Those jerseys will be auctioned off following the game to raise money for the AAP. I’m already pretty certain that I want to buy one of the T-shirts featuring Donovan’s design; the question is whether or not I’ll be willing to pony up a few bucks to snag one of those jerseys. It’s a definite possibility.

While being away from live baseball for the 2012 season, I’ve had to look a little harder for things to write about. Fortunately, within my first week in Afghanistan I met Air Force Tech Sergeant Marc Leistico and oddly enough our conversation drifted towards minor league baseball. A few days later, TSgt Leistico was nice enough to sit down with me and answer a few questions for Bus Leagues Baseball.com.

Bus Leagues Baseball: So what is your name and rank?

Marc Leistico: My name is Tech Sergeant Marc Leistico and I am with the United States Air Force.

BLB: Now we’ve been working together for a bit, and a week ago you told me that you were a fan of Minor League Baseball. I was wondering if you could tell me what team.

ML: I am a fan of the Sacramento River Cats, they are a minor team of the Oakland A’s.

BLB: Awesome. How long have you been going to their games?

ML: Oh, since about 2001.

BLB: In your experience with the River Cats, what’s the allure of Minor League Baseball?

ML: Well, when it comes to sports, I follow teams, not individuals. I’m terrible with individual stats. I don’t care about stats or personas. But the team itself is what I really like the most. And the thing with minor league baseball is these personas are taken out because when they are really really good, they go up to the majors. So you have a chance to focus on the team and enjoy the team. Mostly you wrap yourself around the mascot more than any individual player.

BLB: That is very true. It’s more about the front of the jersey than the back, which is almost in line with the Air Force and the military – that there are no individuals.

ML: Exactly. It is a very unified point of view.

BLB: Can you tell us your views on the experience of going to a minor league game, especially as compared to a major league game? Have you been to many major league games as well?

ML: I’ve been to several major league games. Minor league baseball games are much more family friendly. So it is not just the game you are watching, you are also watching the in-between innings, the goofy little games, that sometimes do or do not make sense, and it doesn’t really matter because the whole point of the game is to get the crowd involved. You know, regardless of what’s going on the wave seems to be more prominent at minor league games than at major league games.

BLB: I’ve never been out to Sacramento. How many people usually attend? Is it a couple of hundred? A couple of thousand?

ML: The stadium is packed and the grass is packed. Sacramento is huge for the River Cats.

BLB: Now being in the Air Force, do you get to go very many games?

ML: Well, every time I am on vacation in the area, my parents always spring for one or two tickets. When I was stationed in Travis Air Force Base, it was quite often.

BLB: Being in Afghanistan now, of course you won’t be able to go to many games, but will you still follow the team?

ML: Probably not. I get home from work and I want to go to bed.

BLB: So has the River Cats experience changed since you started going in 2001?

ML: It hasn’t. It is the consistency that makes it nice. When I go to a baseball game I know what I am getting myself into.  And one thing that I really like about minor league baseball games is that you don’t get a whole lot of Budweiser or Coca-Cola, you get more local breweries or local diners. It is a very local flavor. I imagine this counts for every minor league baseball team, if you want to catch the taste of a local area in one small setting, go to a minor league baseball game or minor league sports, in general.

BLB: Could you tell us about the first game you went to and give us a few of your most memorable experiences at the ballpark?

ML: I can’t really remember the first game I went to, I just remember that it was 2001. It was when I was first stationed at Travis Air Force Base, not far from Sacramento. It was nice.

BLB: Was it just something to do?

ML: Yeah. My parents have now gone from one or two games a year to a game almost every week or every other week. My parents are now huge River Cats fans. They always get my son River Cats paraphernalia such as bats and balls and jerseys. He is all decked out in River Cats gear.

The memory that stands out the most for me now is Roof Man. If someone hits a foul out behind the stands, Roof Man comes out all superhero like and he is dressed in a cape and he throws balls back down to the audience. It gets everyone involved. The River Cats have such a creative way of getting the crowd involved.

BLB: Now had your parents gone to many games before you went to games?

ML: Yes, because they had the time.

BLB: Have you taken your son to any games?

ML: Yes. Every time we go back. It’s amazing because he was like a year and a half old and, you know, a year and a half old kids don’t have much attention span, but he was sitting there on my lap just enthralled. Just enthralled with the game. And he is telling the pitcher “And … throw! And … throw! And … throw!”.  He barely spoke anything but “and …. Throw!”. He was more than happy to do that. So he is already a huge River Cats fan.

It’s a family thing there. It’s a community thing.

BLB: Do you go with your parents and turn it into a family outing?

ML: Yeah, it’s the whole family. Some friends, it’s a bigger event. Everyone has a great time.

I’ve also noticed that when you go to a Major League game, you don’t really talk to the people next to you or the people behind you. But at a Minor League game, they are much more concerned with taking care of you. Like there was a nice couple behind us once and they caught one of the balls from Roof Man and gave the ball to my son. So it’s very, very community.

BLB: So are you going to miss going to the ballpark while you are here in Afghanistan?

ML: Yeah. When I get back I’ll be in Germany. My wife and I both agreed that we are going to take the sites in and we are going to see Europe. So no River Cats games for three years. Maybe we can find a minor league team or something like that in Germany.

We’d like to thank TSgt Leistico for his time and wish him the best during his Afghanistan deployment and throughout his time in the military.

(Photo from baseballpilgrimages.com)

This is a post that appeared at Philly Sports Central earlier this week, and I thought it could be appropriate here too.

Any team, Pat Burrell.

Last Thursday, the Phillies announced that Pat Burrell will sign a ceremonial one-day contract so he can officially retire as a member of the team (Ruben Amaro initially offered a three day contract, but that was deemed unnecessary.) He’ll be honored the weekend of May 18-20 against the Red Sox close to 12 years after his ML debut (5/24/00). In his 12 year career, Burrell slugged 292 home runs including 251 with the Phillies, good for 4th in franchise history. While his prolonged in-season slumps frustrated many fans, from 2005 to 2008 which has to be considered his prime, he was actually very consistent from season to season. He hit between 29 and 33 home runs, slugged between .502 and .507, and his OPS ranged from .875 to .902.

Some may say that he didn’t live up to expectations as a #1 pick because he never won any kind of award or played in an All-Star Game, but he actually stacks up very well compared to other first overall picks. As of now, only five other #1 picks have hit more home runs than he did, and even though some active #1 picks will eventually pass Burrell, his career will definitely be seen in a positive light years from now. Although people may have expected more based on his pedigree in college and the minors, he was still a key part in many lineups.

It may be hard to believe based on the limited range and foot speed for most of his career, but Burrell was once a really good athlete that also excelled in football and basketball. When it was clear that his future would be in baseball, Burrell dropped the other sports and enjoyed a very successful high school career at Bellarmine College Prep, culminating in being named California High School Player of the Year. He was taken very late in the 1995 draft by the Red Sox, but they never had serious negotiations. Burrell chose to attend Miami over Cal State Fullerton, where he would’ve been a teammate of Aaron Rowand.

While individual season statistics before 1999 are difficult if not impossible to find, Burrell’s career numbers as a Hurricane are readily available. He made an impact in college baseball immediately. He led the nation in batting average and slugging percentage, hit 23 home runs in 64 games, and somehow those numbers were dwarfed by his postseason stats. He became just the third player all time to be named College World Series Most Outstanding Player on a team that didn’t win the tournament. He still holds the Miami freshman records for home runs and total bases.

The Hurricanes didn’t come that close to winning a championship for the rest of Burrell’s college career. However, he still enjoyed two more great seasons that resulted in postseason play. His name is all over the Miami record book even though he missed two months of his junior season with a back injury. In Miami history, he’s first in batting average, first in slugging, second in home runs, and he’s also in the top 10 in runs, hits, total bases, RBI and walks. He made just about every All-American team in 1996 and 1997, and even though he missed a lot of time in his junior year, won the Golden Spikes Award, presented to the best amateur player in the country. He was an easy choice to go first overall, and fortunately for the Phillies, signed pretty quickly unlike their first round pick in the previous draft.

To start his pro career, Burrell got to stay in Florida as he was assigned to Clearwater. Going directly to high-A from college in the same year is rarely if ever seen now, and it shows how advanced Burrell was. J.D. Drew actually went right to AA after signing, but he had two seasons of indy league experience at that point. Some of Burrell’s teammates on that Clearwater team included Jimmy Rollins, Brandon Duckworth and Adam Eaton. He’s not on league leaderboards because he fell seven at bats short, but Burrell was one of the league’s best hitters at 21 years old. He would’ve been 11th in the league in OPS, and only one of the players in front of him, Nick Johnson, was 21 years old or younger.

1999 was another big step forward for Burrell, both at the plate and in the field. The Phillies were resigned to the fact that he wouldn’t be able to play third base like in college, but they thought he could cover enough ground to play left field. He still played mostly first base, but he got his feet wet to prepare to make the transition full time in 2000. The change on defense didn’t affect him at the plate at all, and he had another great season. His 1.068 OPS was second in the Eastern League, behind only Nick Johnson. He hit 28 more home runs, and he was well on his way to the majors.

Burrell would only play 45 more games in the minors for the rest of his career, not counting rehab appearances. In 40 games for the SWB Phillies in AAA, Burrell again posted an OPS over .900. His SLG dipped below .500, but his patience and command of the strike zone allowed him to post an OBP over .400. After Rico Brogna went on the DL in May, the Phillies eventually brought Burrell up. On May 24th, he joined the Phillies in Houston and made his major league debut, collecting his first two career hits. The next night, he hit his first home run off Scott Elarton. Two months later, the Phillies acquired Travis Lee who had been one of the league’s top prospects just a couple years earlier. Lee started his Phillies career in left field, but he soon moved to first where he was a very good defender. Burrell would occupy left field for the rest of his career, except for one game in 2009 when the Rays sent him out to right.

It would be fair to say that Burrell may not have lived up to expectations after a career at Miami that indicated he could’ve been one of the best players of this era. He certainly wasn’t that, but he had a very good career that should be remembered fondly in the best years of Phillies history. The difference between the player Burrell was and the player he could have been was was likely a change in approach at the plate. He became great at hitting to right field at Miami, but as a professional he became a dead pull hitter. Maybe he felt pressure to hit more home runs after his outstanding 2002 season and contract extension, but he still became a very dangerous power hitter.

In an effort to milk this list as much as possible, I made a post that has all 100 prospects in just one list with their Opening Day assignments. At the bottom, I have a handful of stats that show the distribution of the top 100 by organization, position and classification.

1. Bryce Harper, OF, Washington- Syracuse (AAA, International)
2. Matt Moore, LHP, Tampa Bay- Tampa Bay (MLB, AL)
3. Mike Trout, OF, Anaheim- Salt Lake (AAA, Pacific Coast)
4. Jurickson Profar, SS, Texas- Frisco (AA, Texas)
5. Julio Teheran, RHP, Atlanta- Gwinnett (AAA, International)
6. Trevor Bauer, RHP, Arizona- Mobile (AA, Southern)
7. Dylan Bundy, RHP, Baltimore- Delmarva (A, South Atlantic)
8. Anthony Rendon, 3B, Washington- Potomac (A+, Carolina)
9. Jesus Montero, DH, Seattle- Seattle (MLB, AL)
10. Shelby Miller, RHP, St. Louis- Memphis (AAA, Pacific Coast)
11. Manny Machado, SS, Baltimore- Bowie (AA, Eastern)
12. Devin Mesoraco, C, Cincinnati- Cincinnati (MLB, NL)
13. Wil Myers, OF, Kansas City- Northwest Arkansas (AA, Texas)
14. Travis d’Arnaud, C, Toronto- Las Vegas (AAA, Pacific Coast)
15. Gerrit Cole, RHP, Pittsburgh- Bradenton (A+, Florida State)
16. Jacob Turner, RHP, Detroit- Toledo (AAA, International)
17. Jameson Taillon, RHP, Pittsburgh- Bradenton (A+, Florida State)
18. Manny Banuelos, LHP, Yankees- Empire State (AAA, International)
19. Archie Bradley, RHP, Arizona- South Bend (A, Midwest)
20. Tyler Skaggs, LHP, Arizona- Mobile (AA, Southern)
21. Arodys Vizcaino, RHP, Atlanta- Injured- out for season
22. Jarrod Parker, RHP, Oakland- Sacramento (AAA, Pacific Coast)
23. Francisco Lindor, SS, Cleveland- Lake County (A, Midwest)
24. Randall Delgado, RHP, Atlanta- Atlanta (MLB, NL)
25. Jake Marisnick, OF, Toronto- Dunedin (A+, Florida State)
26. Miguel Sano, DH, Minnesota- Beloit (A, Midwest)
27. Nick Castellanos, 3B, Detroit- Lakeland (A+, Florida State)
28. Jean Segura, SS, Anaheim- Arkansas (AA, Texas)
29. Gary Brown, OF, San Francisco- Richmond (AA, Eastern)
30. Nolan Arenado, 3B, Colorado- Tulsa (AA, Texas)
31. Drew Pomeranz, LHP, Colorado- Colorado Springs (AAA, Pacific Coast)
32. Martin Perez, LHP, Texas- Round Rock (AAA, Pacific Coast)
33. Taijuan Walker, RHP, Seattle- Jackson (AA, Southern)
34. Danny Hultzen, LHP, Seattle- Jackson (AA, Southern)
35. Zack Wheeler, LHP, Mets- Binghamton (AA, Eastern)
36. Carlos Martinez, RHP, St. Louis- Palm Beach (A+, Florida State)
37. Oscar Taveras, OF, St. Louis- Springfield (AA, Texas)
38. Brett Jackson, OF, Cubs- Iowa (AAA, Pacific Coast)
39. Mike Olt, 3B, Texas- Frisco (AA, Texas)
40. Zach Lee, RHP, Los Angeles- Rancho Cucamonga (A+, California)
41. Matt Harvey, RHP, Mets- Buffalo (AAA, International)
42. Yasmani Grandal, C, San Diego- Tucson (AAA, Pacific Coast)
43. Jonathan Singleton, 1B, Houston- Corpus Christi (AA, Texas)
44. Rymer Liriano, OF, San Diego- Lake Elsinore (A+, California)
45. Gary Sanchez, C, Yankees- Charleston (A, South Atlantic)
46. Bubba Starling, OF, Kansas City- Extended Spring Training
47. Hak-Ju Lee, SS, Tampa Bay- Montgomery (AA, Southern)
48. Jarred Cosart, RHP, Houston- Corpus Christi (AA, Texas)
49. Cheslor Cuthbert, 3B, Kansas City- Wilmington (A+, Carolina)
50. Xander Bogaerts, 3B, Boston- Salem (A+, Carolina)
51. Josh Bell, OF, Pittsburgh- West Virginia (A, South Atlantic)
52. Wily Peralta, RHP, Milwaukee- Nashville (AAA, Pacific Coast)
53. Will Middlebrooks, 3B, Boston- Pawtucket (AAA, International)
54. Yonder Alonso, 1B, San Diego- San Diego (MLB, NL)
55. Casey Kelly, RHP, San Diego- Tucson (AAA, Pacific Coast)
56. Anthony Gose, CF, Toronto- Las Vegas (AAA, Pacific Coast)
57. Dellin Betances, RHP, Yankees- Empire State (AAA, International)
58. Trevor May, RHP, Philadelphia- Reading (AA, Eastern)
59. Christian Yelich, OF, Miami- Jupiter (A+, Florida State)
60. A.J. Cole, RHP, Oakland- Stockton (A+, California)
61. Billy Hamilton, 2B, Cincinnati- Bakersfield (A+, California)
62. James Paxton, LHP, Seattle- Jackson (AA, Southern)
63. Mason Williams, OF, Yankees- Charleston (A, South Atlantic)
64. Neil Ramirez, RHP, Texas- Round Rock (AAA, Pacific Coast)
65. Anthony Rizzo, 1B, Cubs- Iowa (AAA, Pacific Coast)
66. Javier Baez, 3B, Cubs- Extended Spring Training
67. Michael Choice, OF, Oakland- Midland (AA, Texas)
68. George Springer, OF, Houston- Lancaster (A+, California)
69. Jesse Biddle, LHP, Philadelphia- Clearwater (A+, Florida State)
70. Eddie Rosario, 2B, Minnesota- Beloit (A, Midwest)
71. Jake Odorizzi, RHP, Kansas City- Northwest Arkansas (AA, Texas)
72. Sonny Gray, RHP, Oakland- Midland (AA, Texas)
73. Mike Montgomery, LHP, Kansas City- Omaha (AAA, Pacific Coast)
74. Matt Davidson, 3B, Arizona- Mobile (AA, Southern)
75. Chad Bettis, RHP, Colorado- Tulsa (AA, Texas)
76. Andrelton Simmons, SS, Atlanta- Mississippi (AA, Southern)
77. Joe Benson, OF, Minnesota- Rochester (AAA, International)
78. Jonathan Villar, SS, Houston- Corpus Christi (AA, Texas)
79. Allen Webster, RHP, Los Angeles- Chattanooga (AA, Southern)
80. Addison Reed, RHP, White Sox- White Sox (MLB, AL)
81. Jedd Gyorko, 3B, San Diego- San Antonio (AA, Texas)
82. John Lamb, LHP, Kansas City- Omaha (AAA, Pacific Coast)
83. Cory Spangenburg, 2B, San Diego- Lake Elsinore (A+, California)
84. Joe Wieland, RHP, San Diego- Tucson (AAA, Pacific Coast)
85. Robbie Erlin, LHP, San Diego- San Antonio (AA, Texas)
86. Justin Nicolino, LHP, Toronto- Lansing (A, Midwest)
87. Taylor Jungmann, RHP, Milwaukee- Brevard County (A+, Florida State)
88. Luis Heredia, RHP, Pittsburgh- Extended Spring Training
89. Austin Hedges, C, San Diego- Fort Wayne (A, Midwest)
90. Blake Swihart, C, Boston- Greenville (A, South Atlantic)
91. Brian Goodwin, OF, Washington- Hagerstown (A, South Atlantic)
92. Brandon Jacobs, OF, Boston- Salem (A+, Carolina)
93. Jed Bradley, LHP, Milwaukee- Brevard County (A+, Florida State)
94. Taylor Guerrieri, RHP, Tampa Bay- Extended Spring Training
95. Dillon Howard, RHP, Cleveland- Extended Spring Training
96. Brandon Nimmo, OF, Mets- Extended Spring Training
97. Alex Meyer, RHP, Washington- Hagerstown (A, South Atlantic)
98. Matt Purke, LHP, Washington- Potomac (A+, Carolina)
99. Jose Campos, RHP, Yankees- Charleston (A, South Atlantic)
100. Jonathan Schoop, 2B, Baltimore- Bowie (AA, Eastern)

By ML Team
9- SD
6- KC
5- NYY, WAS
4- TOR, TEX, SEA, PIT, OAK, HOU, BOS, ATL, ARI
3- TB, STL, MIN, MIL, NYM, CHC, COL, BAL
2- PHI, LA, DET, CLE, CIN, ANA
1- CHW, SF, MIA

By Position
C- 7
1B- 3
2B- 4
SS- 7
3B- 10
OF- 19
RHP- 33
LHP- 18
DH- 2

By Classification/League
MLB- 6
(AAA)- 24
IL- 8
PCL- 16
(AA)- 29
EL- 5
SL- 9
TL- 15
(A+)- 20
CAL- 6
CAR- 5
FSL- 9
(A)- 14
MWL- 6
SAL- 8
(XST)- 7

The Minor League season opened across the country with record crowds, pomp, pageantry, fireworks and several noteworthy performances.  The following are the top 7 things you missed in affiliated Minor League Baseball last week.

1. Bryce Harper got his first Triple-A hit on Thursday.  It was a double in the second for the Syracuse Chiefs.  He ultimately went 2 for 4 for the Washington Nationals affiliate, which took the loss to the visiting Rochester Redwings (an affiliate of the Minnesota Twins), 7 to 4.  Harper proclaimed, “It’s always fun, to get that nervous feeling – the butterflies and whatnot.”  I know what you’re thinking.  Doesn’t Bryce Harper seem to be celebrating personal accomplishments in the face of a team loss? Ah, whom are we kidding?  Bryce Harper is going to be up with the big club so fast, you might as well have put him on the bench of your Fantasy Baseball team.

2. Luke French struck out four and allowed two hits over five innings.  He helped the Minnesota Twins Double-A affiliate, the New Britain Rock Cats, to take the win over the Richmond Flying Squirrels of the Giants farm system in the Eastern League.  I really don’t know what to say about this, but I think the Flying Squirrels might be the greatest name for a baseball team since the Albuquerque Isotopes.

3. The Columbus Clippers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, received their championship rings for taking the International League title last year.  They promptely lost that game to Louisville Bats of the Cincinnati Reds farm system, thanks to Paul Janish and his go-ahead solo shot in the ninth.  Tons of promise, only to fall short in the ninth?  Hmmm. Not much different than the big club are we?

4. The Brewers’ number 3 prospect, Taylor Jungmann, made his professional debut against the Daytona Cubs.  He allowed one run on four hits over five innings.  Ah, the Cubs losing.  Start them early boys, start them early.  Wouldn’t want to promote a culture of winning in that organization, would we?  The Chicago Cubs franchise is the only team that can pride themselves on the fact that the last time they won a World Series – we thought the automobile was going to go the way of the Betamax.

5. Derby the Dog was trained to bring out water to the umpires during the season opener of New York Yankees’ Double-A affiliate, the Trenton Thunder. They faced the visiting New Hampshire Fisher Cats of the Blue Jays organization…. or as Yankee fans like to call the sight, “I can’t get tickets to see Andy Pettitte pitch so I’m stuck watching this dumb dog.”

6. Giants top prospect Gary Brown went 1 for 3 with a walk in his Double-A debut for Richmond Flying Squirrels of the Eastern League.  Flying Squirrels…never not funny.

7. The Mets Class-A affiliate, the Savannah Sand Gnats, opened against the Giants affiliate, Augusta Green Jackets.  The Sand Gnats?  Really?  Making fun of this would just be too easy.