FanPost

Impressive Minor League Hitters - 2013

Last month, nearly to the day, I took a look at some impressive minor league pitchers. Today, I want to do the same for minor league hitters, by level. Again, I am going to sort players, by league, to get their numbers. Let's first look at the numbers. In MLB, (non-pitching) hitters average a .258 average, .322 OBP, .405 SLG, .727 OPS and hit an extra base hit on 32.7% of their hits. They also have an 8.0% walk rate and 19.2% K rate. I would list that as:

MLB: .258/.322/.405/.727 - 32.7 XBH%, .147 ISO, 8.0 BB%, 19.2 K%, age: 28.6.

So what do the minor leagues have to offer?

International League (AAA): .255/.328/.384/.712 - 31.0 XBH%, .129 ISO, 8.1 BB%, 20.1 K%, age: 26.9

Pacific Coast League (AAA): .270/.342/.414/.756 - 31.9 XBH%, .144 ISO, 9.1 BB%, 19.5 K%, age: 26.8

Eastern League (AA): .255/.330/.387/.717 - 31.8 XBH%, .132 ISO, 9.1 BB%, 20.1 K%, age: 24.4

Southern League (AA): .243/.320/.363/.683 - 30.1 XBH%, .120 ISO, 9.2 BB%, 19.5 K%, age: 24.1

Texas League (AA): .252/.320/.388/.708 - 31.7 XBH%, .136 ISO, 8.0 BB%, 19.7 K%, age: 23.9

California League (A+): .264/.338/.423/.761 - 35.3 XBH%, .159 ISO, 8.8 BB%, 21.1 K%, age: 22.8

Carolina League (A+): .254/.332/.380/.712 - 31.8 XBH%, .126 ISO, 9.3 BB%, 19.5 K%, age: 22.8

Florida State League (A+): .255/.325/.370/.696 - 29.4 XBH%, .115 ISO, 8.4 BB%, 18.6 K%, age: 22.8

Midwest League (A): .254/.328/.375/.703 - 30.1 XBH%, .121 ISO, 8.9 BB%, 19.4 K%, age: 21.3

South Atlantic League (A): .248/.322/.364/.686 - 30.3 XBH%, .116 ISO, 8.6 BB%, 21.6 K%, age: 21.6

NY-Penn League (A-): .242/.313/.338/.651 - 26.9 XBH%, .096 ISO, 8.0 BB%, 20.6 K%, age: 21.0

Northwest League (A-): .245/.327/.343/.670 - 27.0 XBH%, .098 ISO, 9.2 BB%, 20.9 K%, age: 21.1

I want to look at players whose numbers exceed those listed above. So here are my criteria:

1) The hitter must be a "qualified" hitter. That means they would throw enough innings to be qualified for the batting title in that league.

2) The hitter must be no older than a rounded down league average (for example, the International League hitters will have to be in their age 26 season or younger.)

3) The hitter must exceed the average OPS, XBH, ISO, BB%.

4) If there are any players that do not meet all of the criteria in #3, but have some ridiculous stat, I will include them at the end in italics - and I will bold the ridiculous stat.

International League Superstar Hitters

26 and under with a .255/.330/.390/.720, and 31 XBH% or better

ISO above .130, K% ~20%, and a BB% ~8.1% - sorted by OPS

  • Vince Belnome - Rays 3B/2B/1B - 25 years old - .300/.408/.446/.854 - 15.8 BB%, 20.5 K%, 34.6 XBH%
  • Cody Asche - Phillies 3B - 23 years old - .295/.352/.485/.837 - 7.8 BB%, 21.3 K%, 36.1 XBH%
  • Nick Castellanos - Tigers OF/3B - 21 years old - .276/.343/.450/.793 - 9.1 BB%, 16.8 K%, 38.1 XBH%
  • Yamaico Navarro - Orioles SS - 25 years old - .267/.354/.418/.772 - 11.7 BB%, 16.2 K%, 32.7 XBH%
  • Brent Morel - White Sox 3B - 26 years old - .266/.349/.403/.751 - 10.6 BB%, 23.0 K%, 37.1 XBH%
  • Zach Walters - Nationals SS - 23 years old - .253/.286/.517/.803 - 3.8 BB%, 25.7 K%, 53.7 XBH%

Pacific Coast League Superstar Hitters

26 and under with a .270/.345/.415/.760, and 32 XBH% or better

ISO above .145, K% ~19.5% and a BB% ~9.1% - sorted by OPS

  • Eric Campbell - Mets 3B/1B/LF - 26 years old - .314/.435/.475/.910 - 15.5 BB%, 14.1 K%, 33.6 XBH%
  • Matt Long - Angels OF/2B - 26 years old - .287/.371/.466/.837 - 11.9 BB%, 19.4 K%, 35.8 XBH%
  • Matt Davidson - Diamondbacks 3B - 22 years old - .280/.350/.481/.831 - 9.2 BB%, 26.8 K%, 41.9 XBH%
  • Jaff Decker - Padres OF - 23 years old - .286/.381/.443/.824 - 13.3 BB%, 22.7 K%, 34.0 XBH%
  • Sean Halton - Brewers 1B - 26 years old - .273/.348/.460./809 - 8.8 BB%, 23.1 K%, 43.8 XBH%

Eastern League Superstar Hitters

24 and under with a .255/.330/.390/.720, and 32 XBH% or better

ISO above .135, K% ~20.1% and a BB% ~9.1% - sorted by OPS

  • Carlos Moncrief - Indians OF - 24 years old - .284/.354/.470/.824 - 10.0 BB%, 17.8 K%, 36.0 XBH%
  • Daniel Fields - Tigers CF - 22 years old - .284/.356/.435/.791 - 8.7 BB%, 25.2 K%, 33.1 XBH%
  • Jose Pirela - Yankees SS/2B- 23 years old - .272/.359/.418/.777 - 10.6 BB%, 11.5 K%, 33.6 XBH%
  • Jesus Aguilar - Indians 1B - 23 years old - .275/.349/.427/.776 - 9.9 BB%, 18.9 K%, 32.1 XBH%
  • Adam Duvall - Giants 3B - 24 years old - .252/.320/.465/.785 - 8.1 BB%, 16.7 K%, 45.4 XBH%

Southern League Superstar Hitters

24 and under with a .243/.320/.365/.685, and 30.5 XBH% or better

ISO above .120, K% ~19.5% and a BB% ~9.2% - sorted by OPS

  • Marcus Semien - White Sox SS - 22 years old - .290/.420/.483/.903 - 17.4 BB%, 13.7 K%, 36.0 XBH%
  • Joc Pederson - Dodgers CF - 21 years old - .278/.381/.497/.878 - 13.5 BB%, 22.0 K%, 40.2 XBH%
  • Mark Canha - Marlins 1B - 24 years old - .273/.371/.449/.820 - 10.7 BB%, 20.2 K%, 40.5 XBH%
  • Arismendy Alcantara - Cubs SS/2B - 21 years old - .271/.352/.451/.804 - 10.9 BB%, 21.9 K%, 41.0 XBH%
  • Christian Villanueva - Cubs 3B - 22 years old - .261/.317/.469/.787 - 6.3 BB%, 21.6 K%, 48.4 XBH%

Texas League Superstar Hitters

23 and under with a .255/.320/.390/.710, and 31.7 XBH% or better

ISO above .135, K% ~19.7% and a BB% ~8.0% - sorted by OPS

  • Kyle Parker - Rockies OF - 23 years old - .285/.343/.490/.832 - 7.6 BB%, 18.8 K%, 35.8 XBH%
  • Taylor Lindsey - Angels 2B - 21 years old - .274/.339/.441/.780 - 8.5 BB%, 16.1 K%, 32.4 XBH%
  • Domingo Santana - Astros OF - 20 years old - .252/.345/.498/.842 - 9.7 BB%, 29.2 K%, 47.6 XBH%
  • James Ramsey - Cardinals CF - 23 years old - .251/.356/.424/.780 - 12.7 BB%, 26.0 K%, 32.2 XBH%

California League Superstar Hitters

22 and under with a .265/.340/.425/.765, and 35.3 XBH% or better

ISO above .160, K% ~21.1% and a BB% ~8.8% - sorted by OPS

  • Zachary Borenstein - Angels OF - 22 years old - .337/.403/.631/1.034 - 9.2 BB%, 18.9 K%, 41.6 XBH%
  • Addison Russell - Athletics SS - 19 years old - .275/.377/.508/.885 - 12.1 BB%, 23.0 K%, 47.5 XBH%
  • Mac Williamson - Giants OF - 22 years old - .292/.375/.504/.879 - 8.5 BB%, 22.1 K%, 38.2 XBH%
  • Ryan Casteel - Rockies C - 22 years old - .270/.352/.523/.875 - 10.7 BB%, 25.2 K%, 50.5 XBH%

Carolina League Superstar Hitters

22 and under with a .255/.335/.380/.715, and 31.8 XBH% or better

ISO above .125, K% ~19.5% and a BB% ~9.3% - sorted by OPS

  • Michael Ohlman - Orioles C - 22 years old - .313/.410/.524/.934 - 13.2 BB%, 21.9 K%, 40.7 XBH%
  • Kyle Kubitza - Braves 3B - 22 years old - .260/.380/.434/.814 - 15.2 BB%, 25.0 K%, 40.7 XBH%
  • Blake Swihart - Red Sox C - 21 years old - .298/.366/.428/.794 - 9.7 BB%, 14.9 K%, 33.9 XBH%
  • Drew Robinson - Rangers 3B - 21 years old - .257/.369/.404/.772 - 13.8 BB%, 23.7 K%, 36.6 XBH%
  • Michael Taylor - Nationals CF - 22 years old - .263/.340/.426/.767 - 9.5 BB%, 22.5 K%, 42.5 XBH%
  • Justin Trapp - Royals 2B/SS - 22 years old - .257/.340/.390/.730 - 9.0 BB%, 20.8 K%, 32.0 XBH%

Florida State League Superstar Hitters

22 and under with a .255/.325/.370/.700, and 29.4 XBH% or better

ISO above .125, K% ~18.6% and a BB% ~8.4% - sorted by OPS

  • Dustin Geiger - Cubs 3B/1B - 21 years old - .281/.365/.458/.824 - 9.9 BB%, 19.1 K%, 35.9 XBH%
  • Kennys Vargas - Twins 1B - 22 years old - .267/.344/.468/.813 - 9.6 BB%, 20.2 K%, 43.4 XBH%
  • Aaron Altherr - Phillies CF/OF - 22 years old - .273/.335/.453/.788 - 8.5 BB%, 26.6 K%, 42.5 XBH%
  • Alen Hanson - Pirates SS - 20 years old - .281/.339/.444/.783 - 8.1 BB%, 17.1 K%, 36.9 XBH%

Midwest League Superstar Hitters

21 and under with a .255/.330/.375/.705, and 30.1 XBH% or better

ISO above .120, K% ~19.4% and a BB% ~8.9% - sorted by OPS

  • Carlos Correa - Astros SS - 18 years old - .320/.405/.467/.872 - 11.2 BB%, 16.0 K%, 31.3 XBH%
  • Brandon Drury - Diamondbacks 3B - 20 years old - .300/.360/.498/.858 - 8.1 BB%, 15.8 K%, 44.3 XBH%
  • Jesse Winker - Reds OF - 19 years old - .281/.379/.463/.841 - 13.0 BB%, 15.4 K%, 33.3 XBH%
  • Daniel Vogelbach - Cubs 1B - 20 years old - .284/.364/.450/.814 - 11.4 BB%, 15.2 K%, 30.9 XBH%
  • Jorge Polanco - Twins 2B/SS - 19 years old - .308/.362/.452/.813 - 8.0 BB%, 11.3 K%, 32.9 XBH%
  • Chris Bostick - Athletics 2B - 20 years old - .282/.354/.452/.806 - 9.2 BB%, 22.0 K%, 34.1 XBH%
  • Roderick Shoulders - Cubs 1B/OF - 21 years old - .258/.352/.445/.797 - 13.1 BB%, 28.4 K%, 40.5 XBH%
  • Travis Harrison - Twins 3B - 20 years old - .253/.366/.416/.782 - 12.7 BB%, 23.3 K%, 37.7 XBH%
  • Rio Ruiz - Astros 3B - 19 years old - .260/.335/.430/.766 - 10.6 BB%, 19.5 K%, 42.6 XBH%
  • Dalton Pompey - Blue Jays CF - 20 years old - .261/.358/.394/.752 - 12.3 BB%, 20.7 K%, 32.5 XBH%
  • Jeimer Candelario - Cubs 3B - 19 years old - .256/.346/.396/.742 - 11.9 BB%, 15.4 K%, 36.7 XBH%
  • Matt Olson - Athletics 1B - 19 years old - .225/.326/.435/.761 - 12.9 BB%, 26.5 K%, 50.9 XBH%

South Atlantic League Superstar Hitters

21 and under with a .250/.325/.365/.690, and 30.3 XBH% or better

ISO above .120, K% ~21.6% and a BB% ~8.6% - sorted by OPS

  • Gregory Bird - Yankees 1B - 20 years old - .288/.428/.511/.938 - 18.7 BB%, 23.00 K%, 44.7 XBH%
  • Josh Bell - Pirates OF - 20 years old - .279/.353/.453/.806 - 10.0 BB%, 17.3 K%, 40.6 XBH%
  • Dilson Herrera - Pirates/Mets 2B/3B - 19 years old - .267/.334/.416/.750 - 8.0 BB%, 23.1 K%, 34.7 XBH%
  • Jake Cave - Yankees CF - 20 years old - .282/.347/.401/.748 - 7.7 BB%, 21.2 K%, 34.4 XBH%

New York - Penn League Superstar Hitters

21 and under with a .245/.315/.340/.651, and 26.9 XBH% or better

ISO above .100, K% ~20.6% and a BB% ~8.0% - sorted by OPS

  • Trey Mancini - Orioles 1B - 21 years old - .328/.382/.449/.832 - 7.0 BB%, 15.1 K%, 27.4 XBH%
  • Eric Jagielo - Yankees 3B - 21 years old - .266/.376/.451/.827 - 11.9 BB%, 24.8 K%, 42.9 XBH%
  • BJ Boyd - Athletics CF/OF - 19 years old - .288/.378/.446/.824 - 11.7 BB%, 22.0 K%, 30.7 XBH%
  • Zachary Green - Phillies 3B - 19 years old - .252/.344/.378/.822 - 10.0 BB%, 29.3 K%,50.0 XBH%
  • Nellie Rodriguez - Indians 1B - 19 years old -.287/.366/.452/.818 - 9.8 BB%, 20.7 K%, 33.3 XBH%
  • Dylan Cozens - Phillies RF - 19 years old - .265/.343/.469/.812 - 10.1 BB%, 23.1 K%, 46.2 XBH%
  • Felix Munoz - Marlins 1B - 21 years old - .301/.367/.427/.794 - 10.1 BB%, 10.1 K%, 31.1 XBH%
  • Jin-De Jhang - Pirates C - 20 years old - .277/.338/.413/.751 - 8.1 BB%, 11.4 K%, 27.5 XBH%
  • Andrew Knapp - Phillies C/DH - 21 years old - .253/.340/.401/.741 - 8.9 BB%, 23.1 K%, 43.6 XBH%

Northwest League Superstar Hitters

21 and under with a .245/.330/.345/.670, and 27.0 XBH% or better

ISO above .100, K% ~20.9% and a BB% ~9.2% - sorted by OPS

  • Yasiel Balaguert - Cubs OF - 20 years old - .261/.331/.433/.764 - 9.7 BB%, 26.0 K%, 38.7 XBH%
  • Brian Ragira - Giants 1B/OF - 21 years old - .263/.371./391/.762 - 12.2 BB%, 25.4 K%, 34.0 XBH%
  • Marcus Greene - Rangers C/OF - 18 years old - .227/.367/.335/.702 - 16.5 BB%, 19.8 K%, 32.6 XBH%

There you have it. There are 67 minor leaguers below league average that met my strict criteria + 7 more guys with fun numbers attached. Nearly 75 players I went through today and I'm exhausted - just like the pitchers facing off against them.