All Things Valley League

How'd We Do in the Cape Cod League?

Here's a question: how would former Valley Leaguers play in the Cape Cod League? Never fear, faithful reader- ATVL is on the case.

Here is a team-by-team list of the Valley League alumni who played on the Cape during the 2009 summer.

Bourne Braves

Ricky Bowen (Covington 06): threw one shutout inning, allowing one hit.

Kevin Munson (Covington 08): 0-1, 1.80, 3 saves, 1.60 WHIP, 7.8 BB/9, 14.4 K/9 in 15 innings

Turner Phelps (Covington 08): 3-3, 4.62, 1.46 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9, 8.5 K/9 in 37 innings

Alex Wimmers (Luray 08): 2-0, 1.23, 1.14 WHIP, 5.3 BB/9, 15.1 K/9 in 22 innings

Brewster Whitecaps

Ryan Zrenda (Haymarket 08): 0-9, with 3 walks

Jared Bard (Woodstock 08): 0-0, 7.27, 1.95 WHIP, 7.2 BB/9, 3.1 K/9 in 8 2/3 innings

Tyler Thornburg (Winchester 08): 0-0, 2.60, 8 saves, 1.45 WHIP, 5.2 BB/9, 9.4 K/9 in 17 1/3 innings

Chatham A's

Russell Brewer (Waynesboro 07): 2-1, 1.90, 10 saves, 1.35 WHIP, 3.4 BB/9, 12.5 K/9 in 23 2/3 innings

Kaleb Fleck (Waynesboro 08): 0-2, 4.50, 1.61 WHIP, 4.0 BB/9, 8.5 K/9, in 18 innings

Taylor Hill (Winchester 08): 2-1, 1.44, 2 saves, 1.12 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9, 10.1 K/9 in 31 1/3 innings

Cotuit Kettleers

Riley Cooper (New Market 07, Haymarket 08): 0-5, with 1 walk

Rico Noel (Covington 08): 233/336/302, 2 doubles, 2 home runs, 11/35 BB/K, 26 stolen bases in 116 AB

Falmouth Commodores

Murray Watts (New Market 08): 267/371/567, 1 double, 1 triple, 2 home runs, 4/12 BB/K

Harwich Mariners

Stephen Cardullo (Covington 07): 0-12, with 3 walks

Alex Foltz (Luray 08-09): 1-17, with 2 walks

David Herbek (Haymarket 08): 141/273/225, 11/22 BB/K in 71 at-bats

Marcus Nidiffer (Covington 08-09): 173/281/259, 4 doubles, 1 home run, 8/26 BB/K in 81 at-bats

Daniel Bradshaw (Waynesboro 08): 0-0, 3.44, 1.37 WHIP, 1.0 BB/9, 9.3 K/9 in 18 1/3 innings

Orleans Cardinals

Michael Lang (Haymarket 09): 3-16

Daniel Ottone (Fauquier 08): 2-1, 3.86, 3 saves, 1.60 WHIP, 3.3 BB/9, 8.3 K/9 in 16 1/3 innings

Wareham Gatemen

Rob Kral (Waynesboro 09): 5-12, 2 doubles, 3 RBI, 1/1 BB/K, 2 stolen bases

Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox

Mickey Wiswall (Winchester 08): 302/341/447, 8 doubles, 5 home runs, 30 RBI, 7/37 BB/K in 159 AB

John Leonard (Winchester 08): 2-1, 2.57, 1 save, 1.23 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9, 6.7 K/9 in 35 innings

Looked like some real success last summer! Watch though: when Wimmers and Wiswall get drafted, media will make a big deal about their success on the Cape, but will not mention the Valley. Oh well- I'll keep beating the drum...

#7 Hitter: Bobby Brown, Harrisonburg

ATVL's number 7 hitter, Bobby Brown, is a perfect example of why the Valley League exists. Brown, in his redshirt freshman season in college at Arizona, received a whopping total of 5 at-bats in his all season. He needed experience, and he needed at-bats.

In Harrisonburg and the Valley League, he got both.

Brown went 1-3 in his first game of the summer, 1-3 in the second, and just kept producing from there. He finished the season with a hefty 341/418/516 line, with 43 hits in 126 at-bats, with 28 runs, 12 RBI, 11 doubles, 1 triple, 3 home runs, and a 17/20 BB/K ratio. He finished 6th in the league in batting average.

Named to the All-Star squad, Bobby was named the South Most Valuable Player after going 2-4 with a double. He also played in the All-Star game against the Cal Ripken League, but he hitless in his only at-bat.

I would be surprised if Brown were not in the mix for more playing time for the Wildcats this spring, either at first base or in the outfield.

(Picture courtesy of Haymarket Joe Photography)

Timmons Named Gwinnett MVP

One of the fascinating, and pretty cool, things about following the Valley League pretty closely is stumbling on information about former players all over the place. Gary Kahn (Woodstock 07-08) is playing in South Africa this coming year, for example. Players just don't know where their skills might take them.

Take Wes Timmons (Winchester 00-01) as another example. Wes, a Bethune-Cookman product taken in the 12th round of the 2002 draft, has played in the Atlanta Braves' minor league system for the past eight seasons. He's played at every level of the minor league system, from rookie ball to Triple-A. He was first promoted to Triple-A in 2005, and has played mostly at that level since then.

In 2009, Wes was named the Gwinnett Braves' MVP, after a 283/416/366 season. He hit 20 doubles, 2 triples, 1 home run, stole 12 bases, and had a sterling 62/36 BB/K ratio in 322 at-bats.

Congratulations on the honor, Wes- now we need you to get called up to play in Atlanta!

#8 Hitter: Aaron Dudley, Winchester

ATVL would love to do a study someday about players in the Valley League for their second season: how much better (or worse?) do they hit?

The answer for Toledo's Aaron Dudley is better. Much better. Back in Winchester for a second straight year, "Rooster" hammered the ball to the tune of 338/463/465 in 40 games and 142 at-bats. He added 12 doubles and 2 home runs, along with 32 runs and 23 RBI. That high average was good for 7th in the league. His high on-base percentage comes from his excellent BB/K ratio: 29/16. Because of that OBP, manager John Lowery batted Dudley leadoff, even though Dudley stole only 2 bases on the year.

As a current senior at Toledo, Aaron has had three years of success in college. In 2007 as a freshman, he hit 337/398/611 in 95 at-bats, with 8 doubles, 6 home runs, and an 11/19 BB/K ratio.

As a sophomore, he had a bit of a sophomore slump, hitting 280/319/503 in 175 at-bats, with 15 doubles, 8 home runs, and an 11/32 BB/K ratio. He bounced back in 2009 as a junior, hitting 315/367/467 in184 at-bats, with 14 doubles, his first college triple, 4 home runs, and an 18/31 BB/K ratio.

Aaron has an interesting background: his grandmother, Roxanne (Walton) Dudley, was a pitcher in a professional fastpitch softball league back in the 1950s. (Have you ever tried to throw a softball windmill style? It's hard!)

Aaron, as a catcher, plays a premium defensive position, and obviously has a good bat. Will he get a shot at pro ball after his senior season?

(Pictures courtesy of Haymarket Joe Photography)

Kipnis to Second Base?

Some of ATVL's faithful readers might remember last spring, when Arizona State coach Pat Murphy toyed with the idea of moving Jason Kipnis (Covington 06-07) from the outfield to second base.

The experiment never gained momentum, for whatever reason. The thought has resurfaced, however, this time with the Cleveland Indians, Jason's new employers.

ATVL ran across this tidbit on a website called Indians Prospect Insider:

The Indians are full steam ahead with the move of Jason Kipnis to second base.  They were very encouraged with what they saw out of him in Instructional League at second base and he will go into spring training as a second baseman and likely open the regular season as the everyday second baseman at High-A Kinston.  In addition to what the Indians think, two scouts from other organizations commented that it is a great move as he was nothing special as an outfielder and just a regular guy, but as a second baseman his bat and ability there makes him a potential elite level prospect at the position.

ATVL likes this part: "As a second baseman his bat and ability there makes him a potential elite level prospect." Of course, those who watched him dominate in the Valley League are not surprised by such an assessment. If Jason plays at High-A Kinston, that means he'll play in Lynchburg against the Hillcats...

#9 Hitter: Todd Brazeal, Staunton

At the All-Star game in Woodstock last summer, South Florida's Todd Brazeal blasted a home run during the home run derby, turned to his teammates, and raised his arms over his head. Why a mini-celebration over one home run? He was the first to actually hit one against a stiff incoming wind. In fact, Todd was one of only two players to hit one at all. That one home run, ironically, showed how much raw power this young man has. (He hit a few more in Waldorf, Maryland, during the home run derby against the Cal Ripken League.)

He certainly hit more than one during the regular season. As one of the big guns in Staunton's lineup, Brazeal hit 308/429/507 in 44 games and 146 at-bats, with 31 runs, 38 RBI, 5 doubles, 8 home runs, and a 28/30 BB/K ratio. For good measure, he added 14 stolen bases in 15 attempts. He finished 5th in the league in RBI.

Todd also had a fantastic redshirt freshman season for South Florida. He hit a monstrous 348/467/495 in 58 games and 204 at-bats, with 15 doubles, 5 home runs, and an excellent 36/32 BB/K ratio. He was named a freshman All-American by Baseball America.

Congratulations on your excellent season, Todd!

(To see an interview on the College Baseball Blog, click here)

(Pictures courtesy of Haymarket Joe Photography)

Agreste Top Indy Player

For the uninitiated, there is a whole system of teams and leagues out there that are not affiliated with a major league team- called "Independent" teams. Gerard Haran (New Market 06), for example, played for the independent Lancaster Barnstormers in '09. These players have the same overall goal as players in affiliated leagues- make the major leagues- but they have to be signed by an organization first.

After Baseball America runs through each affiliated minor league, from Rookie-level leagues to Triple-A, they include, almost as an afterthought, a list of the top 10 Independent League players. Of course, here at ATVL, any time a former Valley Leaguer is mentioned on any kind of positive list, it's anything but an afterthought.

Well, Joe Agreste (Winchester 06-08) took a huge step towards that first goal this year while playing for the Gateway Grizzlies in the Frontier League. Baseball America noticed, and JJ Cooper named him the #7 prospect in all of the Indy Leagues. here is his writeup:

Agreste was drafted by the Mariners in the 32nd round in 2008 on the heels of an outstanding junior year at West Virginia (.369/.426/.620). But he didn't sign and his senior year was a disaster (.264/.368/.437) that ensured he went undrafted this year. Signed by Gateway midway through the Frontier League season, Agreste quickly put his senioritis behind him, showing good hands and a plan at the plate.

He hit .303/.402/.537 for the Grizzlies in 175 at-bats while showing a good glove at first base and enough speed (6.7 in the 60-yard dash) and enough arm to be adequate as a corner outfielder.

"He was here early and here late. He had a good lefthanded swing and a good approach—a lot better then most kids you see his age," Gateway manager Phil Warren said.

Agreste uses the whole field well and doesn't sell out for power—his home runs came from line drives that carried and the ball makes a different sound coming off of his bat. His natural swing allowed him to make an easy transition to wood bats, but he does need to learn to pull the ball when pitchers try to bust him inside. At 6-foot-4, 195 pounds he also needs to add some weight and strength to unlock his full power potential.

Agreste had an excellent year for the Winchester Royals in 2008, even being named the #7 hitter in the league by ATVL. He hit 320/374/555 in 34 games and 128 at-bats, with 10 doubles, 6 home runs, and an 11/33 BB/K ratio. He was one of the hard-hitting triumvirate on the team, along with Mickey Wiswall and Tyler Townsend.

ATVL would not be surprised in the least if an organization takes a shot on him- stay tuned!

#10 Hitter: DJ Hicks, Luray

DJ Hicks, a freshman at Central Florida, pulled double duty for the Luray Wranglers in 2009.

He turned out to be a crucial part of the team, pitching out the bullpen and playing in the field. He hit so well, in fact, that he is ATVL's #10 hitter in the league.

DJ hit 313/391/531 over 40 games and 147 at-bats, with 9 doubles, 1 triple, 7 home runs, and a 20/36 BB/K ratio. He scored 37 runs and drove in 32.

Pitching in relief, Hicks went 4-2, 2.45, with 2 saves, a 0.93 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9, and 8.4 K/9 in 18 1/3 innings.

In his freshman year at Central Florida, DJ also pulled double duty. He hit 301/389/516 in 43 games and 153 at-bats, with 9 doubles, 8 home runs, and a 20/32 BB/K ratio. On the mound, he struggled a bit adjusting to the college game, going 4-5, 6.79, with 3 saves, a 1.62 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9, and 5.4 K/9 in 51 2/3 innings.

His bat didn't need any time to adjust, however. If DJ continues to hit like he has so far in his young career, expect his name to be called in the summer of 2011 in the major league draft!

(Pictures courtesy of Haymarket Joe Photography)

Sanchez #20 in PCL

Former Staunton Brave (03) Gaby Sanchez showed up on Baseball America's top 20 prospect list for the Pacific Coast League- at #20. Sanchez hit 289/374/475 for New Orleans, with 11 doubles, 16 home runs, and a 41/44 BB/K ratio in 318 at-bats.

Here is Jim Shonerd's writeup (subscription only):

Injuries to both knees hampered Sanchez's season. A bone bruise on his left knee in spring training cost him the chance to open the year as Florida's starting first baseman, then he sprained his right knee on a play at home plate in May which knocked him out of New Orleans' lineup for five weeks.

When healthy, Sanchez bolstered his reputation as a mature, professional hitter. He has a compact swing, allowing him to hang in well against breaking pitches and drive the ball to all fields. He has some power, though it's modest for a first baseman. Plate discipline is also one of his strengths, but he could do a better job with pitch recognition.

Sanchez is an average defender at first base. He's a below-average runner, but his hands are serviceable and he has the arm strength to play third base in a pinch, though the hot corner won't be a long-term option for him.

There were rumors about the Red Sox being interested in Sanchez last year. Being coveted by one of the teams that value plate discipline can't be a bad thing!

2009 Player List Available

Here's the deal: ATVL just spent way too much time creating a master list of every player who appeared in a game in the 2009 Valley League season.

Therefore, I'm making it available to all. It's an excel spreadsheet, fully sortable.

Oh- ATVL also has lists all the way back to 2004, if anyone's interested.

Click on this: 2009 Player List.