Similar to the 2009 debuts posted a couple days ago, ATVL has updated the spreadsheet of Valley League alumni who were 2008 draftees. A total of 50 players were drafted and/or signed that June, and only 9 of the 50 were out of pro ball in '09. None of the 50 have made a major league debut (yet). (Watch for Yonder Alonso next year, though!) To see the entire sheet, click Players from 2008 Draft
Let's take a look at some of the top hitters and pitchers, in alphabetical order, from the '09 season.
Hitters
- Yonder Alonso (Luray 06): 292/374/464, 24 doubles, 9 home runs, 52 RBI, 41/46 BB/K in 295 at-bats over three levels (Reds' system)
- Tyson Auer (Luray 05-06): 277/344/346, 18 doubles, 5 triples, 84 runs, 43 stolen bases, 45/117 BB/K in 491 at-bats for Cedar Rapids of the Midwest League
- Joey Butler (New Market 06): 280/343/416, 33 doubles, 12 home runs, 82 runs, 76 RBI, 46/146 BB/K in 522 at-bats for Bakersfield in the California League
- Eric Campbell (Luray 06): 249/352/360, 25 doubles, 53/58 BB/K in 361 at-bats for two different teams (Savannah, St. Lucie)
- Steven Caseres (Staunton 07): 260/360/468, 25 doubles, 6 triples, 15 home runs, 54/116 BB/K in 393 at-bats for Inland Empire of the California League
- Ben Guez (covington 06): 275/320/483, 34 doubles, 7 triples, 12 home runs, 64 RBI, 18/95 BB/K in 404 at-bats for West Michigan in the Midwest League
- Tyler Kuhn (Luray 06-07): 289/334/361, 24 doubles, 5 triples, 55 runs, 32/68 BB/K in 477 at-bats for Kannapolis and Winston-Salem.
- Rebel Ridling (Covington 06): 310/357/466, 34 doubles, 16 home runs, 74 runs, 97 RBI, 40/95 BB/K in 536 at-bats for Peoria in the Midwest League
- Blake Tekotte (Woodstock 06): 258/345/396, 24 doubles, 5 triples, 13 home runs, 83 runs, 56 RBI, 68/97 BB/K for Fort Wayne of the Miswest League
Pitchers
- Pete Andrelczyk (Waynesboro 07): 4-6, 2.71, 19 saves, 1.21 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9, 11.0 K/9 in 69 2/3 innings for Greensboro and Jupiter
- Trey Barham (Front Royal 06): 4-1, 1.24, 2 saves, 0.85 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9, 8.4 K/9 in 43 2/3 innings for Kane County of the Midwest League
- Michael Bowman (Staunton 06): 8-5, 2.60, 1.40 WHIP, 3.6 BB/9, 6.9 K/9 in 131 2/3 innings for Wisconsin and Brevard County
- Zach Foster (New Market 08): 2-0, 1.24, 1 save, 1.00 WHIP, 5.0 BB/9, 8.1 K/9 in 29 innings for State College of the New York-Penn League
- Carlos Gutierrez (Luray 07): 3-6, 3.70, 1.36 WHIP, 3.9 BB/9, 5.5 K/9 in 107 innings for Fort Myers and New Britain
- Elih Villanueva (Luray 07): 9-13, 3.54, 1.14 WHIP, 1.1 BB/9, 6.2 K/9 in 168 innings for Jupiter and Jacksonville
- Bryan Woodall (Winchester 07): 4-5, 3.24, 1.35 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9, 9.9 K/9 in 66 2/3 innings for South Bend in the Midwest League
There are some really good bats and arms in this class. Time will tell, of course, but I think at least four of these players will play in the majors. (The four I would bet on, if I were a betting man: Alonso, Tekotte, Gutierrez, and Andrelczyk.)
Its great seeing alot of these guys doing great there in the minors and also seeing Brandon Sizemore's stats the other day. John, can u do me a favor and let me know of any Valley Leagues on the Double A Giants association or anyone that will be facing the new Richmond Flying Squirrels team in 2010. Basically would like to see if any Richmond guys have VLB-ties or anyone in the same division as Richmond. I will be catching a few games before the VLB season there in Richmond. Thanks.
Can't wait now till the schedule of the VLB is announced!
Posted by: GeneralsSignGuyMike | November 07, 2009 at 07:52 PM
Mike- Ill most likely let everyone know in the spring, and the other teams that are close by- like Lynchburg and Salem. Thanks for the comment! JLL
Posted by: John Leonard | November 07, 2009 at 09:39 PM