In an effort to keep tabs on former Cape Leaguers, I present the 2012 Cape League Minor League All-Stars. The lists are divided by level. Players who spent time at two levels are listed where they spent more time. This is the second in the series.
Short Season Class A leagues are a very common first destination for former Cape Leaguers who’ve just been drafted. A lot of impressive performances from top-prospect types here. Taylor Ard (pictured) led the Northwest League in home runs, doubles and RBI. Lots of good relief pitching as well, and a blast from the past — Jesse Hahn pitched for Chatham in 2009 but Tommy John surgery robbed him of his first pro season in 2011. He didn’t miss a beat in 2012.
Catcher – Mike Zunino – Everett (Northwest League) – Mariners
Zunino spent a brief part of the summer of 2011 with Y-D. The No. 3 overall pick made quick work of the Northwest League, hitting .373 with 10 home runs in just 29 games.
In the Running: Dane Phillips, Kevin Plawecki
First Base – Taylor Ard – Everett (Northwest League) – Mariners
A seventh-round pick this year, the former Brewster Whitecap also shined for Everett, hitting .284 with league-bests in home runs (12), doubles (21) and RBI (58).
In the Running: John Wooten
Second Base – Kevin Medrano – Yakima (Northwest League) – Diamondbacks
A former Falmouth Commodore, Medrano was an 18th-round pick out of Missouri State and he raked in his pro debut. He finished second in the Northwest League in hitting with a .341 average.
In the Running: Maxx Tissenbaum, Tommy Coyle, Anthony Gomez, Joe Sever, Austin Elkins
Third Base – Richie Shaffer – Hudson Valley (NY-Penn League) – Rays
Shaffer was one of the Cape League’s top hitters with Chatham in 2011. A 2012 first-round pick, he hit .308 with four homers in 33 games.
Shortstop – Deven Marrero – Lowell (NY-Penn League) – Red Sox
The former Cotuit Kettleer was Boston’s first-round pick and delivered a solid debut season. He hit .268 with two home runs, 14 doubles and a .358 on-base percentage.
Outfield – Andrew Aplin – Tri-City (NY-Penn League) – Astros
Aplin was solid for Orleans in 2011 and was selected in the fifth round in June. He was terrific in his stint in the New York-Penn League, hitting .348 with four homers, five triples and nine doubles to go with a .441 OBP before a promotion to the California League.
Outfield – Preston Tucker – Tri-City (NY-Penn League) – Astros
Tucker, another former Firebird, joined Aplin in Tri-City and delivered a strong debut season after getting selected in the seventh round. He batted .321 with eight homers, which was good for sixth in the league.
Outfield – Jeremy Baltz – Eugene (Northwest League) – Padres
Baltz helped lead Falmouth to the Cape League championship series in 2011. He was drafted in the second round of St. John’s and hit .281 with five homers, 16 doubles and 43 RBI.
In the running: Taylor Dugas, Barrett Barnes, Matt Newman, Joey Rickard, Torsten Boss, Kyle Von Tungeln, Michael Faulkner
Starting Pitcher – Jesse Hahn – Hudson Valley (NY-Penn League) – Rays
Hahn lit up radar guns for Chatham in 2009 then was drafted in the sixth round in 2010. He missed the 2011 season after Tommy John surgery but returned with a vengeance. He had a .277 ERA with 55 strikeouts in 52 innings and was twice named the league’s Pitcher of the Week.
Starting Pitcher – Brady Rodgers – Tri-City (NY-Penn League) – Astros
The former Cotuit Kettleer and Arizona State Sun Devil was a third-round pick this year and didn’t disappoint. He went 7-2 with a 2.89 ERA and 49 strikeouts against just 11 walks in 62.1 innings pitched.
Starting Pitcher – Blake Monar – Auburn (NY-Penn League) – Nationals
A 12th-round pick in 2011, Monar impressed in his first full season this year, posting a 3.29 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 54.2 innings.
In the Running: Joe Bircher, Tim Cooney, Brett Mooneyham
Relief Pitcher – Tyler Mizenko – Salem-Keizer (Northwest League) – Giants
Mizenko, a 2010 Hyannis Harbor Hawk, was a late-round pick in 2011 but dominated as Salem-Keizer’s closer in his first pro season. He finished with 13 saves, a 1.99 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 31.2 innings.
Relief Pitcher – Nick Wittgren – Jamestown (NY-Penn League) – Marlins
The closer for Hyannis in 2009, Wittgren continued in that role in pro ball and shined. He saved 11 games with a 1.46 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 24.2 innings.
Relief Pitcher – Mason McVay – Salem-Keizer (Northwest League) – Giants
McVay struggled with Cotuit in 2011 and lasted until the 26th round in this year’s draft, but he was a revelation in the Salem-Keizer bullpen. In 18 appearances, he had a 1.19 ERA and struck out 43 in just 30.1 innings.
In the Running: Derek Self, Josh Turley, Tucker Healy, Marcus Stroman, Dylan Floro, Dietrich Enns, Blake Hauser, Keith Bilodeau
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It would be interesting to see the results of a computer program that measured the correlation between success in the CCBL and in pro ball. A lot of the players on this list were standouts in the CCBL.
Yeah that would be really interesting. In a couple of the lists to come, there are some successful hitters who really struggled on the Cape, but it would be cool to see the overall trends.