Minor Leaguers Of the Year (according to Rico)

[rico43]

My choices alone, but here they are;

Pitcher of the Year:

LUCAS SIMS (Rome): At the ripe old age of 19 (20 in May), Sims had a steady growth curve through the 2013 season, going 11-3 as a starter 17 starts after moving into the Rome rotation, finishing the season with a 2.62 ERA and 134n strikeouts in 117 innings. Batters managed only a .200 average against him all season.

Position player of the Year:

JOSE PERAZA (Rome): Back at shortstop in 2013 at the age of 19, he grew up and held his own in the full-season SAL. He's hitting .286 with 127 hits, one homer, 47 RBIs, 72 runs scored and 63 stolen bases. The only drawback are his 29 errors.

In Peraza's case especially, his age is a huge factor in this decision. Please speak your piece and I want a full blown debate.

[nsacpi]

Sorry but I cant argue with those choices

[jpack1]

Lucas Sims is the hands down pitcher for me. I like Peraza a lot as well but will go with Bethancourt has the player. Kid really developed in 2nd half with the bat, hope it is here to stay.

[weso1]

I like both choices, but I would probably give the offensive award to Bethancourt because not only did he have a decent offensive season, but he's major league ready behind the plate.

[Bravesfannchar]

Rico,

Can't really argue either, especially pitcher selection. I mean for position player you must pick a full year player and the only two real options are Bet and Peraza... Bet's had a monster second half + his D vs. Consistent season + speed for Peraza... Pick your poison. ..

[Bravesfannchar]

With that said, I'd probably go Bet.

[Braves1976]

I agree with Rico and nsacpi, but I also agree with the points made about Bethancourt. To sum it up, Bethancourt would get honorable mention (and a very close second) for me but I'd go with Peraza too. Sims of course is the easy choice among pitchers and it seems we all agree on that. Which is rare so that is telling on how impressive a season that kid has had.

[Teheran_49]

Sims is a clear cut choice as the pitcher but the offensive side is a little bit of a toss up.

1.Joey Terdoslavich- Yeah he's in the majors now but look at the numbers he posted while in AAA in 300 AB's. So just based on that you have to go Joey T. I'm ready to wrap this didvision up so Joey T can get a ton of AB's. His numbers in the minors are pretty impressive.

2. Peraza- I'll go Peraza over Bethancourt by a hair. Peraza looks like an Everth Cabrera clone and we haven't had a true lead-off hitter since Furcal(dang that's a long time). Still extremely young and had decent year with the bat at Rome. The Braves should bring this guy along very slowly as he still needs a ton of work at the plate but there's no questioning his speed. Only put him ahead of La Stella because he's 5 years younger.

3.La Stella- I love this guy and his numbers just scream Matt Carpenter. Even if FW just gets a bucket of baseballs and has to take on most of Uggla's remaining contract it would be worth it. This kid is going to be a solid ML player and his numbers are consistent at every stop he has been. He also is a beast with RISP hitting .370 with an OPS of .992 this year(. There is no reason this guy should be in AAA next year none at all he's proven he can play.

[zitothebrave]

Hard to really disagree. If Tommy was healthy the whole year he would get my nod but he missed a healthy chunk of games. The other name i'd throw in the mix after a disappointing 2011 is Kubitza. K% is a big concern, for someone who K's that much I'd like more pop but he had a heck of a season.

[thethe]

THe only debate is CB and Peraza. Sims was clearly the minor league pitcher of the year.

I am just really high on CB. I think he is going to be an above average major league catcher. I'd give him the nod personally.

[50PoundHead]

Agree. If Terdoslavich had stayed in Gwinnett all year, he likely would have put up a season that would have dusted both Betancourt and Peraza. But he didn't.

Both Betancourt and Peraza have pretty decent ceilings and are young for classification. Flip a coin.

No question on Sims. He stays healthy and he's a big league starter. Could move fast given his solid performance.

[zbhargrove]

Sims is a clear cut choice as the pitcher but the offensive side is a little bit of a toss up.

1.Joey Terdoslavich- Yeah he's in the majors now but look at the numbers he posted while in AAA in 300 AB's. So just based on that you have to go Joey T. I'm ready to wrap this didvision up so Joey T can get a ton of AB's. His numbers in the minors are pretty impressive.

2. Peraza- I'll go Peraza over Bethancourt by a hair. Peraza looks like an Everth Cabrera clone and we haven't had a true lead-off hitter since Furcal(dang that's a long time). Still extremely young and had decent year with the bat at Rome. The Braves should bring this guy along very slowly as he still needs a ton of work at the plate but there's no questioning his speed. Only put him ahead of La Stella because he's 5 years younger.

3.La Stella- I love this guy and his numbers just scream Matt Carpenter. Even if FW just gets a bucket of baseballs and has to take on most of Uggla's remaining contract it would be worth it. This kid is going to be a solid ML player and his numbers are consistent at every stop he has been. He also is a beast with RISP hitting .370 with an OPS of .992 this year(. There is no reason this guy should be in AAA next year none at all he's proven he can play.

Bourn wasn't a true lead off hitter? Then what was he??

[Braves1976]

Bourn wasn't a true lead off hitter? Then what was he??

Bourn was a solid lead-off hitter, folks would remember him more fondly if he had a great second half after a poor first (instead of the other way around offensively). Of course his defense didn't slump at all. It was great all season and he deserved a gold glove, though he didn't get credit.

[zbhargrove]

Bourn was a solid lead-off hitter, folks would remember him more fondly if he had a great second half after a poor first (instead of the other way around offensively). Of course his defense didn't slump at all. It was great all season and he deserved a gold glove, though he didn't get credit.

Right, but there's no doubt in the world that he was a true lead-off hitter.

[Braves1976]

Right, but there's no doubt in the world that he was a true lead-off hitter.

Agreed.

[Teheran_49]

Bourn wasn't a true lead off hitter? Then what was he??

Dude, i forgot about Bourn. It's ok calm down even the best make mistakes sometimes.

[zbhargrove]

Dude, i forgot about Bourn. It's ok calm down even the best make mistakes sometimes.

Lol... ?? equals freaking out, I guess.

[The Chosen One]

So is Sims projecting to be a starter, or a reliever?

[cajunrevenge]

Its still too early to tell. Its all going to be about his change up development. So pretty much the same as every other young hard throwing projectable starter the braves have ever had. So far so good though. He could really rocket up the prospect lists with a good year next year.

[50PoundHead]

So is Sims projecting to be a starter, or a reliever?

I think he'll get every chance as a starter. Big, strong kid who might get a little bigger and stronger.

[rico43]

Not sure the best place to post this, but just read on a message board that Kyle Wren suffered a concussion at the end of the season, thus keeping him out of postseason play.