NSBB Minor League Player of the Year

[Tim]

NSBB is going to be starting a new tradition in 2005 by awarding a Player of the Year award and donating $100 to Cubs Care or the charity of choice for that player. Some of the seasons will be ending soon and our ability to reach the players will be over, so this needs to be done soon. The process is going to look like this:

 

Please make your case for your favorite player in this thread. This will serve as the nomination process. Players can be added here until Friday night, 11:59 pm central time.

 

A poll will be created that will run through the weekend. Everyone will have a chance to vote on the players Saturday through Monday night at 11:59 pm central time. The membership voting will count for 50%.

 

The same group that was asked to put together the preseason minor league top 40 will get together as a "panel of experts" to vote. This will also count for 50%.

 

In the case of a split decision, I will cast the tiebraking vote based upon the input from the above processes.

 

Thanks in advance for your participation!

Edited September 3, 2005 by Tim

[abuck1220]

great idea.

 

right off the top of my head, i'd have to say it's between hill and cedeno.

 

hill is 10-4 with 185 k's in 122 2/3 ip...era in the mid 3's. plus, when evaluating him against guys like pinto, you have to consider the fact that he jumped from AA to the big leagues this year while pinto is repeating AA. and i'm aware of the fact that hill was too old for AA when he started there, but now he's back on the proper age path.

 

also, cedeno, in my opinion, has clearly had a better season than murton, who i'm sure a lot of people will vote for. same obp, higher avg, higher slg. plus he plays a position where his numbers are well above average, while murton plays a position where his numbers perhaps slightly above average.

[Tim]

great idea.

 

right off the top of my head, i'd have to say it's between hill and cedeno.

 

hill is 10-4 with 185 k's in 122 2/3 ip...era in the mid 3's. plus, when evaluating him against guys like pinto, you have to consider the fact that he jumped from AA to the big leagues this year while pinto is repeating AA. and i'm aware of the fact that hill was too old for AA when he started there, but now he's back on the proper age path.

 

also, cedeno, in my opinion, has clearly had a better season than murton, who i'm sure a lot of people will vote for. same obp, higher avg, higher slg. plus he plays a position where his numbers are well above average, while murton plays a position where his numbers perhaps slightly above average.

No love for Sing or Patterson?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I'd like to offer the following up for consideration.

 

Eric Patterson, Ryan Harvey, Luis Montanez, and Sean Gallagher.

[Outshined_One]

Given the fact that he's gone through plenty in his minor league career and that he's put up some incredible numbers at West Tenn this season, I honestly think Brandon Sing is the best man for the award. His line is just eye-popping to me, needless to say.

 

117 Games, .282/.404/.551, 68 R, 67 RBI, 27 2B, 25 HR, 100 K, 81 BB

 

Considering he can do that in a pitcher's league, color me quite impressed.

 

Thanks for doing this Tim!

[Chris]

Given the fact that he's gone through plenty in his minor league career and that he's put up some incredible numbers at West Tenn this season, I honestly think Brandon Sing is the best man for the award. His line is just eye-popping to me, needless to say.

 

117 Games, .282/.404/.551, 68 R, 67 RBI, 27 2B, 25 HR, 100 K, 81 BB

 

Considering he can do that in a pitcher's league, color me quite impressed.

 

(IMHO) Brandon Sing or Eric Patterson, in no particular order.

 

Sing's numbers are posted, here's Eric's line:

 

107 games, .332/.406/.528, 87 R, 68 RBI, 24 2B, 39 SB, 13 HR, 93 K, 53 BB

 

I know we can't compare stats for guys in different leagues, but I could live with either guy getting the award.

[abuck1220]

great idea.

 

right off the top of my head, i'd have to say it's between hill and cedeno.

 

hill is 10-4 with 185 k's in 122 2/3 ip...era in the mid 3's. plus, when evaluating him against guys like pinto, you have to consider the fact that he jumped from AA to the big leagues this year while pinto is repeating AA. and i'm aware of the fact that hill was too old for AA when he started there, but now he's back on the proper age path.

 

also, cedeno, in my opinion, has clearly had a better season than murton, who i'm sure a lot of people will vote for. same obp, higher avg, higher slg. plus he plays a position where his numbers are well above average, while murton plays a position where his numbers perhaps slightly above average.

No love for Sing or Patterson?

 

iowa bias. :D

[UK1679666180]

I'm voting Eric Patterson...

[CaliforniaRaisin]

It's between Sing and Patterson for me, and I lean towards Brandon (especially since he's so close to breaking so many team records).

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Ricky Nolasco, anyone?

 

1.24 WHIP

9.68 K/9

4/1 K/BB

 

In AA at age 22, the same age as Patterson(who's in low A), 2 years younger than Sing, 3 years younger than Hill. Cedeno is a good choice too.

[mhuber92211]

I will go outside of the box and nominate Adam Greenberg.

 

Might not be the highest level prospect or have the best numbers but is the consimant professional and the best example of "team player" that the system has.

 

Besides, stats aren't too bad.

 

.272/.379/.418 44BB/58K

[RyCubsFan]

Any discussion of the minor league player of the year surely has to include Sean Gallagher. His numbers have suffered of late because he's probably tired, but this does not diminish what an amazing season he has had. He's only 19 y.o. after all! The 40+ scoreless innings to begin the season might in and of themselves merit the award.

 

Cedeno, Murton, Hill, Harvey, Patterson, Sing, Marmol, and Montanez are all worthy nominees.

 

For me:

 

Pitcher of the year: Gallagher (nod over Hill, Pinto, Marmol, Nolasco) because of his age and scoreless streak.

 

Position player of the year: Cedeno (nod over Sing and Patterson due to his age and the level he is at...plus he plays shortstop.)

 

My vote in the end: I'm leaning toward Ronnie Cedeno. I lean this way in part because of the vast IMPROVEMENT he's shown this year. His game has grown leaps and bounds, which has to be attributed to very hard work.

[UBlink]

Is Murton disqualified for excess splinters in his butt? He's got an OBP above 400 in 3 different leagues, an average of better than 339. How about some love for the red-headed stepchild? Not to mention he was the first player to do an interview with NSBB.

[Chris]

Ricky Nolasco, anyone?

 

1.24 WHIP

9.68 K/9

4/1 K/BB

 

In AA at age 22, the same age as Patterson(who's in low A), 2 years younger than Sing, 3 years younger than Hill. Cedeno is a good choice too.

 

I don't have a complete log of his starts but if you take away a couple of rough outings he would be getting tons of props right now. I don't have the game by game numbers for Nolasco but I wish I did.

[treebird]

I'm voting Harvey. Nothing will dissuade me.

[rawaction]

Couple of darkhorses that should get consideration for top 10 at least.

 

Jermaine Van Buren

Randy Wells

Ryan Theriot

 

But yeah, this is between Sing, Patterson, Murton and Cedeno. Cedeno may have spent too much time in the majors (i.e. not enough minors ABs). Murton gets points for a solid ML showing and being the most age appropriate (of the final 3) in his league. But I'd probably give it to Patterson. 1st pro season. All around game with speed, hitting, defense, power.

 

Hill and Gallagher would be a great race for pitcher of the year.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Tim, how about a pitcher and postion player of the year? I'd be willing to front the extra $100 to provide both awards.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Couple of darkhorses that should get consideration for top 10 at least.

 

Jermaine Van Buren

Randy Wells

Ryan Theriot

 

But yeah, this is between Sing, Patterson, Murton and Cedeno. Cedeno may have spent too much time in the majors (i.e. not enough minors ABs). Murton gets points for a solid ML showing and being the most age appropriate (of the final 3) in his league. But I'd probably give it to Patterson. 1st pro season. All around game with speed, hitting, defense, power.

 

Hill and Gallagher would be a great race for pitcher of the year.

 

Nolasco!

[Tim]

Tim, how about a pitcher and postion player of the year? I'd be willing to front the extra $100 to provide both awards.

I'll consider it. You're not the first to make the request!

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Tim, how about a pitcher and postion player of the year? I'd be willing to front the extra $100 to provide both awards.

I'll consider it. You're not the first to make the request!

 

Sounds good. Just let me know.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Couple of darkhorses that should get consideration for top 10 at least.

 

Jermaine Van Buren

Randy Wells

Ryan Theriot

 

But yeah, this is between Sing, Patterson, Murton and Cedeno. Cedeno may have spent too much time in the majors (i.e. not enough minors ABs). Murton gets points for a solid ML showing and being the most age appropriate (of the final 3) in his league. But I'd probably give it to Patterson. 1st pro season. All around game with speed, hitting, defense, power.

 

Hill and Gallagher would be a great race for pitcher of the year.

 

Nolasco!

 

Marshall, if he hadn't gotten hurt. :cry:

[NCCubFan]

There are several deserving candidates, but in my mind it's down to Sing or Patterson. I'd probably go with Sing just because he put up his big numbers at a higher level. If Patterson plays at West Tenn next year and puts up similar numbers I'd vote for him in a heartbeat then.

[burnt out cubbie fan]

Any discussion of the minor league player of the year surely has to include Sean Gallagher. His numbers have suffered of late because he's probably tired, but this does not diminish what an amazing season he has had. He's only 19 y.o. after all! The 40+ scoreless innings to begin the season might in and of themselves merit the award.

 

Cedeno, Murton, Hill, Harvey, Patterson, Sing, Marmol, and Montanez are all worthy nominees.

 

For me:

 

Pitcher of the year: Gallagher (nod over Hill, Pinto, Marmol, Nolasco) because of his age and scoreless streak.

 

Position player of the year: Cedeno (nod over Sing and Patterson due to his age and the level he is at...plus he plays shortstop.)

 

My vote in the end: I'm leaning toward Ronnie Cedeno. I lean this way in part because of the vast IMPROVEMENT he's shown this year. His game has grown leaps and bounds, which has to be attributed to very hard work.

Gallagher started off the year extremely well but he has really been slumping lately. He has a shot for pitcher of the year but I wouldn't put him over a Sing or Cedeno. Cue Serena with Gallagher's month by month stats. :D

[Laura]

Gallagher started off the year extremely well but he has really been slumping lately. He has a shot for pitcher of the year but I wouldn't put him over a Sing or Cedeno. Cue Serena with Gallagher's month by month stats. :D

 

The month-by-month hasn't changed (he hasn't started again) since I posted it in the 8/21 minor leagues game thread.

Here's the stats overview (BTW, all stats are from MiLB.com and are through 8/24):

GS   W-L  IPs     ERA    WHIP   OAvg /  OObp/  OSlg/  OOps    Ks -  Hs - BBs
25  13-5  138.2   2.86   1.14   .210 / .304 / .321 / .624    131 - 104 - 54

 

Gallagher has put up a remarkable season. He's had two poor starts, and he has two starts left in the regular season. I think he'll finish well and the season that he's put up his first full year is incredible. It's hard not to vote for him.

 

After all...

 

What *do* you need to win a minor league POY award?

 

--you need to be young (potential to improve; foreseeably cheap)

--you need to be in an age-appropriate league

--you need to have a top season within your league

--you need to have a top season within your franchise

 

The Youth Factor

 

Any discussion of the minor league player of the year surely has to include Sean Gallagher. His numbers have suffered of late because he's probably tired, but this does not diminish what an amazing season he has had. He's only 19 y.o. after all! The 40+ scoreless innings to begin the season might in and of themselves merit the award.

 

Your post got me re-interested in the youth factor.

 

How young is Sean Gallagher?

Birthday: 12-30-1985

Current Age: 19

 

That means (according to MiLB.com):

 

Gallagher is the youngest Cubs minor-leaguer in full-season baseball.

 

He's the youngest Cubs pitcher above Mesa.

 

If Pawelek starts in Peoria next season, he'll be 4 months older than Gallagher was when he started in Peoria.

 

Gallagher is currently the 4th-youngest pitcher in the Midwest League.

 

Here's how the Midwest League kiddie corps competition stacks up:

Name        Team  DOB       W  L   ERA   G  GS   IP     H   R  ER  HR  BB   SO 
H Bailey    DAY   05-03-86  6  4  4.60  25  19   92.0  81  59  47   5  56  110   
E Morlan    BEL   03-01-86  3  3  3.82   7   7   35.1  25  15  15   3  24   38
R Webb      KCO   02-05-86  5 11  4.63  23  22  124.1 132  78  64  14  39   82
J Jurrjens  WMI   01-29-86 10  6  3.31  24  24  130.2 123  56  48   5  35  101
S Gallagher PEO   12-30-85 13  5  2.86  25  25  138.2 104  53  44  10  54  131 

He's young enough.

 

Does he have potential to improve?

 

A scout that BA interviewed thought so.

On Gallagher, the 2004 12th-rounder who began the season with 35 straight innings without allowing an earned run and leads the MWL in wins, ERA and strikeouts (7-1, 1.46, 78 whiffs in 74 innings): "He pounds the strike zone and pitches inside. Not just inside, but inside for strikes, and that’s a huge difference. He was 89-92 with his fastball and he gets good sink on it, but gets in trouble when he sometimes misses up with it. His breaking ball is very good, but he also has trouble getting it to finish in the strike zone. The thing I really like about him is that he is aggressive and he knows how to pitch at such a young age. He’s going to be a good one."

 

Nathan Baliva thinks so.

I think the most potential to succeed in the Majors lies with either Ryan Harvey or Sean Gallagher. They are the youngest and Harvey just has so much power. .... Sean is the best pitcher I have seen all season. His curveball is sick and his fastball explodes. He already knows how to pitch, now he just needs to refine it, and work on endurance and stamina.

 

Gallagher & the Midwest League

 

Fun Random Midwest League Leader Appearances

1st in wins with 13.

1st in H/9 with 6.75.

Tied for 2nd in ERA with 2.86

4th in Ks with 131.

4th in K/9 with 8.5.

Tied for 4th in WHIP with 1.14

 

He's doing well in the Midwest League.

 

Wins Are Over-Rated!

But...

 

Gallagher leads the entire Cubs franchise in wins with 13.

 

He's tied for first in the MWL.

 

Gallagher has started 25 games. His W-L record is 13-5.

The Chiefs W-L record in Gallagher starts is 20-5.

The Chiefs overall record is 63-66.

Gallagher starts = 32% of the Chiefs win total.

Gallagher W decisions = 21% of the Chiefs win total.

 

It's tough not vote for a starting pitcher who has started one third of all team wins!

 

Also, he's been pulled from no-hitters twice due to strict pitch counts.

He received no-decisions in both games.

 

Impressive Outings aka "The Scoreless Streak"

 

Gallagher started out the season by throwing 40.1 innings without allowing an earned run.

The streak included 6 starts (broken in the 7th start); his W-L record was 2-1 over those 6 starts.

The streak was broken by solo HR by Deacon Burns just inside the RF foul pole in Beloit.

He fell 4 outs short of the MWL record. He broke the Chiefs former record of 36.1 innings, set by Mike Tidwell in 1992.

 

Gallagher started the April 20 Chiefs' 10-inning combined no-hitter vs. Cedar Rapids.

He threw 6 innings, striking out 8, walking 2.

Walt Nolan and Jon Hunton were the other pitchers of record. It was the first Chiefs no-hitter since 1993, and that game was 7 innings.

 

Gallagher started the May 1 Chiefs' combined 1-hitter vs. Kane County.

He threw 6 innings, allowing 0 hits, striking out 10, walking 2.

The no-hitter was broken in the top of the 9th with a bloop double; Chiefs won, 1-0.

 

The Glitz Factor

 

Gallagher started the MWL All-Star Game and pitched a scoreless inning.

Long socks!

http://peoriachiefs.com.ismmedia.com/ISM2/NewsManager/660.jpeg.300.jpeg

 

Gallagher was named to the (honorary) MWL Post-Season All-Star Team.

The team is selected by a vote of league managers.

Only 4 pitchers are named: 2 starting pitchers (1RH, 1LH) and 2 relievers (1RH, 1LH)

 

In Baseball America's "Best Tools by Class" feature, Gallagher had the "best breaking ball" in the MWL.

He also had the best breaking ball in BA's review of the '04 Cubs draft class.

 

Hanging with the Franchise

 

Here are raw numbers, a rough cut at including Cubs franchise SPs (full season) with 90ish IPs or more. No splits for starting/bullpen; GS shown. Rich Hill totals include only minor league appearance (not MLB).

Raw Pitching Numbers for Minor League Cubs Starting Pitchers, sorted by ERA because it has to be sorted by something

Name 	        Team   W - L   ERA   G  GS   IP      H   R  ER  HR   BB   SO    HR/9   K/9    H/9     BB/9   K/BB  WHIP
Renye Pinto     WTN    9 - 3  2.62  20  19  116.7   90  38  34    3   54  115   0.23   8.87    6.94   4.16   2.13  1.23
Sean  Gallagher PEO   13 - 5  2.86  25  25  138.7  104  53  44   10   54  131   0.65   8.50    6.75   3.50   2.43  1.14
Randy Wells     DAY    9 - 2  2.91  40   9   92.7   91  33  30    5   22   97   0.49   9.42    8.83   2.14   4.41  1.22
Ricky Nolasco   WTN   12 - 3  3.15  25  25  148.7  145  57  52   13   40  160   0.79   9.68    8.78   2.42   4.00  1.24
Juan  Mateo     DAY    9 - 5  3.42  30  14   97.3   92  45  37    9   23  105   0.83   9.71    8.51   2.13   4.57  1.18
Jae-k Ryu       WTN    9 - 8  3.42  24  24  152.7  139  62  58   11   46  116   0.65   6.84    8.19   2.71   2.52  1.21
Rich  Hill      TOTAL 10 - 4  3.45  20  20  122.7   92  50  47   20   34  185   1.47  13.57    6.75   2.49   5.44  1.03
Matt  Weber     PEO    6 - 9  3.98  24  23  135.7  168  69  60   12   24   81   0.80   5.37   11.14   1.59   3.38  1.41
John  Koronka   IOW    8 -10  4.30  21  19  121.3  121  59  58    9   44   86   0.67   6.38    8.98   3.26   1.95  1.36
Bobby Brownlie  IOW    6 - 6  4.70  26  13   97.7   91  52  51    9   39   64   0.83   5.90    8.38   3.59   1.64  1.33
JR    Mathes    DAY    9 - 8  4.74  22  22  119.7  149  74  63    8   35   92   0.60   6.92   11.20   2.63   2.63  1.54
Jesse Estrada   PEO    6 -10  5.18  25  25  140.7  178  90  81   13   39   57   0.83   3.65   11.39   2.49   1.46  1.54
Ander Tavares   DAY    4 -11  5.32  26  20  113.3  145  80  67   14   34   92   1.11   7.31   11.52   2.70   2.71  1.58 

I'd really like to see that BB/9 reduced for Gallagher -- that's been climbing and hurting him more recently -- but I love the H/9.

(Check out Weber not walking anyone -- his saving grace.)

1st in H/9 (tied with Hill)

2nd in ERA (to Pinto)

2nd in WHIP (to Hill)

Regardless: Gallagher can hang with the other franchise minor-leaguers.

 

 

Seems to me that Gallagher is the youngest Cubs minor-leaguer east of Boise;

the games he's started account for 1/3 of all Peoria Chiefs wins this season (to date);

he's been named the best pitcher in his league by league managers and other MWL experts;

and the pitching season he's putting up is (albeit in raw numbers) among the very best in the franchise.

 

I'm voting for him. :D

[Transmogrified Tiger]

 

After all...

 

What *do* you need to win a minor league POY award?

 

--you need to be young (potential to improve; foreseeably cheap)

--you need to be in an age-appropriate league

--you need to have a top season within your league

--you need to have a top season within your franchise

 

Just say no to Sing or Patterson!

 

Nolasco for POY!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gallagher may also be considered an acceptable alternative in the case of Nolasco killing your dog