2005 NSBB Minor League Player of the Year - Voting

[Roast]

I Vote Epatt.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I voted for Brandon Sing.

 

Patterson needs to show another year before I get excited

Harvey has waaaay too high a K rate

Murton has too high a BABIP, but he's 2nd in my mind.

 

Sing's 24! Pitchers are players too!

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Viva Matt Murton!!!!

[RyCubsFan]

I voted for Brandon Sing.

 

Patterson needs to show another year before I get excited

Harvey has waaaay too high a K rate

Murton has too high a BABIP, but he's 2nd in my mind.

 

Sing's 24! Pitchers are players too!

 

While Nolasco is deserving, if you want to vote for a pitcher, Hill, Gallagher, and Pinto have all had better years than Nolasco.

 

Vote for Murton here. Cedeno had too few at bats, or he would have had my vote. Sing and Patterson were too old for their levels of competition, which is why I went away from them. If Pie had played longer, he probably would have had my vote.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

It appears as if Murton and Patterson will go neck and neck to the finish!

 

Viva Matt Murton!

[UK1679666180]

Tim sneaking Theriot in there! :)

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Tim sneaking Theriot in there! :)

 

The Riot has no votes. :cry:

[RyCubsFan]

Tim sneaking Theriot in there! :)

 

I think Rawaction (or someone) gave Theriot's name in the nomination process, along with other sleeps (like Wells).

[abuck1220]

murton > cedeno???? come on, nsbb, we're better than that!

 

cedeno has a higher average, a higher slugging %, and the same obp.

 

throw in that cedeno's younger, plays a tougher position and has had more success at a higher level.

 

sham!

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I voted for Brandon Sing.

 

Patterson needs to show another year before I get excited

Harvey has waaaay too high a K rate

Murton has too high a BABIP, but he's 2nd in my mind.

 

But it's a player of the year award...

[Careless]

No votes for Gallagher either. Not even from Serena. I'm saddened by the results thus far, not that Murton doesn't deserve it.

I'm saddened that there's only 28 votes. C'mon people, let's get the vote out here!

I do wonder (and have wondered for a while) how many posters here are actually into the minor league stuff. I'm not about to vote because, well, I'm ignorant. I don't suppose I'm the only one here who can barely pay enough attention to the cubs as it is.

Actually, maybe that's worthy of a poll in itself... except I seem to recall that there was a poll along those lines last year?

[Laura]

No votes for Gallagher either. Not even from Serena. I'm saddened by the results thus far, not that Murton doesn't deserve it.

 

I said I was going to wait until this evening to cast my vote to see the arguments, though I haven't read much to dissuade me. :)

 

The turnaround time also came when I knew I'd be crunched between work and family in town -- but it needs to be done now given the regular season ending soon for most leagues.

 

Next year there should be separate awards for pitcher and player of the year.

 

I guess I can re-post my minor leagues post here for folks who don't make it into the minor leagues forum all that often.

[Laura]

Here's the re-post of my Gallagher nomination minor leagues post. I updated Gallagher's stats through his start yesterday and changed some of the formatting / comments so it would post better.

 

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
26  14-5  146   2.71   1.11   .206 / .297 / .317 / .615    139 - 107 - 55

 

Gallagher has put up a remarkable season.

 

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 14.

1st in H/9 with 6.6.

2nd in ERA with 2.71.

3rd in Ks with 139.

*4th in K/9 with 8.5.

*Tied for 4th in WHIP with 1.14

 

*not updated since 8/24 since it requires me to re-dump the MWL pitching stats into excel, which I don't have time to do anytime soon. Given his last start, if anything, his standings would improve in those two categories.

 

He's doing well in the Midwest League.

 

Wins Are Over-Rated!

But...

 

Gallagher leads the entire Cubs franchise in wins with 14.

 

He's first in the MWL.

 

Gallagher has started 26 games. His W-L record is 14-5.

The Chiefs W-L record in Gallagher starts is 21-5.

The Chiefs overall record is 64-68.

Gallagher starts = 33% of the Chiefs win total.

Gallagher W decisions = 22% 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.

 

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

Name      TM     W - L   ERA  G  GS   IP      H   R  ER    HR   K/BB   HR/9   K/9    H/9   BB/9  K/BB WHIP
Pinto     WTN    9 - 3  2.62  20  19  116.7   90  38  34    3  115/54  .23    8.9    6.9   4.1   2.1  1.23
Gallagher PEO   14 - 5  2.71  26  26  146    104  53  44   10  139/55  .65    8.6    6.6   3.4   2.5  1.11
Wells     DAY    9 - 2  2.91  40   9   92.7   91  33  30    5   97/22  .49    9.4    8.8   2.1   4.4  1.22
Nolasco   WTN   12 - 3  3.15  25  25  148.7  145  57  52   13  160/40  .79    9.7    8.8   2.4   4.0  1.24
Mateo     DAY    9 - 5  3.42  30  14   97.3   92  45  37    9  105/23  .83    9.7    8.5   2.1   4.6  1.18
Ryu       WTN    9 - 8  3.42  24  24  152.7  139  62  58   11  116/46  .65    6.8    8.1   2.7   2.5  1.21
Hill      ALL   10 - 4  3.45  20  20  122.7   92  50  47   20  185/34 1.47   13.6    6.8   2.5   5.4  1.03
Weber     PEO    6 - 9  3.98  24  23  135.7  168  69  60   12   81/24  .80    5.4   11.1   1.6   3.4  1.41
Koronka   IOW    8 -10  4.30  21  19  121.3  121  59  58    9   86/44  .67    6.4    9.0   3.3   1.9  1.36
Brownlie  IOW    6 - 6  4.70  26  13   97.7   91  52  51    9   64/39  .83    5.9    8.4   3.6   1.6  1.33
Mathes    DAY    9 - 8  4.74  22  22  119.7  149  74  63    8   92/35  .60    6.9   11.2   2.6   2.6  1.54
Estrada   PEO    6 -10  5.18  25  25  140.7  178  90  81   13   57/35  .83    3.7   11.4   2.5   1.5  1.54
Tavares   DAY    4 -11  5.32  26  20  113.3  145  80  67   14   92/34 1.11    7.3   11.5   2.7   2.7  1.58 

 

Please note:

These are the MiLB stats through 8/24, which were the most current when I originally posted this. I upated Gallagher's stats through his 8/29 start because I had them; you are welcome to do the same for other pitchers if you wish.

Hill totals include only minor league appearances (not MLB). Thus, Hill's numbers include his starts in low-A, AA and AAA. You can look up the splits for each at MiLB.com.

Pinto totals do not include his AAA stint, because I didn't take the time to incorporate them.

 

I'd like to see that BB/9 reduced for Gallagher but I like that H/9. He's hard to hit.

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

1st in H/9

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;

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

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Murton still leading, as he should be.

[CuseCubFan69]

Tim sneaking Theriot in there! :)

 

Yeah, I noticed that too!

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Eric Patterson:

 

Peoria: 432 AB, .333/.405/.535/.940, 90 R, 144 H, 26 2B, 11 3B, 13 HR, 71 RBI, 53 BB, 94 Ks, 40 SB, 11 CS

WT: 1 AB, .000/.333/.000 -> as of yesterday

Overall: 433 ABs, .333/.406/.533/.939

 

Matt Murton:

 

West Tenn: 313 AB, .342/.403/.498/.901, 46 R, 107 H, 17 2B, 4 3B, 8 HR, 46 RBI, 29 BB, 42 Ks, 18 SB, 5 CS

Iowa: 29 AB, .345/.424/.483/.907, 4 R, 10 H, 1 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 4 BB, 5 Ks, 0 SB, 0 CS -> as of last Iowa game

Overall (minors only): 342 AB, .342/.405/.497/.902

 

Eric's done better than Matt in everything except BA - and in 91 more minor league ABs than Matt has. Murton's getting outslugged by a leadoff hitter!

[RyCubsFan]

Eric Patterson:

 

Peoria: 432 AB, .333/.405/.535/.940, 90 R, 144 H, 26 2B, 11 3B, 13 HR, 71 RBI, 53 BB, 94 Ks, 40 SB, 11 CS

WT: 1 AB, .000/.333/.000 -> as of yesterday

Overall: 433 ABs, .333/.406/.533/.939

 

Matt Murton:

 

West Tenn: 313 AB, .342/.403/.498/.901, 46 R, 107 H, 17 2B, 4 3B, 8 HR, 46 RBI, 29 BB, 42 Ks, 18 SB, 5 CS

Iowa: 29 AB, .345/.424/.483/.907, 4 R, 10 H, 1 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 4 BB, 5 Ks, 0 SB, 0 CS -> as of last Iowa game

Overall (minors only): 342 AB, .342/.405/.497/.902

 

Eric's done better than Matt in everything except BA - and in 91 more minor league ABs than Matt has. Murton's getting outslugged by a leadoff hitter!

 

Right, but their stats are not too dissimilar. And Murton did it two levels higher, three levels higher, and in the bigs! Aren't they nearly the same age?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Eric Patterson:

 

Peoria: 432 AB, .333/.405/.535/.940, 90 R, 144 H, 26 2B, 11 3B, 13 HR, 71 RBI, 53 BB, 94 Ks, 40 SB, 11 CS

WT: 1 AB, .000/.333/.000 -> as of yesterday

Overall: 433 ABs, .333/.406/.533/.939

 

Matt Murton:

 

West Tenn: 313 AB, .342/.403/.498/.901, 46 R, 107 H, 17 2B, 4 3B, 8 HR, 46 RBI, 29 BB, 42 Ks, 18 SB, 5 CS

Iowa: 29 AB, .345/.424/.483/.907, 4 R, 10 H, 1 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 4 BB, 5 Ks, 0 SB, 0 CS -> as of last Iowa game

Overall (minors only): 342 AB, .342/.405/.497/.902

 

Eric's done better than Matt in everything except BA - and in 91 more minor league ABs than Matt has. Murton's getting outslugged by a leadoff hitter!

 

Right, but their stats are not too dissimilar. And Murton did it two levels higher, three levels higher, and in the bigs! Aren't they nearly the same age?

 

Eric is 1.5 years younger (born in April, 1983, Matt was born in October, 1981).

 

Yes, Eric isn't in an age-appropriate level, but he has done fantastic in his first full season. By getting promoted to AA by the end of his first full season, Eric is ahead of where Matt Murton was after his first full season (high A).

 

I'd rate both Patterson and Sing's season as better than Murton's - this is a "player of the year" award, I'll only consider the playing level and age of the prospect only when the stats are very similar. I wouldn't say all their stats are that similar. Their BA and OBP are, but Eric has a large advantage in power (36-point slugging advantage). And don't forget the SBs.

[goonys evil twin]

I don't get the lack of support for Cedeno. He's younger than Murton and the same age as Patterson, and he's performed extremely well playing a major need position at the highest level.

[series65cubsfan]

Going with Sing. Serena you make real good case though.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I don't get the lack of support for Cedeno. He's younger than Murton and the same age as Patterson, and he's performed extremely well playing a major need position at the highest level.

 

I didn't vote for him because he spent too much time in the bigs.

[Tim]

A little over 30 more minutes to vote...