Minor League Recap

Between our last meeting on The Big Island it seems there's been a tsunami's worth of losses, eliminating all but the AAA Hula Dolls from championship contention. Therefore, instead of slaving over a season recap for the remaining minor league levels I got lazy and decided to wrap them all into one!

Here at The Big Island we don't like to change gears in the middle of a planned series of blogs, so it does pain me to do this. However, after deep contemplation over a lunchtime tuna sandwich the realizing sank in that none of you really give a crap about career minor leaguers who had big years...but if you do I can direct you to Will Jordan's blog.

Anyway, in this season's edition of Minor League Recap we'll briefly cover the successes and failures and strengths and weaknesses of each club. We'll also select an All-Organization team, just to highlight the best performers of S8 at the minor league level.

On to business!

AAA
Season Record: 111-33, 1st Place (only team still playing in system)

Pitching was outstanding both from prospects and veterans as the DHD led AAA in ERA, Opp. SLG, Opp AVG, Hits allowed, Saves (tie), and wins.

The offense also receives gold stars for leading AAA in Runs Scored, and finishing 2nd in HR, SLG and OPS.

As of this post, Honolulu trails Charleston 2-1 in the AAA ALCS, marking the longest run of a DHD team this season.

AA
Season Record: 97-47, 1st Place

On the mound Honolulu performed well, relying on a strong starting rotation and finishing in the Top 5 of nearly every pitching category at the AA level.

At the plate the Dolls hit very well, but with minimal power. Honolulu led AA in AVG, OBP (tie), Hits and Triples (tie), along with finishing 2nd in OPS. On the negative side only 1 batter hit more than 20 HRs, a disappointment at the AA level.

After a #2 seed in the playoffs, Honolulu was swept by the PeteC and the Junior Domination. Their biggest mistake was not treating the ladies with respect.

Hi-A
Season Record: 77-67, 3rd Place

We already covered these guys - they're the only minor league team in the organization to miss the postseason may be ritually sacrificed as a result.

Lo-A
Season Record: 92-52, 1st Place

Honolulu's Lo-A staff finished the season in the Top in ERA, Opp SLG, Opp OBP, Opp AVG and WHIP. Management was very impressed by this young staff.

Offensively, this unit didn't really stand out amongst their peers, which is surprising given the amount of offensive talent at this level. Although their performances weren't bad by any means, hitting has to be considered a weakness and letdown by this club.

The playoffs brought a disappointing finish to the Lo-A season. After leading Chicago 2-0 in round 1, the hillbillies came roaring back to win 3 straight plating 10, 9 and 9 runs in the 3 games.

Rookie
Season Record: 46-30, 2nd Place

The positives for the Rookie level ballclub begin and end at the plate. The DHD tied for the league lead in AVG, finished Top 3 in SLG, OPS, Hits and HR.

When you miss on pitching in a really pitching-heavy draft it'll be tough to put a staff together, much less a successful one. The Rookie Level patchwork rotation and bullpen performed very average, which was a very pleasant surprise!

Thanks to a huge effort from DH Hub McNamara the Rookie level Hula Dolls reached the Rookie ALCS before being swept by Dover.

All-Honolulu Minor League Team, S8

C - Damian Yoshii AAA, (.318, 18HR, 70RBI, 3.88 ERA, 35.1 CS%)
1B - Alton Eischen AAA, (.327, 30HR, 156RBI)
2B - Walt Brown AA-AAA, (.325, 26HR, 116RBI, 33SB, .985 F% combined)
3B - Josias Picasso Hi-A, (.330, 20HR, 86RBI)
SS - Alvin Standridge AAA, (.255, 38HR, 157RBI)
LF - Julian Balboa Lo-A - Hi-A, (.323, 39HR, 132RBI combined)
CF - Odell Walls Lo-A, (.323, 16HR, 93RBI)
RF - Luther Leon AA, (.324, 19HR, 94RBI, 35SB)
DH - Hub McNamara R, (.415, 33HR, 116RBI)

SP - Orlando Castilla AAA, (18-2, 3.22ERA, 1.17WHIP, 121K)
SP - Juan Ramirez Lo-A, (10-6, 2.85ERA, 1.24WHIP, 149K)
SP - Darwin Ashby AAA, (16-3, 2.93ERA, 1.26WHIP, 124K)
SP - JP Cruz Lo-A, (9-8, 3.28ERA, 1.29WHIP, 159K)
RP - Orlando Rivera AAA, (5-6, 21/24 Saves, 2.74ERA, 1.03WHIP, 43K)
RP - Tito Jung Lo-A, (8-0, 6/7 Saves, 2.81ERA, .95WHIP, 75K)
RP - Dee Yates R, (2-2, 3/3 Saves, .263AVG, 1.27WHIP)

Superlatives
Best Moustache: Wes Hogan
Best Prospect: Walt Brown
Offensive Player of the Year: Hub McNamara
Pitcher of the Year: Orlando Castilla

Till next time, aloha!