1. Gordon “The Gronk!” Gronkowski, 1b/DH, Short Season, Class A Orem
I’m not sure if they really call him ‘The Gronk’, but it seems like a solid nickname for a more that solid guy. At 6’6” 250lbs Gordi is hands down this week’s #1. Thru 17 games he’s hitting .472 with 4hrs, 24rbi, and 20runs. He leads the league in all offensive categories and in 11 of his last 12 games he has had at least two hits. Yes, you read that right – only in one of his last 12 games has he failed to get multiple hits. A 49th round selection of last year’s draft, the U of Jacksonville product looks to build on limited at bats with last year’s Orem squad. Not sure about the DH/1b’s defense, but who freakin’ cares.
2. Michael Benjamin Johnson, C/1b, Class A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
The 25yo Catcher has hopped around a bit this year getting at bats at Salt Lake, Arkansas, and Rancho. He has spent the bulk of his time with the quakes where he is 9 for his last twenty with 4hrs, 7rbi, and 9runs. On the season, the University of Washington product has a .282avg with 13hrs, 45rbi, and 43runs while swiping 12 bags.
3. Christopher Pettit, OF, Class A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
So much for a slow start after being called up. With the help of a monster 5 for 5, 2hr performance the other night, the hot prospect regular has run his Rancho avg. to .318. Overall, the Loyola Marymount grad has a .340avg. with 13hr, 53rbi, and 19 swipes.
4. Sean O’Sullivan, SP, Low Class A Cedar Rapids Kernels
The 19 year old righty finds his way back on the list with two very impressive outings. In his last two starts, Sean has thrown 15innings giving up 8 hits, 1er, 1bb, and striking out 14 to run his season ERA to 2.59 in 90.1ip. Just another in the long line of stud pitching prospects for the Halos.
5. Warner Madrigal, RP, Low Class A Cedar Rapids Kernels
He’s got a closers name, and now he is putting up the numbers to match. In his last nine innings, he has given up 5 hits, 0er, 1bb and has fanned 14. The converted SS has dropped his season ERA below 3 (2.97) and has 2 saves in his last 3 outings as the org appears to be giving him some opportunities to finish ballgames.
6. Barrett Browning, RP, Low Class A Cedar Rapids Kernels
After a slow start to the season, the 22 year old lefty has come on strong posting a 1.17era in his last ten games. Over that span he has pitched 15.1 innings, giving up 9 hits while walking 4 and striking out 15. He has limited opponents to a .193avg on the season and has been stellar against lefties (.141BAA).
7. Matthew Brown, 3b, Class AAA Salt Lake Bees
Matt continues to put up solid numbers. After a bit of a slide, he has come back strong going 13 for his last 32 (.406) with 5hrs, and 11rbi in his last 10 games running his season totals to .272/9/41. He is blocked on all sides yet at 24 years old is still young enough to refine his game at AAA while waiting for his shot.
8. AZL Angels Offense
A true team effort! The entire team is red hot to go along with the Arizona heat scoring 91 runs in their first 11 games with a team avg. of .335 and team OPS of .905. Led by the likes of Ivan Contreras (.450avg in 40abs), Anthony Norman (.395avg, 8rbi) and Seth Loman (3hrs, 13rbi, 1.066ops), the AZL Halos are 10-2 to start the season.
9. Christopher Armstrong, SP, Rookie League, AZL Angels
The Arizona heat has had little effect on this 19 year old lefty from Oklahoma. In three starts for the AZL Angels, Chris has an ERA of 1.93 over 14ip with 13ks.
10. Brandon Wood, SS/3b, Class AAA Salt Lake Bees
After a 3-5 night, Wood’s avg. is holding steady around .260. Although he didn’t exactly rip the cover off the ball this past week, he still had 2hr and 7rbi in his last 8 games. His k’s are creeping up a bit, but with all due respect to all the other top prospects in the Angels system, Brandon will find his way onto the list as long as he doesn’t go ofer the entire week. Let’s be honest, we are just flat out interested in what he does.
Keep and eye on: Sean Rodriguez, SS, Class AA Arkansas
Sean continues to struggle in his effort to figure out AA pitching. Although he has hit for some power, his avg. has dropped to .244 and he has fanned 87 times in 83 games. He makes the list because he needs to. Hopefully it will give him a little mojo for the the second half of the season.
On the outside looking: Jose Arredondo, Brad Coon, Jordan Renz, Anthony Ortega, Mark Trumbo, Young-Il Jung, Chris Garcia, Jeremy Haynes, Matt Sweeney, Freddy Sandoval, Rich Thompson, Doug Brandt, Brok Butcher, Jordan Walden, Hank Conger, Robert Mosebach, Nick Adenhardt, PJ Phillips, David Herndon, Steven Marek, Trevor Bell, and Hanley Statia.
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