Here is a team recap of my minors:
AAA Virginia Beach Marvles - 86-58, 2nd
AA Elk Run Heights Dobermans - 79-63, 2nd
A+ Audubon Park Spuds - 59-81, 6th
A- Plattsburgh Animals - 43-33, 3rd
A- Po'ipu Channel Cats - 33-43, 6th
R Anchorage Giants - 34-34, 6th
R Honolulu Super 66 - 16-52, 9th
And now for the individual performers:
3B David Carruth, 25 (Trade w/LV 7/2029)
Carruth makes me wish I had paid a little more attention to him this year and forced a promotion for him to AAA, especially after Lawrence moved up to the majors. He's a little old as he just turned 25, but should get a legitimate look as an up and comer in my system as he turned in an impressive 4.4 WAR in 121 games and 513 PA at AA. The rest of his line was .278 AVG, 14 HR, .216 ISO, and 2 SB.
Next year Carruth should start at AAA and could find himself as a utility player in the majors if there is an injury. The only thing working against him is all my current utility players bat right handed, as do all my regulars on the infield.
3B Phil Edwards, 21 (2027 Draft, Rd 3)
Edwards returned to A- and put together an impressive performance to the tune of 3.7 WAR in 71 games and 303 PA. The rest of his line was .301 AVG, 17 HR, .266 ISO, and 3 SB.
Edwards will jump to full season A+ ball next year and I hope see time in AA as well. I'm excited to see what he can do in a full season of at bats. I also hope to see him join my top 30 prospects list next year.
2B Jose Pellot, 24 (2027 Draft, Rd 2)
After ranking well on my top prospects list since being drafted, Pellot finally started to show some results this year in AA to the tune of a 3.0 WAR in 132 games and 506 PA. The rest of his line was .241 AVG, 11 HR, .208 ISO, and 11 SB.
He has the look of a 2B lite version of Warren, so it is good to see his power starting to show. I don't think he is ever going to hit for much average so I will be watching his home run totals next year at AAA closely.
SP Jesus Tejada, 22 (2025 Int'l FA Signing)
After nearly making this list with a strong turn at A+ last year, Tejada continued to impress across AA and AAA this year. In 11 AA starts he threw 75.1 innings for 1.0 WAR and he finished the year with 18 starts at AAA throwing 124.1 innings for 1.4 WAR.
His combined line reads 29 starts, 199.2 IP, 2.21 ERA, 3.70 FIP, 0.96 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9, and 6.6 K/9 for 2.4 WAR. He will likely return to AAA for the start of next season and is positioned for an early or midseason call up. Ideally, he will help to replace some of Diplan's production after next season.
SP Jonathan Medina, 25 (Trade w/SEA 12/2029)
Traded after two full seasons at AA in Seattle's organization, Medina had a breakout in my AAA rotation where he posted a line of 28 GS, 172.1 IP, 2.87 ERA, 3.45 FIP, 1.03 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9, and 8.3 K/9 for 2.3 WAR.
He deserves a spot in my bullpen next year and probably the back of a rotation on a team without my level of pitching depth. In any case he is behind Tejada in prospect status but should get the first shot at the majors.
SP Jimmy Turkel, 23 (2026 Draft, Rd 1)
Turkel is the first player to appear here two years in a row. As I projected last year, he returned to AA to start the year where in 17 starts he threw 100 innings for 1.8 WAR. He earned a promotion to AAA where he finished the season making 11 starts and threw 68.1 innings for another 0.9 WAR.
His combined line across the two levels was 28 GS, 168.1 IP, 2.89 ERA, 3.44 FIP, 1.24 WHIP, 3.7 BB/9, and 7.6 K/9 for 2.7 WAR. He should return to AAA to start next year and could play his way into a bullpen spot in the majors. He might remain a starter long term in another organization, but again with my depth and the arms above, he seems destined for a bullpen role with the Expos.
While I didn't have any ridiculous performances this year (like 3B Lawrence from last year) SP Tejada stands out as the leader in this bunch both in terms of pedigree and readiness as his WAR was pulled down a bit because his ERA was better than his FIP. In any case, with several of these players, it is good to see statistics backing up high ratings for prospects.
Next, the offseason begins and my front office gets to work...