Next up is the Jackson Rockets " down on the farm " report. By their 52-25 record, one would see alot of the young talent is in the majors. But let's see who is making noise elsewhere in the system.
1. Vladimir Baerga..... Vladimir is in AAA this season and doing very well. Baerga has good power, very good splits, contact and an above average batting eye. In AA he has hit.303 with a .379 OBP. In 70 games, he has 32 doubles, 5 triples, 8 homers, while driving in 50. He also has 30 walks, and 23 stolen bases.
2. Louis Benjamin..... Louis "it's all in the " Benjamin is in High A this year. He has below average power, and contact, but makes up for it with his batting eye and so so splits. His speed will cause problems as he develops. He has 15 doubles, 5 homers, 36 RBI'S , while walking 45 times, and fanning 57. He also has 25 stolen bases, a .332 average and a lofty OBP of .324.
3.Alberto Jacquez...... Jacquez is in Low A this season , and he is doing quite well. He has 30 doubles, 3 triples, 15 homers, while driving in 69. He also has 26 walks, to go along with 55 strikeouts. He is a mere 7 for 18 in stolen base attempts, which should get better as he gets more experience. His splits are average, as well as his batting eye and contact. He may never make an impact on a major league team, but it won't be from a lack of not trying.
4.Trot Shelley......Trot was doing a very good job in High A before his recent injury. He had pitched 54 innings, gave up 41 hits, 1 homers, 19 walks, while fanning 46. He has low control, but he has a few decent pitches to keep hitters guessing.
5.Chien -Ming Martin.....Martin is in High A this season. So far he is 8-7 with a 3.27 ERA. In 101 innings, he has given up 121 hits, 10 homers, 20 walks, while striking out 82.He has very good control,very good stamina, below average splits, to go along with 3 pitches. Martin may end up being an "innings eater" in the upcoming seasons.
6.Jaret Rose.....Jaret is going to be a very decent pitcher. He has 4 pitches, good control, good stamina, and average splits. He is currently in AAA ball this season, and doing a very nice job down there. He is 7-2 with a 2.39ERA . In 90 innings, he has given up 72 hits, 7 homers, 24 walks, while punching out 76. Someday , somewhere, you will hear that familiar saying when he takes the mound. Some major league scouting coach will say "We should have gone to Jaret's " :)
7.Vic Mieses... Vic should enjoy his success in the minors, because that's all it will be. Very poor control, low stamina, and above average splits are his make-up. He has 4 good pitches, but his low control make him a future Mitch Williams.....Walk the bases loaded, and than possibly strike out the side. I don't think any major league coach would deal with that, but who knows? He is 12 for 16 in save chances in AAA, with a 3.70 ERA. In 24 innings, he has given up 21 hits, 3 homers, 14 walks, while fanning 22.
8.Miguel Gomez..... Miguel is in AAA as well this season, and he is doing a good job. He splits are average, along with 3 pitches that are sub par. He has average control to go along with a 0 gb/fb rating. This may be interesting to see as he is going through the season. So far, he has only given up 4 homers in 67 innings, but the ML hitter may change that stat. He is 4-3, 3 for 4 in save chances , while supporting a 3.36 ERA.