Golden Baseball League Players Lead Baseball America Top Prospects
Published on October 16, 2009 under Golden Baseball League (GBL) News Release
(San Ramon, CA. October 16, 2009) The Golden Baseball League (GBL) announced today that Baseball America has released the Independent League Top Ten Prospects list and that the GBL has again had the most players recognized of all Independent Leagues. Reynaldo Rodriguez of the Yuma Scorpions was the #1 Top Prospect while Isaac Hess of the Victoria Seals was #6 and Mikael Ryder of the Chico Outlaws listed at #10. In addition, Chico Outlaws OF Blake Gailen was listed in the handful of "Others To Watch".
The Golden Baseball League led all independent professional leagues in number of players named on the list. The leagues, in order of players named are: Golden Baseball League with 3 players, the United League with 2 players, and the Northern League with 2 players. Rounding out the list were the American Association, Can-Am League, and United League with one player each. The Atlantic League and Continental League placed no players on the list this year.
http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/minors/independent-audit/2009/268998.html
"It's great to see this recognition of so many of our fine younger players," said GBL Commisisoner Kevin Outcalt. "All these ballplayers have great potential for a signficant future in this game and I anticipate that they most likely will be in a major league organization come next season. The high frequency of selection of GBL players to the Top Prospect List and the All-Independent League Team is a testament to the managers and coaches in the league and their ability to attract, develop, and showcase the best professional independent baseball talent in North America."
Rodriguez, 22, 6-1, 210 throws right and bats rights. The native of Cartagena, Colombia was signed as an 18 year old by the New York Yankees and sent to the Dominican Summer League as a catcher. He won the 2006 DSL batting title and stolen base crown and was promoted to the minor leagues the next year, but injuries limited his play to only 8 games in the Gulf Coast League. Still with only 8 minor league games under his belt, he was released by the Yankees after getting healthy. Converting back to his natural position of first base, he had a terrific 2009 winning the Colombian Winter League batting title as he hit .378 with the Monteria Leones and was named the CPBL Most Valuable Player for the season that concluded in February of this year. Joining the Yuma Scorpions he hit for average as he posted a .335 mark for the season, had six home runs and drove in 48 RBI in 74 games, was second in the league in triples with 6, and stole 18 bases. Defensively he was considered as one of the top fielding first basemen in the league as well and was selected as the 2009 GBL Rookie of the Year. His contract was purchased by the Boston Red Sox earlier this week.
Hess, 23, 5-11, 180 went undrafted out of South Mountain Community College after leading his team to the junior college world series. He signed with the pro independent Frontier League where he had two stellar seasons as he was named the 2007 Frontier League Championship Series MVP and threw a no-hitter during the 2008 season. He joined the Victoria Seals this year and was dominant from the start as he won Player of the Week and Player of the Month Awards. For the season, the lefty posted a 9-2 record and led the GBL in strikeouts.
Ryder, 23, 6-0, 180, right-handed pitcher, went undrafted after playing collegiate baseball at Menlo College in northern California. He was signed out of the Arizona Winter League this February by the Outlaws and started the season in the Chico bullpen. With teammate Donnie Brandt being acquired by the Milwaukee Brewers, Ryder was moved to the starting rotation in July and responded with a complete game shutout of the League Champion Calgary Vipers in his first start. He completed the year with a 5-1 record, led the GBL in E.R.A. with a 3.27 mark (first rookie to ever lead the league in this category), had two saves and posted an incredible 60 strikeouts to only 7 walks for the year as he was named GBL Rookie Pitcher of the Year.
Gailen, 24, 5-9, 175, OF, went undrafted after playing collegiate baseball at UNLV. Played as starting outfielder for the Wichita Wingnuts as a rookie in the American Association in 2008 and hit .298. Developed into a top hitter in the GBL this year as he finished 7th in the league, behind all veterans, in batting average with a .355 mark, 99 hits in 279 AB with 15 doubles, 3 Triples and five home runs. Very patient at the plate as he walked 47 times while striking out 39 times and also used his speed to steal 18 bases. Fast ballhawk in the outfield and played all three positions with a plus arm. Was selected as a GBL All-Star.
Golden Baseball League Stories from October 16, 2009
- Two Outlaws Named To Independent Top Prospects List - Chico Outlaws
- Golden Baseball League Players Lead Baseball America Top Prospects - GBL
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