Bill Mitchell's Minor League Ramblings

Minor League Ramblings For the week of :
March 22, 2004

Initial Minor League Spring Training Report
Home

Minor League Ramblings is produced by Bill Mitchell for Minor League Watch.

Young minor league hitters impressive in early spring training games
March 23, 2004

We're back for another season around the minor league system with the third year of Minor League Ramblings for the 2004 season. For the next six months we'll provide periodic reports of news from around professional baseball's minor league system ... at least as much as we can get to while holding down a day job.

Ryan Sweeney

Young sluggers have dominated the games in Arizona so far this season. By far, the most impressive hitter has been Chicago White Sox 2003 number two draft choice Ryan Sweeney. The 19-year-old left-handed hitting outfielder is still playing in the big league games. Conventional wisdom would dictate that Sweeney would be overpowered by major league pitchers, but the Iowa youngster looks cool, confident and not at all intimidated. He's hitting .370 with three doubles and three stolen bases in 27 at bats.

The Milwaukee AA squad has the look of a minor league all-star team, with top prospects Rickie Weeks (2B), Prince Fielder (1B), Anthony Gwynn (OF), Brad Nelson (OF) and 2002 Rule 5 draft choice Enrique Cruz (SS) all in the Brewers' AA lineup this weekend.

Prince Fielder hits the deck after being hit on the foot by a pitch from Cubs hurler Nate Mitchell

Much has been written about the hitting prowess and sheer brute force power of Fielder, son of former big leaguer Cecil Fielder. But the young first baseman cannot be appreciated until seen up close, a treat that's afforded to fans in the intimate surroundings of the training complexes where the minor league games are held. Young Prince is BIG, and wears a menacing glare on his face while at the plate. Not only is he powerful, but Fielder generates a lot of bat speed.

Milwaukee's AAA team, playing on the adjoining field from the AA squad, also featured several top-notch prospects in Corey Hart (OF), Darryl Clark (OF/1B), Ben Hendrickson (P) and Pedro Liriano (P).

Jerry Gil slides under Mike Rose's tag after circling the bases on a single and three-base error

The exciting double play combo of Erick Aybar (SS) and Alberto Callaspo (2B) were both playing for the Angels AA team, although the duo are slated to head to High A Rancho Cucamonga this year.

Dominican Republic native Jerry Gil (SS) got in a few games with the Diamondbacks big league team last week. He made the highlight reels after circling the bases on a single that skipped past A's left fielder Bobby Kielty.

Brad Sullivan, last year's number one draft choice of Oakland, pitched effectively in his first spring minor league start against the Angels' High A team. Opposing Sullivan in the "opening day" game for both teams was highly-rated prospect Steven Shell.

--- Bill Mitchell