2006 MIDWEST LEAGUE OBSERVATIONS

Yeah, I know it's been awhile.  Better late than never though, hopefully.  Between long hours at work and a busy baseball schedule and the obligatory reading, something's got to give.  It's been too easy to set this article aside to do another day.  I've done that for far too long.
 

It's coming up on the league's All-Star game in a couple weeks.  Some surprises.  By the end of April I had written off the Burlington Bees as another woeful Kansas City Royals affiliate.  With the addition of a couple more young pitchers, the team has jelled.  Now they're contending for the first half playoffs, and MAY finish with a winning record, something we haven't seen in Burlington in the 6 years we've been a Royals affiliate.  Arguably, the Bees have the best rotation in the league.  You could build a strong case for either Chris Nicholl or Matt Knigyinsky being the ace of the staff.  Carlos Rosa has matured a lot in a year, Michael Penn has pitched impressively, and Kraig Schaumbaugh has been effective coming out of the bullpen.  Miguel Vega has picked up a hot bat since April and Lisson and Loewen have hit well too.  No big names, and not much power, but good speed and defense.
 

I'm a Cardinal fan, and the Quad Cities is stocked with prospects.  Two youngsters, Colby Rasmus and Bryan Anderson, are concensus All-Stars, and Daniel Nelson and Randy Roth have been less heralded but just as effective.  Jaime Garcia, their 19 year old pitcher, has been the ace of the staff.  The other pitchers have been inconsistent, especially the bullpen.
 

I love to go up to Clinton.  Not only is it one of the most affordable places anywhere to watch baseball (unlike the Quad cities, just a half hour south) but they boast the best food in the league and the most impressive lot of roving instructors.  Last time I was up there I caught Damon Berryhill and John Mayberry Sr, an elusive autograph by mail.  He's not an instructor, but he  was there to watch his son John Mayberry Jr., who plays for Clinton. 
 

Cedar Rapids boasts another impressive pitching staff, headed by Nick Adenhart, arguably the best pitcher in the league.  Stephen Marek and Robert Mossbach have been impressive as well.  Brad Coon and Hainley Statia have put up solid numbers at the plate.
 

Cub nation has a state in Peoria, Illinois, but thus far the big excitement has been whom the Cubs have sent down from the Big show to rehab.  Both Kerry Wood and Mark Prior have put in appearances there, and rumors fly about that Derrick Lee and Matt Miller will be showing up as well.  Ryan Norwood and Mark Reed have been as good as they've been projected to be, and the ace of the pitching staff has been Mitch Atkins.
 

I'm not feeling too friendly toward Kane County right now (the only team I've yet to see play) since their souvenir department charged me $10 S&H for 5 card sets.  That hurt.  Callous contempt for and gouging of the fans is becoming more and more rampant in the minors too (check out the prices for Orem's, Everett's and Auburn's cards for examples).  Either that or they think that everywhere in the country is as affluent as Geneva, Illinois. (Kane County reduced the charge to $3.50, blaming an automated order processing system.  So that makes the villains of the gouge Dayton now, who charged me $9 S&H to mail their card sets)

If Nick Adenhart isn't the best pitcher in the league, Jared Lansford is another candidate.  He's been outstanding and even has a no-hitter to his credit.  Jeff Baisley is up among the league leaders in homers and RBI's The Twins always are loaded with prospects, and Beloit has a bundle, with first rounder Henry Sanchez, Drew Thompson, Paul Kelly, Brian Duensing and Eduardo Morlan.  Erik Lis doesn't come with the high draft pick credentials, but he's probably putting up the best offensive stats on the team.
 

Wisconsin didn't look too impressive when I saw them in Burlington, although Justin Thomas and Harold Williams have put up fine pitching stats and Jeffrey Dominguez and J B Tucker have lead their offense. 
 

If Lansford or Adenhart aren't the best pitchers in the league, you might cast a vote for Dayton's Johnny Cueto, whose been outstanding.  Paul Janish was tearing the league up before his well earned promotion, and former Team USA player Mike Griffin and highly touted prospect Jay Bruce are putting up fine numbers.
 

South Bend has Justin Upton.  Need I say more?  The first player taken in the 2005 draft.  He's a tough autograph, and signs grudgingly, but man, he's got talent.  Speed and extremely quick wrists.  Frank Curreri has put up some good numbers as well.
 

Fort Wayne has a father-son combination.  Will Venable is a very talented young ballplayer, which I guess is to be expected with Max, the former major leaguer and Ft Wayne's hitting coach as his father.  They have a solid offense, with Kyle Blanks, Seth Johnston and Daryl Jones putting up good numbers, and Josh Geer has been impressive on the mound for them.
 

West Michigan has done well despite losing Cameron Maybin, perhaps the league's most exciting player, to a hand injury.  Hopefully he'll be back soon.  I haven't gotten to see him play yet.  Justin Justice, Williams Rhymes and Dusty Ryan have carried big bats as well, and Ramon Garcia and Sendy Vasquez will no doubt earn All Star berths for their outstanding pitching performances.  A well-rounded team.  Perhaps the best in the league.  Again.
 

With Jacob McGee and Wade Davis the Southwest Michigan franchise has perhaps the best one-two pitching punch in the league.  Can I add Davis to my nominees as perhaps the leagues best pitcher?  I am.  James Hall and Matt Spring have led their offensive attack.
 

Lansing has William Carnline as their ace on the mound, and Troy Patton is up among the league leaders in homers and RBI's. 
 

The Midwest League is well-laden with talent again.  I am very fortunate to be living in this region.

 

SETS I'M WORKIN ON
 

"A Man's reach must exceed his grasp, else what's a heaven for?"  Robert Browning said something to that effect.  That's how I feel about the two sets I'm chasing.  I'm still plodding away on the 04 SP Prospect autograph inserts, picking up bargains whenever I can.  I've snagged close to 170 of them, including the Homer Bailey/Kerry Wood dual autograph, the Rios/PurceyJanssen, Vidro/Bray /Balester and Vasquez/Marquez/Christian triple autographs, as well as a few of the tough singles, including Tuiasosopo, Marquez, Mark Rogers, Paul Janish and Eric Patterson.  One of the most beautiful sets ever to come out in my own immodest opinion.
 

I've also managed to pick off, at the minimum, and autograph/jersey card for every player in Team USA's National and Junior sets.  I'll be ready when the 2006 draft occurs.  Team USA always does a fine job putting together sets of some impressive young players.  These sets should be a must purchase every year for fans watching minor league ball and hoping to get autographs from future major leaguers.
 

Well, I've rambled on for awhile.  Time to call it  a letter.  Take care and have fun with the hobby.  I sure try to.