Founded on my research for the “Minors vs Majors” chapter in my book, “Hardball Retroactive” paired with complementary articles “Minors vs. Majors: The Top Minor League Batters in the Expansion Era” and “Minors vs. Majors: The Top Minor League Pitchers in the Expansion Era“, the ensuing series will reveal the Minor League All-Star rosters for every MLB franchise based primarily on single-season statistics in Runs Created / 140 Games (batters) and Fielding Independent Pitching (pitchers).

Selection Criteria

• individual seasons in the Expansion Era (1961 – 2017)
• levels A through AAA
• ages 24 or younger (A and A+)
• age 25 seasons (AA and AAA)
• age 26 seasons (AAA)

Terminology

RC – Runs Created – using the basic formula devised by Bill James:

((H + BB) * TB) / (AB + BB)

Note: I utilized the basic formula as opposed to the Technical Version due to

incomplete GIDP and IBB data.

RC/140 – Runs Created per 140 Games as Minor League ballplayers

RC / (G / 140)

FIP – Fielding Independent Pitching – “Fielding Independent Pitching converts a pitcher’s three true outcomes into an earned run average-like number. The formula is (13*HR+3*(HBP+BB)-2*K)/IP, plus a constant (usually around 3.2) to put it on the same scale as earned run average.

FIP is a component ERA inspired by the work of Voros McCracken on defense-independent pitching statistics, but has become more widely used because of the ease of computation – it requires only four easily-found box score stats, uses only basic arithmetic operations and has four easily-memorized constants. It was conceived of by both Tom Tango and Clay Dreslough, the latter of who called it Defense-Independent Component ERA.” (definition courtesy of Baseball Prospectus Glossary).

((13*HR+3*(HBP+BB)-2*K)/IP)+3.2)

Assessment

The Arizona Diamondbacks 

Erubiel Durazo cruised through the upper minors in ‘99, sustaining a .404 BA with 24 round-trippers and a .703 SLG after the D-Backs purchased his contract from the Monterrey Sultanes (Mexican League). Outfielders Adam C. Eaton (.450) and Jack Cust (.445) pace the Snakes in career minor league on-base percentage. Paul Goldschmidt enters the 2018 campaign with five consecutive All-Star appearances and three top-five finishes in the NL MVP balloting. “Goldy” paced the Senior Circuit with 36 jacks and 125 ribbies in 2013 subsequent to posting League-best home run totals in each of his three minor league seasons. Mark Reynolds launched at least 30 long balls in four MLB seasons despite whiffing in 35.5% of his at-bats. The “Sheriff of Swattingham” slashed .318 / .401 / .633 while dividing 2006 between Lancaster (A+) and Tennessee (AA). Scott Hairston clubbed 106 circuit clouts across 11 MLB seasons as a part-time outfielder after hammering 93 four-baggers and logging 120 RC/140 in the Arizona system. Collin Cowgill registered 100.3 RC/140 during his stint as a Diamondbacks farmhand and earned playing time in parts of six seasons (2011-16) with five MLB organizations as a spare outfielder.  Jarrod Patterson merited cups of coffee with Detroit (2001) and Kansas City (2003) following a productive two-year stint among the Arizona affiliates in which he averaged .347 with 43 two-base knocks, 19 taters, 100 ribbies and 99 runs scored. Craig Ansman supplied a .294 BA and slugged .541 in a six-year minor league career.

Four-time All-Star outfielder Justin Upton (#1, 2005) logged career-bests in doubles (44), home runs (35) and RBI (109) in 2017. “J-Up” reached the Majors ten years earlier during his age-19 campaign after slashing .319 / .410 / .551 for the Visalia Oaks (A+) and Mobile BayBears (AA). Jake Lamb supplied 30 taters and 98 ribbies per year over two seasons with the D-Backs (2016-17) subsequent to delivering a .327 BA with 39 two-base knocks throughout the upper minors in 2014. Lyle Overbay crafted a .342 BA as an Arizona prospect and rapped 38 doubles per year spanning seven seasons (2004-2010) including an NL-best 53 two-base hits in ’04. Conor Jackson (#1, 2003) smacked 35 doubles annually across three seasons (2003-05) prior to his promotion to the big leagues in July 2005. Miguel Montero manufactured a .326 BA with 26 four-baggers and 95 RBI while splitting the ’05 season between the Lancaster JetHawks (A+) and the Tennessee Smokies (AA). Alberto Callaspo made his MLB debut in August 2006 following a fantastic stint with the Tucson Sidewinders (AAA) encompassing a .337 BA with 43 extra-base hits and 93 tallies. Mitch Haniger (.321/25/94) soared through the upper minors to attain big league status in August 2016. First-sacker Christian Walker (.309/32/114) registered 104 runs scored and laced 34 two-baggers to complement a .597 SLG for the Reno Aces (AAA) in 2017.

Brad Penny (16-4, 3.03) placed third in the 2007 NL Cy Young race after whiffing 10.9 per nine innings through 45 starts with the Arizona affiliates. Brett Anderson (11-7, 3.07) posted 125 strikeouts in 120.1 innings pitched during his lone campaign in the D-Backs system prior to his inclusion in an eight-player trade with Oakland in December 2007. Former Halos first-rounder Tyler Skaggs fashioned an ERA of 3.32 and struck out 9.9 batters per nine innings across 71 minor league starts as a member of the Diamondbacks. Appearing in 25 contests for the Kane County Cougars (A) and Visalia Rawhide (A+) during his first full season, Jon Duplantier (12-3, 1.39) racked up 165 strikeouts over 132 innings pitched.  Tony R. Pena averaged 73 relief outings spanning a three-year period (2007-09) for the Snakes and the Pale Hose subsequent to furnishing a record of 9-5 with an ERA of 2.86 at South Bend (A) in ’03.

Starting Lineup	Age	Year	Teams	Levels	POS	RC140	BA	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG
Adam C. Eaton*	23	2012	REN,MOB	AAA,AA	CF	130.1	0.375	7	48	0.456	0.523
Collin Cowgill	25	2011	REN	AAA	RF	134	0.354	13	70	0.430	0.554
Erubiel Durazo*	25	1999	ELP,TUC	AA,AAA	DH	176.6	0.404	24	83	0.489	0.703
Paul Goldschmidt	23	2011	MOB	AA	1B	134.8	0.306	30	94	0.435	0.626
Jack Cust*	20	1999	HDS	A+	LF	149.2	0.334	32	112	0.450	0.651
Scott Hairston	22	2002	SBN,LNR	A,A+	2B	132.8	0.345	22	98	0.429	0.603
Jarrod Patterson*	25	1999	TUC,ELP	AAA,AA	3B	136.4	0.358	19	98	0.448	0.589
Mark Reynolds	22	2006	LNR,KNX	A+,AA	SS	129	0.318	31	98	0.401	0.633
Craig Ansman	23	2001	SBN	A	C-	118.6	0.330	21	82	0.402	0.623
Bench	Age		Teams	Levels	POS	RC140	BA	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG
Jamie D’Antona	26	2008	TUC	AAA	3B	131.2	0.365	21	79	0.405	0.604
Conor Jackson	23	2005	TUC	AAA	1B	128.9	0.354	8	73	0.457	0.553
Brandon Allen*	25	2011	REN	AAA	1B	126.7	0.306	18	66	0.427	0.579
Josh Whitesell*	26	2008	TUC	AAA	1B	124.7	0.328	26	110	0.425	0.568
Ketel Marte#	23	2017	REN	AAA	SS	123.8	0.338	6	41	0.391	0.514
Christian Walker	26	2017	REN	AAA	1B	123.7	0.309	32	114	0.382	0.597
Ryan Wheeler*	23	2012	REN	AAA	3B	122.8	0.351	15	90	0.388	0.572
Cesar Nicolas	23	2005	SBN	A	1B	120.9	0.302	21	70	0.428	0.594
Lyle Overbay*	24	2001	ELP	AA	1B	120.9	0.352	13	100	0.423	0.528
Mitch Haniger	25	2016	REN,MOB	AAA,AA	CF	118.3	0.321	25	94	0.419	0.581
Andy Green	26	2004	TUC	AAA	3B	118	0.327	9	45	0.394	0.534
Miguel Montero*	21	2005	LNR,KNX	A+,AA	C-	117.5	0.326	26	95	0.382	0.562
Jake Lamb*	23	2014	MOB,REN	AA,AAA	3B	117.1	0.327	15	84	0.407	0.566
Justin Upton	19	2007	MOB,VIS	AA,A+	CF	116.9	0.319	18	70	0.410	0.551
Alberto Callaspo#	23	2006	TUC	AAA	2B	116.3	0.337	7	68	0.404	0.478

 

Starters	Age	Year	Teams	Levels	FIP	WLSV	ERA	WHIP	BB9	SO9
Jon Duplantier	22	2017	KNC,VIS	A,A+	2.41	12-3	1.39	0.978	2.8	10.9
Tyler Skaggs*	19	2011	VIS,MOB	A+,AA	2.58	9-6	2.96	1.107	2.8	11.3
Tony R. Pena	21	2003	SBN	A	2.65	9-5	2.87	1.118	1.7	6.7
Brad Penny	20	1998	HDS	A+	2.67	14-5	2.96	1.055	1.9	11.4
Brett Anderson*	19	2007	SBN,VIS	A,A+	2.69	11-7	3.07	1.224	1.6	9.4
Relievers	Age	Year	Teams	Levels	FIP	WLSV	ERA	WHIP	BB9	SO9
Zac Curtis*	22	2015	KNC	A	1.63	33	1.33	0.833	2	12.5
Matt Elliott	21	2005	SBN	A	2.15	32	2.16	1.052	3.7	11.8
Silvino Bracho	22	2015	MOB,VIS	AA,A+	1.73	19	1.61	0.896	1.8	13.1
Colin Poche*	23	2017	VIS,KNC	A+,A	1.10	3	1.26	0.978	3.4	14.6
Gabriel Moya*	21	2016	VIS,KNC	A+,A	1.87	5	1.57	0.87	2.4	11.7
Bench	Age	Year	Teams	Levels	FIP	WLSV	ERA	WHIP	BB9	SO9
Charles Brewer	22	2010	VIS,SBN	A+,A	2.71	11-8	2.46	1.092	2.1	9.2
Bryan Augenstein	21	2008	SBN,VIS	A,A+	2.73	7-5	2.75	1.098	1	6.8
Anthony Banda*	21	2015	VIS	A+	2.73	8-8	3.33	1.25	2.3	9
Henry Garcia*	23	2013	SBN	A	2.13	0	2.25	0.95	1.5	9.4
Bryan Woodall	23	2010	VIS,MOB	A+,AA	2.20	9	2.76	1.274	1.9	11
Ryan Doherty	22	2006	SBN	A	2.28	5	2.6	1.125	2.9	11

 

Honorable Mention

Carlos Quentin (#1, 2003) launched 36 moon-shots, knocked in 100 baserunners and placed fifth in the 2008 AL MVP balloting after slashing .313 /.428 / .527 as a Diamondbacks phenom. Acquired from the White Sox in a four-player deal in December 2005, Chris B. Young punched his ticket to the Majors with 57 extra-base hits and a .532 SLG for Tucson (AAA) in the ensuing campaign. Chad Tracy composed a .335 BA in the Arizona farm system. Chris Capuano managed an ERA of 2.22 ERA and struck out 9.3 batters per nine innings while hurling for the South Bend Silver Hawks (A) in his first professional season (2000).

Batter	Age	Year	Teams	Levels	POS	RC140	BA	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG
Chris W. Carter*	24	2007	TUC	AAA	1B	112.1	0.324	18	84	0.383	0.521
Chris Rahl	22	2006	LNR	A+	CF	111.7	0.327	13	83	0.369	0.502
Jeff Cook*	24	2005	LNR	A+	RF	111.7	0.314	19	89	0.366	0.530
Jake Elmore	25	2012	REN	AAA	SS	111.7	0.344	1	73	0.442	0.465
Carlos Quentin	21	2004	LNR,ELP	A+,AA	OF	108.3	0.332	21	89	0.435	0.549
Chris B. Young	22	2006	TUC	AAA	CF	107.5	0.276	21	77	0.363	0.532
Jason Conti*	26	2001	TUC	AAA	OF	107.3	0.331	9	52	0.402	0.503
Chad Tracy*	22	2002	ELP	AA	3B	105.7	0.344	8	74	0.389	0.486
Chris Owings	21	2013	REN	AAA	SS	104.7	0.330	12	81	0.359	0.482
Daniel Palka*	23	2015	VIS	A+	RF	103.6	0.280	29	90	0.352	0.532

 

Pitcher	Age	Year	Teams	Levels	FIP	WLSV	ERA	WHIP	BB9	SO9
Beltran Perez	19	2001	SBN	A	2.82	12-4	2.81	1.106	2	8.8
Edgar Gonzalez	19	2002	SBN,LNR	A,A+	2.86	14-8	2.64	1.160	1.9	6.8
Chris Capuano*	21	2000	SBN	A	2.86	10-4	2.22	1.117	4	9.3
Billy Spottiswood	23	2008	SBN	A	2.39	13	2.11	1.062	2.2	8.2
T.J. Hose	23	2009	SBN,VIS	A,A+	2.44	12	2.13	1.064	2.6	10.6
RJ Hively	24	2013	VIS,SBN	A+,A	2.56	33	1.82	1.182	3.3	10.3

References and Resources

Baseball-Reference

Bill James Baseball Abstract

Seamheads – Baseball Gauge

About the Author 

I am a New Jersey native with a passion for baseball, statistics, computers and video games who enjoys spending quality time with his family. 

“Hardball Retroactive”, published in June 2018, is available in paperback and digital (Kindle) format at Amazon.com along with digital eBook format at GooglePlay.com. 

“Hardball Retrospective” is available in digital format on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, GooglePlay, iTunes and KoboBooks. The paperback edition is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and CreateSpace. Supplemental Statistics, Charts and Graphs along with a discussion forum are offered at TuataraSoftware.com.

Don Daglow (Intellivision World Series Major League Baseball, Earl Weaver Baseball, Tony LaRussa Baseball) contributed the foreword for Hardball Retrospective. The foreword and preview of my book are accessible here.

“Hardball Retrospective – Addendum 2014 to 2016” supplements my research for Hardball Retrospective, providing retroactive standings based on Wins Above Replacement (WAR) and Win Shares (WS) for each “original” team over the past three seasons (2014-2016). Team totals from 2010 – 2013 are included for reference purposes. “Addendum” is available in paperback and digital formats through Amazon, Barnes and Noble and CreateSpace.