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 Detroit Tigers 

Justin Verlander (11-2, 1.29) sailed through his lone minor league campaign, splitting the 2005 season between Lakeland (A+) and Erie (AA). “JV” compiled a WHIP of 0.905 with a 2.20 FIP while striking out 10.4 batters per nine innings. The seven-time All-Star earned AL Rookie of the Year honors in 2006 and swept the Cy Young and MVP awards in 2011. Drew Smyly (11-6, 2.07) followed in Verlander’s footsteps six years later, notching a 2.30 FIP with the same ballclubs. Dave Rozema (14-5, 2.09) fashioned an 0.976 WHIP during his age-18 season as a member of the Clinton Pilots (A). Rozema compiled a record of 15-7 with a 3.09 ERA in his rookie year (1977) and hung up his spikes after pitching for a decade in the Majors. Flamethrower Joel Zumaya whiffed 126 opposing batsmen spanning only 90.1 innings as an 18-year-old starter for the West Michigan Whitecaps (A) in 2003. “Zoom Zoom” delivered an ERA of 1.94 and registered 10.5 SO/9 with Detroit in ’06.

Jim Mooring slashed .377 / .421 / .637 and recorded the highest RC/140 mark (153.2) in the Tigers’ farm system since the start of the Expansion Era while manning first base for the Jamestown Tigers (A) in ’64. Robert Fick (.341/16/90) laced 50 doubles and accrued a 130.2   0 RC/140 as a member of the West Michigan Whitecaps in 1997. Gabe Kapler (.322/28/146) enjoyed a stellar campaign with the Jacksonville Suns in ’98, tallying 113 runs and ripping 47 two-baggers. Howard Johnson compiled a .317 BA with 23 jacks and 35 steals for the Evansville Triplets (AA) in ’82. “HoJo” notched three 30/30 seasons for the Mets (1987, 1989, 1991) and topped the Senior Circuit with 38 moon-shots and 117 ribbies in ’91. Steve Kemp produced a .328 BA with 55 extra-base hits while splitting his first professional campaign between Montgomery (AA) and Evansville (AAA) in ’76. Three years later, Kemp merited his lone All-Star appearance as he batted at a .318 clip with 26 blasts and 105 RBI. Juan Encarnacion carved out an 11-year career as a starting outfielder in the Majors subsequent to an outstanding 1997 season with the double-A Jacksonville Suns (AA) in which he batted .323 with 31 doubles and 26 circuit clouts. Three-time All-Star center fielder Curtis Granderson paced the American League in triples during back-to-back seasons (2007-08) and later led the Junior Circuit in runs scored (136) and RBI (119) with the Bronx Bombers in 2011. The Erie Seawolves (AA) reaped the benefits as the “Grandy Man” supplied a .303 BA and 21 four-baggers for the ’04 squad. Phil Nevin, the Astros #1 selection in the 1992 Amateur Draft, clubbed 24 round-trippers as a backstop in the Tigers system following an August 1995 trade in exchange for closer Mike Henneman. Nevin merited All-Star status as a member of the Padres on ’01 when he established career-bests with 41 taters and 126 rib-eye steaks.

Starting Lineup	Age	Year	Teams	Levels	POS	RC140	BA	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG
Devon Travis	22	2013	WMI,LAK	A,A+	2B	114.3	0.351	16	76	0.418	0.518
Robert Fick*	23	1997	WMI	A	DH	130.2	0.341	16	90	0.429	0.566
Jim Mooring*	22	1964	JAM	A	1B	153.2	0.377	22	89	0.421	0.637
Gabe Kapler	22	1998	JCK	AA	RF	126.8	0.322	28	146	0.393	0.583
Mack Jones*	25	1964	SYR	AAA	CF	122.2	0.317	39	102	0.413	0.630
Bubba Trammell	24	1996	JCK,TOL	AA,AAA	LF	119.0	0.316	33	99	0.391	0.605
Howard Johnson#	21	1982	EVN	AAA	3B	117.4	0.317	23	67	0.390	0.571
Javier Cardona	23	1999	JCK	AA	C	116.4	0.309	26	92	0.384	0.569
Michael Hollimon#	24	2006	WMI	A	SS	94.5	0.278	15	54	0.386	0.501
Bench	Age	Year	Teams	Levels	POS	RC140	BA	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG
Jesse Queen	24	1961	KNX,DEN	A,AAA	OF	116.8	0.321	18	88	0.460	0.529
Wilbert Franklin*	24	1963	JAM,KNX	A,AA	OF	114.3	0.333	21	110	0.421	0.530
Steve Kemp*	21	1976	MTG,EVN	AA,AAA	OF	113.6	0.328	19	81	0.429	0.557
Juan Encarnacion	21	1997	JCK	AA	OF	111.1	0.323	26	90	0.394	0.560
Curtis Granderson*	23	2004	ERI	AA	OF	110.0	0.303	21	93	0.407	0.515
Phil Nevin	25	1996	JCK	AA	C	109.9	0.294	24	69	0.397	0.561
Ryan Raburn	26	2007	TOL	AAA	CF	109.4	0.292	17	64	0.394	0.540
Alejandro Freire	22	1997	LAK	A+	1B	108.3	0.323	24	92	0.396	0.545
Eric Gillespie*	24	1999	JCK	AA	OF	107.8	0.306	19	88	0.375	0.511
Scott Sizemore	24	2009	TOL,ERI	AAA,AA	2B	107.4	0.308	17	66	0.389	0.500
Mike Rivera	24	2001	ERI	AA	C	107.2	0.289	33	101	0.368	0.578
Chico Salmon	21	1962	KNX,DEN	A,AAA	OF	106.5	0.331	17	91	0.394	0.480
Carlos Villalobos	23	1998	JCK	AA	3B	106.4	0.320	18	80	0.387	0.505
Purnal Goldy	23	1961	BIR,DEN	AA,AAA	OF	104.9	0.338	9	99	0.381	0.486
Dave Stegman	23	1977	MTG,EVN	AA,AAA	OF	104.6	0.296	17	77	0.434	0.538

 

Starters	Age	Year	Teams	Levels	FIP	WLSV	ERA	WHIP	BB9	SO9
Justin Verlander	22	2005	LAK,ERI	A+,AA	2.20	11-2	1.29	0.905	2.0	10.4
Joel Zumaya	18	2003	WMI	A	2.20	7-5	2.80	1.188	3.8	12.6
Drew Smyly*	22	2011	LAK,ERI	A+,AA	2.30	11-6	2.07	1.103	2.6	9.3
Chris Cody*	23	2007	WMI,LAK	A,A+	2.00	5-6	2.04	0.978	1.6	8.8
Fred Bruntrager*	24	1972	CLI	A	2.34	10-5	1.67	1.215	2.8	8.8
Relievers	Age	Year	Teams	Levels	FIP	WLSV	ERA	WHIP	BB9	SO9
Joe Jimenez	21	2016	ERI,LAK,TOL	AA,A+,AAA	1.58	30	1.52	0.808	2.9	13.2
John Schreiber	23	2017	WMI	A	1.06	11	0.54	0.659	1.4	12.6
Bryan Corey	22	1996	FAY	A	1.75	34	1.21	0.817	1.9	11.1
Brett Jensen	23	2007	WMI	A	1.94	23	1.80	0.998	1.2	9.9
Brandon Reed	20	1995	FAY	A	1.95	41	0.98	0.903	2.5	10.9
Bench	Age	Year	Teams	Levels	FIP	WLSV	ERA	WHIP	BB9	SO9
Dave Rozema	18	1975	CLI	A	2.40	14-5	2.09	0.976	1.8	6.8
Guillermo Moscoso	24	2008	LAK,ERI	A+,AA	2.38	5-4	2.71	0.940	2.2	12.7
Marty Willis	24	1990	LAK	A+	2.42	10-6	2.66	1.120	2.7	8.8
Bill Snyder	23	1998	WMI	A	1.86	3-1	1.83	0.981	2.7	12.8
John Birtwell	22	2002	WMI	A	1.97	7-2	1.59	0.834	2.0	11.5
Ricky Steik	22	2006	WMI	A	1.98	3-4	2.64	1.087	2.0	10.6

Honorable Mention

Frank Catalanotto eclipsed the .300 mark on three occasions during a 14-year MLB career. Mike Laga, Nelson Simmons and Barbaro Garbey were members of the 1984 Detroit Tigers championship team.

Francisco Cordero racked up at least 30 saves in seven big-league seasons and saved 329 contests in a 14-year career after honing his craft in 1997 for West Michigan (A). Cordero whiffed 11.1 batters per nine innings and notched 35 saves while posting an ERA of 1.00 along with a sub-1.000 WHIP.

Batters	Age	Year	Teams	Levels	POS	RC140	BA	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG
Frank Kostro	24	1962	DEN	AAA	OF	103.8	0.321	13	97	0.402	0.492
Ryan Strieby	22	2008	LAK	A+	1B	103.4	0.278	29	94	0.352	0.563
Marv Lane	22	1972	MTG	AA	OF	103.0	0.312	13	63	0.417	0.501
Frank Catalanotto*	22	1996	JCK	AA	2B	101.1	0.298	17	67	0.398	0.493
Mike Laga*	21	1981	BIR	AA	1B	100.4	0.289	31	86	0.348	0.536
Michael Holodick	22	1963	JAM	A	2B	100.0	0.327	8	48	0.396	0.430
Nelson Simmons#	21	1984	EVN	AAA	OF	99.9	0.307	22	83	0.370	0.541
Barbaro Garbey	26	1983	EVN	AAA	OF	99.9	0.321	14	59	0.373	0.520
Jesse Ibarra#	24	1997	JCK	AA	1B	99.8	0.283	25	91	0.363	0.512
Russ Nagelson*	26	1971	TOL	AAA	OF	99.1	0.293	16	59	0.420	0.500

 

Pitchers	Age	Year	Teams	Levels	FIP	WLSV	ERA	WHIP	BB9	SO9
Kevin Ziomek*	23	2015	LAK	A+	2.42	9-11	3.44	1.141	2.0	8.3
Austin Sodders*	22	2017	LAK,WMI	A+,A	2.43	11-5	1.81	0.964	1.9	7.9
Brian Warren	24	1991	LAK,FAY	A+,A	2.44	11-3	2.44	0.961	1.4	7.2
Joe Mantiply*	25	2016	ERI,TOL	AA,AAA	2.02	4-2	2.74	1.066	1.8	10.5
Francisco Cordero	22	1997	WMI	A	2.04	35	1.00	0.943	2.5	11.1
Randor Bierd	23	2007	ERI,WMI	AA,A	2.07	4-3	2.95	0.952	2.1	10.8

 

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.