Minor League Players of the Week (v12):

Pitcher:
Dellin Betances, 23, RHP, AA
6 IP, 9 K, 2 BB, 4 H, 0 HR, 1 ER
Notable: 6 ground outs vs. 1 air outs

NoMaas Ranking – #7

Previous 2011 MLPW Wins: 6, 7, 9, 10

We swear we’re not doing this on purpose, but Betances keeps putting up the best pitching performances in the system. He’s basically had a monopoly on the award this season, which obviously speaks well to his production. However, there haven’t been many other starting pitchers who have been overly exciting to date (other than perhaps Manny Banuelos, Jairo Heredia, and Nik Turley). This is why we asked Mark Newman to compare the farm system this season to last.

After his latest start, here is how Betances measures up to the rest of the Eastern League:

6th in Strikeouts (86)
4th in ERA (2.62)
7th in Walks (40 – meaning the 7th most walks in the EL)
4th in K/9 (10.32)
5th in BB/9 (4.76 – meaning the 5th highest BB/9 in the EL)
3rd in Batting Average Against (.193)
19th in FIP (3.69 – not as impressive because of the walks)

Hitter:
Abraham Almonte, 22, SHB CF, A+
.320 / .433 / .640 in 30 PAs, 1 SB
Notable: 5 BB vs. 3 K

NoMaas Ranking – None

Previous 2011 MLPW Win – None

Signed as an international free agent in 2005, Abraham Almonte had a big week going 8-25 with 5 walks. The once-second baseman turned centerfielder hit two home runs and a triple, as well as stealing a bag. It was a rare offensive displayed from young Abe.

Almonte only played 15 games in 2010, as he fell victim to shoulder surgery. Almonte is not much of a hitter as his 242/.318/.340 season line shows (.255/.337/.380 career). Where he adds value is on the basepaths. He’s stolen 131 bases in 172 attempts (76%), including 17 bases this year (7 CS). In the year before he got hurt, he grabbed 36 bags in 41 attempts.

If he could only get on base more often….

Honorable Mentions:

Tyler Austin, 19, RHB 1B/3B, Rookie
.392/.413/.620, 3 SBs in 29 PAs
13th round pick in the 2010 draft, .377/.434/.623 with 9 SBs (0 CS) on the season

Raymond Kruml, 25, LHB OF, AA
.428/.428/.678 in 28 PAs, 2 SBs
29 SBs (9 CS) on the season

Jose Rosario, 19, RHB SS/2B, Rookie
.434/.458/.565 in 24 PAs
2009 international free agent

DJ Mitchell, 24, RHP, AAA
7 IP, 5 K, 2 BB, 4 H, 0 ER
Back-to-back excellent starts

Shane Greene, 22, RHP, A+
6 IP, 7 K, 2 BB, 3 H, 1 ER
Pitching much better than his 3-9 record suggests, 3.81 FIP

*Props to Zolio Almonte for winning the Florida State League Player of the Month for June. He took home a NoMaas MLPW during the month too.