We don't switch affiliates that frequently. Just happened to be recently that we changed most our affiliations, but we are generally around for an extended period. Did you see the post on Astros County regarding losing/winning in the minors and how it has related to our affiliations?
How do you figure? Bieleki was 25 Kittle was 24 Salmon was 24 (less than a month older than Springer at the time) Francis was 23 (four months younger than Springer) Hellickson was 23 despite not even going to college. A big part of why Springer is older than most of the list is that he was nearly 22 when he got drafted. He was signed almost 2 years to today.
How is it possible that anybody else is even up for consideration for the award? There's no way that another hitter can make a case vs. Springer statistically.
Because pitchers are eligible to? That said, Springer will win. BTW, vote for Springer for USA Today's Minor League Player of the Year. http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...n-buxton-miguel-sano-george-springer/2646791/
Baseball America will more than likely name Byron Buxton its POY .330 12 hr 75 rbi 50 steals 19 2B 16 3B As a 19 year old across 2 levels.
Based on what? His age? Springer dwarfs buxton in about every category other than steals, BA, and 3Bs. But Springer actually got BETTER when he was promoted, while Buxton regressed.
Well lets see...... he gets suspended for 50 games for testing positive for THC MULTIPLE times... he knew if he tested positive he would get a 50 game ban..... guess what, he tested positive again. He then claimed he was embarassed and would make up for it...... so he proceeded to gain a great deal of weight and not stay in shape during his 50 game suspension, never mind the fact that he is a PROFESSIONAL. There have been murmurs from day one that Singleton's fundamentals are behind where they should be. So now.... you tell me what is going on? What is the logical conclusion?
Meh Buxton struggled in A+ and Springer is in AA/AAA and has been a FAR better player. The award isn't Best Longterm Prospect, but Player of the Year. Buxton is an elite prospect, but his production has not been THAT good.
I would also include that he has 7 walks with his 8 strikeouts. I am not going to defend the guy, but I think it is important to look at ALL of the surrounding factors. The guy is slumping, but he has drawn walks in 14 of his last 17 games. Sure, maybe it isn't a great trade off, but at least not all of his game is deteriorating. The guy needs to lose weight, and I hope he takes the off season serious this time around. The end of this season could be a great thing for him, and it is worth noting that this is his first stint in AAA. Struggles will be had, and it is really easy to target his weight and lack of focus, but it can also just be catching up to the level.
When Buxton fills out, his 2Bs will become HRs. Wait, even if all his doubles were HRs, Springer would have more HRs.
I don't know about that. Even a casual fan knows that at AAA we've gone from New Orleans to Round Rock to OKC within the last 10-12 or so years. Before New Orleans, Tuscon was there. All depends on how you define "recently"... but that's 4 AAA teams within one generation of fans. I didn't even go into the low level leagues which seem to change even more frequently. Off the top of my head, I don't know which affiliate we've been with the longest... but I know its not long enough to develop any deep rooted ties. I agree that wining in the minors is important... I just don't expect it to translate into instant life-long Astros fans. Hell, OKC itself is gonna be Rangers/Cardinals territory due to the location and the fan legacy there... I'd even venture to bet that a good number of people in that city don't realize the Astros are the new major league affiliate, let alone the Astros now being an AL team.
That's just how BA does things. Mike Trout was POY and he definitely didn't have the best year. BA states that it's a combo of numbers and upside.
Unfortunately, Springer would be the one of the oldest players to ever receive the award. I do think voters take age into account... older prospects tend to be more advanced physically, and have a greater potential to dominate (along with less upside). Buxton being younger is an advantage... even if he didn't have as good of a year statistically.
