4 Things to Watch Out for in Minor League Baseball Playoffs
By Chris Russo
While you watch your favorite major league team either prepare for a postseason ride or an October full of golfing in Florida, men, both young and old, are getting ready for the Minor League Baseball postseason. With an eye on the future, here is what you have to look out for the most.
4. Alfonso Rivas and the Las Vegas Aviators
Oakland's No. 25 prospect crushed a three-run blast to blow open an eventual 9-3 victory over the Sacramento River Cats in Game 1 of the best-of-three Pacific Coast League Semifinals. Rivas hit 24 doubles at Single-A Advanced Stockton, and could be a supplemental option for Oakland once the minor league season ends. For now, he's mashing his team's way to a Triple-A title.
3. Bobby Bradley and the Columbus Clippers
Bradley, Cleveland's No. 7 prospect and a likely big league call-up in the near future, drove in a pair of runs in a 5-4 win over the Gwinnett Stripers in Game 1 of the International League Semifinals. Bradley hit 33 homers in 107 Triple-A games this year. Tribe fans, in need of a boost on offense, should have a keen eye on his performance.
2. Clarke Schmidt and the Trenton Thunder
The Yankees' No. 5 prospect dominated yet again, following Jordan Montgomery with six innings out of the bullpen in the Thunder's 4-3 win in Game 1 of their best-of-five Eastern League Semifinal series with the Reading Fightin' Phils. He posted a 2.73 ERA in three outings in Double-A this year after spending most of the campaign in Single-A Ball, and could be on the fast track to the bigs next year.
1. Montgomery Biscuits Dealing With Tragedy
The Rays' Double-A Biscuits won Game 1 of the best-of-five Southern League Semifinals on Brett Sullivan's first multi-homer game in four years. The team looks to bond around Blake Bivens, the 24-year-old pitcher who lost his wife, son, and mother-in-law in late August. The team plays Game 2 Thursday night.