Prospects are good in Cal League
Before they made it to the Hall of Fame, Don Drysdale, Joe Morgan, Don Sutton, Reggie Jackson, Rollie Fingers, George Brett, Dennis Eckersley and Kirby Puckett all had to prove they could make it in the California League, a 10-team minor league stretching from Stockton to Lake Elsinore. Although a version of the Cal League existed as early as 1887, the current circuit was founded in 1941. After a three-year suspension for World War II, the league returned in 1946 and opened play for the 62nd consecutive season earlier this month.
A Class-A full-season league, the California League is a rung in the middle of the minor league ladder, two steps above rookie ball and two steps below triple A. But it is unique among minor leagues in that half its teams play in ballparks located less than a 90-minute drive from at least one big league stadium.
Other prominent Cal League alumni include Rickey Henderson, Ken Griffey Jr., Mark McGwire and Pedro Martinez.
SOUTH
HIGH DESERT MAVERICKS
Seattle Mariners
Phone: (760) 246-6287
Website: www.hdmavs.com
2007 record: 54-86
Comment: The losingest team in the league a year ago, the Mavericks are off to a fast start this season behind the hitting of catcher Travis Scott. Outfielders Greg Halman, a 20-year-old from the Netherlands, and Carlos Peguero, a 21-year-old Dominican, are among the Mavericks with the highest ceilings.
INLAND EMPIRE 66ERS
Dodgers
Phone: (909) 888-9922
Website: www.sixtysixers.com
2007 record: 72-67
Comment: Although the 66ers lost 11 of their first 15 this season, the minor league talent in the Dodgers’ system is among the best in baseball -- and much of it is on display in San Bernardino. Pitchers James Adkins, Josh Wall and Javy Guerra, third baseman Josh Bell and catcher Carlos Santana all rank among the Dodgers’ top 21 prospects.
LAKE ELSINORE STORM
San Diego Padres
Phone: (951) 245-4487
Website: www.stormbaseball.com
2007 record: 74-65
Comment: Left-hander Cory Luebke and catcher Mitch Canham were both first-round picks last June and will be playing their first full summer of pro ball this year. But outfielder Cedric Hunter, who made a brief visit to triple A last season, may have the biggest upside of anyone on the Storm roster.
LANCASTER JETHAWKS
Boston Red Sox
Phone: (661) 726-5400
Website: www.jethawks.com
2007 record: 83-57
Comment: The winningest team in the league a year ago, the JetHawks, who unveiled new uniforms this season, have hovered around .500 in the early going. But the team is loaded, boasting, among others, first baseman Lars Anderson, considered to be Boston’s top minor leaguer, and third baseman Jorge Jimenez, who is off to a blazing start. Also on the team is reliever Josh Papelbon, a South Atlantic League All-Star in 2007 and the brother of Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon.
RANCHO CUCAMONGA QUAKES
Angels
Phone: (909) 481-5000
Website: www.rcquakes.com
2007 record: 69-71
Comment: Rancho Cucamonga, which led the league in attendance last season, is a convenient place for the Angels to send rehabbing major leaguers, which is why Garret Anderson, Erick Aybar, Maicer Izturis, Howie Kendrick, Juan Rivera, Bartolo Colon, Justin Speier and Jered Weaver all played there last season. Among the top prospects on the Quakes’ roster this season are right-hander Sean O’Sullivan and outfielder Peter Bourjos, who has blossomed after going in the 10th round of the 2005 draft.
NORTH
BAKERSFIELD BLAZE
Texas Rangers
Phone: (661) 716-4487
Website: www.bakersfieldblaze.com
2007 record: 57-83
Comment: Speedy center fielder Julio Borbon, a first-round pick last June, is a five-tool player who signed a $2.1-million deal with the Rangers. He played sparingly last summer because of a broken ankle, which may be contributing to his slow start this season. Venezuelan right-hander Omar Poveda has two-plus pitches and is already in the Rangers’ plans at the big league level.
MODESTO NUTS
Colorado Rockies
Phone: (209) 572-4487
Website: www.modestonuts.com
2007 record: 76-64
Comment: Right-hander Esmil Rogers, signed as a shortstop out of the Dominican Republic, has been converted into one of the Rockies’ top pitching prospects. Catcher Michael McKenry, a seventh-round pick in 2006, had 22 homers and 90 RBIs in his first full minor league season last year.
SAN JOSE GIANTS
San Francisco Giants
Phone: (408) 297-1435
Website: www.sjgiants.com
2007 record: 73-67
Comment: The Giants, who captured their third Cal League title in seven seasons last summer, won 10 of their first 15 games this season. Lefties Ben Snyder and Clayton Tanner -- both ranked among the Giants’ top prospects -- combined to win their first three decisions, giving up only one earned run in 34 innings. Right-hander Kevin Pucetas, a 17th-round draft pick in 2006, was named the most spectacular pitcher in the minor leagues last season.
STOCKTON PORTS
Oakland A’s
Phone: (209) 644-1900
Website: www.stocktonports.com
2007 record: 64-76
Comment: The Ports are anchored by hard-throwing right-hander Trevor Cahill, Oakland’s top pick in the 2006 draft, and outfielder Jermaine Mitchell, the fastest man in the A’s organization.
VISALIA OAKS
Arizona Diamondbacks
Phone: (559) 625-0480
Website: www.oaksbaseball.com
2007 record: 77-63
Comment: Led by right-hander Wes Roemer (Cal State Fullerton) and catcher Ed Easley, both first-round picks in last June’s draft, and former Pepperdine righty Barry Enright, a second-round pick in 2007, the Oaks are young but talented. Venezuelan outfielder Gerardo Parra, 20, ranks among the top five prospects in the Arizona system.
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