It is finally here, the start of the Northwest League. For the next two and half months, eight teams full of young men will strive to not only win the league championship but to also show off their talent in an attempt to earn a promotion to the next level. Every player will give it their all because they know in order to get one step closer to achieving their dream of playing at the major league level they must first show they are worthy of that opportunity here.
This season may end up looking different then past years because of the changes in the rules for drafting players and signing those draft picks. The signing deadline was moved up from mid August to mid July which could result in top round picks playing four to five weeks longer in the league. Better players in this league are a win for both players and fans alike. Players will be able to showcase their skills against stronger competition, and fans will appreciate the increase of potential future major league players who will be on the field for each of the eight teams.
A few players to watch in the league.
Everett AquaSox
Marcus Littlewood-After being drafted in the 2nd round of the 2010 draft as a SS, Littlewood begins his first season as a catcher. His natural athletic ability can make this transition easier like what Buster Posey did in college but the real question is whether.
Patrick Kivlehan- Won the triple crown for the Big East. What makes this amazing is he hadn’t played baseball for four years because he was playing football for Rutgers. #PureAthlete
Victor Sanchez – The youngest player in the league was considered the top international pitching prospect when he signed with the Mariners in 2011. Sanchez was also considered to be a top OF prospect but his pitching talent is just too good to move him off of the mound.
Eugene Emeralds
Rodney Daal- Despite just turning 18 three months ago, Daal already has a year of experience, playing 24 games in the Arizona league last year. Signed out of the Netherlands in 2010 Daal is the youngest player on the Emeralds roster and the second youngest in the league (Victor Sanchez for the AquaSox is almost a full year younger).
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
Chris Stratton- The Giants have a strong track record of making good picks in the first rounds, especially with pitchers (Cain, Lincecum, Bumgarner) and Stratton looks to continue that. The Volcanoes lacked strong pitching last year but Stratton could solidify the rotation as the ace coming into the season.
Vancouver Canadians
Eric Philips – The sixth round pick in this year’s draft, Philips is the highest draft pick on the roster for the Candians. Philips started 60 games at Georgia Southern and had a batting average of .391. If he can maintain a higher average and build some power into his hitting he could be a sleeper in the Blue Jays system.
Jorge Flores – Flores is listed as 5 ft 5 inches and 160 pounds. I don’t know about everyone else but this screams Dee Gordon, not very big but he can play defense and is fast. At Central Arizona College Flores was 31 of 36 for steals. I don’t know if he has the potential to be a top prospect in the organization but players don’t get drafted because they are nice people. The Blue Jays took him in the 19th round this year because they saw something in him.
Spokane Indians
Royce Bolinger- After being selected in the 6th round by the Texas Rangers Bolinger didn’t even have to move to a different city to start his professional career. There will be a comfort level playing in the Spokane for Bolinger that can either benefit him or make him complacent. I personally see it has a benefit , but either way he is one to watch.
Tri-City Dust Devils
Peter Tago – Tago was the supplemental first round selection of the Rockies in 2010 but struggled in 2011 posting a 7.07 ERA in 19 starts. Tago was drafted out of high school so this could simply of been a case of a young man not quite transitioning well to professional baseball. He is young and I look for him to rebound this season and show why he was a first round pick.
Charlie Blackmon- Blackmon is probably my One-to-Watch for the entire league because I don’t see him being in the league once he is healthy. Blackmon has already made his Major League debut with the Rockies but hasn’t been able to capture his past season success and is being given the chance to work out the kinks in the Northwest League.
Yakima Bears
Ronnie Freeman – The 5th round pick in this year’s draft Freeman, catcher out of Kennesaw State, looks to show that he has the potential to be a top prospect in the organization for the D-Backs. Catchers are hard to find, but if Freeman can show a solid glove behind the plate and add some hitting he can quickly move up through the ranks.
Boise Hawks
Shawon Dunston Jr – Its always interesting to see just how good the son of a former major league player can be. Dunston is making is professional debut after being selected in the 4th round last year and being only 19 years old Dunston still has time to develop into a solid player.
Hayden Simpson- This former first round pick has struggled in his first season and a half as a professional and really needs to take this opportunity with the Hawks to get himself in order if he wants to move up in the system.