Local baseball “must-sees”
And now for some shameless promotion for the 51s, Las Vegas' AAA baseball team, of which my newspaper maintains a very small financial interest. If you're a baseball aficionado and looking for a rising star to see in person, this is the blog item for you. I asked the 51s who is a "must see" in this last half of the baseball season and received this recommendation. You can get the scoop to catch a game here.
Outfielder Travis Snider: First round selection in 2006 draft...Ranked by Baseball America as the No. 1 prospect in the Blue Jays system...a power hitting left-handed hitter...just 21 years old and began the season with the Blue Jays...made his major league debut last season at just 20 years old...hit a combined 21 home runs, 97 RBI over three levels (A, AA, AAA)...appeared in 24 games for Toronto and batted .301 in 2008.
Catcher J.P. Arencibia: First round selection in 2007 draft...23 years old...Ranked by Baseball America as the No. 2 prospect in the Blue Jays system...has played the entire '09 season with L.V. and has 25 doubles, 10 HR, 44 RBI...had a combined 36 doubles, 27 HR, 105 RBI in '08 between Double-A and Triple-A...played college baseball at the University of Tennessee...ranked among USA Baseball's college national team's top prospects.
LHP David Purcey: First round selection in 2004 draft...26 years old and began the season with the Blue Jays...has pitched in Las Vegas for the majority of the season...6-foot-5, 235 pounder is a power pitcher...played college baseball at the University of Oklahoma...pre-season all-american as a Sooner...made his major league debut last season with the Blue Jays....won three games for the Blue Jays in '08.
Outfielder Buck Coats: Left-handed hitter...originally drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 18th round of 2000 draft...good speed as a center fielder and leads the 51s in stolen bases...Toronto acquired him in a trade from Cincinnati in 2007...made his major league debut with the Cubs in 2006...appeared in a total of 46 career major league games with Chicago, Cincinnati and Toronto (2008).
LHP Fabio Castro: Traded to Toronto from Philadelphia in exchange for Matt Stairs on August 29, 2008...24 years old...originally signed by Chicago White Sox as a free agent in 2001...named the PCL Pitcher of the Week for the 51s on May 11...also compiled a scoreless innings streak of 24.1...was among the league leaders in ERA in the PCL earlier in the season.
