The Scrapperbook: All-Star Report

With the season beginning to wind down and the All-Star game officially over, here's the Scrapperbook: All-Star Report.

Record: 25-33, fifth place, 10 games behind Jamestown.

Mid-season Most Valuable Pitcher: Alex Kaminsky

Kaminsky has arguably been one of the best pitchers in the New York-Penn League, yet alone on his team to this point in the season. In his 11 starts, he has never given up more than 3 ER. In fact, he's only allowed 3 ER in one start. In 55.1 IP this season, he holds an impressive 1.95 ERA, which ranks fifth lowest in the league. He's 5-3; his win total is third best in the league, and he very easily could have a few more wins to his record. Kaminsky has only allowed 41 hits (3.7 per game) and only two home runs. In addition, he's only given up 12 ER (1.1 per game), and has only surrendered 16 walks, while striking out 45. More impressively, hitters are hitting a mere .210 against him. He gained a much deserved spot on the All-Star team.

Mid-season Most Valuable Offensive Player: Jonathan Burnette

This was difficult to choose because both Jonathan Burnette and Giovanny Urshela deserve this award, but the two areas in which Burnette separates himself from Urshela are that he's been more consistent providing offense throughout the entire season than Urshela and Burnette's knack for driving the baseball out of the ballpark. His .291 batting average ranks him second best on the team, behind Urshela. Burnette has slugged out 62 hits, best on the team, and eighth most in the league. His 13 doubles and 3 triples also rank him best on the team. His power has been a plus this season, hitting 8 out of the ballpark, which ranks him fifth best in the league. He's drivin in 27 runs, while scoring 27 times himself. The one concerning aspect to his game, to this point, has been his strike out to walk ratio. So far, he's struck out 47 times and has only drawn 13 walks. His OBP still stands at .333, while his OPS is .826.

Current Roster Breakdown

Pitchers

Cole Cook, 2010 5th round selection.

Jordan Cooper, 2010 9th round selection.

Dale Dickerson, 2009 16th round selection.

Anthony Dischler, 2010 23rd round selection.

James Ehlert, 2010 undrafted free agent signing.

Casey Gaynor, 2010 undrafted free agent signing.

Michael Goodnight, 2010 13th round selection.

John Goryl, 2009 undrafted free agent signing.

Alex Kaminsky, 2010 undrafted free agent signing.

Takafumi Nakamura, 2009 undrafted free agent signing.

Julio Ramirez, 2010 minor league free agent signing.

Mike Rayl, 2009 15th round selection.

James Reichenbrach, 2010 undrafted free agent signing.

Gregorio Rosario, 2010 free agent signing.

Kyle C. Smith, 2009 20th round selection.

Nathan Striz, 2010 22nd round selection.

Kirk Wetmore, 2009 11th round selection.

Catchers

Richard Martinez, 2004 undrafted free agent signing.

Moises Montero, 2008 26th round selection.

Diego Seastrunk, 2010 16th round selection.

Infielders

Jesus Aguilar, 2008 undrafted free agent signing.

Nicholas Bartolone, 2010 6th round selection.

Tyler Cannon, 2010 12th round selection.

Dan DeGeorge, 2009 undrafted free agent signing.

Aaron Fields, 2010 42nd round selection.

Kevin Fontanez, 2008 24th round selection.

Giovanny Urshela, 2008 undrafted free agent signing.

Outfielders

Trent Baker, 2007 undrafted free agent signing.

Jonathan Burnette, 2010 18th round selection.

Jordan Casas, 2010 40th round selection.

Brian Heere, 2010 41st round selection.

Carlos Moncrief, 2008 14th round selection.

Kevin Rucker, 2007 47th round selection.

Players to Watch:

With a bunch of new players suddenly on the roster, Cole Cook, Anthony Dischler, Michael Goodnight, Nathan Striz, and Nicholas Bartolone are all guys to keep your eye on. Drew Pomeranz and Kyle Blair are also with the team, but most likely will not pitch for the rest of the year. As always, stars Alex Kaminsky, Giovanny Urshela, and Jonathan Burnette are also guys worth watching going forward. Don't discount Jesus Aguilar's potential, as well as Diego Seastrunk's recent offensive surge.

Posted in: Mahoning Valley