My Early Season Minor League MVPs By Position

Let's get one thing straight. This is my list. It has nothing to do with how big a prospect someone is, it's merely reflective of who's been playing good baseball. Argue with it if you want, but this is purely based on my opinions after about a month of baseball. All stats are as of this morning. So without further ado...

Pitcher - Asher Wojciechowski (Oklahoma City)

There were a lot of good candidates to pick from here at every level, but at this point in the season, I give the nod to Wojo. In 6 appearances with AA Corpus Christi, Wojo posted an impressive 2.08 ERA. The 24 year old right hander held hitters to a .189 average and didn't allow a run in his first four appearances of the season spanning 18 innings. His performance in 2013 hasn't gone unnoticed either as he's already shot up to AAA on the heels of promotions to Jordan Lyles and Dallas Keuchel.

Year	Team	League	W	L	ERA	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	GO/AO	AVG
2010	AUB	NYP	0	0	0.75	3	3	0	0	0	12.0	6	1	1	0	4	11	1.89	.146
2010	Minors		0	0	0.75	3	3	0	0	0	12.0	6	1	1	0	4	11	1.89	.146
2011	DUN	FSL	11	9	4.70	25	22	0	0	0	130.1	156	79	68	15	31	96	1.03	.292
2011	Minors		11	9	4.70	25	22	0	0	0	130.1	156	79	68	15	31	96	1.03	.292
2012	DUN	FSL	7	3	3.57	18	18	0	0	0	93.1	91	40	37	3	22	76	1.17	.261
2012	CC	TEX	2	2	2.06	8	8	0	0	0	43.2	30	14	10	0	14	34	0.83	.190
2012	Minors		9	5	3.09	26	26	0	0	0	137.0	121	54	47	3	36	110	1.04	.239
2013	CC	TEX	2	1	2.08	6	3	0	0	1	26.0	17	6	6	1	7	27	1.24	.189
2013	Minors		2	1	2.08	6	3	0	0	1	26.0	17	6	6	1	7	27	1.24	.189

Catcher - Roberto Pena (Quad Cities)

No disrespect to Carlos Perez, or MP Cokinos, or Tyler Heineman, Pena has been on fire at the plate this year for Quad Cities. Currently riding a 9-game hitting streak, Pena is hitting .375 (21/56) with a pair of homers and 10 runs batted in. Drafted in the 7th Round by the Astros in 2010, Pena did not hit above .256 at any level in his previous three minor league seasons.

Year	Team	League	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	SO	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	OPS
2010	AST	GCL	.256	23	78	5	20	4	1	0	11	26	5	10	0	0	.294	.333	.627
2010	GRN	APP	.191	12	47	4	9	1	0	0	5	10	1	10	0	0	.224	.213	.437
2010	LEX	SAL	.188	4	16	1	3	1	0	0	1	4	0	4	0	1	.188	.250	.438
2010	Minors		.227	39	141	10	32	6	1	0	17	40	6	24	0	1	.260	.284	.544
2011	LEX	SAL	.217	82	281	31	61	11	0	5	33	87	18	58	0	0	.266	.310	.576
2011	Minors		.217	82	281	31	61	11	0	5	33	87	18	58	0	0	.266	.310	.576
2012	LEX	SAL	.245	61	220	21	54	12	0	2	22	72	10	43	1	2	.278	.327	.605
2012	LAN	CAL	.213	21	75	10	16	4	0	1	11	23	5	15	0	0	.259	.307	.566
2012	Minors		.237	82	295	31	70	16	0	3	33	95	15	58	1	2	.273	.322	.595
2013	QC	MID	.375	14	56	11	21	4	0	2	10	31	3	8	0	0	.400	.554	.954
2013	Minors		.375	14	56	11	21	4	0	2	10	31	3	8	0	0	.400	.554	.954

First Base - Marc Krauss (Oklahoma City)

Krauss has also seen time in right field and as the designated hitter, but he's going to take the first base spot after a month. Krauss has been raking and more importantly he's been a big time run producer. In 24 games, Krauss has 26 runs batted in. He's got 5 doubles and 6 home runs and his walk to strikeout ratio has steadily improved over the past three years. His ability to hit for power without striking out is what's going to get him to the next level.

Year	Team	League	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	SO	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	OPS
2009	SB	MID	.304	32	115	14	35	12	1	2	17	55	14	21	0	1	.377	.478	.855
2009	Minors		.304	32	115	14	35	12	1	2	17	55	14	21	0	1	.377	.478	.855
2010	VIS	CAL	.302	138	530	107	160	27	4	25	87	270	57	141	1	3	.371	.509	.880
2010	Minors		.302	138	530	107	160	27	4	25	87	270	57	141	1	3	.371	.509	.880
2011	MOB	SOU	.242	125	433	69	105	25	6	16	65	190	64	123	3	3	.340	.439	.779
2011	Minors		.242	125	433	69	105	25	6	16	65	190	64	123	3	3	.340	.439	.779
2012	MOB	SOU	.283	104	346	75	98	29	2	15	61	176	73	91	6	4	.416	.509	.924
2012	CC	TEX	.414	7	29	11	12	2	0	5	16	29	6	5	1	0	.514	1.000	1.514
2012	OKC	PCL	.123	22	57	3	7	0	0	0	2	7	6	20	1	1	.203	.123	.326
2012	Minors		.271	133	432	89	117	31	2	20	79	212	85	116	8	5	.397	.491	.887
2013	OKC	PCL	.329	24	82	15	27	5	2	6	25	54	13	15	2	2	.410	.659	1.069
2013	Minors		.329	24	82	15	27	5	2	6	25	54	13	15	2	2	.410	.659	1.069

Second Base - Jake Elmore (Oklahoma City)

Elmore was a 34th round draft pick by the Diamondbacks in 2008, but didn't really break out until last season. Proving last year's .344 average with AAA Reno was no fluke, Elmore is hitting at a .340 clip through 25 games in 2013. Elmore has 7 doubles, 5 stolen bases and an on base percentage of .427. He's only played 30 games in the majors and his average is sub-.200, but he's a versatile infielder with a good eye at the plate and who runs well.

Year	Team	League	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	SO	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	OPS
2008	MIS	PIO	.296	53	179	38	53	15	3	3	22	83	26	36	9	8	.390	.464	.853
2008	Minors		.296	53	179	38	53	15	3	3	22	83	26	36	9	8	.390	.464	.853
2009	SB	MID	.258	117	387	62	100	21	3	3	38	136	61	55	13	7	.365	.351	.716
2009	Minors		.258	117	387	62	100	21	3	3	38	136	61	55	13	7	.365	.351	.716
2010	MOB	SOU	.278	124	388	64	108	16	2	2	31	134	58	56	25	13	.374	.345	.719
2010	Minors		.278	124	388	64	108	16	2	2	31	134	58	56	25	13	.374	.345	.719
2011	MOB	SOU	.270	120	381	58	103	19	1	3	41	133	54	65	15	11	.362	.349	.711
2011	Minors		.270	120	381	58	103	19	1	3	41	133	54	65	15	11	.362	.349	.711
2012	REN	PCL	.344	108	419	95	144	30	9	1	73	195	74	54	32	8	.442	.465	.908
2012	Minors		.344	108	419	95	144	30	9	1	73	195	74	54	32	8	.442	.465	.908
2012	Majors		.191	30	68	1	13	4	0	0	7	17	5	6	0	0	.247	.250	.497
2013	OKC	PCL	.340	25	94	15	32	7	1	2	14	47	11	13	5	2	.427	.500	.927
2013	Minors		.340	25	94	15	32	7	1	2	14	47	11	13	5	2	.427	.500	.927

Third Base - Matt Duffy (Lancaster)

Duffy, a 20th round pick in 2011, recently had a 15 game hitting streak snapped, and he's been solid all year for the JetHawks. With 4 homers, 20 runs batted in (1 a game), and an average over .300 he's enjoying a very good if unspectacular 2013 and deserves a shoutout here.

2005-Present:
Year	Team	League	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	SO	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	OPS
2011	TRI	NYP	.298	63	235	36	70	20	1	2	37	98	15	41	2	2	.370	.417	.787
2011	Minors		.298	63	235	36	70	20	1	2	37	98	15	41	2	2	.370	.417	.787
2012	LEX	SAL	.280	134	492	73	138	32	1	16	70	220	48	106	6	3	.387	.447	.834
2012	Minors		.280	134	492	73	138	32	1	16	70	220	48	106	6	3	.387	.447	.834
2013	LAN	CAL	.303	20	76	17	23	5	1	4	20	42	8	15	0	0	.404	.553	.957
2013	Minors		.303	20	76	17	23	5	1	4	20	42	8	15	0	0	.404	.553	.957

Shortstop - Nolan Fontana (Lancaster)

Duffy's companion on the left side of the JetHawks infield is also having a really good 2013. Even though in 2012 the hits weren't dropping in for him (.225 average), Fontana has always been very disciplined at the plate drawing a high number of walks. He drew 65 in 49 games in 2012, and he's doing it again this year (27 in 20 games), only this time, he's getting hits to, to the tune of a .360 average. Put it all together and he's reaching base more than 50% of the time which is ridiculous at any level.

Year	Team	League	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	SO	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	OPS
2012	LEX	SAL	.225	49	151	37	34	9	1	2	25	51	65	44	12	2	.464	.338	.801
2012	Minors		.225	49	151	37	34	9	1	2	25	51	65	44	12	2	.464	.338	.801
2013	LAN	CAL	.360	25	89	24	32	7	2	2	19	49	27	20	4	2	.508	.551	1.059
2013	Minors		.360	25	89	24	32	7	2	2	19	49	27	20	4	2	.508	.551	1.059

Left Field - Trevor Crowe (Oklahoma City)

A first round pick, way back in 2005, Crowe saw time at the Major League Level in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Houston took a flyer on him in the offseason and so far it's paying off, if only at the AAA Level. Crowe leads the organization with 10 stolen bases, leads the RedHawks with 21 runs, and has posted a .417 on base percentage, taking over the role of leadoff hitter following Robbie Grossman's promotion.

Year	Team	League	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	SO	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	OPS
2005	MV	NYP	.255	12	51	9	13	2	1	1	6	20	6	8	4	3	.345	.392	.737
2005	LC	SAL	.258	44	178	18	46	8	2	0	23	58	18	25	7	5	.327	.326	.652
2005	AKR	EAS	.100	3	10	1	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	3	0	0	.100	.100	.200
2005	Minors		.251	59	239	28	60	10	3	1	29	79	24	36	11	8	.322	.331	.653
2006	LC	SAL	.000	2	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	.000	.000	.000
2006	KIN	CAR	.329	60	219	51	72	15	2	4	31	103	48	46	29	6	.449	.470	.919
2006	AKR	EAS	.234	39	154	20	36	7	2	1	13	50	20	24	16	6	.318	.325	.643
2006	Minors		.286	101	378	71	108	22	4	5	44	153	68	71	45	12	.393	.405	.798
2007	AKR	EAS	.259	133	518	87	134	26	4	5	50	183	62	71	28	9	.341	.353	.694
2007	Minors		.259	133	518	87	134	26	4	5	50	183	62	71	28	9	.341	.353	.694
2008	AKR	EAS	.323	49	198	45	64	16	2	4	28	96	27	29	13	5	.404	.485	.888
2008	BUF	INT	.274	35	146	25	40	12	2	5	13	71	15	43	5	2	.350	.486	.836
2008	Minors		.302	84	344	70	104	28	4	9	41	167	42	72	18	7	.381	.485	.867
2009	COL	INT	.297	49	185	27	55	11	1	2	20	74	30	31	14	7	.401	.400	.801
2009	Minors		.297	49	185	27	55	11	1	2	20	74	30	31	14	7	.401	.400	.801
2009	Majors		.235	68	183	22	43	9	3	1	17	61	11	39	6	0	.278	.333	.611
2010	COL	INT	.244	29	119	21	29	4	1	1	13	38	7	19	6	1	.281	.319	.601
2010	Minors		.244	29	119	21	29	4	1	1	13	38	7	19	6	1	.281	.319	.601
2010	Majors		.251	122	442	48	111	24	3	2	36	147	29	73	20	7	.302	.333	.634
2011	IND	AZL	.444	6	18	9	8	3	1	2	8	19	6	4	2	1	.583	1.056	1.639
2011	COL	INT	.100	5	20	1	2	0	0	0	1	2	1	3	2	0	.143	.100	.243
2011	Minors		.263	11	38	10	10	3	1	2	9	21	7	7	4	1	.378	.553	.930
2011	Majors		.214	15	28	6	6	1	0	0	2	7	4	9	3	0	.313	.250	.563
2012	AKR	EAS	.333	4	15	1	5	2	0	0	1	7	2	0	0	0	.412	.467	.878
2012	COL	INT	.250	38	132	20	33	7	1	3	12	51	17	24	8	3	.336	.386	.722
2012	SLC	PCL	.301	42	163	26	49	10	3	0	16	65	15	28	10	6	.354	.399	.752
2012	Minors		.281	84	310	47	87	19	4	3	29	123	34	52	18	9	.349	.397	.745
2013	OKC	PCL	.316	26	98	21	31	3	2	2	14	44	16	16	10	3	.417	.449	.866
2013	Minors		.316	26	98	21	31	3	2	2	14	44	16	16	10	3	.417	.449	.866

Center Field - George Springer (Corpus Christi)

Springer leads Astro minor leaguers with 8 home runs while also hitting for average for the Hooks. After hitting .219 in 22 games with the Hooks in 2012, he's hitting .292 and has driven in 20 runs in 2013. If there is a weakness in the 2011 First Round Pick's game, it's that he strikes out a LOT. He's already struck out 4 times in a game twice this year and has 35 strikeouts in 26 games this season.

Year	Team	League	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	SO	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	OPS
2011	TRI	NYP	.179	8	28	8	5	3	0	1	3	11	2	2	4	0	.303	.393	.696
2011	Minors		.179	8	28	8	5	3	0	1	3	11	2	2	4	0	.303	.393	.696
2012	LAN	CAL	.316	106	433	101	137	18	10	22	82	241	56	131	28	6	.398	.557	.955
2012	CC	TEX	.219	22	73	8	16	3	0	2	5	25	6	25	4	2	.288	.342	.630
2012	Minors		.302	128	506	109	153	21	10	24	87	266	62	156	32	8	.383	.526	.908
2013	CC	TEX	.292	26	96	19	28	8	0	8	20	60	15	35	4	2	.398	.625	1.023
2013	Minors		.292	26	96	19	28	8	0	8	20	60	15	35	4	2	.398	.625	1.023

Right Field - Jimmy Paredes (Oklahoma City)

He's been seeing a lot of time at third base lately, but I think he makes more sense as an outfielder. Paredes has been a hit machine for the RedHawks this year with 35 hits including 8 doubles, a couple triples and 3 homers. He also runs well and he's really done a good job limiting strikeouts, something that plagued him in 2012, and really his whole minor league career.

Year	Team	League	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	SO	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	OPS
2007	DSL NYY1	DSL	.259	64	266	31	69	14	4	2	42	97	6	44	5	4	.287	.365	.652
2007	Minors		.259	64	266	31	69	14	4	2	42	97	6	44	5	4	.287	.365	.652
2008	YAN	GCL	.280	47	161	23	45	9	2	1	15	61	8	20	6	0	.328	.379	.706
2008	Minors		.280	47	161	23	45	9	2	1	15	61	8	20	6	0	.328	.379	.706
2009	SI	NYP	.302	54	205	36	62	8	4	2	17	84	10	30	23	9	.336	.410	.746
2009	Minors		.302	54	205	36	62	8	4	2	17	84	10	30	23	9	.336	.410	.746
2010	CSC	SAL	.282	99	404	59	114	24	6	5	48	165	18	82	36	10	.312	.408	.721
2010	LEX	SAL	.299	34	147	24	44	10	1	3	17	65	7	25	14	1	.331	.442	.773
2010	Minors		.287	133	551	83	158	34	7	8	65	230	25	107	50	11	.317	.417	.735
2011	CC	TEX	.270	93	385	69	104	22	4	10	41	164	15	84	29	12	.300	.426	.726
2011	Minors		.270	93	385	69	104	22	4	10	41	164	15	84	29	12	.300	.426	.726
2011	Majors		.286	46	168	16	48	8	2	2	18	66	9	47	5	4	.320	.393	.713
2012	OKC	PCL	.318	124	507	92	161	28	7	13	59	242	22	101	37	10	.348	.477	.826
2012	Minors		.318	124	507	92	161	28	7	13	59	242	22	101	37	10	.348	.477	.826
2012	Majors		.189	24	74	7	14	1	1	0	3	17	6	21	2	1	.244	.230	.474
2013	OKC	PCL	.361	26	97	19	35	8	2	3	14	56	13	15	7	4	.432	.577	1.010
2013	Minors		.361	26	97	19	35	8	2	3	14	56	13	15	7	4	.432	.577	1.010