RTTS (Minors - Season 1) End of Regular Season - Hapshoops32's Dynasty

Hapshoops32's Dynasty Blog

RTTS (Minors - Season 1) End of Regular Season

Posted on March 16, 2011 at 01:25 AM.

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GRIZZLIES WIN DIVISION, LOOK TO PLAYOFFS

Fresno, CA (AP) - It's already been an exciting summer of baseball for Grizzlies fans, and that excitement will only continue now as Fresno gears up for the post season. The Grizzlies finished the regular season with back-to-back wins in Tacoma, clinching their spot in the playoffs. The Grizzlies will be taking on the Colorado Springs Sky Sox in the first round of the Pacific Coast League playoffs.

Grizzlies Top Prospects
Player	Age	Pos	Class	Stats
Saul Imperator	20	CP	AAA	39 SV, 2.29 ERA, 52 Games
Christian Amaya	23	2B	AAA	.328, 69 RBI, 26 SB, .407 OBP
BRIAN HAPPEL	18	RF	AAA	.354 AVG, 14 RBI, .566 SLUG
Morris Ashburn	21	SP	AAA	14-5, 2.94 ERA, 128 K

While post season baseball is certainly exciting, fans also had the benefit all year of watching some possible future stars working to earn a spot on the big club. Closer Saul Imperator certainly held his own at the AAA level, posting 39 saves and a 2.29 ERA in 52 appearances. Christian Amaya's play at second base was very encouraging, and the 23-year-old had a quality year at the dish, hitting .328 with 69 runs batted in. "There's certainly plenty to be happy about," said skipper Steve Decker, "We've got some good young talent that I believe will make an impact on the big club in the near future. These guys just have to keep putting in the work."

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: Happel hit his first home run in AAA with Fresno back on August 10. He only hit one other HR in his time with the Grizzlies

One of the more pleasant surprises has been the emergence of right fielder Brian Happel. "The Kid" truly is a kid still - he's only 18 years old! But, he has played like a seasoned pro, for the most part. Since joining the Grizzlies at the beginning of August, he hit a whopping .354 with an above average slugging percentage of .566. He lost a bit of the power he had in AA ball, maybe due to the long season he is certainly not used to playing this early in his career. Happel really struggled with runners in scoring position, hitting a disturbingly low .182. "I know that's definitely one area I have to work on. There's still plenty of my game that needs to get better. But, I need to be able to get guys home, especially when I'm batting in those RBI spots in the lineup."