Indians outfielders lead domination of Carolina League

Dear pitchers of the Carolina League,

Please take note of the opposing team’s outfield unit. Your ERA, WHIP and general psychological well being may be in danger.

Outfielders are dominating the offensive leaderboard through the first week of the season. Haven’t noticed? Consider the following: (All stats entering play Wednesday)

• Among the top 10 batting averages in the league, six belong to outfielders, including the top four.
• Among the 10 ten players with the highest on base percentage, eight are outfielders.
• The four highest OPSs? You got it. Outfielders.

Be especially careful when pitching against Lynchburg. That pasture-roaming trio of Indians prospects is mashing. Pay no mind to the fact that the Hillcats have the league’s worst team ERA (4.79) and WHIP (1.41) and the rest of the offense couldn’t hit with an ironing board—they’re sixth of eight teams in team OPS and tied for sixth in team batting average—the outfielders can rake. Luigi Rodriguez leads the league in hitting at .387, is second in OBP at .441 and leads the league in OPS (1.086).

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And he’s not even the best prospect on the team. Clint Frazier and Bradley Zimmer, the Indians’ No. 2 and 3 prospects, respectively, according to MLB.com, are playing the other two outfield spots. Frazier is hitting .300, 10th in the league, while Zimmer leads the league with four home runs and is in the top 10 in both OBP and OPS.  It’s only going to get worse once Frazier’s power numbers start to show up.

Don’t sleep against the Salem Red Sox, either. Centerfielder Manuel Margot, the Boston Red Sox’s No.6 prospect, is third in the league in AVG (.357) and OPS (1.010) and is tied for third in runs scored (10). Rightfielder Aneury Tavarez isn’t far behind, hitting .342 (fourth) and getting on base at a .395 clip (sixth).

But I’m not done. The Myrtle Beach Pelicans have two fly ball chasers to worry about as well. Billy McKinney, the best Cubs prospect nobody has heard of, is hitting only modest .306 (ninth) but has the third highest OBP in the league (.419). His teammate Mark Zagunis is close behind with the fourth-highest OBP (.408). Chances are you’ll walk Zagunis at least once, considering he leads the league with 10 free passes.

I haven’t even talked about Bubba Starling. The former first round draft pick is the only notable outfielder on the Wilmington Blue Rocks, but he’s been a one-man wrecking crew: he’s first in the league in OBP (.471) and second in AVG (.386) and OPS (1.084), including two home runs and four doubles.

Hopefully this warning finds you well and in time to adjust your tactics accordingly.

Cordially,

A concerned baseball fan.

All stats from MiLB.com

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