Twins, Nationals Take Two of Independent Baseball’s Power Hitters in Ziegler and Peterson

With so much talk in the baseball universe about the lack of power hitting prospects, it is good to see that people in the Minnesota and Washington scouting departments have been paying attention.

They have grabbed two of the best long-ball artists the Independent leagues have produced recently.

The Twins stepped up to ink the American Association’s new home run record holder, C. J. Ziegler, who also was named that league’s Player of the Year, then was tabbed by Baseball America as Independent Player of the Year.  The Washington Nationals signed free agent Brock Peterson, who hit 25 homers and drove in 86 runs in less than a full season for St. Louis’s top farm club in Memphis, TN.

While neither has been invited to a major league spring training camp, it seems logical both players, primarily first basemen, will get some looks during camp.  This is especially true for Peterson since the former Atlantic Leaguer (Bridgeport, CT, ’11-12) got his first major league opportunity last season, going 2-for-26 with two RBI while being used primarily as a right-handed pinch hitter as the Cardinals were bidding for their eventual National League title.

Ziegler toppled the American Association home run record (Brandon Sing, 27, Sioux Falls, SD, 2010) when he hit 30 for Wichita, KS while driving in 99 runs in 100 games.  It is not out of the question that the 28-year-old Ziegler, who also has played in the Frontier League and the North American League for four consecutive seasons, could end up at some time in the future battling long time Can-Am League first baseman Chris Colabello for playing time with Minnesota.  Their stock could have actually improved somewhat earlier this week when veteran Ryan Doumit was dealt to Atlanta.  While Doumit is a switch-hitter, his absence opens the door at least a crack for either player to replace his power potential as a designated hitter.  Incidentally, Colabello has been struggling in the Dominican Republic, going without an extra base hit in his 16 games and hitting only .164.

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 Robinson Cano’s Cousin Also Joins Seattle Organization

Seattle made another interesting signing only days after inking Robinson Cano for $240 million.  The Mariners have given his cousin, third baseman-outfielder Burt Reynolds, a minor league deal.  The 25-year-old Dominican native has shown some power by hitting 26 home runs in three Independent seasons, 2011-12 with Newark, NJ (Can-Am League) and last season with Camden, NJ (Atlantic League).  Reynolds has never played in more than 71 games in any of six minor league seasons with his best batting average of .289  in a rookie league in the Tampa Bay minor league system his first season (’08).

Another former Camden player, outfielder Felix Pie, who logged some time with Pittsburgh last season, is going to give the Korean league a shot, signing with the Hanwah Eagles.

Nuno Credited With Best Control Among Yankees

Southpaw Vidal Nuno, who remains on the New York Yankees’ 40-man roster and could be a sleeper to get into the Bombers’ rotation next season, has been dubbed by Baseball America as the pitcher with the best control among the team’s prospects.  The 26-year-old, who started six games in the Frontier League (Washington, PA) in 2011 (2-3, 2.83) after being in the Cleveland organization and before signing with the Yankees, had a 2.25 earned run average in five games, including three starts, with New York last season.

       (This is an excerpt from the column Bob Wirz writes year round on Independent Baseball.  Fans may enjoy added stories on the blog www.IndyBaseballChatter.com, or comment to RWirz@aol.com.  The author has 16 years of major league baseball public relations experience with Kansas City and as spokesman for two Commissioners and lives in Stratford, CT.)