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closeFive league stars that may shine in the future
Guy Cipriano
- gciprian@centredaily.comPlayers appearing in the New York-Penn League All-Star game at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park must handle four more levels of Minor League Baseball to fulfill lifelong goals.
Still, it’s safe to assume some future major-leaguers are roaming State College. The following are five intriguing prospects playing in tonight’s game:
Alexander Colome, RHP, Hudson Valley
The skinny: The 20-year-old native of the Dominican Republic, joins Tampa Bay Rays’ prospects Nick Barnese, Jeremy Hellickson, Jacob McGee and Wade Davis in a long list of younge pitchers to flourish for the Renegades. Colome has a 1.95 ERA leads the league with 73 strikeouts in 551/ 3 innings. Colome’s uncle, Jesus Colome, pitches for the Milwaukee Brewers.
Clayton Cook, RHP, Mahoning Valley
The skinny: Cook’s consistency is a big reason for the Scrappers’ success. Cook, who turned 19 last month, is 3-0 with one earned run allowed and 18 strikeouts in his past four starts. Cook, a 2008 ninth-round pick from Amarillo (Texas) High School, bypassed a scholarship to Oklahoma to sign with the Cleveland Indians.
Derrik Gibson, 2B, Lowell
The skinny:The Boston Red Sox have big hopes for Gibson. They selected him in the second round — 77th overall — in last year’s draft, which makes him the highest pick in this year’s all-star game. Gibson, 19, leads the league with 22 stolen bases and his 26-to-36 strikeout-walk ratio is impressive for a teenager.
Sebastian Valle, C, Williamsport
The skinny: The Philadelphia Phillies slew of riches extends to Williamsport, where the 19-year-old Valle is hitting .316 with four homers and 35 RBIs through 41 games. Valle joins Travis D’Arnaud as the second straight young catcher to star for the Crosscutters. Baseball America ranked Valle, a Los Mochis, Mexico native, as the seventh best prospect in last year’s Gulf Coast League.
Ryan Westmoreland, DH, Lowell
The skinny: The Boston Red Sox needed $2 million to sign Westmoreland after selecting the Rhode Island native in the sixth round of last year’s draft. Westmoreland, 19, might be worth the investment, flashing five-tool potential throughout this summer. He’s hitting .283 with six homers, 28 RBIs, 32 walks and 16 stolen bases. Westmoreland started his professional career at designated hitter because of offseason shoulder surgery.
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