Baseball America ranked Mallards’ first baseman/designated hitter Harold Riggins as the Northwoods League’s eighth best prospect.
Rochester, MN – August 31, 2009. La Crosse Loggers catcher Rob Brantly (California-Riverside) ranks as the top prospect in the Northwoods League for 2009 according to the list published today by “Baseball America”. Brantly won the Northwoods League batting title with a .346 average while helping his Loggers claim the South Division Championship.
On Brantly, Baseball America’s Aaron Fitt reports:
“Widely regarded as one of the top recruits in Southern California last year, Brantly had a solid freshman season at UCR (hitting .316/.344/.454) before exploding in the NWL. He led the league in batting (.346), ranked third in on-base percentage (.411) and second in slugging (.516), while compiling six homers and 34 RBIs. He showed off his mature offensive approach and ability to make consistent contact by drawing 21 walks and striking out just 11 times, the fewest of any NWL qualifier. Brantly’s smooth lefthanded swing creates good backspin, and he projects to add more power as he fills out his wiry 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame. Behind the plate, he’s a decent receiver and blocker with some arm strength, though his defense lags a bit behind his bat. He also earns plaudits for his ability to handle a pitching staff. Brantly should garner plenty of interest as a draft-eligible sophomore next spring, but he could be a premium pick as a junior in 2011.”
The complete list of BA’s top prospects for the Northwoods League is below. Alexandria, Green Bay, and Rochester all placed two players in the top 10. Scouting reports on all of the players can be found on the premium section of BA’s website at baseballamerica.com.
Name, Position, Team, (Year in School, College) (final 2009 NWL statistics)
1. Rob Brantly, C, La Crosse (So., UC Riverside) (.346, 14 doubles, 6 home runs, 34 RBI)
2. Dixon Anderson, RHP, Green Bay (So., California) (3-2, 1.61 ERA, 56 IP)
3. Michael Kvasnicka, OF/C, Brainerd Lakes Area (Jr., Minnesota) (.314, 8 doubles, 2 home runs, 26 RBI)
4. Tony Thompson, 3B, Rochester (Jr., Kansas) (.293, 5 doubles, 1 home run, 14 RBI)
5. Matt Miller, RHP, Alexandria (So., Michigan) (2-2, 3.18 ERA, 28.1 IP)
6. Erik Johnson, RHP, Alexandria (So., California) (4-2, 2.61 ERA, 58.2 IP)
7. Brooks Pinckard, RHP/OF, Eau Claire (Jr., Baylor) (.286, 12 doubles, 4 triples, 3 home runs, 24 RBI; 2-0, 0.77 ERA, 11.2 IP)
8. Harold Riggins, 1B, Madison (So., North Carolina State) (.308, 13 doubles, 9 home runs, 48 RBI)
9. Zach Varce, RHP, Green Bay (Jr., Portland) (3-5, 1.93 ERA, 74.2 IP, 105 K’s)
10. Corey Jones, 2B/SS, Rochester (Jr., Cal State Fullerton) (.315, 10 doubles, 13 home runs, 43 RBI)
