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Last week we looked at the top hitting prospects of the decade in the California League and how they have fared as they moved up into the big leagues. Now we will look at the top pitching prospects that have spent time in California this past decade.

In 87 innings for the Ports, Cahill posted a K/BB ratio of 103/31 to go with an ERA of 2.78 and WHIP of 0.95. Cahill had continued success in both Midland of the Texas League and for Team USA in Beijing to round out his 2008 season. There’s a good Cahill along with Brett Anderson may win a job in the A’s rotation to begin the 2009 season.

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With only 21 days left until minor league rosters are finalized and the 2009 regular season begins, let’s take a look and see how some top prospects have done since leaving the California League on their way towards the Major Leagues. These are the top hitters of each year from this decade. I will discuss pitchers in another post.

2000: Ryan Ludwick, Modesto A’s, 21 years old – St. Louis Cardinals
A little late in blossoming into the major league success we might have expected, but based on last season alone, Ludwick’s transition to the majors would have to be considered a success. In 2008, Ludwick became only the third player in major league history to hit 30 homers and drive in 100 runs at age 30 while accumulating fewer than 750 at-bats in prior seasons.

2001: Xavier Nady, Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres), 22 years old – New York Yankees
Nady has proven himself at the major league level to be more than capable of his ability to hit the ball off left handed pitchers. Even playing with the lowly Pirates, his numbers in Pittsburgh (.330-13-57) were better than they were in New York (.268-12-40) that leaves him fighting for a position on the Yankee starting line up.

2002: Rocco Baldelli, Bakersfield Blaze (Rays), 20 years old – Boston Red Sox
Sometimes compared to Smokin’ Joe DiMaggio, Baldelli was a legit player before injuries became the dominant factor in his career. Baldelli was diagnosed last spring with a mitochondrial disorder, causing fatigue in his legs that limited him to 26 games with the Rays and threatened his career. This year will be a make or break season for Baldelli.

2003: Casey Kotchman, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Angels), 20 years old – Atlanta Braves
Kotchman’s high ranking in the Cal League may have contributed to not having lived up to the rankings he once had. However, he still has yet to reach his peak and has the skills to become a solid player. In his first 22 games after being traded to the Braves, Kotchman hit .149 and left fans wondering why team officials believed they could move forward with him as the first baseman. Then in his final 21 games of 2008, Kotchman hit .321 with 15 RBIs .

2004: Erick Aybar, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Angels), 20 years old – LA Angels of Anaheim
Aybar hit .277 with three homers, 18 doubles, 39 RBIs and 53 runs in 98 games last season. The complete evaporation of his game at times has meant reaching the bottom of his range as a player, but worse fielders than Aybar have had ten-year careers in the bigs.

2005: Brandon Wood, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Angels), 20 years old – LA Angels of Anaheim
Wood continues to struggle and has not made the big jump yet to a hitter in the majors. Some weaknesses in his game may find the once big time prospect a way back to the minors. If lucky Wood will likely begin the regular season on the bench, backing up both Chone Figgins at third base and Erick Aybar at shortstop.

2006: Reid Brignac, Visalia Oaks (Rays), 20 years old – Tampa Bay Rays
Brignac played four games at shortstop and started twice in his less than stellar stint in the major leagues that saw him go 0-for-10 at the plate and make two errors. Brignac looks like a guy who shows how far it can be from high Class A to the big leagues.

2007: Justin Upton, Visalia Oaks (Diamondbacks), 19 years old – Arizona Diamondbacks
Upton shows limitless potential. Compiling an OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging) of .816, hitting .250 with 15 homers and 42 RBIs in 108 games for the Diamondbacks in 2008

2008: Carlos Santana, Inland Empire 66ers (Dodgers), 22 years old – Cleveland Indians
Carlos Santana, no not the guitarist, is regarded as the Indians top prospect since being acquired from the Dodgers for Casey Blake last year. Santana, a third baseman before Los Angeles converted him to catcher, will probably find himself behind the plate for the Akron Aeros to start the 2009 season.

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Baseball is as much a tradition to Bakersfield as Basque food and pump jacks. More than a dozen players have swatted balls and rounded bases on their way to the major leagues since Bakersfield entered the California League in 1941. Many of who are still playing today.

Bakersfield Baseball Teams, affiliations, and notable former players
(Players are shown with last known team)

Bakersfield Blaze (2005–present) Texas Rangers
Tyler Teagarden (Texas Rangers)
Max Ramirez (Texas Rangers)
Chris Davis (Texas Rangers)
Edinson Volquez (Cincinnati Reds)

Bakersfield Blaze (2001-2004) Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Roco Balldelli (Boston Red Sox)
Josh Hamilton (Texas Rangers)
John Danks (Chicago White Sox)

Bakersfield Blaze (1997-2000) San Francisco Giants
Joe Nathan (Minnesota Twins)

Bakersfield Blaze (1995-1996)
Hideo Nomo (Kansas City Royals)

Bakersfield Dodgers (1968-1975) (1984-1994) Los Angeles Dodgers
Pedro Martinez (NY Mets)
Mike Piazza (Oakland A’s-Retired)
Don Drysdale (Los Angeles Dodgers-Retired)

Bakersfield Mariners (1982-1983) Seattle Mariners

Bakersfield Outlaws (1978-1979) Independent

Bakersfield Bears (1957-1967) Independent
Bill Russell (Los Angeles Dodgers-Retired)

Bakersfield Boosters(1956) Independent

Bakersfield Indians (1946-1955) Independent

Bakersfield Badgers (1941-1942) Independent
 

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This year the Cal League will boast some of the hottest prospects since Josh Hamilton, Jake Peavey and Matt Cain. This years hottest prospect will Bakersfield's Justin Smoak, but there are several more worth watching from around the Cal League as they make their way through Bakersfield.  

Bakersfield Blaze (Texas Rangers)
Player to watch in 2009
Justin Smoak (1B) was the Rangers #11 pick in the 2008 draft. During his three years at the University of South Carolina, the switch-hitting first baseman set career records with 62 home runs and 207 RBIs. With a smooth, easy swing and decent power, this switch-hitting first baseman might just be the long-term answer to the Mark Teixeira shaped hole in the Rangers lineup.
Other prospects to watch for in 2009
Michael Main (RHP), Blake Beavan (RHP) and Engel Beltre (OF)

Inland Empire 66’ers (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Player to watch in 2009
Chris Withrow (RHP) was #1 in the 2007 draft but has pitched only thirteen innings as a pro. Withrow has a low to mid 90’s fastball and 12-6 curveball.
Others prospects to watch for in 2009
Ethan Martin (RHP) and Matt Sartor (RHP)

Lancaster Jet Hawks (Houston Astros)
Player to watch in 2009
Jason Castro (C) was selected 10th overall in the 2008 draft. After two mediocre seasons at Stanford, he led the Cardinal in batting average (.376) while hitting 14 HRs with 73 RBIs.
Other prospects to watch for in 2009
Collin Delome (OF)

Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim)
Player to watch in 2009
Angels12th round draft pick in 2006 Jordan Walden (RHP)whose performance in the Midwest league was more than good, posting a 2.18 era, and holding opposing hitters to a .207 batting average. Possessing the best fastball in the system, Walden should begin the year in Rancho Cucamonga.
Other prospects to watch for in 2009
Trevor Reckling (RHP) and Mason Tobin (RHP)

Stockton Ports (Oakland A’s)
Player to watch in 2009
Jemile Weeks (2B), the 12th overall selection of the June amateur draft, has performed admirably in his first professional appearance, posting an .827 OPS at low A Kane County.
Other prospects to watch for in 2009
Scott Mitchinson (RHP) and Craig Italiano (RHP)

High Desert Mavericks (Seattle Mariners)
Player to watch in 2009
Standing 6’7” and 220 lbs and possessing a fastball in the upper 90’s, Canadian born Phillippe Aumont (RHP) should begin the 2009 season in High Desert. After trashing Midwest League hitters to the tune of 50 strikeouts versus just 19 bases on balls in 55 innings, the 20 year old has emerged as the top-pitching prospect in the organization.
Other prospects to watch for in 2009
Juan Ramirez (RHP) and Dennis Raben (OF)

Lake Elsinore Storm (San Diego Padres)
Player to watch in 2009
James Darnell (3B), 2nd round pick in 2008 should get his start at Lake Elsinore to begin 2009. Darnell possesses above average athleticism for a third baseman that should allow for him to be an asset running the base paths.
Other prospects to watch for in 2009
Jackson Quezada (RHP) and Cory Luebke (LHP)

Modesto Nuts (Colorado Rockies)
Player to watch in 2009
Darin Holcomb (3B) who took home the Sally Leagues MVP award in 2008 finished with an impressive line of .318/.400/.491, with 14 HRs and 102 RBIs. The former Gonzaga Bulldog is a plus defender at third.
Other prospects to watch for in 2009
Christian Friedrich (LHP) and Connor Graham (RHP).

San Jose Giants (San Francisco Giants)
Player to watch in 2009
Madison Bumgarner’s (LHP) 2008 performance in the Sally League was phenomenal; a 15-3 record, 1.46 ERA, a strikeout to walk ratio of 164-21 in 141 innings, and a WHIP of 0.93. He has all the makings of a big league pitcher.
Other prospects to watch for in 2009
Buster Posey (C), Angel Villalona (1B) and Scott Barnes (LHP)

Visalia Rawhide (Arizona Diamondbacks)
Jarrod Parker (RHP) the ninth overall selection of the 2007 draft finished the 2008 season by striking out 117 batters in 117.2 innings while posting an era of 1.91. Parker features a plus fastball a curve, slider, and change.
Other prospects to watch for in 2009
Daniel Schlereth (LHP)

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The California League was established in 1941 and today is a Class A Advanced baseball league (just under Double-A) it is  highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth step between Rookie ball and the Major Leagues.

The league was started in 1941 and except between  the years of 1942-1946 -- when the league ceased operations during WWII -- has been a training ground for many of baseballs stars for over half a century.

Bakersfield is one of the original cities to join the league since its enception.

Still many Bakersfield residents do not fully understand the league, it's history and affiliations with Major League Baseball.

Throughout this coming season the Bakersfield Blaze Blog site will post some of Bakersfield's baseball rich history, stories, reflections and memories from fans, players and coaches both past and present.

Below you will see a list of the 2009 Cal League teams along with their major league affiliates. As you can see most of these teams are located within a short to moderate distance from Bakersfield and are affiliated with all five of California's MLB teams. We have a wonderful opportunity to see future stars play or come through Bakersfield on their way to the major leagues.

In future posts we will discover Bakersfield's past teams and their affiliations.

The California League Teams and their 2009 Major League Affiliations

Bakersfield Blaze (Bakersfield, Ca) - Texas Rangers

High Desert Mavericks (Adelanto, Ca.) - Seattle Mariners

Inland Empire 66ers (San Bernardino, Ca.) - Los Angeles Dodgers

Lake Elsinore Storm (Lake Elsinore, Ca.) - San Diego Padres

Lancaster Jethawks (Lancaster, Ca.) - Houston Astros

Modesto Nuts (Modesto, Ca.) - Colorado Rookies

Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Rancho Cucamonga, Ca. ) - Anaheim Angels

San Jose Giants (San Jose, Ca.) - San Francisco Giants

Stockton Ports (Stockton, Ca.) - Oakland A's

Visalia Rawhide (Visalia, Ca.) - Arizona Diamondbacks

So get out to a game and be part of baseball history and support your 2009 Bakersfield Blaze.

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Former Bakersfield Blaze and current Texas Rangers catcher Max Ramirez will join Venezuela for the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

The opening round of the second World Baseball Classic kicks off March 6, and makes its way to San Diego's Petco Park for the half of the second round from March 15-19.

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The Blaze finished the 2008 season with an overall record of 26-44, 16 games behind the first place San Jose Giants in the Cal League South.

With new skipper Steve Buechele and rookie sensation Justin Smoak (1B) along with Michael Main (RHP), Blake Beavan (RHP) and Engel Beltre (OF).

Where do you think the Blaze will finish in 2009? Leave your comments and weigh in with your prediction.