Just throwing this out there for anyone with a perspective on our minor leaguers...

 

Tim Hummel seems to be putting together a "decent" year down in AAA. Don't know how his fielding has been, but hitting .284 with a .350 OBP, and a 1:7 K:AB ratio. Not setting the league on fire by any means, but does he still have a future in the organization?

 

And Brian Cooper isn't a name I hear too much about, but he pitched well yesterday for Charlotte, 7.2IP, 0ER. And he's sporting a 3.60 ERA, with a 2.7:1 K:BB ratio. Any chance he'd be able to help the Sox down the stretch this year (september call up) and in the coming years?

 

Thanks for any info.

I don't know much about Hummel, but judging from his numbers and the guys in front of him on the Sox I think the most value he will give us is in a trade. Things could open up for him, but as you said he isn't ripping it up in AAA.

I see Hummel as a utility player, but I can't really see him as an everyday player. Of course he could be given a shot to earn the job at second if we don't have Robbie back next season, which is a possibility. Hopefully he keeps improving and proves us all wrong...

 

Cooper I know nothing about...

Cooper was signed the same day as Loaiza,Daubach,Heredia, etc. I think he's a bit older too.

Another guy down at AAA that no one is talking about is Rivera. He is the catcher that the Sox picked up off of waivers a couple of months ago from San Deigo. He is hitting .355/6/24 in 107 AB's with a .991 OPS since joining the AAA. He is a former high draft pick that was thought highly of in the Tigers organization. If I am not mistaken he has hit 20+ HR's in the minors at least twice(including 1 30+ HR season). His defense is suppose to be decent as well. I believe he is 26 so he is still fairly young and has some major league expereince. I really think this guy could turn out to be a steal and possible an everyday catcher, especially if Olivo continues to struggle offensively. At the very least he appears to be a decent back up option when Alomar leaves.

Another guy down at AAA that no one is talking about is Rivera. He is the catcher that the Sox picked up off of waivers a couple of months ago from San Deigo. He is hitting .355/6/24 in 107 AB's with a .991 OPS since joining the AAA. He is a former high draft pick that was thought highly of in the Tigers organization. If I am not mistaken he has hit 20+ HR's in the minors at least twice(including 1 30+ HR season). His defense is suppose to be decent as well. I believe he is 26 so he is still fairly young and has some major league expereince. I really think this guy could turn out to be a steal and possible an everyday catcher, especially if Olivo continues to struggle offensively. At the very least he appears to be a decent back up option when Alomar leaves.

So what's the catch? A catcher with this potential doesn't get released that often for no reason...

So what's the catch?  A catcher with this potential doesn't get released that often for no reason...

If I recall he's been horrible whenever he's gotten a shot in the majors. I could be wrong on that though.

 

Assuming for the moment that I'm remembering correctly, the catch appears to be that he's a AAAA player.

Another guy down at AAA that no one is talking about is Rivera. He is the catcher that the Sox picked up off of waivers a couple of months ago from San Deigo. He is hitting .355/6/24 in 107 AB's with a .991 OPS since joining the AAA. He is a former high draft pick that was thought highly of in the Tigers organization. If I am not mistaken he has hit 20+ HR's in the minors at least twice(including 1 30+ HR season). His defense is suppose to be decent as well. I believe he is 26 so he is still fairly young and has some major league expereince. I really think this guy could turn out to be a steal and possible an everyday catcher, especially if Olivo continues to struggle offensively. At the very least he appears to be a decent back up option when Alomar leaves.

I've noticed him. He has been amazing down there and your right he was once very highly touted.

 

I think next year him and Olivo will be the catching tandem. I only hope Kendall is in left field.

We have two other guys at Charlotte who are hitting way over .300, Gload and Hankins, but they can't get arrested because they are 27 or so.

Year Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS   

 2001 DET 4 12 2 4 2 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 .333 .333 .500 .833   

 2002 DET 39 132 11 30 8 1 1 11 4 35 0 0 .227 .254 .326 .579   

 2003 SDG 19 53 2 9 1 0 1 2 5 11 0 0 .170 .241 .245 .487   

 Career   62 197 15 43 11 1 2 14 9 48 0 0 .218 .255 .315 .570 

 

Rivera's major league stats. Nothing really great. Also if I remember correctly, his defense was below average. But I could be wrong about that.