Triple-A ASG displays up-and-coming talent

Triple-A ASG displays up-and-coming talent

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SALT LAKE CITY -- Once thought to be largely a level for hangers-on and veterans, Triple-A ball has clearly been getting a younger demographic of late.

That was definitely on display at the Triple-A All-Star Game held at the home of the Salt Lake Bees on Wednesday. Granted, the decisive blow in the International League's 3-0 victory over the Pacific Coast League was a three-run homer by 25-year-old Russ Canzler, but both rosters were dotted with prospects who are well-regarded around baseball.

Nine players who played in front of the 12,439 fans on hand at Spring Mobile Ballpark appear on lists found at MLB.com's Prospect Watch. Two are in the Top 50 -- Reds teammates Devin Mesoraco and Yonder Alonso -- and four players attended last Sunday's Futures Game. And that doesn't include Jesus Montero (Yankees), Desmond Jennings (Rays) or Brett Lawrie (Blue Jays), all of whom have injury issues. Montero and Jennings were named to the team but had to bow out, while Lawrie has been on the disabled list for some time.

"I have noticed that," said Alonso, who replaced veteran Jeremy Hermida in the IL lineup and walked in his only plate appearance. "Obviously, I wasn't here 10 years ago, so I couldn't tell you the age factor. But right now, we have a lot of young guys and a lot of guys who are ready to play in the big leagues and do well."

"What you're starting to see is, you might have some of your top talents in Double-A, but once they learn about themselves as players -- and once they become closer to becoming a complete player -- you'll see them going to Triple-A," said Indians prospect Jason Kipnis, who homered in Sunday's Futures Game and went 1-for-2 with a double on Wednesday. "The type of talent in Triple-A this year is definitely guys that are right there, who very well -- if they were on different teams -- could be up in the big leagues.

"They just might be log-jammed, and that pays respect to all the depth we have on all these teams right now. There are tons of great players that I think could be up in the big leagues, but right now, they are just biding their time and waiting for the opportunity."

Kipnis could have very well been talking about himself, as the outfielder-turned-second baseman's knocks on the big league door have been getting louder. Kipnis has hit .297/.380/.506 with 11 homers and 11 steals for Columbus. With former Clippers teammates like Lonnie Chisenhall and Cord Phelps getting brought up to Cleveland, Kipnis must be close behind.

"No, no, no," Kipnis laughed, insisting he was not describing his own situation. "There's a bunch of guys here in the same position as me, or even closer than I am. That's what the goal is right now. All of us love being here, love being in Triple-A, but we all have our eyes set on the big leagues."

Alonso is very much in the same boat. The 2008 first-round pick made his Major League debut last September, and has once again hit well in Triple-A (.298/.372/.490). The Reds moved the No. 40 prospect to left field because he's obviously blocked by All-Star Joey Votto at first, though there doesn't appear to be a clear opportunity right now in the outfield, either.

"Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't," Alonso said. "I know it's a time thing, and I have to wait my turn. I know when I get my turn, hopefully, it will pay off. I just have to stay within myself. I know it's going to come. I just have to take care of business here. If I can do that, hopefully the doors will open for me."

For now, though, the game was a chance for these legitimate prospects to kick back and enjoy, even if it's been at a slightly hectic pace. The four Futures Gamers -- Alonso, Kipnis, Mesoraco and Dayan Viciedo (White Sox) -- were all in the International League dugout, and have kept travel agents busy, going from IL locations to Phoenix for All-Star Sunday and then to Salt Lake City. It might have been a little tiring, but there was nary a complaint about the demands.

"The Futures Game was a blast," Kipnis said. "I had a great time in Arizona. Got on the plane, came back over here. It's really not that different of a mindset. It's still the game of baseball, just different players playing around you.

"If you're going to be playing in any games during the All-Star break, these are the games you want to be playing in. These are fun. They're not do-or-die games. As much as you want to win, they're really not. They are honors to be in. Everyone's having a good time. Everyone's in a good mood. It's a great atmosphere to be in."

"It was fun," Alonso agreed. "I got to experience the whole World thing last year. But getting to experience this year was very different. I enjoyed it very much. The guys were great. Now I'm here, with all the guys in Triple-A. It's great to see guys I've seen all year round. Obviously, your success brings you to this game, and it's been fun."

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