Minor League Review: June

Rochester Red Wings (AAA):

Hitter of the Month: Justin Huber, 1B
.264/.333/.500, 4 2B, 0 3B, 7 HR, 1/2 SB, 11 BB, 19 K in 120 PA
The former top catching prospect pounded International League pitching in the month of June to the tune of a .236 ISO. He turned 27 last week and doesn't figure to have much of a future at the major league level with Justin Morneau manning first base for the Twins, but he has consistently put up good numbers at AAA over the years.

Pitcher of the Month: Juan Morillo, RHP
10 G, 13 IP, 20 K, 10 BB, 4.15 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 2.59 FIP, 39.3 GB%
Morillo's line basically sums up the Red Wings pitching woes during the month of June, as he managed to win pitcher of the month honors for the 2nd straight month despite a decidedly average ERA and WHIP. His strikeout rate, 13.85 K/9 in June, along with his 95+ MPH fastball, remain his two great attributes.

New Britain Rock Cats (AA):

Hitter of the Month: Rene Tosoni, OF
.304/.439/.494, 7 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 2/5 SB, 15 BB, 13 K in 99 PA
Tosoni followed up his .971 OPS in May with a .933 OPS in June. He also sliced his strikeout rate almost in half from the first two months of the season, and walked more than he struck out in June. With the Red Wings featuring only three outfielders on their roster, Tosoni could see a promotion sooner rather than later.

Pitcher of the Month: Yohan Pino, RHP
8 G, 13 IP, 10 K, 2 BB, 0.00 ERA, 0.31 WHIP, 2.39 FIP, 46.4 GB%
At 23 years old, Pino is putting himself firmly on the prospect map with over 1 strikeout per inning out of the bullpen for New Britain this season. In June, Pino did not allow any runs while limiting opponents to 4 baserunners in 13 innings.

Fort Myers Miracle (A+):

Hitter of the Month: Chris Parmelee, OF
.297/.391/.554, 7 2B, 0 3B, 4 HR, 0/0 SB, 11 BB, 17 K in 87 PA
The Twins' 2006 first round draft pick has always shown impressive power and posted a good walk rate, but with his low average, high strikeout rate, and lack of speed he has been the opposite of the typical Twins' prospect. That, of course, is not a bad thing. At 21 years old in his first season at high-A ball, Parmelee has posted a .190 ISO and .359 WOBA, without any help from a near career low .311 BABIP.

Pitcher of the Month: Henry Arias, RHP
8 G, 16 IP, 14 K, 4 BB, 3.38 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 3.32 FIP, 47.7 GB%
In his first season with the Twins' organization, Arias has produced an underwhelming overall line for the season. The 24 year old had an outstanding month of June, though, as his line above demonstrates. Arias has also shown improved control this year, with a K:BB over 2 for the first time in his career.

Beloit Snappers (A):

Hitter of the Month: Ozzie Lewis, OF
.319/.329/.500, 4 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 0/1 SB, 2 BB, 15 K in 76 PA
As you can tell from the fact that I chose a hitter with 2 walks all month, there weren't any really impressive among performances among the Beloit hitters in June. Lewis showed some power in June, with a .181 ISO, and that was enough for him to take top honors in June.

Pitcher of the Month: Daniel Osterbrock, LHP
5 G, 27.7 IP, 23 K, 2 BB, 2.28 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 2.97 FIP, 47.4 GB%
This was a much tougher choice than the hitter, as the entire Beloit starting rotation had an impressive month, with Osterbrock, Bobby Lanigan, Brad Tippett, and Michael Tarsi combining for 91 strikeouts and 17 walks in 104 innings. Osterbrock was the best of the bunch, though, as he began to show the same kind of complete domincance that he displayed in rookie league last season.