Editor’s note: Check back here through November
25 as our local writers call out the top players – starter, reliever and
position player - at each level of the St. Louis Cardinals minor league system.
We’ll conclude the series with the top three players across the entire
organization – our 2007 Scout.com Cardinals Players of the Year.
~~~~~~
Here are the bright spots from the
2007 season for the Memphis Redbirds:
Starting Pitcher of the Year: Mike Parisi
Judging strictly from a
statistical standpoint, Parisi didn’t have the type of year that jumps off the
page. He compiled an 8-13 record as
well as a 4.91 ERA in 28 starts.
Look closer though, and you will see that he led thee team with 165
innings pitched as well as collecting 111 strikeouts. Parisi proved to be a workhorse who
refused to miss a start because of nagging injuries and consistently put
together solid outings.
Parisi was never dominant or
overpowering but he always kept his team in the game and never gave in. The improvement he showed from his first
start to his last were definitely noticeable as he seemed to gain better command
as well as get more break on his curveball. Parisi’s first year in AAA may not have
been what he imagined but it is certainly a building
block.
Honorable Mention: Randy Keisler
Keisler was third on the team with
156 innings pitched while posting a 4.79 ERA in 24 starts. Keisler was up and down between the
Cardinals and the Redbirds and he provided a solid foundation for the Redbird
rotation.
Reliever of the Year: Mark Worrell
As the Redbirds’ lone All-Star
representative, it can be said that Mark Worrell received his fair share of
recognition as a standout on the hill.
Still, at times it seemed like Worrell was often overlooked as part of a
solid bullpen for Memphis. Worrell posted a 3-2 record to go along
with 3.09 ERA over 67 innings. The
right-hander struck out just under a batter inning as he collected 66
strikeouts.
Honorable Mention: Brian Falkenborg
In a season that saw Falkenborg
become the all-time save leader for the Pacific Coast League, he recorded 23
saves over 51 games. Falkenborg also posted a 3.25 ERA over 52.2 innings.
Position Player of the Year: Rick Ankiel
This was more obvious than the sun
rising and setting; Ankiel was obviously the main attraction in
Memphis and their Player of the
Year. Ankiel hit 32 home runs and
had 89 RBI in Memphis before being called up and
sparking the big league club.
Ankiel was responsible for
towering home runs as well as spectacular plays in the field whether it be
tracking down a deep fly or unleashing a rope from centerfield. He was all over the place for the
Redbirds and was easily the Player of the Year.
Honorable Mention: Edgar Gonzalez
Gonzalez was a stalwart for the
team the whole year, getting into 126 games and hitting .308. Gonzalez also had 34 doubles as well as
eight home runs while playing all over the field wherever and whenever he was
needed.
| Scout.com |
Position
Player |
Starting
Pitcher |
Relief
Pitcher |
| Cards Players |
|
|
|
| of the Year |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Memphis (AAA) |
Rick Ankiel |
Mike Parisi |
Mark Worrell |
| Springfield (AA) |
Colby Rasmus |
Mitchell Boggs |
Jason Motte |
| Palm Beach (A+) |
Allen Craig |
Adam Ottavino |
Luke Gregerson |
| Quad Cities (A) |
Jared
Schweitzer |
Brandon Dickson |
Kenny Maiques |
| Batavia (SS) |
Steven Hill |
Jess Todd |
Josh Dew |
| Johnson City (SS) |
Beau Riportella |
Brian Broderick |
Eduardo Sanchez |
| Gulf Coast (SS) |
D’Marcus Ingram |
Carlos Gonzalez |
Reynier Gonzalez |
| Domincan (SS) |
Juan Mosquera |
Arquimedes
Nieto |
Angel Tapia |
| Venezuelan (SS) |
Ismael Cardona |
Richard
Castillo |
Carlos Oraa |
(Click on the team name
highlighted above to be taken to that detailed article.)
Next up: 2007 Scout.com Relief Pitcher of
the Year for the entire Cardinals’ minor league system.
© 2007 stlcardinals.scout.com. All
rights reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten or
redistributed.