Keeping An Eye Out.
Triple-A All-Stars Are Showcasing Their Talent In The Big Dance.
Ray Z. Perea
8.08.02 - Some Triple-A
All-stars have parleyed their minor league success into Major League playing
time. With some teams out of the play-off picture the parent clubs are allowing
top prospects to audition their talents.
Colorado Sky Sox outfielder
Jack Cust is logging time with the Colorado Rockies. Cust, called-up on August
1st was named both the PCL Star of Stars and the Maurice LaCroix/Lou Gehrig
Most Valuable Player in the 2002-Triple-A All-Star Game.
The outfielder was batting
.265 with 23-HR’s and 55-RBI’s for the SkySox before packing his
bags. Cust has natural power, but like all players making the transition to
the big dance he will have to learn to be more patient at the dish.
Having a good eye will
allow Cust to excel in this process. In only 105 games with the SkySox, Cust
walked 83-times. Another attribute that Cust will get work on is his defense.
He will have to polish his skills in this area to become a staple in left
field for the Rox.
So far Jack has seen action
in four games for Colorado. He has 2-hits and four-RBI’s. If his audition
goes well he should start out the 2003 campaign on the Rockies 40-man roster.
Right-Handed fire-balller
Aaron Myette started the game on the hill for the PCL All-stars on July 10th.
After a rocky start to the game Myette settled down and did not allow a run.
He has since moved onto the confines of the Ball-Park At Arlington. The Rangers
have called on Aaron four times so far.
He has accumulated a 11.91
ERA, allowing 36-hits, 31-runs, 8-dingers,15-walks and has struck-out 24.
In Oklahoma Myette sported
a 7-4 record with a 3.10 ERA in 106 Innings Pitched. He allowed 86 hits and
issued 44 walks while striking out 106 batters.
Aarons’ audition
will hopefully allow him to work on his control. He has the gas, he just needs
to learn when to turn it on and when to dial it down.
This trip may be the last
time he gets called up. If he “tweeks” his game now and in the fall
he could get a spot in the Rangers pitching rotation.
Myette has the potential
to take the ball every fourth day, or come out of the “bulley” and
mow down the side to earn the save.
Another late season audition
is in San Francisco. The Giants are allowing Fresno Grizzlie reliever Manny
Aybar to strut his stuff for the club.
His stint will determine
if he has the salt to handle pressure situations in the late innings of a
big league pennant race.
Aybar did not have a problem
with this task at Triple-A. Manny all but had the PCL save record [32] in
the bag before being promoted.
With over 44-innings pitched,
32 of those innings being in the ninth he gave up a meniscus 18-earned runs.
The right-hander had also racked up 24 saves.
Aybar has the attitude
to be a closer, and the repertoire. He will need work on his delivery to remain
the majors.
So far Manny has two-innings
pitched for the Giants without a save. He has allowed one earned run. Aybar
has also fanned 4 and walked 1.
