It’s quite an accomplishment and the individual teams HAVE to be happy with the Dbacks for their help in their success. The relationships between minor league franchises and their major league team can be tenuous at times. But winning championships, and making a ton of money in the process, will definitely help that relationship.

So, congratulations to all three teams!

But what does it mean for the Diamondbacks, in the big picture?

I would love to say it shows that the D-backs’ farm system just have that much more talent than other teams. However, that’s just not the case. Most roster spots on minor league teams are taken by guys that will never reach the bigs. Many aren’t even considered prospects – they are known as “org players.”

So, these “org players,” back-end starters, relief pitchers, starting position players have a HUGE part in how these teams perform. So, it actually doesn’t prove anything about the D-backs’ talent in their farms – though, the talent certainly is there.

And over the next couple of weeks, I will take a look at the 2012 seasons of many of those high-end prospects who actually did have a pretty big hand in the championships. So, keep a look out for those and would love your feedback and/or questions regarding certain prospects. The first prospect I will be taking a look at is Archie Bradley.

Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter @venomstrikes

Follow me on Twitter @JLBurnfin

Matt Davidson, the D-Backs’ #4 prospect and MVP of the Southern League Championship Series.

The Mobile BayBears of the AA Southern League won their second straight title by as score of 1-0 over  the Jackson Generals, winning their best-of-five series 3-1.  Starting and winning pitcher Mike Bolsinger threw seven shutout innings before yielding to Eury De La Rosa who pitched the next  1 2/3 frames.   Bo Shultz then recorded the final out of the series on one pitch.  The three hurlers allowed only four runners to reach base all game.  Third baseman Matt Davidson, Arizona’s #4 rated prospect  and highest ranked position player was named the series MVP.  He collected three hits in Game 3 including the game winning two-run homer as Mobile was victorious 4-2 in 10 innings.

The Single A Missoula Osprey did not have as much drama in their clinching game.  Missoula defeated the Ogden Raptors 10-0 in the third and deciding game of their Pioneer League Championship Series.  The Osprey took control in the first inning by pushing across five runs.  Highly regarded outfielder Socrates Brito along with fellow 20 year-old teammate Breland Almadova each drove in two runs in the frame.  Infielder Jake Lamb  and catcher Yosbel Gutierrez each cracked two-run homers Missoula cranked out 13 hits. This was the third title for Missoula as members of the D-Back organization previously winning in 1999 and 2006.

Triple Crowns do not happen all that often in baseball.  Yet, I bet there have been more Triple Crown winners in Major League Baseball than a single organization winning three Minor League Championships in a single season.  It may not make for major headlines but it certainly is a remarkable achievement.

Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter @venomstrikes

Follow me on Twitter @ltj41

(more...)