Travis Whitmore’s day began on the bench.It ended with his teammates mobbing him between first and second base.FORT WAYNE – Minor league baseball is all about development.
Throughout the course of this season, the TinCaps developed into a playoff team. After going 30-39 in the first half, Fort Wayne started the second half 2-7. The TinCaps rebounded, finishing 39-31 in the second half to qualify for the playoffs for a third consecutive season. Fort Wayne won its opening round series against Bowling Green, but the year came to an end Monday after Lansing took the Eastern Division championship series in two games.
The TinCaps finished with an overall record (including the playoffs) of 71-72.
Manager Shawn Wooten credited the players for the turnaround. For many of them, this was their first full season of baseball.
One can never tell which TinCap will make it to majors. But here’s a look at a handful of prospects.
Can’t miss
Rymer Liriano
Position: Outfielder
Height, weight: 6-0, 211
2011 statistics: .319 batting average, 12 HR, 62 RBI
Skinny: Liriano struggled during a short stint in Fort Wayne in 2010. He returned in 2011 with more confidence. It showed as he earned the Midwest League MVP award and was named the league’s top prospect. It was the first time a Fort Wayne player won the MVP award. Liriano has all the tools. He can hit for power and for average. He has great speed (65 stolen bases, matching a franchise record) and has a strong arm.
Can’t miss
Keyvius Sampson
Position: Pitcher
Height, weight: 6-0, 185
2011 statistics: 12-3, 2.90 ERA, 143 K
Skinny: Sampson retired all 18 batters he faced in the season opener. It was the beginning of an outstanding season for the team’s ace. Sampson showed his makeup in the regular-season finale. He bounced back from a tough outing (6 runs in 2 1/3 innings) to pitch the TinCaps into the playoffs with a dominating performance against West Michigan (1 run, 5 hits in 6 innings). He struck out eight of the first 11 batters he faced.
Solid prospect
Cory Spangenberg
Position: Second baseman
Height, weight: 6-0, 185
2011 statistics
: .286, 2 HR, 24 RBI
Skinny: The No. 10 overall pick in this year’s draft rebounded from a slow start (2 for 29, a .069 batting average) to be a productive player near the top of Fort Wayne’s lineup. Spangenberg was a sparkplug in the playoff series against Bowling Green, scoring in the first inning in both games.
With luck
Jake Blackwood
Position: Third baseman
Height, weight: 6-0, 195
2011 (Fort Wayne) statistics: .284 average, 9 HR, 43 RBI
Skinny: Blackwood was the most consistent hitter in the first half. He finished second on the team in home runs and third in doubles (26) despite playing just 71 games. He was a starter for the Eastern Division in the Midwest League All-Star Game and gained a promotion to Lake Elsinore (where he hit .251 with 8 home runs and 33 RBI) shortly after the second half began. The 26-year-old (today is his birthday) was drafted in 2006 and spent 2010 playing independent baseball.
Long shot
Yefri Carvajal
Position: Pitcher
Height, weight: 5-11, 226
2011 statistics: 2-3 record,
5.04 ERA, 45 K, 27 BB
Skinny: Carvajal and Robert Lara were making the transition to pitcher. Carvajal was an outfielder in Fort Wayne in 2008-09. He returned this season as a reliever. He has a lively arm and will continue to learn with each outing.
