Sep

5

2007 All-Cape MLB Team

Posted by Andrew | Filed Under News | 

If you had to pick a team made up of CCBL alumni, what would it look like? Answer: pretty damn good.

To give you some idea of how good, take a look at Cape Cod Baseball League alums who are currently contributing to MLB teams who are in the pennant chase this month. Greg looked the CCBL’s list of alumni in the major leagues and found nearly 70 former Cape players who are contributing to teams still in contention. That’s a different list of players from our “all-Cape MLB team” for this season but gives you a sense of the impact of this league on the MLB.

Chris Young, San Diego Padres. Image from “ewen and donabel” on Flickr.comStarting Pitchers

  1. Chris Young (San Diego; Chatham ‘00)
  2. Aaron Harang (Cincinnati; Cotuit ‘98)
  3. Brian Bannister (Kansas City; Brewster ‘01)
  4. Ben Sheets (Milwaukee; Wareham ‘98/Orleans ‘99)
  5. Rich Hill (Chicago NL; Chatham ‘00-’01)

Relievers

  1. (closer) JJ Putz (Seattle; Y-D ‘97/Hyannis ‘98)
  2. (setup) Billy Wagner (New York NL; Brewster ‘92)
  3. (middle relief) Pat Neshek (Minnesota; Wareham ‘01)

Catchers

  1. Jason Varitek (Boston; Hyannis ‘91-’93)
  2. (backup) Kelly Shoppach (Cleveland; Harwich ‘00)

Infield

  1. (1B) Carlos Peña (Tampa Bay; Harwich ‘96/Wareham ‘97)
  2. (2B) Chase Utley (Philadelphia; Brewster ‘98/Cotuit ‘99)
  3. (3B) Ryan Braun (Milwaukee; Brewster ‘04)
  4. (SS) Khalil Green (San Diego; Falmouth ‘99-’00)

Outfield

  1. (LF) Eric Byrnes (Arizona; Chatham ‘95/Hyannis ‘96-’97)
  2. (CF) Aaron Rowand (Philadelphia; Brewster ‘96-’97)
  3. (RF) Lance Berkman (Houston; Wareham ‘96)

Bench

  1. (3B) Mike Lowell (Boston; Chatham ‘94)
  2. (2B) Brian Roberts (Baltimore; Chatham ‘98)
  3. (3B) Garrett Atkins (Colorado; Cotuit ‘98-’99)
  4. (3B/1B/LF) Kevin Youkilis (Boston; Bourne ‘00)
  5. (RF) Brad Hawpe (Colorado; Y-D ‘99)

Anyone you would add/subtract? Any honorable mentions? Keep in mind that this list is based on 2007 statistics.

Comments

6 Responses to “2007 All-Cape MLB Team”

  1. Jerry Reilly on September 5th, 2007 9:12 am

    Your list of CCBL alum on teams in contention missed some current Red Sox players:

    Relief pitcher Javier Lopez Fal ‘97
    Catcher Kevin Cash Fal ‘99
    Outfield Jacoby Ellsbury Fal ‘04

  2. Andrew on September 5th, 2007 9:36 am

    Hi Jerry,

    My list is a list of the best Cape players from this season in the MLB. Greg compiled a different list with all of the alum in contention. We will try to share that list in the future.

    With Jacoby’s recent performance, he could arguably be put on this list.

  3. CapeMan on September 5th, 2007 10:41 am

    A couple of additions to mention:

    1. Aaron Hill 2B - (Wareham, Toronto Blue Jays); Having a good season at .271, 14 HR & 70 rbi. I’d replace B. Roberts with Hill based on overall production.

    2. Frank Thomas DH - (Orleans, Toronto Blue Jays); For him, having an OK season w/ 21 HR & 81 rbi. You need a DH right?

    It is amazing that you put this team together and it is hard to find a spot for Todd Helton. Just shows the DEPTH of the talent…which actually might be the larger point that these lists are proving. Most summer leagues can put together a list of former star players but NONE can put together a list with such depth.

    3.

    3.

  4. Andrew on September 5th, 2007 11:06 am

    Good points. I figured any of the bench players could fill in at DH, but the Big Hurt really defines that role.

    I would still keep Roberts at 2B. He has 40 stolen bases so far, and is turning into the new Cal Ripken Jr. figure of Baltimore with his consistency. Also, Hill has more errors. But, Hill has been improving every year and will surely make my list soon.

    I also hate to mention it, but having Brian’s father as a field manager for Cotuit also helps his case.

  5. Hank on September 19th, 2007 4:52 pm

    Ryan Braun of the Brewers did not play for Chatham in 2000, Ryan Braun of the Royals, did. RHP/closer from Wake Forest and then transferred to UNLV

  6. Andrew on September 21st, 2007 12:47 pm

    Thanks for the info Hank. The Brewers’ Ryan Braun was with Brewster in ‘04.

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