August 20th, 2012 at 7:45 am 
by Harold Uhlman As difficult as it is to believe, the baseball season is starting to wind down, especially at the minor league levels. I absolutely love the anticipation of a new baseball season when all things seem to be possible. I equally dread the season coming to a close with the world standing still for the next four months or so. However, much is still to be played out in our now shortened season. For beginners, some of our farm teams will be playing in the extended season playoffs.
Is there any significance to winning a minor league championship? Minor league systems don’t seem to be judged by how many of the affiliate teams make the playoffs. The barometer of success for the farm system appears to be based on the number of MLB ready players in the system or are projected to be successful at the MLB level. The systems therefore are judged on subjective projections for individual players rather than on team achievement. Nevertheless, I expect that making the playoffs at any level is a team goal and doing so is a sign of success. Participating in the playoffs offers valuable experience to minor league players who at some point in their careers may be in the heat of a playoff run or actually playing in post season games at the highest level possible. A quick check reveals that our farm system teams are competing hard for a chance to extend their seasons into the post season.
Isotopes
The AAA Albuquerque Isotopes are presently in first place in the PCL American Southern Division, four games up on the New Orleans Zephyrs with 15 games remaining. The ‘Topes have extended their lead to four games by taking two weekend games from the Zephyrs 3-1, and 6-0. The two teams meet again on Monday and Tuesday at Isotope Park where the local team has compiled a league best 44-22 record at home.
Lookouts
Our AA team, the Chattanooga Lookouts, have a three game lead on the second place Jackson Generals with 14 games left. The Generals won the first half playoff spot so the Lookouts actually have a six game lead over the third place Birmingham Barons. The Lookouts have won seven of their last ten games, playing well at their home park, AT&T Field.
Quakes
The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, our High-A team, is tied for the second wild card spot with the Lancaster Jethawks. Two wild card spots were created as the same team, the High Desert Mavericks, will win the south division in both the first and second half. The Quakes have won six of their last eight games, including their last five games at the Epicenter.
Loons
The Great Lake Loons, playing out of Dow Diamond, will not qualify for post-season play as they are nine games behind the Bowling Green Hot Rods with fifteen games remaining in their schedule.
Raptors
In the Rookie Pioneer League the Ogden Raptors have already won the first half and have qualified for the playoffs. In the second half the Raptors trail the Orem Owlz by two and one half games. The Raptors have 17 games remaining and are 6-4 in their last ten games. Eleven of their remaining games will be played at Lindquist Field in Ogden, whose view beyond the outfield fence was named the best in professional baseball by a staff writer for Grand Slam Enterprises.
The view beyond the outfield fence at Lindquist Field in Ogden, Utah was named the best in professional baseball. (Photo credit – diamondvisits.blogspot.com)
Dodgers
The AZL Dodgers Rookie team has a 4 game lead over the Indians with 10 games to go, six of them being played at Camelback Ranch.
The Dominican Summer League Dodgers Rookie team has been eliminated from winning the division. They are nine games behind the Mariners and a wild card spot doesn’t appear to be possible.
At this point there is a possibility of five of our minor league teams making the playoffs. Are playoffs important at the minor league level? It can only be a positive factor for players to win as they move through the Dodger farm system, constantly whetting an appetite for winning.
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I tried an edit last night but Ron found the article before my edit.
The edit was that the next four games for the Quakes are crucial. Last night they fell a game behind the Lancaster Jethawks and play those same Jethawks in Lancaster for the next four games, starting tonight. Jarret Martin starts for the Quakes.
The Quakes had Zach Lee, Chris Reed and Andres Santiago, three starters all promoted to AA, which didn’t make their task easier.
Haha! And I also replied (below) before you posted this update. There’s that brilliant minds thing again.
As you know, Harold, because of my relatively close proximity to Rancho Cucamonga, I have followed the Quakes quite closely since their move from Inland Empire last season.
Heading into tonight’s action, the Quakes have 15 games remaining, included 4 with the JetHawks and 3 with the Mavericks. These will be huge series and will decide the fate of the Quakes.
I always get a bit miffed when I read stuff on the various MiLB blog sites (by the so-called experts – many of whom are self proclaimed) who bag on teams like the Quakes for not doing well in the standings or not making the playoffs. This season alone the Quakes have lost Zach Lee, Chris Reed, Allen Webster, C.J. Retherford, Leon Landry, Ryan O’Sullivan, Logan Bawcom, Eric Eadington, Bobbie Coyle, Steve Smith and a few others to either promotion or to trade (Grrrrr!). These guys were the absolute heart and soul of the Quakes team and their best players and pitchers. Buy hey – this is exactly what the Minor Leagues are all about. And if the Lookouts make the playoffs (as they should), they have Quakes manager Juan Bustabad and the rest of the Rancho Cucamonga coaching staff to thank for that – and so on up the line.
Anyway, I didn’t mean to ramble. Thanks for another great post, Harold.
On a related side note to this, I suspect that should the Quakes not make the playoffs (as it now appears might happen), I expect to see Yasiel Puig promoted to either Double-A Chattanooga or perhaps even Triple-A Albuquerque for their playoff games.
Now before anybody gets all excited about this, it would only be to get Yasiel more ABs and not as a permanent deal. I also expect Yasiel to play in the AFL and to also be involved in the Dodgers winter mini-camp in January.
Just an afterthought.