Mark Minicozzi (pictured) was in the Independent ranks for quite a while, partly because of injuries, but the first baseman is making the most of being back in the affiliated ranks. Playing for San Francisco’s Double-A team in Richmond, VA, the 30-year-old is both the reigning Offensive Player of the Week (13-for-26, nine RBI and nine runs) and the Eastern League’s hitting leader at .354. Another Worcester, MA (Can-Am) and two Northern League teams (Kansas City, KS and Winnipeg) now in the American Association, he has five homers and 33 RBI and ranks fourth in the league in OPS (.966) and fifth in on-base percentage (.441).
Onetime St. Paul, MN (American Association) pitcher Robert Coe took Pitcher of the Week honors in the Midwest League (South Bend, IN) for six innings of two-hit, shutout baseball. Arizona has since moved the 25-year-old to its High-A team in Lancaster, CA, where the righty turned in three scoreless relief innings in his initial appearance.
James Hoyt (Wichita, KS, American Association, plus Edinburg, TX, now in the United League) is fourth in the Carolina League in strikeouts. The Atlanta farmhand, whose contract was obtained after last season, has 58 strikeouts in only 39.2 innings and has given up just 24 hits (3-1, 3.40) for Lynchburg, VA.
What a Feat! 5,000,000 Fans in Winnipeg History
The 10-3 record Winnipeg has reeled off to start the American Association season (second only to the 11-2 of Laredo, TX) is enough to please most anyone although I imagine other numbers may be more on the mind of the Goldeyes these days. With 5,523 fans turning out for a matinee contest Wednesday, Winnipeg has now drawn more than five million fans (5,001,365) in its 20 Independent Baseball seasons.
(Bob Wirz also writes about Independent Baseball on www.IndyBaseballChatter.com. Fans may subscribe to this Independent Baseball Insider column, which will be published 40 times in 2013, at www.WirzandAssociates.com or comment to RWirz@aol.com. The author has 16 years of major league baseball experience with Kansas City and as spokesman for two Commissioners, and lives in Stratford, CT.)
