Texas League prospect reports

Official league website: www.texascollegiateleague.com
2014 Summer Collegiate top prospect index
Texas Collegiate League top prospect list

The Texas Collegiate League has been around since 2004 and continues to be a good breeding ground for prospects in the Texas and Louisiana regions. The Brazos Valley Bombers continued their dominant ways in 2014, earning the league overall title to claim back-to-back championships.

Victoria Generals righthanded pitcher Kris Looper, who hails from Incarnate Word University, had a stellar summer and earned Pitcher of the Year honors, while Southern Mississippi elite senior outfielder Connor Barron had a terrific summer with the Acadiana Cane Cutters and earned Player of the Year honors.


Year established: 2004
States represented: Texas, Louisiana
No. of teams: 6
Regular season champion (best overall record): Brazos Valley Bombers (42-14)
Postseason champion: Brazos Valley
No. 1 prospect, 2013: Parker Ray, rhp, Brazos Valley (Texas A&M)
First 2013 player selected, 2014 MLB draft: Zac Curtis, lhp, Brazos Valley (Middle Tennessee State) -- 6th round, Diamondbacks

Player of the year: Connor Barron, of, Acadiana Cane Cutters (Southern Mississippi)
Pitcher of the year: Kris Looper, rhp, Victoria Generals (Incarnate Word)

BATTING LEADERS

Batting average: Justin Pacchioli, of, Victoria (Lehigh) (.341)
Slugging percentage: Connor Barron, of, Acadiana (.519)
On-base percentage: Justin Pacchioli, of, Victoria (.485)
Home Runs: Matthew Burks, of, Victoria (Eastern New Mexico) (6)
RBI: Brian Portelli, of, Victoria (Florida International) (36)
Stolen bases: Connor Barron, of, Acadiana (34)

PITCHING LEADERS

Wins: Armando Arevalo, lhp, Victoria
ERA: Kris Looper, rhp, Victoria Generals (Incarnate Word) (0.99)
Saves: Jeff Chestnut, rhp, Victoria (10)
Strikeouts: Jack Finnegan, rhp, Woodlands (Texas State) (65)

BEST TOOLS

Best athlete: Connor Barron, of, Acadiana
Best hitter: Connor Barron, of, Acadiana
Best power: Logan Nottebrok, 1b/3b, Brazos Valley
Best speed: Connor Barron, of, Acadiana
Best defender: Carson Shaddy, c, Texas Marshals (Arkansas)
Best velocity: AJ Minter, lhp, Brazos Valley (Texas A&M)
Best breaking stuff: Matt Blackham, rhp, Brazos Valley
Best command: Kris Looper, rhp, Victoria


TOP 10 PROSPECTS

1. A.J. Minter, lhp, Brazos Valley (Texas A&M/JR in 2015)
Minter served exclusively as a reliever for the Aggies during the 2014 college season, and tallied an impressive 1.85 ERA in 26 appearances. Minter should increase his role even more in the spring, especially after putting together a solid summer, as short as his stint at the Texas Collegiate League was. Minter, a 6-foot, 180-pounder, has big-time potential at the next level, possessing a fastball sitting in the low-90s, and getting up to 94-95 mph at times. Minter also utilizes an 87-89 mph cutter. Minter's draft stock could skyrocket with a strong showing for the Aggies in '15.