Feliciano, Zavolas sweep top Carolina League honors

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Congratulations to A+ catcher Mario Feliciano for being named the Carolina League's MVP!!!

 

Also congrats to Noah Zavolas, who was named the Carolina League's Pitcher of the Year for 2019!

 

So, about that last-place minor league system ranking ...

[MrTPlush]

I always like Feliciano, nice to see him have a real solid year.

 

Zavolas...not exactly young for A+, but I think there is an under appreciation for guys who limit homers and walks. Something that may lead to a lot of not so flashy guys being solid rotation arms in the HR happy league the MLB now is.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

I always like Feliciano, nice to see him have a real solid year.

 

Zavolas...not exactly young for A+, but I think there is an under appreciation for guys who limit homers and walks. Something that may lead to a lot of not so flashy guys being solid rotation arms in the HR happy league the MLB now is.

 

As a 2018 college senior draftee, Zavolas is playing his first year of full-season pro ball. I suspect he'll be bumped to Biloxi next year, if not San Antonio, which will put him right on track age-wise with other pitching prospects.

[JohnBriggs12]

I think Feliciano and Henry push each other. Will be interesting to see how both do in Biloxi next year. It wouldn't shock me to see them as Brewer catching tandem by 2022.

[folly412]

Feliciano has been really good. It's not easy to OPS near .800 and hit 19 homers in the Carolina League. The injuries may make him seem older, but still only 20. Lot of potential.

 

Zavolas has been shut down from reaching his innings limit, which is partly to do with his own success - he was always going deep into games. Still believe he's going to be an MLB starting pitcher.

 

Not too bad a season for the affiliate projected to be our weakest by many. Teetered around .500 overall, but produced the MVP, Pitcher of the Year, Lutz is starting to come around, Ashby on a good track, Bickford emerged from the forgotten, promoted File and Andrews near mid-season.

[brewmann04]

Yes very nice to see congrats to all

[Madhawk23]

What are the chances that Mario starts to sniff some Top 100 prospect lists this offseason? A catcher that is only 20 years old, and wins the MVP of the Carolina League! That has to start getting you recognized with some of the best prospects in baseball, doesn't it? I know Henry is the elite defensive catcher, but I think Mario holds his own defensively as well, doesn't he?

[Jim Goulart]

Feliciano, Zavolas pace Carolina standouts

Milwaukee prospects sweep top honors among circuit All-Stars

By Chris Tripodi / MiLB.com

[RollieTime]

Congrats to both of them! We have a lot of intriguing young talent in the lower minors. I wouldn’t be surprised to see both of them start next season in AA.

[folly412]

Nice interviews with each from Mudcats' Twitter:

 

Feliciano

 

Zavolas

[LouisEly]

I'm not terribly excited about Zavolas, due to his 6.9 K/9 and Carolina being a pitcher's park/league.

 

He's interesting, but his upside is very limited unless he learns a new pitch.

[sveumrules]

Just a couple of 23 year old Hahvahd guys slumming it in A+...

 

133 IP | 3.52 ERA | 6.9 K9 | 1.6 BB9 | 0.5 HR9 | 8.7 H9

124 IP | 3.63 ERA | 7.0 K9 | 2.6 BB9 | 0.8 HR9 | 9.1 H9

 

Granted, Suter is a lefty, which certainly helps, but Noah's performance was right in line with his fellow Cambridge man.

[folly412]

Just a couple of 23 year old Hahvahd guys slumming it in A+...

 

133 IP | 3.52 ERA | 6.9 K9 | 1.6 BB9 | 0.5 HR9 | 8.7 H9

124 IP | 3.63 ERA | 7.0 K9 | 2.6 BB9 | 0.8 HR9 | 9.1 H9

 

Granted, Suter is a lefty, which certainly helps, but Noah's performance was right in line with his fellow Cambridge man.

 

Noah's ERA actually 2.98 for the year, looks like 3.52 is using total runs.

 

Noah's stuff actually reminds me of Davies. Second pitch is a curve vs. the change, but similar fastballs and control reliance.

 

Davies A+ in the Carolina League, for kicks. Biggest difference is that he was a 20 year old vs. 23:

 

148.2 IP | 3.69 ERA | 8.0 K9 | 2.3 BB9 | 0.6 HR9 | 8.8 H9