‘In the minors’ is a regular feature on Baseball.ca that highlights Canadian players in the minor leagues. In this installment we take a look at three Triple-A players only one step away from the big-league’s and one player getting his first taste of full-season, professional baseball.
OF Jim Adduci (Burnaby, BC) – Round Rock Express (AAA)
Canadian-born Jim Adduci is making noise on the base baths and at the plate this season with the Texas Rangers Triple-A affiliate in Round Rock. After a 2012 season that saw him become a Southern League All-Star and earn a promotion to Triple-A Iowa in the Chicago Cubs system, Adduci came over to the Rangers organization in the off-season and is getting regular playing time in the Express outfield. A nice blend of speed and power, Adduci leads the Express in stolen bases with 13 and is tied for the team lead in home runs with six. His 11 doubles are good for fourth spot on the team and he is showing to have a keen eye at the plate as he is second on the club with 26 walks. Adduci was originally drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 42nd round back in 2003 and spent three full seasons with organization before being dealt to the Chicago Cubs in September 2006. A two-time Southern League and two-time Florida State League All-Star, including one in the post-season, Adduci had a career-high 35 stolen bases in 2009.
1B Jordan Lennerton (Langley, BC) – Toledo Mud Hens (AAA)
If there’s one Canadian who has had a breakout year to this point, look no further than Jordan Lennerton of the Toledo Mud Hens. Getting his first crack at the Triple-A level, Lennerton is second on the Mud Hens in all three triple-crown categories with a .343 average 10 home runs and 31 RBIs. The 27 year-old has been red hot as of late hitting .395 with three home runs and five RBI’s in his past ten games including a two homer performance on May 28th in Charlotte. The former Junior National Team member (2004) and College World Series hero from Oregon State (2007) was an Eastern League All-Star in 2012 reaching career-highs in home runs (21) and RBI’s (82) with Double-A Erie. Lennerton capped-off the 2012 season with Canada’s National Team at the World Baseball Classic Qualifier in Germany where he homered in a win over host Germany.
RHP Scott Richmond (Vancouver, BC) – Round Rock Express (AAA)
Scott Richmond’s 2013 season has been like a roller coaster ride to say the least. After signing with Lotte of the Korean Baseball League in the off-season, he injured his knee in Spring Training drills which caused him to miss participating for Canada at the World Baseball Classic in March. Once he rehabbed his injury in Arizona, Richmond was informed that he no longer had a spot on the Lotte roster leaving him with no place to play. In mid May, the Texas Rangers called and signed the 33 year-old to pitch for their Triple-A affiliate in Round Rock where he has made four starts to date. He picked-up his first win of the season on May 23rd against Reno and has a very respectable 3.68 ERA in 22 innings pitched in the hitter friendly Pacific Coast League. Canadian baseball fans will fondly remember in October 2011 when Richmond retired seven straight batters against the United States to earn Canada their first gold medal in baseball at the Pan Am Games. Richmond made his big-league debut on July 30th, 2008 as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays and picked-up the American League Rookie of the Month Award in April 2009 after a 3-0 start.
2B Maxx Tissenbaum (Toronto, ON) – Fort Wayne TinCaps (A)
Tissenbaum was selected by the San Diego Padres in the 11th round of the 2012 MLB Draft after helping Stony Brook University to an improbable spot in the 2012 College World Series. In his first full season of professional baseball in 2013, Tissenbaum has found himself with Fort Wayne of the Single-A Midwest League where he has seen regular duty as the TinCaps second baseman. A 2009 graduate of the Junior National Team program, Tissenbaum has hit .351 in his last 10 games with a home run and five RBI. Between May 26th and May 31st he recorded six consecutive two-hit games including a 2-for-3 day on May 30th against Lansing where he smacked two doubles and collected one RBI. Earning first team All-America East Conference in 2011 and 2012, Tissenbaum signed with the Padres immediately after the 2012 draft and hit .296 with three home runs, 29 RBI and two stolen bases at Short Season Euguene.
