I've decided to move the AAA Baseball Blog to the Blogger host. Yahoo has some features I don't like, so I'm giving the other place a shot.

I hope you'll follow me to my new home.

Edgar Gonzalez deserves an honorable mention for my 2007 Ken Phelps All-Star Team. He's the older brother of Padres 1B Adrian Gonzalez; a 26-year-old right-handed hitter. Selected by the Devil Rays in the 30th round of the 2000 draft out of San Diego State University. Twice (!) selected in the Rule 5 minor draft; by the Rangers in 2003 and the Expos in 2004. Signed with the Cardinals as a minor league free agent this season.

Playing exclusively at 2B, Gonzalez is hitting .291/.351/.428 for AAA Memphis including 15 doubles, 3 triples, 6 home runs and 7 stolen bases in 285 at bats. .317/.398/.439 against LHP in 82 at bats.

In 2006, Edgar hit a combined .327/.401/.502 in 3 stops at A, AA and AAA. His MLE was .306/.378/.450. Mostly he played 2B, but also put in time at SS and 3B.

Gonzalez's defensive reputation isn't good so maybe he needs a move to the outfield. He's young for a freely-available-talent.

There's never been any buzz around Bobby Scales, despite the fact that he's hit pretty well and can play multiple positions. He's a 29-year-old switch-hitter. Selected in the 14th round of the 1999 draft by the Padres out of the University of Michigan, signed a minor league free agent contract with the Phillies in 2006, and is now in the Red Sox organization. Reportedly a fan favorite because of hustle in the field.

This season Scales is hitting .330/.398/.508 for AAA Pawtucket. 10 doubles, 6 triples. 20 walks in 191 at bats. He's pounded LHP to a tune of .358/.426/.679 in 53 at bats, including 7 doubles, 2 triples and 2 homers. Mostly Scales has played 2B, 1B and LF, although he's also played 3B and SS.

In 2006 at AAA Scranton, Scales hit .287/.365/.442 in 355 at bats. 22 doubles, 6 triples and 7 home runs. 43 walks and 100 strikeouts. He spent most of his time at LF, DH and 3B. The major league equivalent of his stat line was .268/.340/.421 (comparable to Melvin Mora's last 2 seasons).

Sounds like a prototype utility guy to me ... switch-hitter, decent average, speed, and can handle outfield and infield positions. His knack for hitting triples makes him more fun to have around.

Major League equivalent (MLE) stats aren't the last word or a limit on what a player might hit in the majors. Some players out-hit them by a large margin, at least in the short-term. Consider these examples (small sample size warnings apply):

Carlos Pena
2006 MLE: .247/.338/.434
2007 actual: .296/.391/.640

Brendan Harris
2006 MLE: .272/.332/.428
2007 actual: .314/.367/.487

Corey Hart
2006 MLE: .270/.336/.486
2007 actual: .317/.395/.540

Mike Fontenot
2006 MLE: .271/.348/.418
2007 actual: .345/.371/.586

Jack Cust
2006 MLE: .233/.384/.405
2007 actual: .268/.411/.591

Reggie Willits
2006 MLE: .287/.388/.360
2007 actual: .343/.439/.409

Willie Harris
2006 MLE: .201/.283/.328
2007 actual: .379/.438/.500

These are all players who are old enough to be potential Ken Phelps All-Stars if they didn't get a shot this season. They're making the most of their opportunities and the guys on my Ken Phelps All-Star Team might too if given a chance.