MLB Canadian Power Rankings
(WEEK ENDING MAY 17)
1. James Paxton
LHP, Seattle Mariners (5)
Hometown: Ladner Recap: Won a pair of games last week, allowing eight hits and no earned runs over 14 combined innings. Struck out seven, but also walked seven. Dropped ERA 147 points, to 3.59. Season record sits at 2-2.
(last week’s ranking in parentheses)
2. Russell Martin, C, Toronto Blue Jays (1)
Hometown: Montreal Recap: Slowed from last week, batting .250 (6-for24), with two RBI. Ten-game homestand should help: hitting .364 at Rogers Centre going into the week. Started Monday hitting .284, with 7 HRs and 21 RBI, for the year.
3. Joey Votto, 1B, Cincinnati Reds (2)
Hometown: Etobicoke, Ont. Recap: Continued to struggle since one-game suspension for bumping umpire. Hit .192 (5-for-26), with one RBI, pushing season totals to .292, with 7 HRs and 21 RBI. Did have first extra-base hit since April 30.
4. Justin Morneau, 1B, Colorado Rockies (3)
Hometown: New Westminster Recap: Hit .375 (3-for-8) in the two games he played, pushing his season average to .290, to go with 3 HRs and 9 RBI. Bigger story is that he was put on DL with concussion symptoms. Has had concussion issues in the past.
5. Brett Lawrie, 3B, Oakland Athletics (4)
Hometown: Langley Recap: Good news? Made solid contact, striking out just three times on his way to a .260 (6-for-23) effort. Bad news? Going into Monday, hadn’t had an RBI in 11 games. Started Monday at .255, with 2 HRs and 14 RBI.
6. John Axford, RHP, Colorado Rockies (6)
Hometown: Port Dover, Ont. Recap: Made two scoreless one-inning appearances out of the bullpen, including recording his fourth save. Through his first eight appearances this season had a 1.29 ERA, to go with 0-0 record. 7. Tyler O’Neill, OF, Bakersfield Blaze (Mariners Single A) (8)
Hometown: Maple Ridge Recap: Hit three HRs, sending him into Monday with nine in 31 games this season, which tied him for league lead. Hit .240 (6-for-25), equalling his season average as of Monday. Started week with 21 RBI.
8. Pete Orr, 2B, Colorado Springs Sky Sox
(Rockies Triple A) (HM) Hometown: Newmarket, Ont. Recap: Hit .346 (9-for-26) with eight RBI, as well as eight runs. Entered Monday batting .283, with 1 HR and 20 RBI, on campaign. Career .265 hitter for 14 years in the minors.
9. Phillippe Aumont, RHP, Lehigh Valley IronPigs
(Phillies Triple A) (HM) Hometown: Gatineau, Que. Recap: Former closer continues to succeed as starter. Went seven innings in his one game, allowing no earned runs on five hits, seven strikeouts and no walks. Entered Monday at 1-1, with 1.36 ERA, on season.
10. Dustin Molleken, RHP, Columbus Clippers
(Indians Triple A) (HM) Hometown: Regina Recap: Recorded a pair of wins in four appearances out of the bullpen. In six innings combined, allowed three hits, no earned runs. Struck out six, walked two. Started week 3-0, with a 2.65 ERA, on campaign.
HONOURABLE MENTION: Michael Saunders (OF, Blue Jays disabled list, Victoria); Jim Henderson (RHP, Triple A-Brewers, Calgary); Dalton Pompey (OF, Triple A-Blue Jays, Mississauga, Ont.); Jamie Romak (3B, Triple A-Diamondbacks, London, Ont.); Andrew Albers (LHP, Triple A-Blue Jays, North Battleford, Sask.); Kellin Deglan (C, Single A-Rangers, Langley); Rowan Wick (OF, Single A-Cardinals, North Vancouver); Shane Dawson (LHP, Single A-Blue Jays, Drayton Valley, Alta.)