Around the Horn: Playoffs and Instructs

We all know that September means pennant chases at the major league level, and that can sometimes obscure an important developmental month for minor league prospects. The minor league postseason is nearing completion and Instructs begin shortly.

The minor league postseason isn't just for bragging rights.  It's also gives prospects a chance to get used to sellout crowds and high-pressure situations.  How a player handles himself this time of the year can go a long way towards raising his stock within the organization.

• Inside Pitch Magazine runs down the playoff exploits of the Mets affiliates, and TigsTown.com does the same for the Tigers.



• The Padres still have two affiliates involved in the postseason at this late juncture.



• The San Antonio Missions defeated the Springfield Cardinals in game one of the Texas League Championship.

The Instructional League is often the site wherein prospects make the largest improvements in their game.  It is particularly useful for newly-drafted players, those players who missed extensive time due to injuries, and also for players learning a new position.

• Third overall pick Josh Vitters will be among the prospects that the Chicago Cubs send to the Arizona Instructs.



• Two top pitching prospects who missed most of the 2007 with injuries headline the players the Oakland Athletics will ship to Instructs.



• The Pittsburgh Pirates will send an unusually high total of 64 players to the Florida Instructional League.



• John Whittleman was whittled down by nagging injuries during the season, and now leads the group of Rangers going to Instructs.  LoneStarDugout features a Q&A with Whittleman.



• Clayton Kershaw, the top prospect in the Dodgers' organization, has already thrown more than 120 innings this year, but nevertheless headlines the list of Dodgers headed to Instructs.

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For more, head to The Scout.com MiLB Homepage to get the latest inside news around the minors or to the Scout.com MLB Team Directory to find extensive coverage of your favorite team.