Are Minor League Records Legitimate Achievements? [POLL]
Cincinnati Reds prospect Billy Hamilton set a new single season stolen base record. Pretty amazing stuff. The only caveat is that it’s a new, minor league baseball stolen base record.
Hamilton, who plays for the Reds AA affiliate the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, broke Vince Coleman’s long standing record of 146 stolen bases after swiping 3 bags in last night’s game against the Montgomery Biscuits. Is it impressive? Honesty, I’m not sure.
Breaking a minor league record is like leading the JV league in hitting. It’s impressive to a degree, but it begs the question: if you’re that good why aren’t you on varsity? And, can anything really be taken seriously when it’s done by a player on the “Wahoos” while they’re playing against the “Biscuits?” If I considered myself a legitimate major league prospect I would shed a tear of shame everytime I donned a Montgomery Biscuits uniform. It’s embarrassing.
Now, for the record, ole’ Billy Hamilton isn’t pulling a Bull Durham: the shortstop is only 21 and is ranked as the #48 prospect in baseball according to Baseball Reference. That said, the question that I pose to you and to all of America is this: Is it cool or lame to hold a minor league record? Discuss…