:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56744149/Legends.0.jpg)
This is where we would normally take a weekly look at notable performances from all over the system, from big-name prospects and less heralded guys alike. But now the Minor League regular season has come to an end. How did it go?
Lexington Legends (Low-A)
First-half record: 34-35
Second-half record: 28-40
Overall: 62-75
Where in the South Atlantic League is Lexington?
| LEX | Rank (of 14) | |
|---|---|---|
| Runs | 656 | 2 |
| Hits | 1187 | 4 |
| 2B | 258 | 2 |
| 3B | 26 | T-12 |
| HR | 111 | 3 |
| RBI | 593 | 2 |
| SB | 115 | 3 |
| BB | 399 | 6 |
| SO | 1210 | 2 |
| AVG | .258 | 3 |
| OBP | .324 | 4 |
| SLG | .398 | 3 |
(Source: Baseball-Reference)
Standout performances:
Third baseman Emmanuel Rivera was named Lexington Player of the Year by the Royals Review staff, and was an honorable mention as the best hitter in the system. In 508 plate appeareances, Rivera hit .310/.364/.468, with 87 strikeouts and 31 walks. It was the first full season for Rivera, a 21-year-old righty from Puerto Rico.
Outfielder Khalil Lee showed an intriguing mix of defense, power and speed. In 532 plate appearances, he hit 24 doubles, six triples, and 17 homers. His totals for triples and home runs led the team. He also stole 20 bases, second on the team, but was caught a team-high 18 times. The biggest drawback in Lee’s game? His 171 strikeouts, the 9th-highest number of Ks in all of the minors this year. However, Lee just turned 19 in late June, so he is two and a half years younger than league average.
Outfielder Michael Gigliotti, 21, was just drafted this summer, and made a splash when he was quickly promoted to Lexington. After about a month and a half with rookie league Burlington, Gigliotti joined the legends for 22 games. In those, he hit .302/.378/.419.
Who stayed on the roster all season?
- OF Marten Gasparini
- OF Khalil Lee
- SS Angelo Castellano
- 3B Emmanuel Rivera
- 2B Gabriel Cancel
- C Meibrys Viloria
- INF Manny Olloque
- 1B Joe Dudek
____________________________________
Though team results are beside the point in the Minors, the 2017 Legends improved on the previous year by 10 wins. Their 62 wins this season were the most since the 2013 season, in which they went 68-70.