The minor league season is a grind. I spoke to Erik Kratz about this years ago, and he said that during one of his minor league seasons, he was home, in his apartment, with nothing to do, for exactly FOUR days from February to September.

So it seems only fair that we celebrate those Valley Leaguers who have had outstanding minor league seasons. The list for today is hits in one minor league season. Take a look:

1 Tyler Kuhn Luray ’06-07 2011 168
2 Rebel Ridling Covington ’06 2009 166
3 Clint Robinson Harrisonburg ’05-06 2011 164
4 Clint Robinson Harrisonburg ’05-06 2010 160
5 Jason Kipnis Covington ’06-07 2010 159
6 Rudy Flores Haymarket ’10 2014 158
7 Tyson Auer Luray ’05-06 2010 154
8 Jonathan Griffin Luray ’10 2012 153
9 James McOwen Luray ’05-06 2009 152
Mac Williamson Harrisonburg ’11 2013 152

Kuhn was released after a few seasons in Triple-A, as was Tyson Auer. Ridling and McOwen topped out at Double-A.

Robinson and Kipnis have played in the major leagues, and are still active.

Flores is our one 2014 performance to make the list; he did it in the High-A California League.

Griffin and Williamson are still active, too. Williamson, in fact, has been named on at least one San Francisco Giants top prospect list so far this offseason (stay tuned).