Today we will turn our attention to the best hitters in full season A leagues, which constitutes the Midwest, South Atlantic, California, Carolina, and Florida State Leagues.

First, the history:

Our 2018 winner is former Staunton Brave Irving Lopez (2016), who played 77 games for Peoria in the Midwest League, and 33 games for Palm Beach in the High-A Florida State League. Overall, the young man hit 280/368/395 in 403 at-bats, with 60 runs scored, 48 RBIs, 26 doubles, 1 triple, 6 home runs, and a solid 44/67 BB/K ratio. He was an “other to consider” in Rookie ball in 2017, by the way.

Irving, a 19th round draft pick in 2017 of the Cardinals out of Florida International, hit very well for the Braves in ’16: he slashed 372/417/641 in 78 at-bats.

Others to consider:

• Zach Sterry (Waynesboro 2016): The ’16 VBL MVP hit 291/370/424 in 203 at-bats for Greenville in the South Atlantic League. He added 25 runs, 30 RBIs, 8 doubles, 2 triples, 5 home runs, and a 23/54 BB/K ratio
• Jimmy Kerrigan (New Market 2014): Playing for Fort Myers in the Florida State League, Jimmy hit 281/342/469 in 196 at-bats, with 26 runs, 24 RBIs, 15 doubles, 2 triples, 6 home runs, and a 14/59 BB/K ratio
• Robby Rinn (Aldie 2013): for Cedar Rapids of he Midwest League and Fort Myers of the Florida State League, Robby hit 293/355/407 in 246 at-bats, with 28 runs, 26 RBIs, 17 doubles, 1 triple, 3 home runs, and a 22/47 BB/K ratio. Robby was hitter of the year in the rookie leagues in 2017.
• Trevor Craport (Harrisonburg 2016), for Delmarva in the South Atlantic League: 256/326/410 in 437 at-bats, with 68 runs, 72 RBIs, 26 doubles, 4 triples, 11 home runs, and a 37/77 BB/K ratio.
• Zach Jarrett (Woodstock 2014), Trevor’s teammate at Delmarva: 277/342/437 in 501 at-bats, with 74 runs, 72 RBIs, 26 doubles, 6 triples, 14 home runs, and a 41/136 BB/K ratio.