The Mahoning Valley Scrappers coaches will tell you that development is the key to being a successful Low-A short season franchise in the New York-Penn League. The players, who have played to win for several years, feel as though if they are winning, they are developing in some way.  Both schools of thought are correct.  2011 saw some pretty good talent blow through Eastwood Field.  The only favorites to return each season are the coaches because this is a make or break level.  The players are question marks.  Many will find their way to Lake County, some will go back to Arizona, and some will be working 9-5 jobs back home.

The postseason was a goal that will not be reached this season.  If management had to play these games to win, the Scrappers would be in the playoffs, and that is not criticism, it is a statement that they are doing their jobs the right way.  When guys get sent to Mahoning Valley games for rehab assignments, or the #1 Draft Pick, Francisco Lindor, signs with a week left, David Wallace has to shuffle his cards at the last minute.  Developmental or not, it throws a wrench into the chemistry.  Staten Island had many second year players, they are in the playoffs.

Why am I spewing all of this out?  Because the Scrappers were in it until the end and that says a lot about the values of Wallace and his staff.  There are no second year players on the current roster, not one.  These guys were still learning each others names into June and showed the promise that the Indians front office would have hoped for.  Greg Hibbard and Tony Mansolino are a part of a great staff with Wallace leading the way.  It didn’t matter if the Scrappers won by ten or lost by six, Wallace always gave a cordial and precise interview after the game, with a smile on his face.

On Wednesday, Mahoning Valley played their next to last home game of the regular season against Williamsport and fell 6-2.  Hector Rondon (above) was brought in to make a start.  Rondon had Tommy John surgery and was making his first start of the year.  Last season, the rightie threw a no-hitter at Akron and was on the fast-track before falling prey to injury. He threw one inning before giving way to Will Roberts.

The Scrappers tied the game in the bottom of the second on a Cody Elliott single that plated Alex Lavisky.

Williamsport opened the offense with a pair of runs in the the fourth to take a 3-1 lead with RBI’s from Cody Asche and Brock Stassi. Todd Hankins pulled the Scrappers to a one-run deficit with a blast to left in the bottom of the fourth.

The Crosscutters chased Roberts in the top of the sixth with a couple more runs to take a 5-2 lead.  Roberts was tagged with the loss after his 59 pitch effort.  Ethan Stewart picked up the win for Williamsport.

So as the curtain drops on another successful season in Niles, recognition must be given to people who have gone over and above.  Jordan Taylor and his staff worked hard around the year to make these game nights special for those in attendance.  The vendors, Grant Tunkel, the grounds crew, and the suite crews all worked very hard.  The Scrapper Backers are an unselfish group of people who make things happen.  Their tireless efforts go by unrecognized far too often.

Players to watch from this class are Tony Wolters, Todd Hankins, Jake Lowery and Will Roberts.  Jordan Smith can be fantastic but he didn’t hit a home run all season (yet) and he is too big not too.  Bryson Myles also showed flashes of brilliance when healthy but either needs to be a leadoff hitter, where he can work on his bunt, or swing away and continue to develop as a hitter.

The players who have to be disappointed with the 2011 season are Jerrud Sabourin, Alex Lavisky, and KC Serna.  Lavisky came in hyped up and probably would be at Lake County if he put up some consistent numbers.  Sabourin is a terrific defensive first baseman who could not catch a break with the stick all year.  He can turn the corner if he sticks with it.  Serna was Wallace’s biggest surprise through the All-Star Break but has played sparingly since.  I believe that Serna has a good future in baseball, but just got frazzled in August and was a non-factor.