With the continuing success of OF/DH Jack Cust, The Hardball Times ran an article, In Search of the Next Jack Cust, in which they explored some more possible break-through AAA hitters who are considered too old for the prospect mavens. Included are a the Yankees' Mitch Jones and Shelley Duncan, Jason Botts of the Rangers, the Tigers' Chris Shelton and Ryan Raburn, and 1B Ryan Mulhern of the Indians.
Here are a few more, and by no means an exhaustive list. With apologies to Andy Tracey and Scott McCalin, I tried to stick with players under 30. Here are a few from the International League.
Justin Ruggiano OF TB 25YRs 299/373/488 11 HR 18 SB
Jack Hannahan 2B DET 27 YRs 315/433/493 9 HR 48/55 BB/K
J.R. House C BAL 27 YRs 296/359/446 7 HR 30/42 BB/K
John Ford-Griffin OF TOR 27 YRs 259/343/517 18 HR
The Pacific Coast League is a little harder to cull as the power numbers could be inflated from the more hitter-friendly ballparks.
Val Pascucci 1B FLA 28 YRs 274/383/555 21 Hrs 7 SB
Jeff Salazar OF AZ 26 YRs 304/383/498 13 SBs 40/46 K/BB
Jamie D'Antona 3B AZ 25 YRs 308/379/521 37 XBHs 30/34 K/BB
Given the number of quality young players with the Diamondbacks and Devil Rays, I suspect there will be a few more added to this list next season. The Rockies also have a good player in AAA in Josh Koshansky, and he too is blocked at the major league level.
Who are a few other minor leaguers who look destined for AAAA status?