Give 'Em A Shot: AAAA Players

So most die-hard fans know their team's top prospects, but what about the forgotten guys, the guys who are role-players, fillers, the like. Fact of the matter is some of these role-players for one team, could be a true contributer to a different major league club. In this weekly feature we will look at two "AAAA" players who could be a help to your big-league club.

Brian Barden
Age: 30
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 200
Organization: Rangers
Bats/Throws: R/R
Position: 3B/INF

Barden was drafted in the 6th round in 2002, and while he does have 119 games of MLB Experience, the guy has spent parts of the last EIGHT years at the AAA-level. He has played over 100 games at 2B, SS, and 3B. Barden is a reliable fielder, and is a career .300 hitter in the minors. He isn't a huge power-threat but he has a career .805 OPS in the minors, and can hit a bit. His time in the majors hasn't been great, .211 in 175 ABs. But he has also shown that he can have a role. I think of Andres Blanco when I see Barden, they are about the same build, and I think he could fit a Blanco-esque role quite nicely with the right-team. In fact they have nearly identical fielding percentages in the minors, with Barden holding a slight edge. Barden is a better hitter, and while he may not have the range of Blanco, I think he has greater value than Blanco. He does swing and miss more frequently than the average Major Leaguer, and this could be a hinderance, his career (combined MLB/MiLB) K rate is 20.8%.

Barden is the perfect utility infielder for a team that could use an above average fielder, and a decent hitter. He is tearing up AAA at the moment, (as of 6/28/11: .360/.405/.557) and really deserves a full-time MLB Bench gig. Surely there is some-team willing to flip a AAA-Reliever or low-level prospect for some quick and easy bench help.

Jose Constanza

Age: 27

Height: 5'9"

Weight: 150

Organization: Braves

Bats/Throws: L/L

Position: CF/OF

Ok, so looking at him, Constanza doesn't look like a ballplayer. But all he has done so far in 2011 is PRODUCE. He started 2011 as a Caribbean World Series All-Star, and has kept it rolling. Even historically Constanza produces, he was the DSL MVP in 2004, was an NYPL All-Star in 2005, and was an International League all-star in 2010, and repeating in 2011. His game is built around speed, in fact he was named the International League's fastest player last season. He made his AAA debut last season with Columbus (Indians AAA) and raked at a .319 clip. This season he isn't slowing down, through June 28th he is hitting .339/.386/.392. He has no power to speak of (his OBP is actually HIGHER than his slugging for his career, .367 vs. .360), so far he has a TOTAL of 7 extra base hits...and 76 singles. But he hits for average no denying that and can make things happen with his speed, 224 SB in 6+ professional seasons and an 80% success rate. His success rate has been 81.5% in AAA, and overall he has the potential to swipe one at anytime.  He is a good OF, with good instincts, and great closing speed. He has a decent arm, recording 7 assists in 110 games last season, and doesn't make many mistakes (2 errors in 110 games). 

He could be a valuable late season add for a team looking for a speed-boost and a good defensive replacement. That likely won't happen with the Braves, though I wouldn't count it out as they only have 5 OF on the 40-man roster and only Matt Young isn't with the MLB-team now. Instead Young is teaming with Constanza in Gwinnett and is hitting .310. Both Young and Constanza are similar players, but Constanza has the speed advantage and in my mind that makes him more valuable. Young being on the 40-man though will likely keep him with the Braves.