Astros Minor League Review: Oklahoma City Redhawks Offense

In 2011 the Oklahoma City Redhawks went 68-75. In 2012 the Oklahoma City Redhawks went 78-65. One of the biggest reasons for the improvement in their record was the offense.

In 2011 the Redhawks scored 619 runs, in 2012 they increased that total by 145 runs for a 764 total. Where did that hitting come from? To the slash lines:

2011: .260/.341/.381

2012: .282/.349/.434

It looks like the 2012 club improved their average and power numbers, while maintaining a similar walk rate. To understand how that happened, lets compare the top five players in 2011 to 2012 by plate appearances to get a grasp on why this years team was much better offensively than last years team.

In 2011, Anderson Hernandez, Tommy Manzella, Koby Clemens, Drew Locke and J.B. Shuck lead the team in plate appearance at Oklahoma City. Only Drew Locke and J.B. Shuck remain with the team and Locke returned mid-season after promotions and injuries depleted the outfield depth in the farm system; Locke played and finished the season in Corpus Christi. Shuck on the other hand finished sixth this year in plate appearance and while he hit well he hit with very little power.

In 2012 the leaders in plate appearances were Jimmy Paredes, Mike Hessman, Brad Snyder, Angel Sanchez and Fernando Martinez, big difference. Paredes is currently with the big league club and lead the team in steals, triples, doubles, hits and runs. Hessman hit 35 home runs, Snyder lead the team in slugging percentage (.550), Sanchez lead the team in hitting (.320) and Fernando Martinez provided a nice alternative to Locke and Shuck.

Other notable sluggers that spent time with the club in 2012 year include Brett Wallace, Scott Moore and Brandon Barnes. All three are currently with the big league club.

On the basepaths Paredes lead the team with 37 stolen bases. He was caught 10 times, which calculates out to about a 73% stolen base percentage, not great but adequate. The next closest in steals was Brad Snyder who collected 16, but was also caught 10 times, not good. Brandon Barnes in his limited time stole 14 bases, while getting caught four times for a 72% stolen base percentage.

Without a big time prospect at AAA the Redhawks did pretty good offensively. Paredes obviously was a big part of that, but the signings of Mike Hessman, Brad Snyder (Both Ed Wade guys btw) and the claiming of Fernando Martinez off waivers, a no-brainer, really helped the Redhawks improve their offense in 2012.

In 2013 expect Jonathan Singleton, Austin Wates, Marc Krauss, Robbie Grossman, Jonathan Villar and Chris Wallace to contribute to the Redhawks offense.