#ProTops: Minor League Season Opens For Three Former Toppers

I need to say upfront that I should have put an asterisk in the title here — I can tell you, with 100% certainty, that the MiLB season will…

Photo Credit: Akransas Democrat-Gazette

I need to say upfront that I should have put an asterisk in the title here — I can tell you, with 100% certainty, that the MiLB season will open for at least one former Topper tonight.

That former Topper is Anderson Miller, a borderline Top 30 prospect in the Kansas City Royals’ organization, who will open the 2018 season in Double-A Northwest Arkansas.

Miller begins his fourth year in the Royals org. after being selected in the third round of the 2015 MLB Draft, and he begins his second stint with the Naturals, where he spent 58 games a season ago, hitting .230/.263/.296 with two home runs and 19 RBI.

Between stops in NWA and Wilmington in High-A, Miller posted a .263/.330/.376 slash line with nine home runs and 56 RBI in 2017.

As for organization-mate Andrew Edwards and St. Louis Cardinals farmhand Danny Hudzina, I cannot find proof that they’ll be on a team tomorrow. I thought Edwards would start 2018 with Miller in NWA, and figured Hudzina would maybe start in High-A Palm Beach, but neither of their rosters say that’s the case.

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals’ pitching staff — no Andrew Edwards

Edwards is also missing from the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers’ pitching staff, where he was a 2016 All-Star

Danny Hudzina’s name is missing from the Palm Beach Cardinals infield listing

Hudzina also doesn’t appear to be with the Peoria Chiefs, either

Here’s what I’m thinking — they’re both in extended spring training and Hudzina will either head to Peoria later in the year or will start the season in short-season State College (which would suck, because it’s a super demotion for him after spending 74 games with Peoria last year).

As for Edwards, he had a rough 2017, posting a 6.00 ERA in 28 appearances (I think he may have battled some injury and might not be 100% healthy), so he’s being slowed into action to ensure he’s healthy and ready to go.

Or, maybe Edwards and Hudzina have walked away, but if that’s the case their MiLB player page would indicate such, which neither does.

No retirement transaction has been listed for Edwards

Same for Hudzina

Anyway, Miller opens his season tonight at 6:25 p.m. CT against the Corpus Christi Hooks in NWA. Be sure to keep an eye on our Twitters for updates on if Miller is starting, perhaps some in-game updates and the like.