The Clean Sweep

In season one, the Ottawa Great Lake St came close, but finished in razor-thin second-place efforts in the ML and AAA.

In season two, Ottawa won every full-season division except for their Low A ballclub, which finished 79-65 and behind the Wolverines and the Captains.

Outside of Ottawa's flirtation with singular dominance, no organization has come close to achieving a full sweep of division titles.

That's what makes the Salt Lake City Trappers' success so intriguing.

The ultimate compliment to any GM is to be able to win on every level. Despite an ignominous past, which includes two fourth-place ML finishes, the Trappers have enjoyed such a dramatic facelift under new ownership that their flirtation with five first-place finishes now seems to be more than a fantasy, but a distinct--although still unlikely--possibility.

Consider this: the Trappers own at least a share of the division lead in every level, save a 3-game deficit in AAA. While the ML club's 22-21 start is remarkable considering the AL North was up until recently held firmly in Montreal's control, the Trappers have had even more success in building one of the best minor league systems in all of DoubleDay.

Here's a brief look at some of the minor-league stars that have made Salt Lake City a model organization:

ML (22-21): Dueling sluggers Tony Santana (.306, 17 HRs, 42 RBIs) and George Elster (.292, 16 HRs, 46 RBIs) are helping to make Salt Lake City a relevent destination for baseball in the fall. A strong lineup has thus far covered for a weak pitching core (a team 5.26 ERA ranks near the bottom of the ML).

AAA (22-20): At 22-20, the Trappers have benefitted from plugging into the middle of their lineup future major leaguer Angel Marquez (281, 11 HRs, 42 RBIs), who was one of the best hitters in AAA last year and is looking to, with a bit more tutelage, someday make his ML debut. Jake Daniels has emerged as Robin to Marquez' Batman, and Jose Benitez (2-0, 2.18 ERA) looks every bit the real deal at SP.

AA (28-14): Just how good is Felipe Canseco? Let the numbers speak for themselves: 8-0 in 9 starts with a 1.46 ERA. Scouts are salivating at his potential, and especially at his near-unhittable change up. Midre Castillo (4-0, 2.76) could potentially challenge Canseco for the Cy Young and both are likely All-Star bound. Brian Irwin (.385, 12 HRs, 44 RBIs) should be there as well, and the former All-Star and Gold Glove 3B might add yet another accolade to his mantle before all is said and done: Most Valuable Player.

High A (28-14): Before getting injured, Henry Nixon (.320, 33 R, 25 HRs, 14 SBs) was one of High A's most complete players. Dynamite closer Jerome Ganzel is 12-for-13 on save chances and owns a miniscule 1.02 ERA. And Bonk Shelby is looking for his third All-Star birth in three seasons, and has a 6-2 record with a 2.12 ERA in the early goings of season three.

Low A (27-15): This season has been headlines by the two Omars--SPs Omar Miranda and Omar Nunez--who are so far a combined 12-1 and are living up to their billing as future major league starters. These Trappers also boast Xavier Clarke, one of the best closers in Low A and himself a future ML player.