American Association Daily provides insights, features, and recaps of the action from around the American Association of Professional Baseball League, as well as player and coaching profiles and transactions. In today’s edition, Robert Pannier looks at the projected outfield for the Sioux Falls Canaries this season and how that should help this team soar in 2023.

A Disappointing Level of Production

They say there are only two things you can count on in life: death and taxes. However, for the first 29 seasons of their existence, fans could depend upon the Sioux Falls Canaries ranking near the top of the league in runs scored and batting average. Playing in the “Birdcage,” this became a hitters’ paradise, helping the team to generate lots of runs and to provide those who love offense with a lot of high-scoring contests.

However, the 2022 American Association season proved to be an anomaly for the team. The club finished last in runs scored (464), were ninth in homeruns (105), and 11th in batting average (.260). They finished 10th in slugging percentage (.403), numbers that were absolutely unheard of at Sioux Falls Stadium.

A lot of things did not go right in 2022, starting with the fact that only three players on the club had as many as 10 home runs. Jabari Henry had a monster season, hitting 29 homers while driving in 86, and Gavin LaValley added a 20 homerun, .324 season. Trey Michalczewski added 13 homers, but no other player had more than eight, and only five players finished with as many as six homers.

Adding to the challenge was that only five players who appeared in as many as 43 games hit better than .270, and one of those (Wyatt Ulrich) finally got his shot an affiliate ball, and another (Aaron Takacs) was traded to Lake Country. This was a team that simply did not get on base enough, and the fact that they only hit 156 doubles, 11th in the league, did not help.

Back to the Drawing Board

It was an odd season for sure, and probably had many Canaries fans scratching their heads. However, it was not like Manager Mike Meyer suddenly forgot how to win in the Birdcage or how to build a team that could generate a lot of offense. This was just an odd season where the perfect storm unfortunately materialized for Meyer.

One thing that the Sioux Falls Manager has always valued is a group that can get on base and move runners along. That is why the building of his outfield this season will likely have the Canaries back near the top of the league in offensive production.

Wyatt Ulrich

It starts with Wyatt Ulrich. Ulrich will likely start the season in right field, and he covers a lot of ground. The speedster hit .338 with a .399 on-base percentage in 63 games before his contract was purchased by the San Diego Padres. It was his first shot at affiliate ball, and things did not go as well as the outfielder would have wanted, but he returns to Sioux Falls where he has been an absolute beast. Ulrich has hit above .300 in both of his seasons. In fact, he has a career .332 average with 121 runs scored in 151 games. Plus, he has 31 career stolen bases.

Ulrich is a solid outfielder, making 10 errors in 151 games in Sioux Falls. He can cover a lot of ground and also can play second base if needed.

Hunter Clanin

Hunter Clanin was acquired during the off-season and has four years of experience in the American Association, playing for the Wichita Wingnuts, Cleburne Railroaders, and Lincoln Saltdogs. His offensive production has continued to improve with each season, hitting a career-high .273 with 14 homers last season. He also drove in a season-high 47 runs while scoring 56 runs. Clanin has speed as well, stealing 21 bases last season, a year after he stole 29 for Cleburne.

Clanin has primarily played right field in the American Association, but it would not be surprising to see him in centerfield this year. He has an outstanding arm, arguably the best in the league, and has great range and instincts.

Mike Hart

Mike Hart began his career with the Lincoln Saltdogs (2018), and joined Sioux Falls later that season. He spent most of the first four years of his career with the Canaries, building a reputation as a hard-nosed player who goes all out on every play. Hart is a solid hitter, hitting 11 homers in both 2019 and 2021 and, last year, he had his biggest season yet, playing for Schaumburg (Frontier League) where he hit .277 with 19 homers and 51 games.

Hart may not have the range of Clanin or Ulrich, but he is an outstanding leftfielder who has had several highlight reel plays in his career. He has an outstanding arm, and adds versatility as well, as he can catch a couple of days a week if needed.

Jabari Henry

Jabari Henry has been hampered by some leg and foot injuries over the last few years, but had an outstanding 2022 season, hitting 29 homers, the second time he has hit as many home runs in a season for the Canaries (2017). Henry will likely only play a small number of games in the outfield, primarily taking over the DH role, but he will join the other three outfielders in being one of the best groups in the American Association, not only providing outstanding defense, but plenty of pop at the plate as well.

Keeping the Scorekeeper Busy!

After a disappointing 2022 American Association season, this group should have this offense ready to go. There are still other pieces that Meyer has added and will add before spring training gets underway, but this outfield looks like it is going to be the strength of the team.

The combination of Henry, Ulrich, Hart, and Clanin should easily combine for 60 home runs, 250 runs scored, 50 stolen bases, and 250 RBI. That should help to push this Canaries team back near the top of the American Association offensively.

Robert Pannier