Watch out Shoeless Joe League, Matt Van der Heyden has arrived!
Van der Heyden, a 23-year old center fielder, was chosen 2nd overall in the 1973 draft (behind Justin Ficklin, who is also getting his first taste of the bigs with Portland this year and certainly looking like their future starting shortstop, though also a disruptive force in the clubhouse).
The hard-working and well-respected young outfielder got a bit of a late start this season after being called up in mid-May from AAA, but he's really starting to roll and looks to be the main candidate, outside of Houston's starting pitcher Sandy Morales (13-5, 2.69), for SJL Rookie of the Year.
Although Van der Heyden is a bit undersized, he has decent power but mostly will make his living hitting balls into the gaps, and with his great speed, just running and running and running. He should also maximize his speed with great on-base skills and once he learns to lay off bad pitches a bit more often he should possess plus plus contact skills.
In many ways Van der Heyden profiles as the Joe McPhillips of the SJL, though with even greater contact potential but slightly less defensive value.
This certainly looks like the beginning of a great career.