One significant move tonight is that Mycal Jones has been promoted from Rome to Myrtle Beach. There isn't word at the moment who will be replacing him in Rome, if anyone, but it could be the Braves signed one of their new INFs super fast or Edward Salcedo's visa has finally come through. I am really hoping for the latter, but we will probably hear some time tomorrow.
Gwinnett 9, Norfolk 10
- M. Young 3-5, 2B, .250 Avg
- F. Freeman 0-4 HBP, .256 Avg
- M. Jones 3-4 2B, 2 RBI, .254 Avg
- J. Thurston 2-4 HR(5), 3 RBI, .247 Avg
Matt Young broke out of his mini slump with three hits but for once it was the pitching staff that couldn't back up the offense. Ortegano had his worst outing in AAA and h as now given up 10 runs in his last 10 innings with Gwinnett. Mitch Jones also continue to put together a solid season that is really only lacking walks. If the guy could just take a pitch or four occasionally I think he would actually be a worthwhile investment at the ML level.
Mississippi 6, West Tennessee 9
- D. Linares 2-5 2B, RBI, K, .258 Avg
- O. Mercado 2-4 2B, RBI, .286 Avg
- M. Minor 6.1IP 9H 7R 1BB 2K 4.24 ERA
Mike Minor has really been up and down in his last 4 starts with him giving up 7 runs for the second time this month. His 2 strike outs are also a season low for him (I was hoping for him to be the first player to 100 K this season). Cody Johnson struck out 2 more times tonight and now has 82 in 176 ABs this year. That is like 1,000,000 in a 500 AB season.
Winston-Salem 0, Myrtle Beach 2
- JJ Hoover 6IP 2H 0R 3BB 5K 3.18 ERA
- B. Pruneda 1IP 0H 0R 1BB 3K 2.70 ERA
As good as Delgado and Teheran are JJ Hoover has been the hottest pitcher for the Pelicans over the last month. He has given up just 4 runs over his last 39 innings with just 6 walks and 22 hits in that span. Hoover reminds me a bit of a poor man's Tommy Hanson as he has a pronounced fly ball rate but works around it effectively. He has slightly better control than Tommy but slightly worse stuff with a hammer curveball and developing changeup.
Rome 1, Charleston 7
- C. Harrilchak 1-3 BB, SB(13), .298 Avg
- C. Bethancourt 2-4 .247 Avg
- B. Schlehuber 1-3 HR(1), BB, .183 Avg
Brett DeVall pitched 5 innings and gave up 5 runs with 4 walks. Not really a good outing after a few good ones from DeVall. The offense didn't really help him either, except for the one guy who hasn't helped anyone this season, Braeden Schlehuber. Cory Harrilchak continues to get on base and steal bases which excites me a lot.
DSL Blue Jays 6, DSL Braves 3 - Game 1 - 7 Innings
- E. Salcedo 0-1 BB, K, SB(4), .278 Avg
- A. Alcantara 2-3 3 RBI, .333 Avg
Look a double header for the DSL teams!
DSL Braves 2, DSL Blue Jays 1 - Game 2 - 7 Innings
- E. Salcedo 1-3 2B, RBI, .300 Avg
- F. Marte 2-3 K, .350 Avg
- H. Garcia 3-3 SB(2), .300 Avg
- A. Espinosa 5IP 5H 1R 0BB 6K 0.87 ERA
Alright there is a little more for me to get excited about in this game. Salcedo continues to be pretty consistent. He isn't flat out dominating, but he is playing solid defense, stealing bases and taking some walks. I'll take that from a guy that is just 18 and facing the first real competition of his life (I think). Hector Garcia will turn 18 in a week and half and he was pretty terrible last year but he already has about as many walks in 23 at bats as he did in 80 ABs last season. Felix Marte has been in the DSL for three seasons now but he appears to be getting better each year and he has flash a little power (no one has much in the DSL mind you). He is 19 but maybe another guy to keep an eye on. Espinosa just turned 17 a few days ago and he has been fantastic in his first two starts. I am the first guy to say that DSL stats don't mean a whole lot, but I am doing my best to pull guys out of the haystack for you guys, so keep an eye out.