Despite three of the four affiliates’ starters allowing four or more runs, the organization nabbed three victories. Additionally, Wil Myers made another rehab start with Lake Elsinore, collecting his sole hit on a home run to center.
Chihuahuas 6 – Reno Aces 5
Key Stats: RHP Kyle Lloyd 5 IP, 4 ER, 4 BB, 3K; 2B Luis Urias 1-5, K; 1B Brett Nicholas 1-5, HR, RBI, K; RF Franmil Reyes 2-4, 2 RS, HR, 2 RBI, BB, 2 K; LF Nick Schulz 2-3, RS, RBI, K
Prospect Watch: Franmil Reyes got things going early, jacking his second home run in his first trip to the plate. … Recently acquired catcher/first baseman Brett Nicholas followed it up in the top of fifth for his fourth home run of the season. … After going 1-for-5 on the night, Luis Urias saw his batting average slip to .241. Given he’s still just 20 years of age, there is no need for alarm yet. Urias got off to a fast start last year, but then had a June with poor numbers before he bounced back in July. … Tonight marks three straight games without a hit for shortstop Javier Guerra, who still maintains a .977 OPS but seems to be cooling off. After five strikeouts in the first two games at Reno, he put the ball in play all four times Thursday. He has struck out in 36 percent of his plate appearances on the year, a bit above his rate since joining the Padres system.
Missions 10 – Midland Rockhounds
Key Stats: 1B Josh Naylor 2-5, 1 RS, 1 BB; SS Fernando Tatis Jr. 2-6, 3 K, 2 RS; DH Austin Allen 3-4, 2 2B, 2 RS; 3B Ty France 1-1, BB, RS, RBI; C Kyle Overstreet 1-3, 2 RS, RBI, BB; CF Michael Gettys 0-4, RS, RBI, BB, K; 2B River Stevens 3-5, 3 RBI, SB; LF Rod Boykin 2-5, 2 RBI, K; LHP Logan Allen 5 IP, 6 K, 3 BB, 1 ER
Prospect Watch: Without a single home run and just three extra-base hits (two doubles by Austin Allen and one late one by Rod Boykin), the Missions nickele-and-dimed their way to ten runs. Every position player except Michael Gettys notched a hit. Fernando Tatis Jr., collected two singles to raise his average to .211, but did strike out three more times. … Meanwhile, Josh Naylor collected a pair of singles after going hitless in his previous two games. He has struck out only once in his last seven games, while drawing eight walks. … Logan Allen struck out five Midland batters the first time through the order but coughed up three runs in his subsequent trips through the lineup.
Storm 5 – Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 4
Key Stats: LHP Adrian Morejon 4 IP, 4 K, BB, 4 ER, 6 H; RHP Trevor Megill W (1-0), 1 IP, 5 K, 0 BB; CF Edward Olivares 1-5, 2B, SB; 2B Eguy Rosario 1-5, RS, K; RF Wil Myers 1-4, RS, HR, RBI, K; 3B Hudson Potts 0-4, RBI; Jorge Ona 1-4, 2 K; 1B Brad Zunica 2-3, 2 RS, HR, RBI; C Luis Torrens 2-4, HR, 2 RBI
Prospect Watch: Though he only lasted four innings, Adrian Morejon reportedly touched 98 mph with his fastball, even maintaining strong velocity late in his 75 pitch outing. The 5.11 ERA does not adequately reflect the improvement he’s demonstrated in just his first full-season. The 19-year-old lefty came into the year with only 27.2 innings of full-season ball under his belt, so he is still adjusting to some of the in-game sequencing he’ll need to develop. … Despite not playing a single game in Low-A last season, this Wil Myers fellow flashed some power, going deep to center after getting behind 0-2 in the count. … Brad Zunica’s long swing and rough mechanics may hinder him from hitting for average, but he hasn’t had any problems tapping into his power in the early going, belting a solo shot in the first. The 6-foot-6 slugger has toned down his leg kick this year, allowing him to be on time to the ball more consistently than in the past. … Jorge Ona’s two strikeouts give him 17 in his first 47 at-bats in High-A.
Great Lakes Loons 10 – TinCaps 2
Key Stats: RHP Mason Thompson 2 IP, 6BB, 3 K, 8 ER; CF Jeisson Rosario 0-1, 3 BB, 2 RS; RF Jack Suwinski 1-2, 1 2B, 2 RBI; 2B Esteury Ruiz 1-4, 1K
Game Notes: Travis Barnett was on-site at Parkview Field for tonight’s game.
Mason Thompson struggled to locate his fastball all evening long, including pregame warm-ups. That eventually led to a six walks and eight earned run performance. The big right-hander walked five consecutive batters in the first inning. However, it should be noted that Thompson, a native Texan, was the only player not wearing warm wear. He seemed to be affected by a frigid wind that placed the temperature down in the thirties.
Entering the game, all five of Thompson’s walks had come against southpaws. It looked like his game plan to rectify that was to pound the inside edge of the plate on the three lefties he faced. Unfortunately, since the fastball was a bit flat, it didn’t jump back over the edge of the plate as he intended. Nevertheless, the aggressiveness was a savvy approach for the young pitcher.
The Loons pitching staff may have dominated for most of the night, carrying a no-hitter into the sixth inning, but they seemed reluctant to give Jeisson Rosario anything to hit, walking him three times. That makes 12 walks over the last five games for one of the league’s youngest players.
Until the weather changes, it’s going to be difficult to truly evaluate where some of these players are, especially those who are from warmer climates. Position players continue to look stiff both in the field and at the plate. Since acclimation will eventually happen, let’s be sober-minded regarding the slow starts by the bevy of talent at Fort Wayne.
In his second pitching appearance of the season, infielder Carlos Belen unofficially touched 95 mph on the radar gun.
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