Robert Hassell III continues his torrid stretch, but the Storm get blown out. Missions have the lone win in the system behind a great pitching performance from Petro Avila.
Pedro Avila has been starting again for San Antonio. (Photo: Joe Alexander)
The Chihuahuas (39-55): The Chihuahuas are playing better but still had another rough week. Catcher Luis Campusano is riding a five-game hitting streak and hitting 381/.435/.667 during the stretch.
Missions 3, Midland Rockhounds 1
Key Stats RHP Pedro Avila 4 IP, 2 H, ER, 2 BB, 5 K; CF Esteury Ruiz 1-for-2, RS, BB, 2 SB (29), HBP; 3B Allen Cordoba 2-for-3, 2 2B, RS, RBI, BB, SS Eguy Rosario 1-for-4, RS
Allen Cordoba is having a big August. (Photo: Rey Holguin)
Prospect Watch: The last time Pedro Avila allowed one or fewer runs while striking out at least five, he was on a big league mound facing the Diamondbacks 28 months ago. After battling injuries, the Padres have finally allowed Avila to start, even if they limit him to four innings at a time. Despite not really starting in over two years, Avila is still only 24, and is slowly looking more and more like the prospect that was called up for a spot start two years ago. … Speaking of former Padres, Allen Cordoba continues to be excellent. The now 25-year-old is hitting .377/.449/.522 in August. Cordoba has gained considerable muscle and now plays primarily at third. Still, his offense has been a spark for the Missions, and some team will give him a shot next year. CF Esteury Ruiz continues to put up his best season since the Padres acquired him for Brandon Maurer in the Matt Strahm deal. With two more stolen bases tonight he is now one away from stealing 30 bases for the third straight season. The difference, in 2019 he had 34 stolen bases and a .657 OPS in Lake Elsinore. This year he has 29 stolen bases (30 fewer games), but already nearly as many walks and a .780 OPS. Ruiz is still just 22. .
Danny Denz. (Photo: Jack Powers/West Michigan Whitecaps)
Dayton Dragons 4, TinCaps 3
Key Stats: LHP Danny Denz 4 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K; RHP Chase Walter 2 IP, 2 H, BB, 3 K; RHP Kevin Kopps IP, 2 K; 1B Yorman Rodriguez 3-for-5, 2B, RS; RF Tirso Ornelas 1-for-5, 2B, RS, 2 RBI
Prospect Watch: Since the promotion of Matt Waldron and Ethan Elliott (both now on the IL in San Antonio), lefty Danny Denz has easily been the best, most consistent pitcher for the TinCaps. The left-hander was an undrafted free agent signing after that fun five-round draft in 2020. Denz, out of University of Memphis, has yet to allow more than two earned runs in any start this season. His six strikeouts tonight tie his season-high. Denz has a 2.14 ERA after nine starts this year with the TinCaps. … Speaking of undrafted free agents, right-handed pitcher Chase Walter might be the poster child of a really good player who went undrafted. After mowing down hitters in Lake Elsinore (52 strike outs in 27.2 innings), he has continued his success in his second outing with Fort Wayne. Walter was sitting 96, topping out at 98 mph. While he still has work to do with location, his fastball plays up and can be pretty lethal if he continues developing his secondary pitches. … Kevin Kopps was arguably one of the most polished and big league-ready hurlers in the draft. The Golden Spikes winner worked another perfect inning. In three innings with the TinCaps, Kopps has allowed only one runner while striking out four. Kopps has a lethal cutter, that already is one of the better pitches in minor league baseball. If he can continue to develop it, it would not be a surprise to see him challenge for a bullpen spot with the Padres next year.
Robert Hassell III had a good nigth on a bad offensive night for the Storm. (Photo: Jerry Espinoza)
San Jose Giants 10, Storm 0
Key Stats: CF Robert Hassell III 2-for-3, 2B, BB, SB (31); SS Euribiel Angeles 1-for-4, RHP Luarbert Arias 2 IP, H, ER, 3 K
Prospect Watch: Here is your daily Robert Hassell III update. Hassell III reached base three times, stole a base, and hit a double. Hassell continues to absolutely rake over the past few weeks. In the past nine games, Hassell has 16 hits, four doubles, two home runs, seven walks, five strikeouts, and four stolen bases, to go with a slash-line of .457/.548/.743. Its that type of production that has him rated as a top-50 prospect by both Baseball America and MLB Pipeline. … Hassell was pretty much the only highlight for the Storm who were crushed 10-0. Righty Nick Thwaits was hammered, allowing six earned runs on eight hits in just three innings. This outing is particularly frustrating as Thwaits had come off his two best starts of the year before tonight.
The ACL Padres had the night off so they could still bask in the glow of the last start by MacKenzie Gore. Padres first round pick Jackson Merrill is currently the youngest player on the team. When he was born, the Padres lost to the Rockies 10-9. On that forgetful day, Ryan Klesko hit two home-runs. Clay Condrey got the start. With current Giants pitching coach Matt Herges coming out of the pen. Jesse Orosco got the hold but then Brandon Villafuerte blew the save and took the loss.
