While the Padres had another impressive win Friday night, the farm was a System of a Down, as opposing clubs made Chop Suey of the Padres’ affiliates. All four clubs lost, combining to score just 13 runs.
Sacramento River Cats 9, Chihuahuas 2
Key Statistics: 2B Clay Dungan, 1-for-3, BB; 1B Matthew Batten, 1-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI; C Chandler Seagle, 1-for-3, R, BB; LHP Jackson Wolf (L, 0-1) 3 IP, 4 H, 5 ER, 4 BB, 3 K; RHP Kevin Kopps, 2 IP, BB, 3 K
Chandler Seagle was 1-for-3 on a slow night at the plate for El Paso. (Photo: Jorge Salgado)
Prospect Watch: Friday was a rough one for El Paso as the lost on the road. They didn’t get their first hit until the sixth inning, when they already trailed 7-0. … At the plate, Chandler Seagle doubled and drew a walk. It was the 27-year-old’s first hit of the season. The North Carolina native should be in line for more playing time with Brett Sullivan in San Diego. While he doesn’t bring much offensively, he is fun to watch behind the plate. … Jackson Wolf made his second start since rejoining the organization at the beginning of the regular season. For the second straight outing, Wolf couldn’t consistently throw strikes. The West Virginia product completed three innings and allowed five earned runs on four hits, walking four and striking out three. In 5.1 innings this season, Wolf has walked six batters. The free passes are out of character for the big lefty. Last season between Double-A San Antonio and Altoona, Wolf had a BB/9 of 2.5. He will need to find the zone more frequently to have a chance to pitch in the big leagues for a second straight season. … Kevin Kopps stabilized things in the middle innings with a pair of shutout frames. He walked one and struck out three. The former Golden Spikes Award winner has looked sharp in his last few outings, displaying better control while missing bats. After walking five batters in his first two outings, Kopps has allowed just one run over his last 5.1 innings, walking two while striking out seven. If Kopps can maintain that production, he could give the Padres an interesting bullpen option at some point this season.
Robby Snelling had another strong outing on Friday. (Rey Holguin)
NW Arkansas Naturals 4, Missions 2
Key Statistics: 2B Ripken Reyes, 1-for-3, RBI, 2 SB (2, 3); SS Ray-Patrick Didder, 1-for-4, R; LHP Robby Snelling, 5 IP, 3 H, ER, BB, 6 K; RHP Raul Brito (L, 1-1) 1.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R (2 ER), 2 BB; LHP Omar Cruz, 2.2 IP, H, 4 K
Ripken Reyes provides a spark setting the table for San Antonio. (Rey Holguin)
Prospect Watch: For the second straight night, the Missions failed to muster much offense and lost to the Double-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. … After having to grind through his first start due to some command issues, Robby Snelling looked sharp on Friday night. The 20-year-old lefty allowed just one run on three hits across five innings. He walked one and struck out six, generating eight swings-and-misses as he landed 47 of his 63 pitches for strikes. Through two starts, Snelling has a 2.00 ERA. … Omar Cruz looked sharp as he recorded the final eight outs for the Missions. Cruz allowed just one hit, striking out four without a walk. The 25-year-old from Hermosillo, Mexico, has returned to the organization after being part of the prospect package the Padres sent for Joe Musgrove. Cruz is in Double-A for the fourth straight season. Last season, he functioned as a swingman for the Altoona Curve, where he pitched to a 3.94 ERA in 27 outings. He’s allowed just one earned run in five innings for the Missions this year. … Ripken Reyes singled and stole a pair of bags from the leadoff spot. 2023 was a career-best season for the USD product. He set career highs with 119 games, six homers and 30 stolen bases. In 328 career minor league games, the 27-year-old has a .401 on-base percentage.
Tyler Robertson broke out of his slump. (Photo: Fort Wayne TinCaps)
Lake County Captains 7, TinCaps 6
Key Statistics: RF Kai Murphy, 1-for-3, R, 2B, 3 BB, 2 K; CF Tyler Robertson, 2-for-4, 2 2B, 2 R, BB, RBI; SS Jarryd Dale, 2-for-4, R, 2 RBI, BB, SB (1); LHP Jagger Haynes, 0.1 IP, 2 H, 4 ER, 4 BB; LHP Miguel Cienfuegos (L, 1-1) 4 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 BB, K; LHP Ryan Och, 1.2 IP, 3 H, 3 K
Prospect Watch: After having their last two games washed out by rain, the TinCaps finally played their second game of the week. They fell behind early and lost to Lake County at Parkview Field. … Right fielder Kai Murphy reached base four times out of the leadoff spot. He had a double, drew three walks, and scored a run. The 23-year-old outfielder and former pitcher was a pleasant surprise last season as he posted solid offensive numbers in Lake Elsinore. He was promoted down the stretch to Fort Wayne, where he struggled. The TinCaps’ offense has been cold out of the gate, but Murphy has had a solid .788 OPS in five games to start the year. … Center fielder Tyler Robertson broke out of an early-season slump with a pair of doubles and a walk. The 24-year-old was 0-for-10 with five strikeouts coming into Friday’s game. The athletic outfielder has some of the best speed in the organization, but is still refining his swing. … Lefty Jagger Haynes made his High-A debut, which he will hope to erase from his memory. The North Carolina native walked the first three batters he faced, then allowed a two-run single. After another walk, Haynes allowed a two-run double and was pulled from the game. The only out came on an outfield assist by Tyler Robertson. The 21-year-old Haynes battled blister issues and other injuries last year, but threw well when he could take the mound, pitching to a 3.91 ERA. His next start will be important as he looks to avenge his worst performance as a professional.
Modesto Nuts 4, Storm 3
Key Statistics: LF Ryan Wilson, 1-for-3, RBI; CF Dillon Head, 1-for-4, RBI; SS Rosman Verdugo, 1-for-3, R, BB; RHP Miguel Mendez, 4 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K; RHP Eric Yost (L, 0-1) 2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K; RHP Kobe Robinson, 2 IP, H, 2 K
Dillon Head could be a force for Lake Elsinore. (Photo: Jerry Espinoza)
Prospect Watch: The Storm jumped out to a 3-0 lead, but the Nuts scored twice in both the fifth and sixth to win at home over Lake Elsinore. … Center fielder Dillon Head was dropped down to the second spot in the lineup after hitting exclusively out of the leadoff spot to start the season. He singled and drove in a run. The 19-year-old is off to a slow .200/.222/.286 with three doubles, nine strikeouts, and just one walk in 36 plate appearances to start the season. … Shortstop Rosman Verdugo tripled, walked, and scored a run in the Storm defeat. The 19-year-old is back in Lake Elsinore after an uneven campaign in 2023. After posting a .640 OPS. Verdugo has a solid .782 OPS out of the gate this season but has struck out 14 times in 34 plate appearances. … Righty Miguel Mendez worked around traffic through four scoreless innings. He came back out for the fifth, but opened the frame by allowing his third walk before a triple chased him from the game. He was ultimately charged with a pair of runs on three hits and recorded two strikeouts. Through two starts this season, the 21-year-old has a 4.50 ERA.
