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Minor League Discussion
Quote from Randy Manese on April 16, 2026, 6:03 amMusgrove's debut was rained out. Castro pitched well despite giving up one run in the first 4 innings before he ran out of gas in the 5th, not registering an out before he was pulled. Got to build him up before he can compete longer but likely stay in the rotation for a team struggling with pitching thus far.
On the negative side, Lizarraga looks done. A 3.30 WHIP and 20.25 ERA don't even tell you how bad he's looked. Was supposed to benefit from pitching down in the Texas League before being brought up to the PCL, but at this rate more likely to be released than promoted. Not sure if there is something physically wrong with him but 11 walks and 11 hits given up in 6 and 2/3 innings plus 2 HB and 2 WP are surely warning signs of severe mechanical if not physical issues.
Musgrove's debut was rained out. Castro pitched well despite giving up one run in the first 4 innings before he ran out of gas in the 5th, not registering an out before he was pulled. Got to build him up before he can compete longer but likely stay in the rotation for a team struggling with pitching thus far.
On the negative side, Lizarraga looks done. A 3.30 WHIP and 20.25 ERA don't even tell you how bad he's looked. Was supposed to benefit from pitching down in the Texas League before being brought up to the PCL, but at this rate more likely to be released than promoted. Not sure if there is something physically wrong with him but 11 walks and 11 hits given up in 6 and 2/3 innings plus 2 HB and 2 WP are surely warning signs of severe mechanical if not physical issues.
Quote from fenn68 on April 16, 2026, 7:00 amIt is going to be interesting to hear what is going on with Lizarraga.
His first start was not good but passable (5 innings / 2 runs / 2 hits / 6 BB) ... it then moved to his 2nd and 3rd starts where he only went 1.2 innings combined yielding 9 hits / 5 BB and a whopping 15 runs. That is well beyond bad.
If injury ... no idea why he was sent out for this 3rd start or even kept in the game so long. If no injury, what would cause such a regression in performance. I guess in his first start his control was bad ... then in his second and third starts he appears to be still yielding walks but is getting hammered if he gets it over the plate.
Looking like an extended ST candidate.
It is going to be interesting to hear what is going on with Lizarraga.
His first start was not good but passable (5 innings / 2 runs / 2 hits / 6 BB) ... it then moved to his 2nd and 3rd starts where he only went 1.2 innings combined yielding 9 hits / 5 BB and a whopping 15 runs. That is well beyond bad.
If injury ... no idea why he was sent out for this 3rd start or even kept in the game so long. If no injury, what would cause such a regression in performance. I guess in his first start his control was bad ... then in his second and third starts he appears to be still yielding walks but is getting hammered if he gets it over the plate.
Looking like an extended ST candidate.
Quote from Randy Manese on April 16, 2026, 4:34 pmThis has the makings of a feel good story but maybe it is just giving the guy one last look at the highest level he has ever pitched at before releasing him. Anyway, Andrew Thurman was just promoted to El Paso after being out of organized baseball since 2017 and is now 34 years old. Had done okay at San Antonio so don't know if this is in recognition of his perseverance or he really has stuff to pitch effectively at least the AAA level. I'll watch him the next time he hits the mound. He was, way back in 2013, a #2 draft choice of the Houston Astros. Rooting for him to fulfill his dream!
This has the makings of a feel good story but maybe it is just giving the guy one last look at the highest level he has ever pitched at before releasing him. Anyway, Andrew Thurman was just promoted to El Paso after being out of organized baseball since 2017 and is now 34 years old. Had done okay at San Antonio so don't know if this is in recognition of his perseverance or he really has stuff to pitch effectively at least the AAA level. I'll watch him the next time he hits the mound. He was, way back in 2013, a #2 draft choice of the Houston Astros. Rooting for him to fulfill his dream!
Quote from fenn68 on April 16, 2026, 5:06 pmQuote from Randy Manese on April 16, 2026, 4:34 pmThis has the makings of a feel good story but maybe it is just giving the guy one last look at the highest level he has ever pitched at before releasing him. Anyway, Andrew Thurman was just promoted to El Paso after being out of organized baseball since 2017 and is now 34 years old. Had done okay at San Antonio so don't know if this is in recognition of his perseverance or he really has stuff to pitch effectively at least the AAA level. I'll watch him the next time he hits the mound. He was, way back in 2013, a #2 draft choice of the Houston Astros. Rooting for him to fulfill his dream!
Marco Gonzalez was put in the IL to make room.
Quote from Randy Manese on April 16, 2026, 4:34 pmThis has the makings of a feel good story but maybe it is just giving the guy one last look at the highest level he has ever pitched at before releasing him. Anyway, Andrew Thurman was just promoted to El Paso after being out of organized baseball since 2017 and is now 34 years old. Had done okay at San Antonio so don't know if this is in recognition of his perseverance or he really has stuff to pitch effectively at least the AAA level. I'll watch him the next time he hits the mound. He was, way back in 2013, a #2 draft choice of the Houston Astros. Rooting for him to fulfill his dream!
Marco Gonzalez was put in the IL to make room.
Quote from Randy Manese on April 16, 2026, 9:43 pmMendez continues to do well. Balzer took a step back but not awful. Similarly, Montgomery had a good second game for someone who hasn't pitched a lot in 2 years. By the way, Yost doing a great job piggy-backing on Mendez to close out his games - looking very solid in relief.
Mendez continues to do well. Balzer took a step back but not awful. Similarly, Montgomery had a good second game for someone who hasn't pitched a lot in 2 years. By the way, Yost doing a great job piggy-backing on Mendez to close out his games - looking very solid in relief.




