News:
Spencer Jones returned tonight, and the entire Internet rejoiced. Or something like that.
Scranton (16-21) (Lost to Omaha, 3-2)
LF Kole Calhoun: 0-for-4, 3 K
3B Andres Chaparro: 1-for-4
.273/.347/.561 in 147 PA.
CF Elijah Dunham: 0-for-3, BB, K, SB (6)
1B Rodolfo Duran: 0-for-4, K
RF Franchy Cordero: 0-for-3, BB, K
SS Jesus Bastidas: 1-for-3, RS, BB
DH Ben Rortvedt: 1-for-2, HR (1), RBI, RS, 2 BB, K
If Rortvedt can stay healthy and become a productive MLB catcher (whether as a starter or a backup), that could be the positive we see from the trade with the Twins.
PR Wilmer Difo: 0-for-0
2B Jamie Westbrook: 1-for-4, RBI, K
C Carlos Narvaez: 0-for-3
RHP Randy Vasquez: (L, 0-5) 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
Vasquez has pitched better as of late to get his ERA down to 5.50. Before this stretch (which covers four starts), he owned an 8.62 ERA,
RHP Matt Bowman: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
LHP Nick Ramirez: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
For as long as he can hang on to the 40-man roster spot, he will be on the shuttle.
Somerset (19-11) (Lost to Portland, 10-5. The offense walked 12 times but couldn’t get that big hit, as they compiled only three hits)
LF Jasson Dominguez: 0-for-2, RS, 3 BB, K
Dominguez’s second 3-BB game of 2023. He owns a 28/26 BB/K ratio.
DH Austin Wells: 2-for-5, 2B (3), 3 RBI, RS, K
I remain stern in my stance that Wells needs to be moved from this level very soon.
CF Everson Pereira: 0-for-5, 2 K
.223/.291/.415 in 103 PA. His 33% K rate is concerning (last season, his rate was 27.7%)
2B Caleb Durbin: 0-for-3, RS, BB, HBP, SB (4)
Between here and Hudson Valley, Durbin is 19-for-21 stealing bases. His BB/K ratio is 15/9. His versatility, ability to make contact, and steal some bases (he was 31-for-36 last season) can certainly make him an MLB player.
3B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-3, 2 BB, K
RF Jeisson Rosario: 0-for-2, RBI, 3 BB, SB (2)
Rosario continues to draw his walks (.333 OBP despite a .130 BA). One has to assume that his .135 BABIP will start to normalize.
C Mickey Gasper: 0-for-3, RBI, 2 BB, SB (1)
1B Eric Wagaman: 0-for-3, RS, BB, 2 K
SS Max Burt: 1-for-4, RS
RHP Clayton Beeter: 2 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 2 HR
Beeter’s ERA spikes from 1.35 to 3.14, which is still impressive enough. In 28.2 innings, he has allowed 25 hits with a 38/15 K/B ratio.
LHP Michael Giacone: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
1.84 ERA (14.2 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 9 BB, 19 K). As I always say, it is a good idea to watch left-handed arms,
RHP Indigo Diaz: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
1.26 ERA (14.1 IP, 13 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 10 BB, 18 K). BB rate was an issue in the Braves organization as well, so they will need to iron that out.
RHP Justin Maese: 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Justin Wilson: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, HR
Hudson Valley (19-12) (Battled back to beat Aberdeen, 9-7)
CF Spencer Jones: 2-for-4, 2B (8), HR (6), 3 RBI, 3 RS, BB, 2 K
A nice return for Jones! He is hitting .275 with a .903 OPS (8 doubles, 3 triples, 6 HR, 22 RBI, 18 R, 7-for-8 SB; 7 BB, 33 K)
DH Alexander Vargas: 1-for-5, 2 RBI, RS, 2 K
What looked like a tough night turned into a good one for Vargas. His 2-run single in the top of the 9th gave Hudson Valley the lead.
1B Spencer Henson: 3-for-4, 2 RBI, BB, K
Henson has three 3-hit games this season.
C Rafael Flores: 2-for-5, K
After a hot start to the season, Flores was only 3-for-28 in May entering tonight. In April, he was 19-for-47 (.404).
LF Aaron Palensky: 0-for-4, RS, BB, 3 K
RF Grant Richardson: 1-for-5, K
SS Ben Cowles: 1-for-4, 2 RS, 2 K
9-for-23 (.391) in May.
3B Marcos Cabrera: 1-for-3, K, SB (2)
PH-3B Eduardo Torrealba: 0-for-0, RS, BB
2B Luis Santos: 1-for-4, RBI, RS, 2 K
RHP Juan Carela: 4.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
4.68 ERA (25 IP, 23 H, 15 R, 13 ER, 1 HR, 10 BB, 33 K). There are things to like in the 21-year-old’s profile.
RHP Bailey Dees: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
3.21 ERA (14 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 7 BB, 21 K)
RHP Enrique Santana: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
RHP Nick Paciorek: (W, 3-0) 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
Tampa (11-19) (Lost to Ft. Myers, 12-1)
SS Jared Serna: 1-for-4, RS, 3 K
Serna’s first multi-strikeout game in 2023. It is only the second time in his career that he has struck out three times in a game (124 games). By the way, Serna has played nine games at shortstop this season (one career game at shortstop prior to 2023)
RF Anthony Hall: 1-for-3, BB, K
Hall extends his hitting streak to 9 (12-for-33 with five walks). His average has jumped from .121 to .242 during the streak.
C Agustin Ramirez: 0-for-4
CF Daury Arias: 1-for-4, 2 K
The 21-year-old has his share of ups and downs this season but is 9-for-32 (.281) in May with three doubles and a triple.
2B Brenny Escanio: 0-for-3, BB, K
DH Omar Martinez: 0-for-4, 4 K
LF Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-3
3B Brett Barrera: 0-for-3, 2 K
1B Ronny Rojas: 0-for-1, BB
RHP Sean Hermann: 4.1 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
A tough game for Hermann, who sees his ERA spike to 6.52. His last three starts have been subpar, but I will remind you that he is only 19 years old.
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Manny Ramirez: 0 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
RHP Shane Gray: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
5.29 ERA (17 IP, 15 H, 10 R, 10 ER, 4 BB, 28 K). One has to love that K/BB ratio.
RHP Cole Ayers: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K