Link Report for Thurs. 6/26 - Lopez shines in first start after Futures Game placement

[Mass Haas]

Voyagers down Brewers, sweep two-game series

by Curt Synness, Helena Independent Record

 

The Great Falls Voyagers swept the Helena Brewers in a two-game set at Kindrick Legion Field, winning the second contest Thursday by a score of 7-3.

 

The Voyagers outhit the Brewers 15-8, led by left fielder Mason Robbins, who went 3 for 5 with a double and three runs batted in.

 

Great Falls used four pitchers on the night, with Brad Salgado collecting the win.

 

The Voyagers improve to 8-3 to start the Pioneer League season, while the Brewers slide to 4-6.

 

The Electric City crew scored two runs each in the second, third and fifth innings, and one in the fourth.

 

Voyagers starter Zach Thompson pitched two hitless frames, striking out three and walking one. He was relieved by Salgado, who held the Brewers hitless in the third.

 

Helena broke up the no-hitter and shutout in the fourth frame. With one out, Elvis Rubio walked, followed by Greg McCall’s single to right field for the Brewers' first hit of the game.

 

Then Dionis Hinojosa stroked another single to right, bringing home Rubio, and the hosts were on the scoreboard.

 

Helena tallied a run in each of the next two innings. In the fifth, Brandon Diaz scored on a groundout RBI by Tucker Nuehaus.

 

In the next stanza, Hinojosa’s legs sparked the locals’ offense. After beating out a bunt single, he stole second on an attempted pickoff and went to third on the ensuing error. Eric Williams’ RBI single then plated Hinojosa, bringing the Brewers to within what turned out to be the final margin of 7-3.

 

Both teams’ hurlers threw shutout ball over the last three frames.

 

Salgado went three innings for his win, giving up three hits and two runs.

 

Teammates Aaron Bummer and Jon Bengard went the rest of the way for Great Falls.

 

Helena manager Tony Diggs used five pitchers on the night, with starter Josh Uhen (0-1) taking the loss. He permitted six hits and four runs in three innings. J.B. Kole, Zach Hirsch and Donnie Hissa worked the final four scoreless stanzas.

 

Great Falls pitchers combined for 10 strikeouts, while the Brewers’ twirlers fanned 11.

 

Voyager Louie Lechich was 3 for 5, and John Ziznewski had a pair of doubles.

 

For Helena, Hinojosa went 2 for 4, while Diaz and Neuhaus each hit for doubles.

 

One of the game’s web gems belonged to the Brewers’ Hinojosa, who made a spectacular running, diving catch on a sinking liner by Jake Peter in shallow left-center in the top of the sixth.

 

Hinojosa’s catch saved at least one run for Helena, as the Voyagers posted a pair of singles during the inning.

 

Three photos at the article link

[Mass Haas]

New Orleans increased the deficit to 9-0 before the Sounds got on the scoreboard with a Jeff Bianchi RBI double in the bottom of the fifth, scoring Logan Schafer.

 

AUDIO: Bianchi's RBI Double

 

VIDEO: Rehabbing Christian Yelich hits a three-run home run for New Orleans against Nashville's Ariel Pena, who had just walked pitcher Alex Sanabia

[Mass Haas]

Brevard County

 

From Wednesday --

 

AUDIO: 3B Brandon Macias chats with Andrew Luftglass of the Manatees Radio Network to talk about helping out with the Manatees Baseball Camp

 

Thursday --

 

AUDIO: Catcher Parker Berberet joins Andrew Luftglass of the Manatees Radio Network

 

AUDIO, Game Highlights: In a rain-shortened eight-inning game, the Manatees defeat the Flying Tigers, 4-2

[Mass Haas]

Final: @AZL Dodgers 7, AZL Brewers 5

 

Maryvale Box Score

 

Brewers led 5-4 heading to the bottom of the 6th before losing the lead.

 

19-year-old RHP Miguel Diaz' start wasn't as nice as his first effort, with four walks in just two innings, although he allowed only one run. RHP Gian Rizzo and 35th round LHP David Carver (Lamar University) ironically posted a fine combined 8-to-1 K-to-BB ratio, but allowed six runs (four earned) in their five innings. Those three hurlers combined to throw five wild pitches, giving catcher Leudi Otano whiplash. Otano also had a passed ball.

 

Jake Gatewood (the DH here) and 1B Tanner Norton each singled twice, with Norton driving in two. CF Troy Stokes (two walks) and RF Monte Harrison (single, walk) were the others to reach base twice. Continuing a theme from Wednesday, Stokes and Morrison stole bases successfully, while Gatewood did not.

 

Know who has a little pop? 19-year-old 2nd year pro 2B Jorge Quiterio, who hit five DSL home runs last summer and hit his first pro dinger here.

 

Maryvale Game Log

 

Three-run 1st had us smiling early --

 

AZL Brewers Top of the 1st

 

Troy Stokes walks.

With Jake Gatewood batting, Troy Stokes steals (4) 2nd base.

Jake Gatewood reaches on a fielding error by third baseman Alberto Estrella. Troy Stokes scores.

With Monte Harrison batting, Jake Gatewood caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Brant Whiting to second baseman Deion Ulmer.

Monte Harrison walks.

Sthervin Matos flies out to center fielder Alex Verdugo.

With Tanner Norton batting, Monte Harrison steals (3) 2nd base.

Tanner Norton singles on a line drive to right fielder Michael Medina. Monte Harrison scores.

Juan Ortiz triples (1) on a line drive to center fielder Alex Verdugo. Tanner Norton scores.

Leudi Otano grounds out, third baseman Alberto Estrella to first baseman Scott De Jong.

 

Good job, LHP Max Walla! Here's the pitching debut for the southpaw outfield convert --

 

AZL Dodgers Bottom of the 8th

 

Pitching Change: Max Walla replaces David Carver.

Tyler Wampler pops out to second baseman Jorge Quiterio.

Alex Verdugo lines out to left fielder Juan Ortiz.

Scott De Jong lines out to left fielder Juan Ortiz.

[TooLiveBrew]

I'm pretty excited about Jorge Lopez' development this season. For as much attention as a lot of other prospects get, Lopez' may be more indicative that the team's patience and overall scouting/player development system is putting this organization back on the right track. That may sound like a big leap, but Lopez was a very promising pitcher coming out of HS in Puerto Rico when the team took him, so if he's development in a positive fashion it points to a system that has the pieces in place to allow raw, young players to be successful.

 

And he's just one of several feel-good stories this year for the farm system. There may be a night and day different when it comes to the organizational rankings next year.

 

Oh yeah, Lopez out-dueling another Futures Game pitcher this evening, and check out that groundball/flyball rate.

Lopez has vaulted up this season & become hands-down my favorite prospect.

[TooLiveBrew]

Top 10 Fantasy Prospects: Jimmy Nelson Is Ready And Waiting

June 26, 2014 by J.J. Cooper

 

1. Jimmy Nelson, rhp, Brewers

Season Totals: 8-2, 1.79, 90 IP, 59 H, 23 R, 18 ER, 27 BB, 96 SO at Triple-A Nashville.

 

Update: Nelson gave up two home runs in a start at Salt Lake after giving up only one home run in his first 13 Triple-A games but otherwise was his usual, effective self. He walked one, he struck out five and he picked up the win.

 

Prognosis: At this point, talk to a scout with Pacific Coast League coverage and one of the first questions you get is “why is Nelson still here?” Good question, no great answer. But Nelson should be up in Milwaukee at some point soon, and with his newfound ability to work to both sides of the plate and to neutralize a previously pretty significant platoon advantage for hitters, he’s ready to be a useful add in both mixed and NL roto-leagues.

THAT is absolutely thrilling to read!