Link Report for Tuesday 5/9 - Sky Sox offense, Trey Supak impressive again

[MrTPlush]

Trey Supak needs to be promoted. He is way above A ball hitters. WAY above.

[And That]

Doubles barrage lifts Shuckers over Jumbo Shrimp

Michael Reed blasted his sixth home run in the victory on Tuesday

By Biloxi Shuckers

 

(Photo: BENTON REED)

 

Biloxi Boxscore

 

The Shuckers have won 9 of 12 and pull back to .500 for the first time since the 8th game of the season. Their team batting average has risen 23 points since bottoming out at .199 on April 25th. Not great shakes yet, but now not horrifying either.

 

Three Shuckers chipped in with 2 hits. Angel Ortega, who is hitting .310 in his past 10 games, bagged two doubles to see his OPS climb to 724, which is very respectable for the Southern League. He's looked capable on defense at the not-first base infield positions as well. He's a pretty big kid now, too. I'd say his listed height of 6'2 is selling him a bit short.

 

Jacob Nottingham also hit two doubles, though his batting average still hits below .200. He's hit into some pretty awful luck this season, and I fully expect the offensive production to keep picking up. More importantly, to my eye he looks improved and more comfortable behind the plate, most notably in the pitch blocking department. He never will have plus agility behind the dish, so it is important he gets what he can get to. Lateral movement technique looks better as he's moving more centered, as opposed to leading with his knees. And he's thrown out 47% of runners to boot. This is not a full endorsement of his defense - he still has a lot of work left - but he's closer to getting there than he was last year.

 

Dustin DeMuth was the third Shucker with two hits, one of which was a double. Michael Reed hit his 6th home run of the season, which is only two shy of his career single season high set last year. Michael Choice doubled too, his first extra base hit as a member of the organization.

 

Jorge Lopez was ok but inconsistent with his command again. He gave up three earned runs in 4 2/3 innings, striking out 7 but also giving up two jacks. Matt Ramsey, who as I mentioned elsewhere has shown pretty impressive stuff, closed it out for his Southern League-leading 9th save. It feels a bit like Jaye Chapman's start to the season with Biloxi last year. Hopefully Matt's Brewers story ends better than Jaye's.

 

Biloxi Game Log

 

Biloxi takes the lead for keeps:

 

Biloxi Top of the 7th

Mauricio Dubon strikes out swinging.

Angel Ortega doubles (5) on a ground ball to right fielder John Norwood.

Michael Choice doubles (1) on a line drive to left fielder Alex Glenn. Angel Ortega scores.

Michael Reed pops out to first baseman Taylor Ard in foul territory.

Dustin DeMuth doubles (5) on a line drive to center fielder Yefri Perez. Michael Choice scores.

Jacob Nottingham doubles (7) on a sharp ground ball to left fielder Alex Glenn. Dustin DeMuth scores.

With Blake Allemand batting, Jacob Nottingham advances to 3rd on a balk.

Blake Allemand lines out to third baseman Brian Anderson.

[And That]

Supak Strikes Out 11 in Rattlers Win

Wisconsin beats Fort Wayne 5-2

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

(Photo: Wisconsin Timber Rattlers)

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

 

The worst team in the Midwest League is once again taken down by the Rattlers, with the headline (see the headline above) being Trey Supak. One run on three hits and one walk in 5 2/3 innings, and oh yah, eleven punch outs too. So in 30 innings this season, Supak has given up only 16 hits and 7 walks, and struck out 42. He also continues his remarkable ability to keep opposing home runs at bay, considering he is a flyball-oriented pitcher. I would guess he won't be promoted for awhile yet, though, as he has accumulated only 74 innings in A ball, and there is not currently a hole in the Carolina rotation.

 

Joantgel Segovia and Mario Feliciano each had a pair of hits to pace the Rattlers' offense. Feliciano now leads the Rattlers in batting average, at .280. The team managed six walks as well, which is both welcome and surprising. Caleb Whalen struck out twice and walked once in his Rattlers (and full season ball) debut.

 

Wisconsin Game Log

 

Supak was pulled once he hit 90 pitches, nothing to worry about here:

 

Fort Wayne Bottom of the 6th

Jorge Ona grounds out, first baseman Ronnie Gideon to pitcher Trey Supak.

Hudson Potts flies out to left fielder Caleb Whalen.

Pitching Change: Daniel Brown replaces Trey Supak.

Jack Suwinski strikes out swinging.

[bork]

Who would have predicted that Carolina would be the worst team in the organization? So disappointing looking at those box scores every day.

[WV Brew]

McKenzie dominates Mudcats with 14 K performance

Jake Gatewood extended his hitting streak to 18 straight in Tuesday's series opening loss

By Greg Young / Carolina Mudcats | May 9, 2017 10:13 PM ET

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/9/8/6/229350986/cuts/Triston_McKenzie_3_zn7bqq04_xkqss9st.JPG

 

Triston McKenzie struck out 14 Mudcats in 6 innings and the bullpen added 3 more as the Mudcats fell 4-1. Conor Harber (4 2/3 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 8 K) started and took the loss. He gave up a home run to the second batter, Ka'ai Tom, and a double to Sicnarf Loopstok, the third batter, who then scored. That was all the Hillcats would need. The Mudcats' staff is last in the league in allowing walks, hit batsmen and wild pitches. They added 5 more wild pitches in this game.

 

Jake Gatewood extended his hitting streak to 18, getting a single of one of the relievers after striking out twice against McKenzie. Isan Diaz had a walk and a single and had the only hit off McKenzie. The Mudcats had a chance to get back in the game in the 7th when they loaded the bases after scoring one run but Max McDowell's ground ball to the hole between short and third was snared by the shortstop who then threw out McDowell to end the threat.

 

Carolina Box Score

 

Carolina Game Log

 

 

Carolina Top of the 1st

 

Corey Ray walks.

With Lucas Erceg batting, Corey Ray steals (7) 2nd base.

Lucas Erceg strikes out on a foul tip.

Isan Diaz strikes out swinging.

Jake Gatewood called out on strikes.

 

The lone bright spot for the Mudcats' offense today:

 

 

Carolina Top of the 7th

 

Pitching Change: Dominic DeMasi replaces Triston McKenzie.

Lucas Erceg grounds out, pitcher Dominic DeMasi to first baseman Sicnarf Loopstok.

Isan Diaz strikes out swinging. Wild pitch by pitcher Dominic DeMasi. Isan Diaz to 1st.

Jake Gatewood singles on a ground ball to right fielder Andrew Calica. Isan Diaz to 2nd.

Trent Clark singles on a fly ball to center fielder Jodd Carter. Isan Diaz to 3rd. Jake Gatewood to 2nd.

Luis Aviles grounds into a force out, shortstop Willi Castro to second baseman Ivan Castillo. Isan Diaz scores. Jake Gatewood to 3rd. Trent Clark out at 2nd. Luis Aviles to 1st.

Troy Stokes Jr. walks. Luis Aviles to 2nd.

Max McDowell grounds out, shortstop Willi Castro to first baseman Sicnarf Loopstok.

 

Trent Clark's single short hopped the wall in center for a single as the runners had to hold up to see if it would be caught.

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO from earlier this week: New Shuckers outfielder Michael Choice is interviewed for the Beau Rivage Pregame Show

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO via the Biloxi pre-game: "A chat with assistant minor league director and roving outfield and baserunning instructor Tony Diggs. The discussion goes over the great start by Mauricio Dubon on the bases.

 

***

 

AUDIO: Biloxi Tuesday game highlights via Chris Harris' call

[brewmann04]

Yes but isn't Carolina one of the youngest teams in the league?

[WV Brew]

I think Carolina is the youngest team in the league but really it's by only about a year compared to the oldest and some teams carry older guys as loogys or who might be trying a different position. It's probably not that great an age disparity.

[And That]

Carolina has the youngest offensive unit in the Carolina League, at 21.6 years of age. The next youngest is Buies Creek, at 22.2. Average is 22.5.

 

They have the second-youngest pitching staff, at 22.5 years of age, though half of the league is either 22.5 or 22.6. Wilmington is the youngest at 22.2. Average is 22.9.

[wildcat2237]

Keon Broxton and Trey Supak for Jason Rogers.... may be early but I'm pretty sure that one will go down as a win for Sterns! Supak just dominant yet again for TRats! He's been lights out for them!

 

11 K's and 1 walk.

 

Nasty Nasty Stuff. Will be interesting to see him at Carolina.