Link Report for Friday 6/21 - TGIF! (Plus Vibes' Home Opener)

[Mass Haas]

http://www.brewerfan.net/images/store/dailylinkreport.jpg

 

Organizational Scoreboard including starting pitcher info, game times, MiLB TV links, and box scores

 

Dominican Summer League Scoreboard (includes DSL Brewers/Indians game)

 

***

 

Links for affiliate audio

 

***

 

Standings and sortable stat pages

 

***

 

MiLB.TV options: Biloxi, Wisconsin and Rocky Mountain home, San Antonio road, not available for Carolina.

[Mass Haas]

Happy 23rd Birthday to Timber Rattler RH reliever Robbie Hitt, who despite his surname, took the professional pitcher route, and I'm sure he's never heard that referenced before.

 

http://www.milb.com/images/676334/t572/180x270/676334.jpg

[folly412]

Aaron Ashby dominant again in his second A+ start: 7.1 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 3 BB, 8 K, 101/65

[Mass Haas]

Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes

 

***

 

Box: Carolina 6, Potomac 2

 

Ashby Dominates Again in 6-2 Carolina Victory in Potomac

Aaron Ashby totaled eight strikeouts over 7.1 scoreless innings on Friday night

 

From within --

 

"The shutout effort was Ashby's second straight as he also worked through seven scoreless in his debut versus Winston-Salem a week earlier. In all, Ashby has worked through 14 and 1/3 scoreless with 16 strikeouts over two Carolina League starts so far in 2019."

 

***

 

K.J. Harrison (Gio Gonzalez trade) has posted only modest numbers at High-A, and has spent all his time at DH and some 1B.

 

34.6 K rate for Tristen Lutz, who fanned three times here.

[Mass Haas]

Box: DSL Brewers/Indians 5, DSL Rangers #1 Squad 4

 

Up 5-1 heading to the bottom of the 9th, they hold on.

 

No Brewers pitched at all, that'll happen only occasionally.

 

Just-turned 18-year-old 2nd-year Dominican LF Jeicor Cristian on base four times including a double and two walks - 6'3" LH bats always will catch our attention; another player trending way up over prior numbers is 19-year-old 3rd-year Dominican 1B Elian Gonzalez, triple and single here. RH bat with a good frame as well, listed at 6'2", 175. 17-year-old rookie Venezuelan CF Isaac Curbata singled twice and is now perfect in four stolen base attempts.

 

Initially I typed "stolen bae" attempts, but then, he wouldn't be a very nice teammate, would he.

[Mass Haas]

Box: DSL Rangers #2 Squad 4, DSL Brewers 3, ten innings

 

Darn unearned runs early...

 

Recently turned 22-year-old 6'3" Dominican RHP Juan Gomez missed all of 2018 after debuting in 2017 (right elbow bursitis, as per the Brewers). He's cruising over the younger players here, 1.18 WHIP and no earned runs in five innings on this day. The two relievers you'll see in the box did their job as well.

 

Offensively, all eight hits were singles, but the Crew also reached via BB/HBP eight times, so 3-for-18 RISP is poor. Maybe it's just me, but it seems like errors at first base has been a problem between the two DSL clubs. 18-year-old 2nd-year Dominican 1B Juan Frias offset reaching base three times with two miscues.

 

17-year-old rookie Venezuelan infielder Joneiker Ponce de Leon had his second consecutive two-hit game. Ponce de Leon played shortstop here, which is a problem, why?

 

From the Link Report of June 18th:

 

16-year-old phenom Eduardo Garcia missed a week earlier this season with an undisclosed injury, and was removed from today's game following this:

 

DSL Brewers Top of the 6th

Pitching Change: Hancel Rincon replaces Edgar Manzo.

Eduarqui Fernandez grounds out, third baseman Luis Andujar to first baseman Roblin Heredia.

Eduardo Garcia walks.

Reidy Mercado grounds into a double play, shortstop Bryan Matute to first baseman Roblin Heredia. Eduardo Garcia out at 2nd. Reidy Mercado out at 1st.

 

Still idle.

 

Toby via Twitter on CF Reidy Mercado.

[Mass Haas]

By the way, the stud protégé shortstop on the co-op team, 17-year-old Venezuelan Carlos Roa and his early 1.048 OPS, pinch-hit on the 19th and has not played since.

 

So both Eduardo Garcia and Roa are currently sidelined, hopefully not for much longer.

[Mass Haas]

San Antonio Pre-Game Media Notes

 

***

 

Box: Omaha 4, San Antonio 3

 

Missions Winning Streak Halted at Seven

Freitas Extends Hitting Streak to 15 Games

 

As always, worth your read, some tough breaks detailed.

 

Despite the loss, yeah, the team has been on fire.

 

***

 

How easy would it be for 38,000 in Miller Park to begin a "Kes-ton Hiu-ra, Kes-ton Hiu-ra" chant, like, really, really loud.

 

Very easy, right? And boy, would that send a message.

 

Of course, Keston doesn't pitch, though.

 

You're not alone. Nobody can explain David Freitas' batting line through 173 AB's. Amazing.

 

How many organizations wish they had claimed Cory Spangenberg after his May 14th DFA (.568 OPS in April). May OPS was 1.012. June now at .894.

 

Brett Phillips trying to right his ship, it seems, but still a ways to go.

[Mass Haas]

Box: Biloxi 4, Mississippi 2

 

Leonard's Big Fly Delivers Shuckers Comeback Victory

Bettinger Turns in Quality Start in Biloxi Win

By Garrett Greene / Biloxi Shuckers

 

***

 

Devin Williams, not Nate Griep, on for the save. Griep and his 0.88 WHIP saw Luke Barker (deserving with a 0.64 WHIP) move up to AAA. (Barker is two years older.)

 

The 8th inning rally came quick, so Williams was likely already up and warming.

 

***

 

Hopefully we get some video of the retirement home fun.

[Mass Haas]

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes

 

For nuggets like this --

 

"Victor Castaneda struck out three batters in a scoreless eighth inning last night. The Wisconsin reliever has 23 strikeouts and just two walks in 14–2/3 innings this season."

 

***

 

Box: Wisconsin 4, Clinton 3

 

Late Run Pushes Rattlers Past Clinton

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

***

 

 

***

 

AUDIO via the Rattler Radio Soundcloud: "In tonight's postgame podcast, Chris Mehring & Kyle Lobner talk about the First Place Timber Rattlers win over Clinton, bring up a few stats, and a few behind the boxscore notes. Stick around for the clubhouse comments from Brent Diaz, Matt Erickson, and Freisis Adames (with a little help from Wilfred Salaman as translator).

 

***

 

Via Daniel Wussow of the Appleton Post-Crescent (full article here):

 

Last Sunday, in the final game before the all-star break, David Fry made headlines when he played eight different positions in the field in a game against Quad Cities.

 

The Timber Rattlers had previously done some experimenting with Fry in the infield and outfield, but Rattlers manager Matt Erickson decided to give him a look at every position besides pitcher that day.

 

"He's a versatile guy to begin with. Obviously, we want him to get as much time as he can at the catching position, learn that position, but he's fully capable of playing other positions. We've had him play first, third, left and right as well as catching in the first half. In his player plan, he's supposed to take ground balls at all the infield spots when he's not catching in pre-game," Erickson said.

 

"We kind of kidded about it a little bit during the beginning of the year that he was a guy we could put at any position. And then the night before our last game of the first half, I asked him if he wanted to play the eight positions, try to create some energy in a game that was a 1:15 start, and he was all about it. He was all for it."

 

Fry said playing eight positions in one game is something he won't forget.

 

"It was an awesome experience, for sure," Fry said. "Matty kind of mentioned it a little bit earlier in the year, just as I was moving around from outfield to infield ... catching, obviously. He had mentioned it the night before, and we get into the locker room the day of, and he said, 'Hey, do you want to do it today?' And I was like, 'Yeah, let's do it.' "

 

When asked if he pressed Erickson about playing pitcher as well so he could get time at all nine positions in a single game, Fry said: "Yes and no. I wanted to get on the mound, but I also got hurt on the mound in college, so I wasn't in a rush to get back out there."

 

***

 

As has been noted particularly on the Rattler Radio podcast, Fry did not get a single chance in the field all game.

[Mass Haas]

Box: Grand Junction 8, Rocky Mountain 5

 

Here's an alternative box that includes the inning-by-inning linescore.

 

Game summary here:

 

Vibes lose home opener to Grand Junction Rockies

 

***

 

VIDEO Lowlights: Because they are presented from the Grand Junction point-of-view

 

More VIDEO: Again from the opponent view, but we do get a great Micah Bello catch in center, and also a look at the Grand Junction inside-the-park home run.

 

***

 

Speaking of VIDEO, there's a well-produced one within this fan perspective article at the Colorado Springs Gazette.

 

***

 

Rocky Mountain Vibes fall in home opener, ushering in new era that already feels awfully familiar

Brent Briggeman, Colorado Springs Gazette

 

An infield single. A speedster caught stealing. An inside-the-park home run. A triple.

 

The new brand of baseball taking residence at UCHealth Park wasted no time introducing itself to Colorado Springs.

 

All of that happened within 4 minutes of Cam Robinson’s first pitch for the Rocky Mountain Vibes that ushered in Rookie League baseball to a city and stadium that had grown accustomed to the Triple-A brand over the past 31 years.

 

But, in truth, that frenetic start and much that followed in an 8-5 loss to Grand Junction Rockies in the home opener should sound awfully familiar.

 

For years, Colorado Springs and America's highest professional ballpark has stood out as an offensive launching pad, even when compared to the other hitter-friendly spots in the Pacific Coast League. From the early looks of things, the Pioneer League tenants will have no problem keeping that reputation alive.

 

"It's definitely a really cool stadium," said Vibes second baseman Nick Egnatuk, who hit a two-run double in a rally that brought the deficit to 6-5 in the seventh inning after the Rockies had led 5-0. "Last year in Helena, it was nowhere near this. The stadium wasn't nice. It's definitely a cool atmosphere to play in."

 

This game featured a home run that traveled 432 feet off the bat of Rockies’ prospect Brenton Doyle. Just a double separated Doyle from the cycle as he finished 3 for 3 with a home run, triple, single, four-pitch walk and a stolen base. He was in the on-deck circle when the Rockies made their final out.

 

Vibes left fielder Michael Wilson hit the team’s first home run at home, a 417-foot shot in the fourth inning.

The game also saw a pair of doubles that banged off the wall among its 19 hits.

 

News that much stayed the same should be welcomed by those who feared a drop to Rookie League would mean baseball that represented only a small step up from high school. That’s simply not the case. Pitches were clocked at 94 mph, no errors were committed until there were two outs in the bottom of the ninth and three double plays were turned.

 

Vibes catcher Luis Avalo showcased a rocket arm by twice throwing out Eddy Diaz on stolen-base attempts at second base. Diaz swiped 54 bases in 62 attempts last year in the Dominican Summer League.

 

There’s talent here, and not just in the form of what these players might become in three or four years.

 

The biggest differences appeared to be in the little things — outfielders’ jumps on balls, a pitcher taking a tick too long to decide to field a ball to his left or cover first, an outfielder throwing to the wrong base, a pitch with first base open that was too hit-able.

 

Well, there was also the two-man umpiring crew (down from three at the Triple-A level). And an impromptu chant of “We want s’mores,” that broke out in the seventh inning had to be the first of its kind at a professional baseball game.

 

So, yes, it's a new Vibe. But much also has remained the same.

 

By the way, fans go their s'mores.

 

***

 

Vibes catcher Luis Avalo showcased a rocket arm by twice throwing out Eddy Diaz on stolen-base attempts at second base. Diaz swiped 54 bases in 62 attempts last year in the Dominican Summer League.

 

Toby's Twitter thoughts on Luis.

 

***

 

He's no longer catching, as he's still listed on his MiLB Player Page, but yeah, we see what you're doing at the plate, DH/3B Bryan Torres.

[Mass Haas]

From Wednesday's Link Report --

 

Rocky Mountain Top of the 3rd

 

Michael Wilson strikes out swinging.

Antonio Pinero grounds out, shortstop Eddy Diaz to first baseman Owen Taylor.

Joe Gray grounds out, third baseman Cristopher Navarro to first baseman Owen Taylor.

 

Grand Junction Bottom of the 3rd

 

Defensive switch from left field to right field for Michael Wilson.

Defensive Substitution: Edwin Sano replaces center fielder Joe Gray, batting 3rd, playing left field.

 

***

 

That's either Gray tweaking something going down the line, or the classic rookie-level yank for not running hard - we tend to see the speculative "yank" after the occasional "get too mad after a strikeout" as well during the rookie summer games.

 

A check of the TV archive later will help.

 

Just watched, it was definitely not lack of hustle. It was end-of-inning, so the road feed cut away right away but it did appear Gray may have tweaked something as he approached the bag.

 

The Grand Junction announcer did not mention the substitution coming out of the break, but certainly would have later on. I won't be able to study that, so we'll monitor Gray's status in upcoming games.

 

Then, in Friday's game, Gray was busy in CF in the top of the first, and was pinch-hit for in the bottom of the inning:

 

Grand Junction Top of the 1st

 

Eddy Diaz singles on a ground ball to second baseman Nick Egnatuk.

Eddy Diaz caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Luis Avalo to second baseman Nick Egnatuk.

Julio Carreras hits an inside-the-park home run (1) on a line drive down the right-field line.

Brenton Doyle triples (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Joe Gray.

Yolki Pena grounds out, shortstop Antonio Pinero to first baseman Ernesto Martinez. Brenton Doyle scores.

Ronaiker Palma flies out to center fielder Joe Gray.

 

Rocky Mountain Bottom of the 1st

 

Michael Wilson walks.

Antonio Pinero grounds into a double play, third baseman Julio Carreras to second baseman Eddy Diaz to first baseman Reese Berberet. Michael Wilson out at 2nd. Antonio Pinero out at 1st.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Jess Williams replaces Joe Gray.

Jess Williams lines out to center fielder Brenton Doyle.

[And That]

Final: AZL Brewers Blue 2, AZL Mariners 0

 

AZL Brewers Blue Box Score

 

Starter Nick Belzer made a heck of a first impression in his pro debut, throwing 7 innings of 2-hit ball. Converted catcher Jeyner Baez then pitched 2 hitless innings as the Blues picked up their first win in shutout style.

 

33rd rounder Kevin Hardin continued to make a great impression as well, collecting two more hits, which gives him 5 hits (3 doubles) in his first 10 pro ABs. RF Anderson Melendez and CF Terence Doston each notched two hits as well.

 

AZL Brewers Blue Game Log

 

All the offense:

 

AZL Brewers Blue Top of the 5th

Kevin Hardin singles on a ground ball to center fielder Sebastian Ochoa.

Anderson Melendez triples (1) on a line drive to right fielder Luis Veloz. Kevin Hardin scores.

YongKang Kou out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Johnny Slater. Anderson Melendez scores.

Orveo Saint called out on strikes.

Terence Doston grounds out, second baseman Cody Grosse to first baseman Edwin Gil.

[And That]

Final: AZL Brewers Gold 6, AZL Dodgers Lasorda 5

 

AZL Brewers Gold Box Score

 

Oswel Leones and Victor Maria had three hits each and Luis Contreras struck out 8 over 3 innings in his pro debut to lead the Golds back to .500.

 

AZL Brewers Gold Game Log

 

Late rally:

 

AZL Brewers Gold Bottom of the 8th

Aaron Familia strikes out swinging.

Victor Maria singles on a line drive to left fielder Edwin Mateo.

Roberto Molina singles on a ground ball to left fielder Edwin Mateo. Victor Maria to 2nd.

Odrick Pitre flies out to right fielder Jaime Perez.

Oswel Leones doubles (2) on a ground ball to right fielder Jaime Perez. Victor Maria scores. Roberto Molina scores. Throwing error by right fielder Jaime Perez.

Abimael Gonzalez hit by pitch.

Francis Florentino strikes out swinging.