D-Backs Farm Report: Playoffs
By Thomas Lynch
There are two Minor League affiliates of the Arizona Diamondbacks that are set to begin playing for their respective league championships while a third plays this evening for the right to advance to their league championship round. This is the second consecutive season that three D-Back minor league teams have advanced this far which proves (for the most part) that the overall organizational depth ranks among the best in baseball.
Jake Barrett threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings to lift Mobile to a Game 3 win in their Southern League semifinals. Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
The Mobile BayBears (AA) are seeking their third straight Southern League Championship as they will face the Birmingham Barons in a best-of-five series beginning this evening in Mobile. The BayBears advanced by using a nine run third inning to defeat the Mississippi Braves 15-0 in their Game 4 clincher. Top prospect Archie Bradley pitched seven innings of two run ball to win Game 1 while Jake Barrett closed out a wild Game 3 by pitching 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief to tip the tide in favor of Mobile. If the BayBears prevail in this upcoming series, they will become only the second franchise in league history to win three consecutive league titles, the other being the Montgomery Rebels who were victorious from 1975 through 1977.
In Midwest (A) action, the South Bend Silver Hawks look to capture their league crown when they open their best-of-five series today against the Quad City River Bandits. South Bend, on the strength of right fielder Socrates Brito‘s four-for-five performance and third baseman Brandon Drury‘s four RBI’s, won the third and deciding game 9-5 over the Fort Wayne TinCaps on Monday. South Bend will host Games 1 and 2 while Quad City will be the home team for the final three contests.
It is do or die time for the High Class A Visalia Rawhide. The team forced a decisive Game 5, rallying from a 5-1 deficit against the San Jose Giants to win 6-5 on outfielder David Peralta‘s game-ending single to left field. The Giants will host the final game today with the winner going on to face either the Lancaster JetHawks or the Island Empire 66’ers for the California League Championship.
Be sure to check back here this week for the latest playoff results for all of these D-Back affiliates.
Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter @venomstrikes