4/17 Arizona Diamondbacks Minor League Report
By Thomas Lynch
Bo Schultz gets the start tonight for Triple A Reno. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Arizona Diamondbacks sit at 4-14, on a six game losing streak and own the worst record in Major League Baseball. The good news is that the D’backs are off today, giving their fans some much needed rest. Today seems like a good day to cheer you up by taking a look at the teams in their Minor League system.
Reno Aces: The D’backs’ Triple A affiliate is riding a losing streak of their own, having dropped their last three contests. There have been some comings and goings with the Aces with right-handed pitcher Michael Bolsinger promoted to Arizona on Monday and veteran lefty Randy Wolf joining Reno this week. The Aces are now 6-8 with a number of pitchers putting in stellar work. Right-handed reliever Derek Eitel has given up only one earned run in 9 1/3 innings covering five appearances. He has walked only two while striking out 13. Bo Schultz gets the ball tonight looking to improve on his 1-1, 2.31 ERA record. At the plate, first baseman Mike Jacobs is hitting a sizzling .417 with 11 RBI’s and shortstop/second baseman Didi Gregorius has an on-base percentage of .390. Outfielders Alfredo Marte and Ender Inciarte have OBP’s of .412 and .355 respectively.
Mobile BayBears: Double A Mobile currently leads South Division with a 7-6 record. Last night, third baseman Jake Lamb ended a scoreless deadlock in the 10th inning with a solo home run. Lamb is tied for second on the team with 10 hits while outfielder David Peralta leads the club in that category with 16 and a slash line of .333/.373/.458. Pitching has carried the BayBears as right-hander Chase Anderson and left-hander Andrew Chafin both have ERA’s under 1.00 in a combined six starts. Shockingly, Chafin does not have a decision while Anderson is 2-1. Righty A.J. Schugel has a 1.54 ERA in two starts while reliever Jake Barrett has two saves and a 2.25 ERA in four appearances. Lefty specialist Patrick Schuster hasn’t been scored on in six games.
Visalia Rawhide: There is some serious pop at the corner infield spots for the Rawhide, who sit in second place with a 9-5 record in the California League’s North Division. First baseman Rudy Flores and third baseman Brandon Drury have combined for six home runs and 26 RBI’s. The shortstop depth in the organization reaches down to Raul Navarro who is off to a great start with a .359/.390/.436 line. 6-foot-8 left-handed starter Andrew Barbosa could be looking at a promotion soon. He is 2-1 with a 2.81 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 16 innings. Opponents are hitting .175 off him in three starts. Righty Brandon Sinnery is 2-0 with a 1.45 ERA in three starts in covering 18 2/3 innings. He hasn’t allowed a run over his last 14 innings. Reliever Jimmie Sherfy could also move up. The 23-year old righty has four saves in five games, not allowing a run with 12 strikeouts in only five innings.
South Bend Silver Hawks: The Class A Silver Hawks sit in the middle of the pack of the Midwest League’s Eastern Division with a 6-7 mark. The catching duo of Michael Perez and Jose Queliz have enjoyed fine offensive seasons so far. Though he leads the team with 111 RBI’s, outfielder Stryker Trahan needs to work on his .208/.231./438 line. Yet another shortstop, this time Joe Munoz, leads the team with a hot .342/.375/.447 line. Adam Miller has stood out among members of the starting rotation with a 1-0 record and a 1.42 ERA in three starts. However, he needs to work deeper into games as he has only 12 1/3 innings pitched. Relievers J.R. Bradley and Kyle Schepel have been impressive, combining for 9 1/3 innings covering ten appearances, allowing only five hits and striking out nine.
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