Trenton:
Tonight, we will start in Trenton, where Manny Banuelos threw four scoreless innings as Trenton’s struggling offense was able to push across three runs in a 3-2 extra-inning victory. Trenton pitchers minimized the damage tonight, as they did give up 14 hits.
Banuelos allowed four hits, walked one and struck out one. He is highly regarded as the top pitching prospect in the organization, and this is a good start to his career in Double-A.
Austin Romine went 1-for-2 with a double, run scored, and three walks, while OF Melky Mesa went deep for his first home run of the season. Bradley Suttle doubled, scored a run, and stole a base for the 2-3 Thunder, who have scored only 18 runs in five games.
——————————————————–
Scranton:
The offense has been a little more plentiful in Scranton.
Jorge Vazquez hit two home runs and drove in five, while Jesus Montero contributed three hits, including a double, as Scranton cruised to a 11-0 victory over Rochester.
Greg Golson went 3-for-4 with three runs scored, a home run, and three runs batted in of his own.
Montero is now 9-for-20 on the season with a double and a home run. Vazquez, who has enough raw power to be a big leaguer, now has three home runs on the young season. Golson’s home run was his second, and Scranton has hit 9 home runs total in their four games played this season.
Despite the lopsided score, not a great night for DJ Mitchell. Mitchell went 3.2 innings, allowing only two hits but also four walks to go with his four strikeouts. Control and command have been an issue for Mitchell in the past. In 2010, he went 13-4 between two levels with a 4.00 ERA, walking 64 while striking out 112 in 150.2 innings. When he is going right, he generates grounders while striking out batters at a good enough rate. But until he can get his command in order, he is not going to reach his potential.
—————————————————————
Tampa:
Jairo Heredia threw six strong innings, while Robert Lylerly contributed a double, home run, and three runs batted in as Tampa took a 7-3 decision over Brevard County.
Abraham Almonte went 2-for-5 with a pair of runs scored in the win.
Heredia allowed two runs on three hits, walking nobody while striking out seven. The 21-year old right-hander was given a test in 2010, as they put him in Tampa to start the season – the results were a disaster (0-6, 6.93 ERA in 24.2 innings over six starts). They sent him down to Charleston, where he righted himself a bit (4-2, 3.45 ERA, 65/19 K-BB in 70.1 innings). He is still a good pitching prospect who needs to master High-A this year. If he does, he’ll make it to Trenton as a 22-year old, which is impressive. Heredia’s name has been around for a while, so it is hard to believe he is still as young as he is.
Chase Whitley struck out five in two innings of relief. He also allowed a run and walked a batter to drop his ERA to 9.82. Whitley (21, RHP) was a 15th round pick in the 2010 draft and was Staten Island’s closer upon entering the organization (4-2, 1.31 ERA, 34.1 IP, 15 BB, 44 K, 15 saves). The Yankees drafted a lot of intriguing relief arms in last year’s draft, and Whitley is amongst them.
———————————————————————-
Charleston:
A slugfest broke out tonight, and Charleston ended up on the losing end of it, 12-10. Charleston banged out 19 hits, but the pitching couldn’t slow down Greenville.
JR Murphy connected on his third home run of the season in the loss. Murphy had three hits overall (including a double) and scored three runs. He is hitting .286 on the young season. Last year, he hit seven home runs with Charleston.
Slade Heathcott only managed a 1-for-6 night, but the hit was a triple and he also drove in a pair of runs. He now has eight extra base hits in five games. Interestingly, the guy who showed off good plate discipline for a player of his age last year has yet to walk this year – but he is absolutely killing the ball.
Kyle Roller contributed four hits, including a double, and drove in two. He is hitting .471 (8-for-17). He was a 8th round pick in the 2010 draft, and put up a .272/.367/.402 line upon his arrival in Staten Island. Roller is what you would call a hitter. He plays first base, and really can’t go anywhere else on the diamond.
The start was made by Zach Nudding, who allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits. The 30th round pick in last year’s draft walked two and struck out six.
