2019 Minor-League Player of the Day

[OGB]

Aristides Aquino: HR (10), 2 RBI. Looking like the guy we saw 5 years ago in Billings and 3 years ago in Daytona

This is a discussion maybe worth starting elsewhere, but with the unexpected success and power of guys like OGrady, Longhi, VanMeter, and Aquino, it's worth noting AAA is using the same ball as MLB this year.
I saw a report a couple weeks ago that HRs were up an upsurd amount league-wide. I think it was near 60-65% of last year's total HRs and not even close to the halfway point of the season.

[HammerTime]

Aristides Aquino: HR (10), 2 RBI. Looking like the guy we saw 5 years ago in Billings and 3 years ago in Daytona

This is a discussion maybe worth starting elsewhere, but with the unexpected success and power of guys like OGrady, Longhi, VanMeter, and Aquino, it's worth noting AAA is using the same ball as MLB this year.
I saw a report a couple weeks ago that HRs were up an upsurd amount league-wide. I think it was near 60-65% of last year's total HRs and not even close to the halfway point of the season.

One of the lower leagues were using a different ball. Was it AA?

[Edd Roush]

Games of Thursday, June 13

MiPOD James Marinan threw a quality start with 5 Ks and 2 BBs in six innings. He has struggled this year making it through only four innings in each of his last three starts, but he is still young and this is a start to build on.

Honorable Mention Brian Rey had two hits including the only bomb of the night.

[Tom Servo]

Games of Friday, June 14


Lucas Sims, Louisville: 7.2 innings, 3 hits, 0 walks, 6 strikeouts, 2 run, 1 earned run. The inconsistent right-hander with tantalizing ability was on his game last night after a dud in his last abbreviated start. If Sims can string together more outings like this, he could find himself back in Cincinnati sooner than later.

Honorable mention: Ricky Salinas, Dayton: 6 innings, 3 hits, 1 walk, 6 strikeouts, 0 runs. Dayton ended up losing thanks to some lackluster offense and shoddy bullpen work, but last year's 23rd rounder out of Rice did his part. At 23, Salinas is not a spring chicken, but he could still carve out a future with starts like this.



In other action, with Billings now joining the fray:


Christian Colon, Louisville: 2-4, 2B

Brian O'Grady, Louisville: 1-3, RBI

Aristides Aquino, Louisville: 1-3, HR, RBI. Punishers gonna punish.

Rob Refsnyder, Louisville: 1-3, RBI

Sal Romano, Louisville: 1.1 innings, 0 hits, walks, or runs, 4 strikeouts. Where's this Sal Romano been hiding?



Alfredo Rodriguez, Chattanooga: 2-5, 2B

TJ Friedl, Chattanooga: 3-5

Tyler Stephenson, Chattanooga: 1-2, 2 walks

Michael Beltre, Chattanooga: 1-3, BB

Packy Naughton, Chattanooga: 5.2 innings, 8 hits, 3 walks, 3 strikeouts, 2 runs. Worst start so far in AA for Packy and it still wasn't all that bad.

Cory Thompson, Chattanooga: 2 innings, 1 hit, 0 walks, 1 strikeout, 0 runs.



Brian Rey, Dayton: 1-3, RBI

Miguel Hernandez, Dayton: 1-3

Randy Ventura, Dayton: 2-4, RBI, stolen base

Adrian Rodriguez, Dayton: 2 innings, 2 hits, 0 walks, 2 strikeouts, 0 runs.



Jonathan Willems, Billings: 1-3, BB

Claudio Finol, Billings: 1-3, RBI

Quin Cotton, Billings: 1-4. One of the new farm additions, with more to come.

Jeffry Nino, Billings: 1.1 innings, 2 hits, 0 walks, 2 strikeouts, 0 runs



Jose Acosta, DSL Reds: 1-2, 3 walks, 2 stolen bases

Ilvin Fernandez, DSL Reds: 2-3, 2 walks

Daniel Vellojin, DSL Reds: 1-2, BB, RBI, stolen base

Ronard Soto, DSL Reds: 3 innings, 0 hits, walks, or runs, 6 strikeouts

Yoel Diaz, DSL Reds: 2 innings, 3 hits, 0 walks, 2 strikeouts, 0 runs

[lollipopcurve]

Games of Saturday, June 15

Your MILPoD

Alfredo Rodriguez, Lookout: 4-7, 2B, 3B, CS (8). He’s hitting .306 now, .341 over his last 10. The two EBHs are nice to see from a guy who has only 42 of them among his 247 professional hits. A long way to go still, but he’s come a long way this year, and nobody knows how well he can sustain it or how much better he will get.

Hon men:
Aristides Aquino, Bat: 2-5, 2 HR (13). Has made important swing adjustments this year. Stance is now open, and it’s open season on International League pitchers for the Punisher. He elevated a couple balls around the knees out to center and to left. Per Doug, he has a 19 game hitting streak and with enough ABs would be 2nd in the league in OPS. Probably the best story in the system so far.

In other action, with the Lookouts splitting a DH and the Tortugas on All-Star break:

Brian O’Grady, Bat: 2-4, BB. OBP. OPS at .998. And 11 steals i 13 tries.

Nick Longhi, Bat: 2-5, 2B. Hitting .304.

Rob Refsnyder, Bat: 3-5 2 2B (14). Hitting .318.

Jimmy Herget, Bat: 1.1 IP, 4 K. 25 year-old has 43 Ks in 33.1 IP, but also 20 BB.


Michael Beltre, Lookout: 2-5. they’ve stuck with him despite a horrendous start in AA, and he’s showing some life now (.310 over last 10).

Gavin LaValley, Lookout: 2-5, BB. He’s bot 7 BB vs 5 K over his last 10and has hit .313.

Jesse Stallings, Lookout: 2 IP, BB, K.

Joel Kuhnel, Lookout: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, BB, K, win (3). ERA at 2.27.

Wyatt Strahan, Lookout: 2 IP, BB, 2 K. Reportedly made some mechanical adjustments out in AZ, under the watchful eyes of the high-tech cameras. Was a 3rd round investment back in 2014.

Victor Payano, Lookout: 1-2-3 inning. Hasn’t walked anyone in his last 10 outings (14.1 IP, 10 K).


Michael Siani, Dragon: 1-4, 2B, sac. Committed is first error of the year.

Miles Gordon, Dragon: 1-5, 2B, 3 RBI.

Shard Munroe, Dragon: 1-3, 2 BB

Connor Bennett, Dragon: 2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 5 K, win (2).


Jonathan Willems, Mustang: 2-4, 3B. Demotee from Dayton is hitting well, as expected.

Leonardo Seminati, Mustang: 3-4, RBI, picked off. 2 games, 4 hits for the Italiano from Alzano Lombardo.

Quincy McAfee, Mustang: 1-2, BB, HBP, RBI. Late-round SS out of Pepperdine conjures memories of Zach Vincej. May he do as well.

Miguel Medrano, Mustang: 5 IP, H, 5 K. 64 pitches, 45 strikes. 21 y-o really struggled in Greenville last summer, but this is probably more of what the Reds saw when they acquired him from the Rangers for international $$ in 018.


Darlin Guzman, DSL Red: 3-5, 2B, RBI (10). Hitting .405, OPS over 1.100.

Elly De La Cruz, DSL Red: 3-4, BB, 2 2B, 3 R. First year pro, a switch-hitting infielder, has a couple of multi-hit games after going hitless in his first 3 games.

Junior Melo, DSL Red: 3-4. He’s doing his 3rd year in the DSL. Grizzled.

[mace]

Games of Sunday, June 16

MiLPoD: With nobody doing enough to claim legitimate Father’s Day honors, we’ll go with the hot hand, Aristides Aquino, who went just 1-3 with a walk and an RBI but in so doing extended his hitting streak to 20 games. The strong-armed outfielder's OPS is up to 1.060, but frankly, I’m just as impressed with the .336 average coming off the bat of a tall, long-swinging fellow. All this from an imposing athlete who had fallen to #31 in the Redszone prospect poll.

Also notable on a day when all four teams in action went down, although Billings, winless in 3 games, made it to extra innings . . .

Chattanooga

Johendi Jiminian: 5.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 3 K. Tenth minor-league season for the 26-year-old righty from the D.R., originally signed by the Rockies.

Tyler Stephenson: 2-3, RBI.

Gavin LaValley: 2-4. OPS at .747.

Ryan Nutof: Retired the only guy he faced in Double-A debut.

Billings

Edwin Yon: 3-5, double, 2 RBI. The lanky Dominican, 20, has been in the system since 2015 without attracting attention. Batting cleanup for the Mustangs.

Quincy McAfee: Single, walk, RBI, SB (1). Shortstop came from Pepperdine in the 26th round.

Nate Scantlin: 1-2, walk, run.

Quin Cotton: Triple, RBI. Led off.

Omar Conoropo: 3 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 5 K.

Francis Peguero: 1.1 IP, zeros. Dominican righthander.

Manuel Cachutt: 1 IP, 0-0-0, 1 K. Venezuelan was strong 2 years ago in the DSL.

Dayton

Randy Ventura: 2-3, run, SB (4). Average up to .299 for speedy infielder-outfielder.

Mike Siani: Stole 21st base, second in league.

Brian Rey: Double, RBI.

Louisville

Christian Colon: 1-2, double, walk, HBP, sac fly. Batting an even .300.

[Kc61]

Aquino, The Punisher, made the BA Prospect Hot Sheet for last week.

[Edd Roush]

Games of Monday, June 17

It was a quiet day on the farm with only two teams in action.

MiPOD Stuart Fairchild went 2-4 with 2 doubles, a run scored, and 2 RBI. Stuart has made a major leap in his second tour of Daytona. He has hit the trifecta of progress by cutting down his K rate, boosting his BB rate and boosting his ISO. The 38th overall selection in the 2017 draft has always played good defense so he is certainly vaulting himself up the Reds' prospect lists.

The Louisville Bats had the day off.

The Chattanooga Lookouts are on the All-Star Break

The Daytona Tortugas won 6-4.

Scooter Gennett (rehab) went 0-2. He left the game, as planned, after 5 innings.
Andy Sugilio went 2-3 with a walk, steal (13), and he scored 2 runs.
Hendrik Clementina went 2-4 with a double and an RBI.
Ryan Lillie threw 4.0 shutout innings with 3 strikeouts.

The Dayton Dragons are on the All-Star Break

The Billings Mustangs had the day off.

The AZL Reds lost 16-3.
Chad Tromp (rehab) went 1-4 with a double, run scored, and he had 2 RBI.
Jose Tello went 2-4 with an RBI.

[Tom Servo]

Games of Tuesday, June 18

Vladimir Gutierrez, Louisville: 5.2 innings, 6 hits, 2 walks, 7 strikeouts, 2 runs. Not a great sign for how your season is going when a pretty good outing like this drops your ERA to 7.60, but it was indeed a pretty good outing for the Cuban right-hander and ideally he could start stringing together more starts like this.


In other action, on a fairly quiet night with the Lookouts and Dragons taking a breather:



Alex Blandino, Louisville: 2-4, BB, RBI

Aristides Aquino, Louisville: 1-3, BB, RBI

Juan Graterol, Louisville: 2-4, RBI

RJ Alaniz, Louisville: 1.1 innings, 0 hits, walks, or runs, 2 strikeouts

Joe Mantiply, Louisville: 1 inning, 0 hits, walks, or runs, 3 strikeouts



Jonathan India, Daytona: 2-4, 2B

Drew Mount, Daytona: 1-3. This was all the offense the Tortugas had.

John Ghyzel and Dauri Moreta both pitched 2 scoreless innings in relief of Wennington Romero (5 innings, 4 earned runs)



Danny Lantigua, Greeneville: 1-4, 2B

Carlos Reina, Greeneville: 2-3, 2 doubles, BB

Raul Juarez, Greeneville: 1-4, HR, RBI

Cristian Olivo, Greeneville: 1-2, BB, RBI

Raul Wallace, Greeneville: 2 innings, 0 hits, walks, or runs, 2 strikeouts. Impressive pitching debut for the converted outfielder from the Dominican Republic.



Jonathan Willems, Billings: 2-5, BB, RBI. Young infielder (20) proved to be overmatched in Dayton and is looking to get back on track in Montana.

Reniel Ozuna, Billings: 1-3, HR, 2 walks, RBI. Similar story as Willems.

Leonardo Seminati, Billings: 2-5. Probably my favorite Italian in the Reds system!

TJ Hopkins, Billings: 2-5, 2B, 2 RBI. Senior sign out of South Carolina who seems to have some abilities.

Justin McGregor, Billings: 5 innings, 6 hits, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts, 2 runs. You may or may not recall that McGregor is last year's 31st rounder out of Oral Roberts.

Nick Travieso, Billings: 0.2 innings, 1 hit, 3 walks, 1 strikeout, 3 runs, 1 earned run. Not the ideal comeback but still, the first appearance for the 2012 first round pick since around the time that Ken Bone was a thing.

Frainger Aranguren, Billings: 1.1 innings, 1 hit, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts, 0 runs

Ryan Dunne, Billings: 1 inning, all zeros, 1 strikeout



Ashton Creal, AZL Reds: 2-5, RBI. This year's 21st rounder out of that higher learning institution we all know and love, John A. Logan College.

Chadwick Tromp, AZL Reds: 2-3, 2 RBI. The prodigal son returns. They're forming in a straight line. They're goin through a tight wind. The kids are losing their minds. Chadwick Tromp!

Wendell Marrero, AZL Reds: 1-4, HR, RBI. First hit is a HR for the 18-year-old 11th rounder out of Puerto Rico.

Caleb Van Blake, AZL Reds: 2-3, BB, stolen base

Fidel Castro, AZL Reds: 1-1. El Comandante is quickly becoming a Redszone legend.

Rafael Franco, AZL Reds: 1-4. Franco's small sample size numbers may not jump out at you (.264/.360/.322 between this year and last year in the AZL) but it seems worth noting this centerfielder from Mexico turns just 18 tomorrow. Feliz cumpleaños, Rafael!



Esmil Torres, DSL Reds: 2 walks. Who knows what on Earth to make of this but Torres has just 4 hits in 26 at-bats yet has walked 14 times, compared to just 5 strikeouts.

Darlin Guzman, DSL Reds: 1-4, 2B, BB

Ilvin Fernandez, DSL Reds: 2-4, 2B. Fernandez, a 17-year-old Dominican shortstop signed last season, is hitting .395 through 11 games in the DSL.

Lenniell Perez, DSL Reds: 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI

Williams Yanez, DSL Reds: 3.1 innings, 1 hit, 0 walks, 2 strikeouts, 0 runs

[mace]

Games of Wednesday, June 19

MiLPoD: Rob Refsnyder, Louisville . . . 3-4, HR (7), walk, 3 RBI. Only in this year of the bouncy Triple-A ball can a guy be OPSing a quiet .917 in the International League. The 28-year-old Arizona Wildcat and South Korea native, a former Yankee, Blue Jay and Ray, was acquired for cash in April and has held up his end of the bargain, batting .325 without the conspicuous surges of VanMeter, O’Grady, Longhi, Ervin, and Aquino. Good pickup.

Honorable Mention: Alex Blandino, Louisville . . . 2-4, double, walk, HBP, 3 RBI. Off to a great start (.982 OPS) after a long rehab from his ACL injury last July. Since then, Blandino’s immediate future with the Reds has been impacted by the arrivals of Iglesias, Dietrich, and Farmer and the rise of VanMeter; but the former Stanford star appears undaunted by the challenge.

Also notable on a night when Greeneville got its first win of the season and Billings, yet again, did not . . .

Daytona

Andy Sugilio: 2-4, double, 2 runs, RBI. Speedy, sizzling switch-hitter has multiple hits in 7 of his last 8 games. Batted .345 two years ago in Billings.

Mark Kolozsvary: 2-4, HR (4).

Stuart Fairchild: 2-4, RBI. Playing the best ball of his pro career.

Yonathan Mendoza: 1-2, 2 walks.

Jose Garcia: 1-3, sac fly.

Mac Sceroler: 4.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 5 K. Continues to strike out more than a batter an inning, 50 overall against just 11 walks.

Diomar Lopez: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 walks, 4 strikeouts. The guy they got from the Padres for Matt Wisler. They say he’s 22. http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp...ching/2019/ALL

Andy Cox: 1 IP, 1 hit, zeros for his fifth save. Pitching like a bullpen ace. Hasn’t given up a run in his last 15 appearances, covering 18.1 innings.

Greeneville

Danny Lantigua: 1-2, double, 2 walks, run. Slender, switch-hitting OF from the D.R.

Orlando Noriega: 5 IP, 4 hits, 0 runs, 2 BB, 3 K. The Venezuelan, 20, didn’t pitch like this last year in Arizona.

JC Keys: 1 IP, 0-0-0, 2 strikeouts. Round 23, from Southern Miss in his hometown of Hattiesburg.

Dan Serreino: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 runs, 0 walks, 1 K. First pro appearance produced the first save for the big Jersey righthander.

Louisville

Christian Colon: 3-6, RBI, SB (16). Also a solid veteran pickup.

Brian O’Grady: 2-4, walk, RBI.

Aristides Aquino: 1-3, 2 walks, RBI. Hitting streak up to 22 games. The walks, as we all know, are also noteworthy.

Juan Graterol: 1-3, 2 walks, 2 R.

Tejay Antone: 5.1 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 7 strikeouts. Not a sterling line, but enough to pick up the W in his Triple-A debut.

Eric Stout: 1.1 IP, 1 walk. Newly acquired lefty.

Jimmy Herget: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, Sv (2). Tumbling ERA of 2.83 for the low-angle righty.

Billings

Quincy McAfee: 3-4, double, 2 runs, RBI. Infielder came plug-and-play out of Pepperdine.

Reniel Ozuna: HR (4), 3 RBI. Second homer in as many nights. This follows a forgettable stint in Dayton.

Robert Boselli: 2-4, RBI. Sizable catcher played 1B.

DSL

Darlin Guzman: 2-4, 2 doubles, run, RBI. R. A whole lotta rakin’ goin’ on.

Ilvin Fernandez: 1-2, walk, run. Handsome .472 OBP in his first dozen professional games.

Eddy Alcantara: 3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K.

[Edd Roush]

MiPOD Wendell Marrero went 4-4 with a double, 3 runs scored, was hit by a pitch, and he had 2 RBI. The 2019 11th rounder from Puerto Rico made his first professional hit count with a home run on Tuesday and then decided that he wanted to show he could hit for average with a perfect day at the dish. I know he is at the lowest reaches of the minor leagues, but I think a perfect day deserves some accolades.

Honorable Mention Josh VanMeter another awesome game in Louisville with three hits, two steals and two runs scored.

Honorable Mention Alfredo Rodriguez his two hit (including a double), two walk game in which he scored 2 runs boosts my boy's batting average to .308 and OBP to .345 in 266 PA. Anyone else willing to think there is a chance he could eventually contribute yet?

Honorable Mention Nick Lodolo struck two out in his first professional inning. Only let the leadoff guy get a hit so that guy could tell his grandchildren than he got a hit off the great Nick Lodolo.

The Louisville Bats lost 7-6.

Alex Blandino went 1-4 with a walk.
Rob Refsnyder went 1-2 with a run scored.
Nick Longhi went 1-3 with an RBI.
Scott Schebler went 1-3 with a solo home run (3), was hit by a pitch, and he scored 2 runs.
Jackson Stephens threw 1.2 shutout innings with 2 strikeouts.
Joe Mantiply threw a shutout inning with a strikeout.

The Chattanooga Lookouts won 10-9.

Mitch Nay went 2-4 with a double, run scored, and he had 4 RBI.
Tyler Stephenson went 1-4 with an RBI.
Gavin LaValley went 1-5 with a double and a run scored.
Narciso Crook went 3-5 with a double and 2 runs scored.
Michael Beltre went 4-5 with a run scored and he had an RBI.
Ty Boyles threw one and a third perfect innings with a strikeout.

The Daytona Tortugas lost 9-4.

Scooter Gennett went 1-5.
Stuart Fairchild went 1-4.
Jonathan India went 1-3, was hit by a pitch, doubled, and he scored a run.
Jose Garcia went 3-4 with a double, steal, 2 runs scored, and he had an RBI.
Bruce Yari went 1-4 with a run scored.
Lorenzo Cedrola went 1-4 with 3 RBI.
John Ghyzel threw a perfect inning with a strikeout.

The Dayton Dragons won 7-2. Box Score
Michael Siani went 1-3 with a walk and a steal (22).
Jay Schuyler went 2-3 with a walk and a run scored.
Pabel Manzanero went 2-3 with a double, walk, and he scored 2 runs.
Juan Martinez went 2-4 with an RBI and 2 runs scored.
Bren Spillane went 2-3 with a walk, double, run scored, and he had an RBI.
Lyon Richardson allowed 2 runs in 4 and two third innings with 2 walks and 7 strikeouts.

The Billings Mustangs won 2-0.

Quincy McAfee went 1-3 with a run scored.
Victor Ruiz went 2-3 with a double and 2 RBI.
Omar Conoropo threw 5.0 shutout innings with a walk and 4 strikeouts.

The Greeneville Reds lost 13-6.

Allan Cerda went 2-2 with a double and 2 RBI.

The AZL Reds won 9-5.

Mariel Bautista (rehab) went 2-5 with 2 steals and a run.
Chad Tromp (rehab) went 1-4 with a double and a run scored.
Debby Santana went 2-5 with a double, triple, RBI, and he scored a run.
Fidel Castro went 1-4 with a double.
Jose Lopez (rehab) threw a shutout inning with a walk and 3 strikeouts.
Reinardo Mota was charged with an unearned run in 3 hitless innings with a walk and 3 strikeouts.

[corkedbat]

Games of Tuesday, June 18

Vladimir Gutierrez, Louisville: 5.2 innings, 6 hits, 2 walks, 7 strikeouts, 2 runs. Not a great sign for how your season is going when a pretty good outing like this drops your ERA to 7.60, but it was indeed a pretty good outing for the Cuban right-hander and ideally he could start stringing together more starts like this.


In other action, on a fairly quiet night with the Lookouts and Dragons taking a breather:



Alex Blandino, Louisville: 2-4, BB, RBI

Aristides Aquino, Louisville: 1-3, BB, RBI

Juan Graterol, Louisville: 2-4, RBI

RJ Alaniz, Louisville: 1.1 innings, 0 hits, walks, or runs, 2 strikeouts

Joe Mantiply, Louisville: 1 inning, 0 hits, walks, or runs, 3 strikeouts



Jonathan India, Daytona: 2-4, 2B

Drew Mount, Daytona: 1-3. This was all the offense the Tortugas had.

John Ghyzel and Dauri Moreta both pitched 2 scoreless innings in relief of Wennington Romero (5 innings, 4 earned runs)



Danny Lantigua, Greeneville: 1-4, 2B

Carlos Reina, Greeneville: 2-3, 2 doubles, BB

Raul Juarez, Greeneville: 1-4, HR, RBI

Cristian Olivo, Greeneville: 1-2, BB, RBI

Raul Wallace, Greeneville: 2 innings, 0 hits, walks, or runs, 2 strikeouts. Impressive pitching debut for the converted outfielder from the Dominican Republic.



Jonathan Willems, Billings: 2-5, BB, RBI. Young infielder (20) proved to be overmatched in Dayton and is looking to get back on track in Montana.

Reniel Ozuna, Billings: 1-3, HR, 2 walks, RBI. Similar story as Willems.

Leonardo Seminati, Billings: 2-5. Probably my favorite Italian in the Reds system!

TJ Hopkins, Billings: 2-5, 2B, 2 RBI. Senior sign out of South Carolina who seems to have some abilities.

Justin McGregor, Billings: 5 innings, 6 hits, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts, 2 runs. You may or may not recall that McGregor is last year's 31st rounder out of Oral Roberts.

Nick Travieso, Billings: 0.2 innings, 1 hit, 3 walks, 1 strikeout, 3 runs, 1 earned run. Not the ideal comeback but still, the first appearance for the 2012 first round pick since around the time that Ken Bone was a thing.

Frainger Aranguren, Billings: 1.1 innings, 1 hit, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts, 0 runs

Ryan Dunne, Billings: 1 inning, all zeros, 1 strikeout



Ashton Creal, AZL Reds: 2-5, RBI. This year's 21st rounder out of that higher learning institution we all know and love, John A. Logan College.

Chadwick Tromp, AZL Reds: 2-3, 2 RBI. The prodigal son returns. They're forming in a straight line. They're goin through a tight wind. The kids are losing their minds. Chadwick Tromp!

Wendell Marrero, AZL Reds: 1-4, HR, RBI. First hit is a HR for the 18-year-old 11th rounder out of Puerto Rico.

Caleb Van Blake, AZL Reds: 2-3, BB, stolen base

Fidel Castro, AZL Reds: 1-1. El Comandante is quickly becoming a Redszone legend.

Rafael Franco, AZL Reds: 1-4. Franco's small sample size numbers may not jump out at you (.264/.360/.322 between this year and last year in the AZL) but it seems worth noting this centerfielder from Mexico turns just 18 tomorrow. Feliz cumpleaños, Rafael!



Esmil Torres, DSL Reds: 2 walks. Who knows what on Earth to make of this but Torres has just 4 hits in 26 at-bats yet has walked 14 times, compared to just 5 strikeouts.

Darlin Guzman, DSL Reds: 1-4, 2B, BB

Ilvin Fernandez, DSL Reds: 2-4, 2B. Fernandez, a 17-year-old Dominican shortstop signed last season, is hitting .395 through 11 games in the DSL.

Lenniell Perez, DSL Reds: 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI

Williams Yanez, DSL Reds: 3.1 innings, 1 hit, 0 walks, 2 strikeouts, 0 runs

If Castro is El Comandante can we call Franco Generalissimo?

[Tom Servo]

Games of Friday, June 21

Packy Naughton, Chattanooga: 6.2 innings, 3 hits, 2 walks, 2 strikeouts, 2 runs, 1 earned run. The left-hander from Boston continues to be very effective, though it is a little concerning for his long term starting prospects that he's got just 8 strikeouts over his last 3 starts. But through his 15 starts between A+ and AA this year, the Virginia Tech product has a 2.53 ERA. "That's getting the job done", as a not-so-wise man often says.

Honorable mention: Leonardo Seminati, Billings: 3-4, 2 walks. Born 24 hours after New Year's Day 1999 in Italy, Seminati has been hitting like it's 1999 as the hottest bat in the Mustangs lineup.

In other action, with a lot to get through here:


Josh Van Meter, Louisville: 3-5, 2 RBI. Picking up where he left off.

Brian O'Grady, Louisville: 2-5, stolen base

Aristides Aquino, Louisville: 2-5, stolen base

Juan Graterol, Louisville: 1-3, BB, 2B, RBI

Sherman Johnson, Louisville: 1-2, 2 walks, RBI

Brad Markey, Louisville: 6 innings, 7 hits, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts, 4 runs, 2 earned runs. Unfortunately denied a deserved win thanks to a blown save.



Alfredo Rodriguez, Chattanooga: 3-5, 2B. Just keeps hitting.

Mitch Nay, Chattanooga: 2-4

Ibandel Isabel, Chattanooga: 2-4, HR, 3 RBI. Back off the IL and ready to sock some dongers.

Tyler Stephenson, Chattanooga: 1-3, BB

Brantley Bell, Chattanooga: 2-4, RBI

Narciso Crook, Chattanooga: 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI

Juan Martinez, Chattanooga: 1.1 innings, 0 hits, walks or runs, 2 strikeouts


Stuart Fairchild, Daytona: 2-3, HR, BB, 2 RBI. 7th best OPS in the FSL for the Wake Forest outfielder from Seattle. Would have gotten honorable mention but he got picked off and caught stealing in this one. Pobody's nerfect.

Mark Kolozsvary, Daytona: 2-4

Diomar Lopez, Daytona: 2.1 innings, 3 hits, 0 walks, 3 strikeouts, 0 runs. Still does not look 22.

Dauri Moreta, Daytona: 2 innings, 1 hit, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts, 0 runs


Michael Siani, Dayton: 1-4

Jay Schuyler, Dayton: 1-4, 2B

Miguel Hernandez, Dayton: 1-3

James Marinan, Dayton: 5.2 innings, 7 hits, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts, 3 runs

Eduardo Salazar, Dayton: 1.1 innings, 1 hit, 0 walks, 3 strikeouts, 0 runs


Ivan Johnson, Greeneville: 2-4

Cristian Olivo, Greeneville: 2-4

Allan Cerda, Greeneville: 2-4, 2 doubles

AJ Bumpass, Greeneville: 1-3, BB, RBI

Graham Ashcraft, Greeneville: 4 innings, 5 hits, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts, 4 runs. Pro debut.

Tanner Cooper, Greeneville: 2 innings, 1 hit, 1 walk, 1 strikeout, 0 runs. Much better outing than in his debut.

Alec Byrd, Greeneville: 2 innings, 1 hit, all zeros otherwise


Victor Ruiz, Billings: 1-4, BB, 2 RBI. Just in case you forgot, Ruiz was a teenage catcher signed out of Mexico. He's still a teenager (doesn't turn 20 until October) but he is now listed as a 3B.

Jonathan Willems, Billings: 2-5

Andrew Stevenson, Billings: 1 inning, 0 hits, walks, or runs, 2 strikeouts

Ryan Dunne, Billings: 2 innings, 0 hits, walks, or runs, 1 strikeout


Chadwick Tromp, AZL Reds: 1-1, BB, RBI

Elvis Gomez, AZL Reds: 2-2, 3B

Fidel Castro, AZL Reds: 1-4, RBI

Luis Tejada, AZL Reds: 1-4, HR, RBI

Rafael Franco, AZL Reds: 2-4, RBI


Daniel Vellojin, DSL Reds: 3-4, HR, RBI, stolen base

Jose Acosta, DSL Reds: 2-2, 2B, 2 walks, stolen base

Wilmer Alcantara, DSL Reds: 1-4, HR, RBI

Junior Tamares, DSL Reds: 2-3, 2B,

[mace]

Games of Sunday, June 23

MiLPoD: Wennington Romero, Daytona . . . In his fourth start of the season, the crafty lefthander, still just 21, worked 7 shutout innings, giving up 6 hits, for his first win. He averaged 13 pitches a frame, fanning 6 and walking only 1.

Honorable Mention: Jacques Pucheu, AZL . . . Brilliant debut for the freshly signed undrafted free agent from Austin Peay. Lefty closed out a come-from-behind win with 3 hitless innings, walking 1, fanning 5, and notching the W.

Also notable on a day when the farms went 4-2 but Billings, after losing 5 straight close games to Idaho Falls, succumbed to the Chukars—they’re partridges, if you’re wondering—in style this time, 18-6 . . .

Daytona

Hendrik Clementina: 3-run homer (6), sac fly for the big catcher from Curacao.

Stuart Fairchild: 1-2, 2 walks, 2 runs. The beat goes on.

Bruce Yari: HR (4).

Alejo Lopez: 3-5, 2 runs.

Jose Garcia: Pair of walks.

Andy Cox: The failings of the previous relievers put the former Volunteer in a save situation, which he cashed in (#6) with a scoreless inning—1 hit, 1 walk, 1 K.

Chattanooga

TJ Friedl: Double and homer (5) for the pesky outfielder, who scored 3 times.

Ibandel Isabel: 2-4, 2 RBI. Rarely makes the list without a HR.

Mitch Nay: 2-3, walk. Batting .320 for May and June, but get this split for the season—1.198 OPS at home, .588 on the road.

Johendi Jiminian: 6.1 IP, 8 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K. ERA of 1.57 over last 3 starts for the minor-league free agent, 26.

Jesse Stallings: 2 scoreless innings. Hasn’t given up a run over his last 7 IP.

Ty Boyles: Hefty lefty got 2 outs for his first career save.

Greeneville

Jose Salvador: 4 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 2 K. Second start on American soil for the 19-year-old Dominican lefty.

Randy Wynne: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 walks, 2 K. Undrafted free agent from Missouri Baptist.

Quinten Sefcik: 2-inning, hitless save (1) for 24th-rounder from Illinois.

Carlos Reina: Switch-hitting catcher generated 2 doubles, 2 RBI.

Reyny Reyes: 3-4, double.

Tyler Callihan: 2-4. First multi-hit game for 3rd-round pick.

Peterson Plaz: 1-2, double, sac, sac fly, 2 RBI. Left-handed Venezuelan outfielder batted .320 last year in the AZL.

Cristian Olivo: Double, run.

AJ Bumpass: UC hero delivered a pinch single and came around to score.

AZL

Mariel Bautista: 4-6, double, 3 runs, RBI, SB (14). Would have qualified as an Honorable Mention if he hadn’t left the level behind two years ago. He’s there on a rehab from Dayton.

Sebastian Almonte: 3-4, RBI.

Chadwick Tromp: 2-4, double, RBI. Another rehab.

Wendell Marrero: Triple, walk, RBI. Early returns call attention to the 11th-round outfielder from Puerto Rico.

Caleb Van Blake: Double, walk, RBI.

Debby Santana: 2-5, RBI.

Jose Lopez: 1.1 IP, 0-0-0, 1 K. One more rehab.

Dayton

Morgan Lofstrom: Double, triple, run, 2 RBIs.

Pabel Manzanero: Pair of doubles.

Jay Schuyler: Double, 3 walks, 2 runs. The Dragons started 3 catchers (Lofstrom was the one who actually caught) who collectively produced 4 doubles, a triple, 3 walks, 5 runs, and 3 RBIs.

Miguel Hernandez: 3-4, 2 RBI.

Adrian Rodriguez: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K.

Billings

Reniel Ozuna: 3-4, HR (5). Outfielder has found his sweet spot in Billings.

Leonardo Seminati: First HR lifted Italian first baseman’s OPS to 1.052.

Nate Scantlin: Single, walk, run, SB (1).

Quin Cotton: 3-5, double. Both parents were sportswriters.

[mace]

Since the Saturday games seem to have slipped through the cracks, and to keep the record intact, I'll dub a MiLPoD for that date. It's not difficult. Aristides Aquino cracked 3 home runs in a Louisville doubleheader (14-16) and added a mere double.

For honorable mention, Robert Boselli of Billings gets a tumble, going 2-2 with 2 walks, a HBP, and his first home run.