Beyond the Top 30: Right Field

As the old year fades away and the new season approaches, it's time to start looking at those players of interest who are beyond the Top 30. These players may not ever make a Top 30 list (or they may), but a combination of projections, actual results, incremental improvements and intangibles keep them in the mix as interesting players to watch. I am not including any players in these posts who have already made their major league debuts since, presumably, anyone reading my blog is already very familiar with those players.

Note: Many of the 2018 player rankings haven't been released yet so I will be using the MLB Pipeline postseason list, the Baseball Prospectus Top 10+ list and Baseball America's Top 10 list to denote those players who are currently considered Top 30 type players in the Astros system. Once FanGraphs weighs in, Baseball America publishes their Top 30 and MLB Pipeline posts their 2018 pre-season list, I will post a consensus top prospect list.

[UPDATES TO FINAL 2018 PRE-SEASON RANKINGS SHOWN IN RED.

BA= BASEBALL AMERICA, BP = BASEBALL PROSPECTUS,

FG=FANGRAPHS, MLB = MLB PIPELINE]

[NOTE: Almost all of these players have appeared at multiple outfield positions. For the most part, these lists are based upon the primary position the player appeared at in the 2017 season.]

RIGHTFIELDERS IN THE TOP 30 (in alphabetical order)

Carlos Machado - August 2016

Photo by Jayne Hansen

Carlos Machado (R/R) - BP 11+, FG 28+
At this point, Machado is noted as a top prospect on only one list, that of Baseball Prospectus who has him as one of their "Next 10." And, although Kyle Tucker and Myles Straw played a considerable number of games in right field in 2017, Machado is the only listed prospect for whom right field was his primary position. Machado was originally signed by the Astros in August 2014, and 2017 was his third professional season. He did have good success at the plate in 2017, hitting a combined .324/.387/.462 with six doubles, four triples and two home runs between 33 games in the Gulf Coast League and eight games with rookie level Greeneville, but personally I feel that he should have been challenged to higher levels at this point in his development. BP really likes his hit tool and feel for hitting, but tempers their enthusiasm by saying that Machado will either need to hit at an elite level or develop more power in order to be successful. Machado will be 20 in June.

RIGHTFIELDERS BEYOND THE TOP 30 (in alphabetical order)

Carmen Benedetti - July 2017

Photo by Jayne Hansen

Carmen Benedetti (L/L)

Benedetti got off to a slow start in his second professional season in 2017, hitting only .219/.306/.281 in April for Low A Quad Cities, but he made adjustments and by July, he slashed .402/.492/.523 in 28 games, leading to an early August promotion to High A Buies Creek. For the season combined, he hit .268/.341/.415 with 27 doubles, one triple and five home runs. He walked 60 times to 68 strikeouts in 92 games. Benedetti was drafted in the 12th round in 2016 out of the University of Michigan where he was a two-way player. His strong left arm translated into 11 outfield assists in 2017, six of those from right field. Benedetti's plus defense, good on-base skills, great gap power (and plus-plus baseball name) make him one of my favorite follows on this list. He turned 23 in October.

Key: Honestly, Benedetti just needs to keep doing what he's been doing as he climbs the ladder to the higher levels of the organization. With just a little added strength to his already strong frame, I can see some of his gap power translating to more home runs, adding to an already solid portfolio of skills.

Leonardo Gonzalez (L/R)

Gonzalez signed with the Astros out of Venezuela in July 2016 and played his first professional season in 2017. In 59 games in the Dominican Summer League, he hit .226/.355/.249. Gonzalez really showed improvement as the season progressed, finishing with a .302/.446/.302 line in 16 games in August. At the time he signed, he was lauded for his ability to hit for contact, baserunning instincts, plate discipline and ability to hit to all fields. Gonzalez didn't exhibit much in the way of power (four doubles were his only extra base hits), but he did show really good on-base skills, decent baserunning (11 stolen bases; 8 caught stealing) and solid defensive abilities (no errors in 43 games in right plus six outfield assists, four from right). Oh, and he did all of that at the ripe old age of 17. He will not turn 18 until May 27th.

Key: At his age, the only thing he can really do is keep working, keep listening to his coaches/trainers and have fun!

Corey Julks (R/R)
Drafted in the 8th round in 2017 out of the University of Houston, Julks didn't have the best professional debut, hitting only .176/.311/.235 in 32 games for Tri-City, but he did manage to steal nine bases (two caught stealing) and walk 18 times to only 19 strikeouts. In Baseball America's annual draft report write-up, they called Julks one of the best athletes in the Astros 2017 class, citing his strength, speed and raw power. Prior to the draft, Julks was #500 on BA's Top 500 draft list, but some scouts were concerned about his bat path. All of this tells me that Julks is a work in progress and 2018 will likely be pivotal in defining Julks as a player.
Key: Hone in on the type of player he wants to be and work toward that goal.

Chas McCormick (R/L)
McCormick is one of my "intangibles guys," one whose baseball skills will play up because of his work ethic, intensity, team mentality and other non-baseball skills. McCormick was a senior sign out of Millersville University (PA) in the 21st round in 2017; he held the college record for hits, runs, RBI and triples, and his college coach called him "unbelievably clutch." That translated into a first pro season in which McCormick hit .298/.355/.399 with nine doubles, one triple, two home runs, 22 RBI, six stolen bases (four caught stealing) and 15 walks to only 20 strikeouts in 51 games (the majority of which were at Low A Quad Cities). He also hit .382/.447/.618 with two outs and runners in scoring position. And in nine postseason games, he hit .371/.465/.457 with one double, one triple and seven walks to three strikeouts. Defensively, he was errorless in games at all three outfield positions for the season. He will be 23 on April 19th.
Key: Since McCormick wasn't a top draft pick and, as a senior sign, presumably didn't have a big signing bonus, he doesn't represent a huge financial investment on the part of the Astros. The harsh reality of that is he will have to work twice as hard as higher ranked players to continue moving forward in the organization. But, personally, I think he is up to the job.

Luis Payano (R/R)
The main reason that I'm including Payano on this list is because he was the highest paid international player signed by the Astros in the July 2012 signing period, with a $500,000 pay day, and the Astros will give him every chance to succeed. My main concern with Payano is that he will be entering his 6th season in 2018 and has only played 24 games as high as Low A and has averaged only 46 games per season thus far in his career. In 44 games in 2017 (20 at Tri-City and 24 at Quad Cities), he hit a combined .248/.306/.441 with 11 doubles, one triple and five home runs, peaking at the end of the season (.292/.370/.458 in 21 games in August). At the time he was signed, Baseball America liked Payano for his above average arm, good bat speed and running ability, but thought his raw tools were ahead of his skills. Personally, I have enjoyed watching Payano play. He plays all out and possesses an infectious personality. I would really like to see him succeed.
Key: Payano, who will be 22 on May 12th has to be challenged to higher levels of competition and he will have to show that he is up to the task. And all of that needs to start really accelerating.

Stephen Wrenn (R/R)
Wrenn, drafted out of the University of Georgia in the 6th round in 2016, is definitely one of the stronger defensive players on this list. In 60 games in right field, 45 games in center and 15 games in left in 2017, he was charged with only one error while contributing eight outfield assists. Wrenn hit a combined .258/.332/.365 in 125 games between Quad Cities (42) and Buies Creek (85). It took him a while to catch up with High A pitching, but he did so nicely at the end of the season, hitting .301/.378/.336 in 30 games in August and September. According to Baseball America, Wrenn's swing is geared more for contact than for power and he is a plus runner. His 2017 results reflect that as he collected 17 doubles and six triples to go with his seven home runs, and stole 18 bases (seven caught stealing). He walked 50 times to 112 strikeouts, but his strikeout rate improved in the latter part of the season. Wrenn turned 23 in October.
Key: Work to get the most out of his speed. I can see him collecting more stolen bases, doubles and triples as he finetunes his running game.

Others to Watch:

Bryan de la Cruz (R/R)
Much like Luis Payano, my main concern with de la Cruz is that he hasn't progressed far enough in the system at this point in his career. He ended the season with a decent (but very limited) showing at Quad Cities, but going into his fifth season in 2018, he will need to move much more quickly. He turned 21 in December.

Patrick Mathis (L/L)
Drafted in the 22nd round in 2017 out of the University of Texas, Mathis was hampered by a leg injury in his final year at UT. He put up less than spectacular numbers in his first season, most of which was spent at rookie level Greeneville, but keep an eye out to see what he can do when/if he's completely healthy in 2018. He will be 22 in March.

Ronny Rafael (R/R)
Rafael signed for 1.5 million in July 2014, but after three seasons, he has yet to show that his bat is up to the challenge. Rafael turned 20 in October.

Previous Posts:
Shortstop
Second Base
First Base

Third Base
Center Field

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Let's... finish up a game and play another in Connecticut!

Reno 3, Fresno 1

W- Jared Miller (3-2)
L- Reymin Guduan (5-6)
S- Silvino Bracho (6)

Fresno home runs: None.

The Aces stunned the Grizzlies with 3 runs in the 7th.

Tony Kemp went 2-4 and drove in Fresno's only run with an RBI single in the 5th.

Mike Hauschild allowed 3 hits, walked 7, and struck out 4 over 5 shutout innings. Kevin Comer worked around a couple of hits to throw a scoreless 6th, striking out 2. Reno got to Reymin Guduan and Jumbo Diaz after stretch time. Guduan only recorded one out, allowing 2 runs on a homer and one other hit. Diaz got the last two outs of the 7th, but not before allowing a run on 2 hits. Jacob Dorris threw a 1-2-3 9th, striking out 1.

The Grizzlies have Wednesday off. They'll welcome Tacoma to Chukchansi Park for their final home series of the 2017 season beginning Thursday.

Corpus Christi 5, Midland 1

W- Yoanys Quiala (3-4, 8-5 season)
L- Grant Holmes (10-12)

CC home runs: Ramon Laureano (7, 2-run in 4th), Kyle Tucker (12, 21 season; 2-run in 5th)

The Hooks launched a pair of 2-run shots to top the RockHounds on Tuesday.

Corpus also played host to some rehabbing Astros as they look to get back to full strength for September. Tony Sipp, Will Harris, and Michael Feliz all started off with a scoreless inning. Sipp walked 1 and struck out 2 in the 1st inning, Harris threw a 1-2-3 2nd and got two groundouts and a strikeout. Feliz worked around a walk to throw a scoreless 3rd, striking out 1. He walked Jorge Mateo, who got caught stealing to end the inning.

Yoanys Quiala followed with 5 innings and allowed a run on a solo homer, 5 other hits, and walked 1. Riley Ferrell struck out 1 in a 1-2-3 9th inning.

Ryne Birk opened the scoring with an RBI single in the 2nd inning. Ramon Laureano smacked a 2-run homer in the 4th and Kyle Tucker whacked one of his own in the 5th. Laureano finished 2-3 and scored twice. Evan Gattis caught 7 innings; at the plate, he walked twice and scored a run.

Framber Valdez faces Heath Fillmyer at 7:05.

Lynchburg 6, Buies Creek 3

W- Dominic DeMasi (6-3)
L- Elieser Hernandez (4-4, 5-4 season)

BC home runs: Randy César (3, 6 season; solo in 8th)

The Carolina Stros fell behind early and couldn't quite recover.

Elieser Hernandez allowed 5 runs on 6 hits and struck out 9 in 6 innings. Carlos Sierra allowed a run on a sac fly, a double, walked 1, and struck out 4 in his 3 innings.

Jake Rogers tripled to lead off the 2nd and scored on a Carmen Benedetti groundout. Rogers added an RBI single to his ledger in the 3rd, and Randy César launched a solo homer in the 8th. Rogers, Taylor Jones, and Ronnie Dawson all finished with 2 hits on the night. Dawson was making his Carolina League debut.

Brett Adcock takes on Sean Brady in game 2. First pitch is at 7:00 Eastern.

Quad Cities 4, Beloit 1

W- Salvador Montaño (7-3)
L- Sam Sheehan (3-2)

QC home runs: Abraham Toro-Hernandez (8, 14 season; solo in 8th)

The Banditos got a solid night from their pitchers to take the first game of this series. With this victory, Quad Cities' magic number is now down to 2.

Carlos Sanabria went 5.2 innings and allowed an unearned run on 6 hits, walked 2, and struck out 8. Salvador Montaño shut it down by allowing 2 hits and striking out 7 over the last 3.1 innings.

Josh Rojas put Quad Cities on the board with an RBI single in the 4th. Rojas scored the go-ahead run on a passed ball in the 7th and Wander Franco, who was hitting at the time, extended the lead with an RBI single. Abraham Toro-Hernandez launched a homer to start off the 8th.

Ronel Blanco goes up against Zack Erwin in game 2. First pitch is at 7:00.

From June 30: Connecticut 2, Tri-City 1

W- Burris Warner (1-0)
L- Diogenes Almengo (0-2)

TC home runs: None.

The Tigers scored the only two runs of the game after play resumed.

Carlos Hiraldo and Corbin Martin both threw 4 innings; Hiraldo did that almost 2 months ago and allowed 2 hits while striking out 4. Martin came on after play resumed and allowed a run on 4 hits, walked 1, and struck out 4. Diogenes Almengo allowed a single in the 9th and an error allowed the runner to advance to 3rd, and then a sac fly allowed the runner to score; the run was unearned.

Kristian Trompiz's RBI single in the 4th inning back on June 30 turned out to be Tri-City's only scoring play.

Connecticut 1, Tri-City 0

W- Dean Aldridge (1-0)
L- Colin McKee (1-4)
S- Drew Carlton (6)

TC home runs: None.

Both teams had 3 hits, but the Tigers had the only run.

Bryan De La Cruz, Gabriel Bracamonte, and Kyle Davis all singled.

Brandon Bielak allowed 2 hits and struck out 3 over 4 scoreless innings, while Colin McKee allowed the only run on a single, walked 1, and struck out 4 in 2 innings. The run was unearned.

Game 2 of this series begins at 7:05 Eastern.

Bristol 7, Greeneville 3

W- Max Kranick (1-0)
L- Humberto Castellanos (4-1, 6-1 season)
S- Alex Manasa (1)

Greeneville home runs: Brody Westmoreland (8, solo in 2nd)

The Appy Astros suffered a costly series loss to the Appalachian League's worst team.

Brody Westmoreland smacked a solo homer in the 2nd inning. Gilberto Celestino hit an RBI single in the 3rd and it turned into a Little League home run thanks to an error. Celestino and Westmoreland both went 2-4.

Chad Donato allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits, walked 2, and struck out a career-high 9 in 3.2 innings. Juan Corniel was the first man out of the Greeneville bullpen and allowed a hit, walked 1, and struck out 4 in 2.1 innings. Humberto Castellanos allowed 4 runs on 5 hits, walked 2, and struck out 2 in 2 innings, and Noel Pinto threw a 1-2-3 9th, striking out 1.

Greeneville will begin what is probably their biggest series of the season in Johnson City; the Cardinals are currently two games ahead of the Appy Astros in the standings. Remember... in the Appalachian League, the top two teams in each division are the playoff teams. Jairo Solis takes on Alvaro Seijas in game 1. First pitch is at 7:00 Eastern.

DSL Astros Blue 8, DSL Royals 3

W- Flaer Gonzalez (3-1)
L- Carlos Sanchez (1-1)

Blue home runs: None.

Team Blue and the Royals scored in the same number of innings, but the Blue team's three crooked numbers topped the Royals' single tallies.

Angel Macuare struck out 4 over 3 perfect innings. Manny Ramirez, Flaer Gonzalez, and Jonger Ochoa all pitched 2 innings; Ramirez was first, and he allowed 2 runs on 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2. Gonzalez followed by allowing a hit, walking 1, and striking out 1. Ochoa allowed a run on 3 hits and fanned 1.

There weren't really any offensive standouts, but Leonardo Gonzalez did reach in all four of his plate appearances, finishing 2-2 with a couple of walks, one of which came with the bases loaded in the 7th inning.

DSL Pirates 6, DSL Astros Orange 5 in 10 innings

W- Wilmer Contreras (5-1)
L- Cristofer Melendez (0-3)

Orange home runs: None.

The Orange team scored a run in the 8th to tie the game at 3, but the Pirates regained control in the first extra frame. Team Orange managed to cut the deficit to one run... but no cigar.

Renaigel Martis hit an RBI single in the 3rd. Euclides Chavez tripled in the 4th and ended up scoring on a wild pitch. Gerry Castillo hit an infield single and an error on the play allowed Kelvin Perez to score. Perez started the 10th in scoring position and scored on another error that allowed Deury Carrasco to reach. Carrasco scored on a sac fly from Castillo.

Carlos Perdomo went 3 innings and allowed 2 runs on 3 hits, walked 4, and struck out 4. Ronny Garcia technically struck out the side in the 4th, but one of his victims managed to reach base safely. He also induced a groundout. Asael Uribe followed with 4 innings and allowed a run on 3 hits, walked 4, and struck out 6. Cristofer Melendez threw 2 innings and allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 2 hits, walked 2, and struck out 1.

Tuesday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Angel Macuare, RHP, DSL Astros Blue: 3 IP, 4 K; perfect outing
Leonardo Gonzalez, OF, DSL Astros Blue: 2-2, RBI, R, 2 BB

Ramon Laureano, OF, Corpus Christi

2-3, 2-R HR (7), 2 R

Quad Cities River Bandits pitchers: W 4-1 @ Beloit

9 IP, 8 H, unearned run, 2 BB, 15 K

Carlos Sanabria: 5.2 IP, 6 H, unearned run, 2 BB, 8 K

Salvador Montaño: W (7-3), 3.1 IP, 2 H, 7 K

Yoanys Quiala, RHP, Corpus Christi

W (3-4, 8-5 season), 5 IP, 6 H (solo HR allowed), ER, BB

Carlos Sierra, RHP, Buies Creek

3 IP, H, ER, BB, 4 K

This is his mugshot on MiLB.com.

Brandon Bielak, RHP, Tri-City

4 IP, 2 H, 3 K

This is his mugshot on MiLB.com.

Juan Corniel, RHP, Greeneville

2.1 IP, H, BB, 4 K

Both photos taken by Bryan Green.

Brody Westmoreland, 1B/3B, and Gilberto Celestino, OF, Greeneville

Westmoreland: 2-4, solo HR (8)
Celestino: 2-4, RBI; Little League HR (also scored on error following RBI single)

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Wednesday, August 2, 2017

A combination of rain and off days made it a quiet night on the farm.

Let's play two in the Dominican Republic!

Fresno was off

Dean Deetz will start the first game of a 4-game series in Iowa at 7:08.

Corpus Christi and San Antonio was postponed

Due to rain and poor field conditions. The Hooks' next trip to San Antonio will be August 26-28, so this game will probably be made up then.

Corpus Christi's roadtrip continues with 4 in Frisco. Cy Sneed will take on Collin Wiles in game 1, which starts at 7:05.

Buies Creek and Wilmington was canceled

Due to rain. As this was the last scheduled regular-season meeting between both clubs, this game will not be made up.

The Carolina Stros will start a 4-game, half-and-half series with Carolina; the first two will be at home. Elieser Hernandez faces Marcos Diplan at 7:00 Eastern.

Quad Cities 5, Burlington 3

W- Jesús Balaguer (1-0, 2-1 season)
L- Ty Barkell (1-6)

QC home runs: None.

The Banditos got 3 in the 7th to take control of this one.

Dustin Hunt started it off by allowing 3 runs on 3 hits (solo homer), walking 4, and striking out 7 in 3.2 innings. Lucas Williams and Jesús Balaguer both threw 2.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Williams allowed 4 hits, walked 4, and fanned 2, while Balaguer allowed a hit, walked 1, and struck out 2.

Osvaldo Duarte doubled to start the bottom of the 3rd and put Quad Cities on the board when he scored on a Ronnie Dawson groundout. Daz Cameron drew a walk in the 4th and proceeded to steal 2nd (23) and also took 3rd because he stole on a wild pitch. He'd score on a Kristian Trompiz RBI single.

Josh Rojas tripled to lead off the 7th and Trompiz joined him on the bases after getting plunked. Rojas scored the tying run on Ray Henderson's single. Trompiz, who moved to 3rd on the play, scored the go-ahead run when Duarte hit into a fielder's choice. Dawson followed with an RBI single that brought Henderson home. Dawson finished 2-4 on the night.

Cristian Javier takes on former Aggie Andrew Vinson at 6:35.

Brooklyn 6, Tri-City 3

W- Darwin Ramos (2-3)
L- Parker Mushinski (3-1)

TC home runs: None.

The ValleyCats got some late runs, but a 4-0 deficit after 2 innings proved to be too much to overcome.

Parker Mushinski and Hunter Martin both threw 2 innings. Mushinski got the start and allowed 4 runs on 6 hits (solo homer), walked 3, and struck out 1. Martin allowed 2 runs on 3 hits, walked 2, and struck out 1. In the middle, Alex House threw 4 perfect innings and struck out 3.

Corey Julks put Tri-City on the board with his 8th-inning RBI single. In the 9th, Bryan De La Cruz beat a double play attempt and Gabriel Bracamonte scored. J.J. Matijevic finished 2-4 and ripped an RBI double to bring in another run in the 9th. Andy Piñeda also went 2-4 on the evening.

Juan Robles faces Jake Simon in game 2 of this series. First pitch is at 7:00 Eastern.

Greeneville was off

The Appy Astros will start a 3-game series with the Danville Braves at 7:00 Eastern.

Game 1: DSL Rays1 4, DSL Astros Blue 0

W- Aldor Rodriguez (3-3)
L- Jose Antonio Hernandez (2-2)
S- Luis Medina (2)

Blue home runs: None.

Yeuris Ramirez's single was the Blue team's lone hit in game 1.

Jose Antonio Hernandez went 4 innings and allowed 3 runs on 6 hits, walked 2, and struck out 4. Luis Garcia was the first man out of the bullpen in game 1 and threw 2 scoreless, allowing 2 hits, walking 1, and striking out 5. Jonger Ochoa allowed a run, a hit, walked 3, and struck out 1 in the 7th.

Game 2: DSL Astros Blue 8, DSL Rays1 1

W- Antonio Pujols (3-1)
L- Franklin Dacosta (0-1)

Blue home runs: None.

Team Blue got even by pummeling the Rays in game 2.

Rhandall Sanchez hit two sac flies and an RBI double. Leonardo Gonzalez finished 3-4 with a couple of RBI singles and a stolen base (9). Kendy Moya, Wilyer Abreu, and Anthony Rodriguez all finished with 2 hits and an RBI; Abreu and Rodriguez also scored 2 runs apiece, while Moya stole his 9th base of the season.

Antonio Pujols went 5 innings and allowed an unearned run on 3 hits, walked 2, and struck out 6. Angel Matos walked 1 and fanned 1 in the last 2 innings.

DSL Rays2 3, DSL Astros Orange 1

W- Heriberto Ventura (2-1)
L- Fredy Medina (2-2)
S- Rodolfo Sanchez (3)

Orange home runs: None.

Sean Mendoza finished 2-4 with an RBI single in the 2nd inning and also stole a base (14).

Wender Oberto walked 1 and struck out 2 over 2 scoreless. Ernesto Jaquez and Fredy Medina both threw 3 innings, with varying results. Jaquez allowed a hit and struck out 4. On the other hand, Medina allowed 3 unearned runs, a hit, walked 4, and struck out 2.

Wednesday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Ernesto Jaquez, RHP, DSL Astros Orange: 3 IP, H, 4 K

Antonio Pujols, LHP, and Angel Matos, RHP, DSL Astros Blue
Pujols: W (3-1), 5 IP, 3 H, unearned run, 2 BB, 6 K in game 2 of doubleheader
Matos: 2 IP, BB, K

Leonardo Gonzalez, OF, DSL Astros Blue: 3-4, 2 RBI, R, SB (9) in game 2 of doubleheader

This is his mugshot on MiLB.com.

Alex House, RHP, Tri-City

4 IP, 3 K; perfect outing

This is his mugshot on MiLB.com.

J.J. Matijevic, UTIL, Tri-City

2-4, 2 2B, RBI

Ronnie Dawson, OF, Quad Cities

2-4, 2B, 2 RBI

This is his mugshot on MiLB.com.

Jesús Balaguer, RHP, Quad Cities

W (1-0, 2-1 season), 2.2 IP, H, BB, 2 K

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Thursday, June 8, 2017

Fresno 9, Sacramento 2

W- David Martinez (3-6)
L- Chris Stratton (1-4)

Fresno home runs: Max Stassi (4, solo in 6th), D.J. Fisher (16, 2-run in 8th)

David Martinez had a fine outing and D.J. Fisher continues his mastery of PCL pitching.

Martinez allowed an unearned run on 6 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3 in 7 innings of work. The only hit that Brian Holmes allowed in the 8th was a solo homer to Ryder Jones. Holmes also struck out 2 in the inning. Aaron West struck out 2 in a 1-2-3 9th.

Alejandro Garcia doubled to lead off the 3rd and scored Fresno's first run on a Tyler White groundout. The Grizzlies capitalized on a bases-loaded, no out situation to start the 5th and seized control of the game by scoring 4 runs in the inning. Tony Kemp hit an RBI single, then White followed with a sac fly, which prompted a Sacramento pitching change. Preston Tucker greeted the new pitcher with an RBI single, and Kemp wound up scoring when D.J. Fisher beat a double play attempt. Max Stassi smacked a homer to lead off the 6th, and finally, in the 8th inning, Garcia scored when Tucker grounded into a force play and Fisher capped it off with a 2-run shot.

Stassi reached in all 5 of his plate appearances, going 2-2 with 3 walks. White (2B, 2 RBI) and Fisher (2-R HR, 3 RBI) both went 2-4, and Garcia finished 3-4 with a double and 3 runs scored.

The next stop on Fresno's season-long roadtrip is El Paso. Dean Deetz takes on Zach Lee in game 1, which starts at 7:05 Mountain.

Corpus Christi 11, Frisco 6

W- Brock Dykxhoorn (1-3)
L- David Ledbetter (1-4)

CC home runs: J.D. Davis 2 (16; grand slam in 4th, solo in 7th), Jason Martin (2, 9 season; 2-run in 7th)

The Hooks scored in fewer innings on Thursday, but they put up more runs in the innings which they scored.

Trent Woodward singled to lead off the 2nd, advanced to 3rd when Jack Mayfield hit into a double play attempt that Frisco botched, and scored Corpus Christi's first run on a wild pitch. Mayfield advanced to 3rd on a Jason Martin single. Martin then stole 2nd, and Jamie Ritchie hit a 2-run single to put the Hooks in front.

The Roughriders responded with 3 of their own in the top of the 4th to regain the lead, but Corpus responded with 5 in the bottom of the frame. Kyle Tucker drew a bases-loaded walk and J.D. Davis landed a haymaker when he launched a grand slam. Davis led off the bottom of the 7th with a solo blast and Martin capped off the scoring with a 2-run homer.

Davis (2 HR, 5 RBI), Martin (2-R HR, 2 R, SB), Ritchie (2 RBI), and Tony Nuñez (R) all finished with 2 hits on the evening.

Cy Sneed went 4.1 innings and allowed 6 runs on 8 hits (2 solos and a 3-run homer), walked 1, and struck out 4. The bullpen picked him up with 4.2 scoreless to close out the game. Jacob Dorris allowed a hit, but he got the final two outs of the 5th and spared Sneed from further damage. Brock Dykxhoorn allowed 4 hits, walked 2, and struck out 7 in 3.1 innings, and Ryan Thompson allowed a single to the first man he faced in the 9th, which loaded the bases, but he got the final two outs of the game without further incident.

Framber Valdez makes his Texas League debut tonight at 7:05. He'll go up against Yohander Mendez.

Wilmington 4, Buies Creek 3 in 15 innings

W- Franco Terrero (1-3)
L- Howie Brey (0-1)

BC home runs: None.

The Blue Rocks got a run in the bottom of the 9th to tie, and it took a while, but they also walked off with the win in the 15th.

Jake Rogers put Buies Creek on the board with a sac fly in the 6th and Myles Straw ripped a 2-run triple in the 7th. The two of them went 2-6 on the evening. Spencer Johnson and Pat Porter both had 3 hits and scored a run. Buies Creek left the bases loaded in the top of the 15th.

Walks doomed Jorge Alcala, who otherwise pitched well in his 4 innings. He allowed 2 runs (1 earned) and just 1 hit, but he also issued 6 walks while striking out 4. Sebastian Kessay was the first man out of the Carolina Stros' bullpen and threw a 1-2-3 5th inning. Yoanys Quiala tagged in for 4 innings and allowed the tying run (which was unearned) on 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 7. Nick Hernandez allowed 2 hits, walked 1, and fanned 2 over 3 scoreless. Howie Brey pitched 2.1 innings and allowed the winning run on 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1.

Framber Valdez was originally scheduled to start tonight's game... but he's in Corpus now. His replacement will face A.J. Puckett at 7:05 Eastern.

Wisconsin 8, Quad Cities 3

W- Jordan Desguin (4-2)
L- Dustin Hunt (0-5)
S- Parker Berberet (3)

QC home runs: None.

The Banditos were foiled in their bid to sweep the series as the Timber Rattlers rattled off 7 of their 8 runs in a 4-inning span.

Dustin Hunt pitched 4 innings and allowed 4 runs (3 earned) on 7 hits (2 solo homers), walked 2, and struck out 1. Kevin Hill was the first man out of the Quad Cities bullpen and allowed 3 runs on 4 hits in 1.1 innings. Lucas Williams came on and pitched the final 2.2 innings following a 56-minute rain delay, allowing an unearned run on a wild pitch strikeout/error, a single, walked 1, and struck out 4.

Jonathan Arauz put Quad Cities on the board with an RBI triple in the 3rd and trotted home on a Daz Cameron double. Marcos Almonte drove in the River Bandits' other run with an RBI single in the 4th. Almonte, Ray Henderson, and Arauz all went 2-4 on the evening.

Quad Cities wraps up its tour of Wisconsin with 3 games in Beloit. First pitch is at 7:00.

DSL Astros Blue 8, DSL Red Sox 2

W- Fredis Guerrero (1-0)
L- Junior Figueroa (0-1)

Blue home runs: None.

The Blue team removed all doubts regarding the outcome of this game with 5 runs in the 8th.

Ozziel Sanchez-Galan opened the scoring with an RBI triple in the 1st and came home on a Ronny Rafael groundout. Yorbin Ceuta scored on a wild pitch in the 6th.

Rafael doubled to lead off the 8th and scored on an Anthony Rodriguez double. Rhandall Sanchez chipped in with an RBI single, and Yeuris Ramirez ripped an RBI double. Kendy Moya capped off the day with a 2-run triple. Rodriguez went 2-4 and was the only player on either side with a multi-hit game.

Nivaldo Rodriguez went 4 innings and allowed 2 unearned runs on 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 4. Gustavo Almonte worked around a hit to throw a scoreless 5th, striking out 1. Fredis Guerrero walked 1 and fanned 5 over 4 scoreless to get the win.

These two teams play again at the Red Sox complex at 10:30 AM Eastern.

DSL Dodgers2 6, DSL Astros Orange 4

W- Raul Tales (1-0)
L- Carlos Quintero (0-1)
S- Elio Serrano (1)

Orange home runs: None.

The Orange team only allowed one scoring inning. Unfortunately, that was all the scoring the Dodgers needed.

Christian Mejias allowed 2 hits, walked 2, and struck out 2 in 4 innings. The 5th proved to be a nightmare as Carlos Quintero and Fredy Medina combined to issue 6 walks in the inning. Quintero bore the brunt as all 6 runs were charged to him; 3 were earned and 2 were inherited runners charged to him. He got 2 outs in the inning, allowing a hit and striking out 1. Medina got the final out, but not before allowing a hit and walking 2. Jose Alberto Rivera allowed 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3 in 3 innings.

Leonardo Gonzalez opened the scoring with an RBI single in the 3rd. In the 7th inning, Gerry Castillo ripped an RBI triple and scored on a Hector Martinez double. Martinez scored on a botched pickoff attempt.

Team Orange faces the Dodgers 2 again at 10:30 AM Eastern.

Thursday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Christian Mejias, RHP, DSL Astros Orange: 4 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 2 K
Gerry Castillo, C, DSL Astros Orange: 2-2, 3B, RBI, R
Leonardo Gonzalez, OF, DSL Astros Orange: 2-3. RBI, 2 BB, SB (1)

Fredis Guerrero, RHP, DSL Astros Blue: W (1-0), 4 IP, BB, 5 K

J.D. Davis, 3B, and Jason Martin, OF, Corpus Christi

Davis: 2-5, 2 HR (16), 5 RBI

Martin: 2-4, 2-R HR (2, 9 season), 2 R, SB (1, 10 season)

David Martinez, RHP, Fresno

W (3-6), 7 IP, 6 H, unearned run, BB, 3 K

Derek Fisher, OF, and Max Stassi, C Fresno

Fisher: 2-4, 2-R HR (16), 3 RBI, SB (12)

Stassi: 2-2, solo HR (4), 3 BB

Corpus Christi Hooks bullpen

W 11-6 vs. Frisco

4.2 IP, 6 H, 2 BB, 8 K

Jacob Dorris: 0.2 IP, H

Brock Dykxhoorn: W (1-3), 3.1 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 7 K

Ryan Thompson: 0.2 IP, H, K

Yoanys Quiala, RHP, and Nick Hernandez, RHP, Buies Creek

Quiala: 4 IP, 3 H, unearned run, BB, 7 K

Hernandez: 3 IP, 2 H, BB, 2 K