Around The Minors; Bench Clearing Brawls, Parker Bridwell K’s 14

Jul 14, 2013; Flushing , NY, USA; World infielder

at bat during the 2013 All Star Futures Game at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Some notes from around the minor leagues on the one year anniversary of Adam Dunn‘s 400th career home run.

> The managers of the Fort Myers Miracles and the Braden Marauders got into a fight last night, sparking a bench clearing brawl in the 4th. Doug Mientkiewicz, the former gold glove first baseman and current Miracles manager, reportedly attacked Braden manager Frank Kremblas after a Marauders batter was struck by a pitch and and Kremblas, thinking it was intentional, came out to talk to the home plate umpire. According to the Miracle’s broadcaster Brice Zimmerman, “Mientkiewicz ran from his dugout toward Kremblas and the managers got into a physical altercation, rolling on the ground as the benches emptied.” Everything would eventually be resolved, however, as the managers, since ejected, left the field patting each other on the back.  The Marauders would go on to win 3-2 in the 12th.

>The Delmarva Shorebird’s Parker Bridwell struck out a career high 14 batters while allowing only 2 hits over eight shutout innings. Bridwell, the Oriole’s 9th round pick in 2010, has struggled this year to a 4.87 ERA after a dysmal 2012 that saw him go 5-9 with a  5.98 ERA. Still, only 21 and armed with a mid-90’s fastball, Bridwell may yet have a future in the major leagues, be it as a starter or out of the pen.

>A pair of hitting streaks were extended last night as the High Desert Mariners 3B Patrick Kivlehan went 3 for 5 with a home run while Brooklyn Cyclones SS Gavin Cecchini went 4 for 4. Kivlehan, the Angel’s 16th ranked prospect according to MLB.com, brought his hitting streak up to 21 game. The 23 year old prospect has enjoyed a breakout season this year in A+ ball, hitting .327 with 11 home runs and a .945 OPS. Cecchini, the Mets’ #8 prospect and 2012 first round pick, improved his streak to 14 games, and his overall average to .311. Its been a strong year for the slick fielding 20 year old, hitting .311 with a .704 OPS in his first New York Penn League Tour

>Twins’ Third Base prospect Miguel Sano ripped his 31st home run of the year last night. Sano, who in 2009 received the second largest bonus for any Latin American player outside of Cuba, has destroyed the minors this year, slugging .620 in 109 games between high A and double A

>Samuel Hiciano of the Williamsport Crosscutters, the Phillies’ short-season A ball affiliate, homered twice and drove in 8 runs in an 11-0 victory over the Muckdogs. The 19 year old Hiciano has shown some power potential this year, knocking out six home runs in only 106 at bats, good for a .462 slugging percentage and a .236 ISO.

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