April 11 Minor League Report

Jul 14, 2013; Flushing , NY, USA; USA pitcher Archie Bradley throws a pitch in the 3rd inning of the 2013 All Star Futures Game at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Some of the game’s biggest minor league pitching prospects imploded on Friday. Houston’s Mike Foltynewicz gave up six runs (five earned) in 1 1/3 innings while Drew VerHagen (DET) gave up four in 5 1/3 innings. Jon Gray didn’t get out of the first inning and surrendered six runs while Robert Stephenson (CIN) gave up three runs on five hits and two walks in just two innings.

One of the Chicago White Sox’ top prospects, Jared Mitchell, opened up for the Charlotte Knights in the International League, going 3/5 with a double, a home run, three runs scored and two RBI.

In the Pacific Coast League, outfielder Oscar Taveras has his batting average up to .314 after a 3/4 game with three singles, a run scored and two RBI and teammate Xavier Scruggs went 2/4. Starter Archie Bradley had another strong outing, throwing seven innings of two-run, three-hit, two-walk ball for the Reno Aces (ARI) with five strikeouts.

Shortstop Deven Marrero had a big game and pushed his batting average to .370 with a 3/5 game that included a double for the Portland Sea Dogs in the Double-A Eastern League. For Akron, shortstop Francisco Lindor, the Cleveland Indians’ top prospect, hit his second home run of the season and could be heating up after a slow start.

In the Texas League, Cristhian Adames, a second baseman in the Colorado system, went 4/5 with a double for the Tulsa Drillers. For the Frisco RoughRiders (TEX), third baseman Ryan Rua is off to a good start, with a 3/3 game with a double and a walk, bringing his batting average up to .333.

In the Southern League, Cubs’ farmhand Corey Black threw five shutout innings for the Tennessee Smokies. For Birmingham (CWS), Scott Snodgress had a great game, throwing five scoreless innings, striking out six but walking four. For Chattanooga (LAD), Chris Reed struck out nine batters in six innings, allowing two runs. One of Milwaukee’s top prospects, Taylor Jungmann struck out nine in five innings for the Huntsville Stars but allowed three runs on six hits and a walk.

In the Florida State League, Tyrone Taylor of the Brevard County Manatees (MIL) is tearing things up, going 3/4 with his eighth double of the season and is now hitting .375 so far. Center fielder Dalton Pompey of the Dunedin Blue Jays went 2/3 with a walk, a double and his fifth stolen base of the season. Jake Thompson threw six and two-thirds shutout innings for the Lakeland Flying Tigers (DET) with five strikeouts. Rafael De Paula threw five scoreless for the St. Lucie Mets (NYM), striking out six and allowing just two hits.

In Myrtle Beach (TEX) of the Carolina League, teammates Jorge Alfaro and Joey Gallo had big games. Gallo slugged his third home run of the season (after hitting two the day before) while Alfaro went 2/5 with two doubles. Tony Renda of the Potomac Nationals went 3/4 with two RBI and a stolen base and is now hitting .375.

The Braves’ Mitch Parsons threw a strong game for Lynchburg, going six scoreless innings with five hits and one walk against with six strikeouts.

Cincinnati’s Junior Arias, playing for the Bakersfield Blaze in the California League, continues his hot start, raising his batting average to .394 by going 2/2 with a double, a walk and his eighth stolen base of the season. Arias’ big game came behind five innings of shutout ball with just four hits against and six strikeouts by Ben Lively. Teoscar Hernandez of the Lancaster JetHawks (HOU) hit two triples in a 2/4 day, giving him an amazing five triples on the day. Hernandez was supporting the strong start by Vince Velasquez who threw five scoreless for the JetHawks. For the Stockton Ports (OAK), catcher Bruce Maxell went 3/5 with a double and teammate Billy McKinney went 2/5 with his fourth home run of the season.

For the Modesto Nuts (COL) of the CAL League, Jayson Aquino struck out eight in six innings of work, giving up two runs.

Playing for the Class-A Dayton Dragons in the Midwest League, another Reds’ farmhand, first baseman Sebastian Elizalde, went 3/5 with a home run, two runs and two RBI. Two Clinton LumberKings (SEA) had great games with the bat as shortstop Jack Reinheimer went 3/4 with a walk and two stolen bases and left fielder Austin Wilson went 4/5 with three RBI.

For the West Michigan WhiteCaps (DET), Jonathon Crawford threw five and a third scoreless with just one walk and five strikeouts.

Right fielder Jose Reyes had a 3/4 day playing for the Rome Braves in the South Atlantic League. Also in the Sally League, Manuel Margot has hit three home runs in three games for the Greenville Drive (BOS) and had a 2/4 game with a home run, three runs scored and three RBI. For the Asheville Tourists (COL), third baseman Ryan McMahon had a big game with a double, his third home run and a walk in a 2/4 game. For the Augusta GreenJackets (SF), shortstop Ryder Jones went 3/5 with two doubles.