The Texas League leader in wins is the best pitching prospect in the league, and seems to just now be getting into his stride. Jon Gray has a season ERA of 3.54, but four of his past seven starts were scoreless outings (although two of the other three he gave up at least a run an inning). His pat stwo starts he has gone a combined 11.2 innings, allowed three hits, four walks, no earned runs, and struck out 12. Six of his nine wins have come against the same team, Northwest Arkansas, but he is top five in WHIP and strikeouts despite only three wins against the rest of the league.
Chris Devenski of Corpus Christi recently took a no-hitter into the seventh, but gave up a walk, then a single, and a two out double that scored two and saddled Devenski with the loss. Since being called up to the Texas League on July 7th, the two runs surrendered were the most in any of his three starts, as he has a 1.72 ERA in three starts, and 13 strikeouts over 15.2 innings.
Over the past week (not including the Futures game) Joey Gallo has no home runs and has driven in just two runs, and is hitting .167 and has struck out eight times in 18 at-bats. His raw power is undeniable, but it seems better pitching is finally exposing Gallo’s weaknesses at the plate…if only somebody could have seen this coming this spring.
In a fantastic gesture, the Texas League will celebrate Coolbaugh Day in each and every ballpark in the league starting yesterday in Tulsa. Mike Coolbaugh was unfortunately and tragically killed when he was hit by a line drive in the neck while he was in the first base box on July 22, 2007. Base coaches at all levels of the minor and major leagues now wear helmets to help protect from foul balls.