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Tampa Bay Rays: Jacob Faria’s bad luck leads minor league notes

By Brody Hilgenkamp

Mar 13, 2016; Dunedin, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Jacob Faria (34) throws the ball in the fourth inning of the spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2016; Dunedin, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Jacob Faria (34) throws the ball in the fourth inning of the spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Brady Rodgers’ second go-around in the International League is going much better than the first: the Houston Astros prospect’s ERA is down to 2.88 in 2016 from 4.51 in 2015; his FIP is down to 3.04 from 4.20; and his strikeout-to-walk ratio is up to 5.38 from 3.56. He’s having such a good season, he started the Triple-A All-Star Game for the Pacific Coast League.

According to the Houston Chronicle, during spring training Rodgers got some help developing his slider from Astros reliever Luke Gregerson, and the numbers above speak for themselves.

After cruising through his first two professional seasons, Seattle Mariners prospect D.J. Peterson stalled in Double-A in 2015. He hit just .223 with a .290 on-base percentage and slugged just .346 after slugging .473 with 13 home runs there in 58 games in 2014.

Peterson has turned it around this season. He slashed .271/.340/.466 with 11 home runs in 73 games to earn a promotion to Triple-A. Since the promo, he’s slashed .333/.387/.623 and hit five home runs. He’s experiencing some BABIP-induced luck that often comes with hitting in the Pacific Coast League, but the outlook is still bright for the rest of the season.

Aaron Blair has not enjoyed his most recent trip to Triple-A. The big right-hander in the Atlanta Braves organization made his major league debut earlier this season and has taken two trips back-and-forth on the shuttle to Triple-A Gwinnett. Since his most recent demotion, Blair has a 7.94 ERA, opponents are batting .340 and he’s walked 13 batters in 22.2 innings.

Next: Double-A

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