BaseballInstinct.com , a site I find interesting, has a feature on 21 VSL prospects to watch. Of the 21, 5 are from the Mariners - Calderon, Leal, Gadea, Lopez, and Wawoe. Interesting comments. Gadea in particular sounds of interest. Wasn't Erasmo down there when he first started showing his obscene BB/K ratios?
AAA -- Sacramento 6, Tacoma 1 -- Box
Most noteworthy: Dustin Ackley in center field for the third straight game. Paying attention, Michael Saunders?
Ackley had two hits, but the Rainiers didn't get much going. Their only extra-base knock of the night was a home run from ... yes ... Robert Andino.
Hector Noesi had a bumpy outing, but racked up some strikeouts: 4.0 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 6 K.
AA -- Jackson 3, Birmingham 0 -- Box
The Generals got a shutout spread among four pitchers, with James Gilheeney starting it out and Carson Smith (Talk40 #13) bringing it home:
- Gilheeney: 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K
- Andrew Kittredge (Watch List): 1.0 P, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
- Stephen Kohlscheen: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
- Smith: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
The shutout helped mightily, since the offense sputtered. The primary spark came from Leon Landry (Talk40 #18), who did it all. Landry delivered a double, two singles, a walk and two steals. Landry is 13-for-38 in June (.342/.359/.395).
High-A -- Inland Empire 8, High Desert 7 -- Box
If you've been following this space, you know one of our favorite young starters is Stephen Landazuri (Talk40 #24). He had a strong outing, but was betrayed by his bullpen: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K.
The offense tried to keep up, and got three homers, including the 10th of the year from Ramon Morla.
But, in the 9th, the 7-7 tie was broken when usually reliable Dominic Leone (Talk40 #25) gave up the final run and took the loss. Leone did get two strikeouts, giving the Mavericks' pitchers 13 for the night.
Low-A -- Beloit 10, Clinton 3 -- Box
Anthony Vasquez (The [New] Best Story of the Year So Far) had a pretty good start: 5.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2K. But reliever Matt Vedo (Watch List) (2.1 IP, 6 K) melted down in the 8th and the game got out of hand.
Teen Titans Gabriel Guerrero (Talk40 #16) and Timmy Lopes (Talk40 #20), who have both been struggling to adjust to the higher level, each had two hits, as did the reliable Jabari Henry (26intheMix). Henry also added his seventh steal.
Short Season-A -- Everett 6, Spokane 4 -- Box
Lars Huijer, a 19-year-old Dutch righty, got the start, and fanned six: 5.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K.
Alfredo Morales continued his hot start, with two hits and two walks, and first baseman Reggie Lawson did the same.
The only extra-base hit came from Jamodrick McGruder (26intheMix), a triple.
Looking Ahead
Journeyman Brian Sweeney gets another starting nod for Tacoma, while Chance Ruffin (Watch List) is slated to go for Jackson.