Down on the Farm - 6/5/13

AA - Midland 3 Corpus Christi 1

Despite a lineup that started with George Springer, Jose Martinez, Jonathan Singleton, Justin Maxwell and Domingo Santana, the Hooks (36-22) managed just one run in a 3-1 loss to the RockHounds. The Hooks managed just 9 hits in the loss and went 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position. Jiovanni Mier led the offense by going 3 for 3 with a stolen base. Springer added two hits including a double and Singleton had an rbi double in 4 trips. Nick Tropeano allowed just 2 runs on 4 hits in 5 innings, but was saddled with loss, dropping his record to 1-4.

Advanced A - Stockton 13 Lancaster 7

The Ports scored 10 runs in the first three innings and rode that to a 13-7 win over the JetHawks (35-24). Lancaster slugged four home runs in the game, but despite the power outburst, couldn't overcome the early deficit. Delino DeShields, Nolan Fontana, Matt Duffy and Telvin Nash accounted for the JetHawks homers while Andrew Aplin and MP Cokinos each had multi-hit games in a losing effort. Chris Devenski had 6 strikeouts in 3 innings of relief work.

Low A - Cedar Rapids 14 Quad Cities 5

Byron Buxton, the player drafted after Carlos Correa in last year's draft, went 5 for 6 with 2 singles, a double, and 2 triples as the Kernels crushed the River Bandits (32-25) behind a 10-run 4th inning. Rio Ruiz and Roberto Pena each had multi-hit games for the River Bandits and Ruben Sosa walked twice and scored a pair of runs. Juan Minaya was one of the few bright spots on the mound for Quad Cities making his 2013 debut with 3 solid innings and allowing just 1 run on 1 hit.

DSL - DSL Red Sox 3 DSL Astros 2

The Astros (2-2) led 2-1 with 2 outs and nobody on in the 9th inning, but an error, a walk, 2 singles and another walk put the Red Sox in front and they came away winners, 3-2. The Astros pitching staff surrendered 0 earned runs in the game and were led by starter Javier Lozano who tossed 3 scoreless frames. Jean Estrella and Arturo Michelena each went 2 for 4 to lead the offense. The Astros had 10 hits in the game, but had a runner caught stealing, 2 thrown out on the bases by Red Sox left fielder Juan Hernandez and were victimized by 4 double plays in the loss.

Down on the Farm - 5/6/13

AAA - Iowa 6 Oklahoma City 1

Trevor Crowe, Jonathan Villar and Carlos Perez all had 2 hits, but the RedHawks (18-12) fell behind early, and never recovered losing to the Cubs 6-1. Ross Seaton's struggles in AAA continued as he allowed 4 runs in 5 innings of work to fall to 0-2 with a 10.42 ERA. Former Astro Brian Bogusevic continued his big series against the RedHawks reaching base 3 times and raising his average on the year to .419 (39/93). Another former Astro, Edwin Maysonet homered and drove in 3 runs for the Cubs.

AA -  Corpus Christi 3 San Antonio 0

Mike Foltynewicz announced his presence in AA with authority striking on 9 in 5 shutout innings in which he allowed just 1 hit and 1 walk as the Hooks (19-12) defeated the Missions 3-0. Folty's relief, David Martinez (4-0), was equally impressive throwing 3 1/3 shutout innings to earn the win and lowering his ERA on the year to 0.87. George Springer hit his 11th homer of the season and Domingo Santana followed it up with his 4th to lead the offense.

Advanced A - Lancaster 8 High Desert 7

The JetHawks (18-12) overcame an early 5-1 deficit and held on late to defeat the Mavericks 8-7. Jonas Dufek and Brady Rodgers combined to throw 5 scoreless innings out of the bullpen setting the stage for the comeback as the JetHawks banged out 15 hits, including 2 apiece from MP Cokinos, Matt Duffy, Preston Tucker, Tyler Heineman and Chris Epps in the win. Travis Ballew surrendered a 2-run homer in the 9th, but still earned his 5th save.

Low A - Quad Cities 8 West Michigan 3

Colton Cain pitched his best game of the year tossing 5 shutout innings and was rewarded with his first win as the River Bandits (18-11) defeated the Whitecaps 8-3. Jordan Scott tripled and drove in 3 runs, and Jesse Wierzbicki, Ryan Dineen and Roberto Pena all had two hits to lead the Bandits offense. 

My Early Season Minor League MVPs By Position

Let's get one thing straight. This is my list. It has nothing to do with how big a prospect someone is, it's merely reflective of who's been playing good baseball. Argue with it if you want, but this is purely based on my opinions after about a month of baseball. All stats are as of this morning. So without further ado...

Pitcher - Asher Wojciechowski (Oklahoma City)

There were a lot of good candidates to pick from here at every level, but at this point in the season, I give the nod to Wojo. In 6 appearances with AA Corpus Christi, Wojo posted an impressive 2.08 ERA. The 24 year old right hander held hitters to a .189 average and didn't allow a run in his first four appearances of the season spanning 18 innings. His performance in 2013 hasn't gone unnoticed either as he's already shot up to AAA on the heels of promotions to Jordan Lyles and Dallas Keuchel.

Year	Team	League	W	L	ERA	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	GO/AO	AVG
2010	AUB	NYP	0	0	0.75	3	3	0	0	0	12.0	6	1	1	0	4	11	1.89	.146
2010	Minors		0	0	0.75	3	3	0	0	0	12.0	6	1	1	0	4	11	1.89	.146
2011	DUN	FSL	11	9	4.70	25	22	0	0	0	130.1	156	79	68	15	31	96	1.03	.292
2011	Minors		11	9	4.70	25	22	0	0	0	130.1	156	79	68	15	31	96	1.03	.292
2012	DUN	FSL	7	3	3.57	18	18	0	0	0	93.1	91	40	37	3	22	76	1.17	.261
2012	CC	TEX	2	2	2.06	8	8	0	0	0	43.2	30	14	10	0	14	34	0.83	.190
2012	Minors		9	5	3.09	26	26	0	0	0	137.0	121	54	47	3	36	110	1.04	.239
2013	CC	TEX	2	1	2.08	6	3	0	0	1	26.0	17	6	6	1	7	27	1.24	.189
2013	Minors		2	1	2.08	6	3	0	0	1	26.0	17	6	6	1	7	27	1.24	.189

Down on the Farm - 5/1/13

AAA - Oklahoma City 6 Nashville 2

Brett Wallace was 2 for 4 with a double and a pair of rbis as the RedHawks (16-10) defeated the Sounds 6-2. Trevor Crowe, Jake Elmore and Andrew Simunic all had multi-hit games as well for Oklahoma City while Crowe stole his 10th base on the young season. On the mound, the RedHawks got a quality start from Wes Musick who allowed just a run on two hits in 6 innings. Jason Stoffel, fresh up from Corpus Christi, made his AAA debut by allowing a run in the 9th.

AA - Corpus Christi 3 Midland 2 (11 innings)

The Hooks (15-11) scored in the bottom of the 10th to tie the game, and in the bottom of the 11th to win an extra inning affair thanks to a walkoff single from Ben Orloff. Orloff, who didn't start, was one of three Hooks players with 2 hits in the game. The others were first baseman Erik Castro and rehabber J.D. Martinez. Nick Tropeano started and threw 4 scoreless innings for the Hooks to lower his ERA on the year to 1.86. Bobby Doran and Pat Urckfitz each threw 3 solid innings in relief allowing a run apiece, and Andrew Robinson earned his first win of the year by pitching a scoreless 11th.

Advanced A - Lancaster 5 Inland Empire 3

Andrew Aplin reached base 4 times and drove in 3 runs to lead the JetHawks (15-10) to a 5-3 win over the 66ers. Mike Foltynewicz started for the JetHawks and allowed just 1 run in 4 innings while fanning 6. The hard throwing prospect was promoted to AA Corpus Christi after the game. Blair Walters earned his 3rd win of the year in relief and Kenny Long got the final six outs for his second save.

Low A - South Bend 4 Quad Cities 3

The River Bandits (15-9) squandered an early 3-0 lead and lost of a tough one to the Silver Hawks 4-3.  Catcher Roberto Pena stayed red hot with 2 more hits raising his average on the year to .375 in a losing effort, while Joe Sclafani and Terrell Joyce each added two hits of their own. Lance McCullers was the hard luck loser in this one again falling victim to unearned runs and he fell to 0-3 on the year despite a 2.08 ERA. Starting pitcher Daniel Minor allowed 2 runs on 5 hits in 5 innings, but did not factor in the decision.

Down on the Farm - 4/30/13

AAA - Oklahoma City 4 Nashville 2

Jarred Cosart pitched 5 1/3 solid innings and earned his 3rd win of the year as the RedHawks (15-10) defeated the Sounds 4-2. Cosart struck out 6 and allowed just 1 run lowering his ERA to 2.63 on the year. Marc Krauss led the offense with his 6th home run and 25th rbi of the season. Josh Zeid earned his second save of the season and with 2 strikeouts, he now has 15 in 10 1/3 innings.

AA - Corpus Christi 1 Midland 0

Rene Garcia drove in Erik Castro in the third inning for the game's only run as the Hooks (14-11) defeated the RockHounds 1-0. Jake Buchanan, Carlos Quevedo and Alex Sogard combined on a 6 hitter as all three continued their impressive seasons on the mound (Buchanan 1.47, Quevedo 1.62, Sogard 0.00 in 8 1/3 innings). Ben Orloff had 2 of Corpus Christi's 5 hits.

Advanced A - Inland Empire 3 Lancaster 2

Preston Tucker's 2-run double gave the JetHawks (14-10) a short lived 2-0 lead, but it was erased a half inning later as Lancaster fell 3-2 to the 66ers. Nolan Fontana stayed hot with 2 more hits including his 7th double of the season, but Matt Duffy saw his 15 game hitting streak draw to a close with an 0 for 4 night. Luis Cruz started and threw 5 scoreless innings while fanning 5.

Low A - Quad Cities 17 Great Lakes 6

Jobduan Morales hit a Grand Slam and drove in 5 runs, Roberto Pena homered and drove in 4, and Jesse Wierzbicki had 3 hits as Quad Cities (15-8) erupted for 17 runs on 15 hits in a blowout win. Carlos Correa added two hits and a walk and scored three times, and Teoscar Hernandez scored three runs of his own, as pretty much everyone on the River Bandits roster enjoyed a big night offensively. Michael Dimock pitched just 1/3 of an inning in relief, but that was enough to earn his third win of the year.