April 4 Minor League Update: Greg Garcia Mashes
By Jay Blue
Mar 8, 2014; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Greg Garcia (79) hits a 2 run single against the Washington Nationals at Roger Dean Stadium. The game ended in a 4-4 tie after 10 innings. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
There were a lot of great performances by some of the top prospects in the game on Friday and we’ll encapsulate a few of them.
The Braves outfielder, Joey Terdoslavich, playing for the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves, went 3/5 with a double while teammate Tommy LaStella went 2/4 with a double and a walk. For the Red Sox’ Triple-A affiliate in Pawtucket, catcher Christian Vazquez had a pair of doubles as part of a three-hit day. Norfolk starting pitcher Kevin Gausman had a great start, going 4 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and two walks with six strikeouts.
For Triple-A Memphis, shortstop Greg Garcia had probably the game of the day, launching two home runs in a 2/4 day and driving in six runs. Kevin Kiermaier, an outfielder for the Durham Bulls (Tampa Bay Rays) had another big day, going 3/5 with his second home run of the season and scoring three runs. Trevor Bauer, pitching for the Columbus Clippers, struck out nine in his six innings of work, walking just two which is an excellent sign for the big righty who has, historically, struggled with his control.
In the Pacific Coast League, Colorado Springs outfielder Kyle Parker went three for four with a home run and a walk.
For the Bowie Baysox in the Eastern League, 1B Christian Walker and C Michael Ohlman each had three hits with Ohlman adding two walks for a perfect day. 2B Mookie Betts of the Portland Sea Dogs stays hot with three hits including two doubles and is hitting .778 in his two games.
For the 2-0 New Hampshire Fisher Cats, catcher A.J. Jimenez went 3/4 with two doubles and two RBI.
2B Kris Bryant, playing for Double-A Tennessee in the Southern League, hit his second home run in as many games, going deep for his only hit. For the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, starter Daniel Corcino struck out eight in six innings, giving up one run.
In the Texas League, A’s top prospect, shortstop Addison Russell hit his first home run of the season, going 2/2 with a pair of RBI. For Double-A Springfield, Zach Petrick threw five shutout innings and struck out eight batters, walking one and giving up two hits.
In High-A, Cincinnati Reds prospect Junior Arias had a 3/3 day with a walk and two stolen bases for Bakersfield in the California League.For the Lake Elsinore Storm, Padres prospect Austin Renfroe went 2/4 with a double and a home run.
Everyone’s favourite 17-year-old lefty, Julio Urias, didn’t give up a run and only surrendered one hit, striking out five in his four innings but walked four batters. Making a rehab start for the High-A High Desert Mavericks, Taijuan Walker struck out seven in 4 1/3 innings, giving up two runs (one unearned) and walking just one. Pitching in San Jose, the Giant’s High-A club, Kendry Flores went seven strong innings, giving up just one run on two hits and one walk with six strikeouts.
Over in the Florida State League, Twins prospect Niko Goodrum went 3/4 with a double, two runs scored and two RBI.
In the Class-A Midwest League, Dustin Peterson went 3/4 with a double and a triple. For the Lansing Lugnuts, Blue Jays’ prospect D.J. Davis, a center fielder, had a terrific debut in A-ball, going 2/4 with a double and two stolen bases.
In the South Atlantic League, Baltimore prospect Hunter Harvey threw six shutout innings for the Delmarva Shorebirds, striking out five without allowing a walk. Pitching for Greensboro, Miami Marlins prospect Jarlin Garcia struck out seven in five innings of work, surrendering just three hits and one walk with one unearned run allowed. For Hagerstown, Austin Voth struck out seven batters over five shutout innings, giving up just two hits and two walks.