Week In Review: Southern League Week 1
Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports
In the first full week of the 2014 season, the Huntsville Stars (MIL) are off to a great 6-1 start and are in the midst of a six game winning streak. The Stars lead the league in pitching and have allowed a league low 15 runs this year.
Taylor Jungmann had a nice first start to the season, working six innings and allowing only one earned run on four hits. He struck out four and walked no one. The bullpen has been strong led by a couple of prospects in David Goforth and Kevin Shackelford. The pair has a combined eight scoreless innings and four saves (three for Goforth)
First baseman Nick Ramirez is off to a strong start of the Brewers’ Double-A club, as is outfield prospect Jason Rogers. On the other hand, outfield prospect Mitch Haniger has struggled so far, hitting just .136/.240/.227 in 22 at-bats.
The Mobile BayBears (ARI) have gotten great pitching performances this week on the way to a 4-3 record. Chase Anderson carved up the Mississippi Braves on Opening Night, then followed with another impressive start later in the week. In 12 scoreless innings, the righty has allowed just five hits and two walks, while recording 12 strikeouts. Lefty Andrew Chafin has been almost as good, allowing one earned run in 10.1 innings across his first two starts. Bryan Woodall tossed five scoreless innings, an A.J. Schugel allowed just one earned run in a five-inning start.
At the other end of the spectrum, pitching has doomed the Birmingham Barons (CWS) in a 2-5 start to 2014. The White Sox Southern League affiliate has allowed 45 runs (41 earned) so far this season.
Montgomery (TB) has struggled similarly on the mound, posting a 5.59 team ERA, but has a 4-3 record thanks to a very strong bullpen thus far. Santiago Garrido has three saves in four scoreless innings, while Matt Lollis has earned two of the club’s wins in relief for his scoreless work in 3.1 innings.
Individual Hitting
Who’s Hot: Ramirez and Rogers have hit .346/.333/.538 and .308/.333/.538, respectively for the Stars. Each has a home run and 5 RBI.
Who’s Not: Birmingham’s Keenyn Walker is tied for the league lead with three stolen bases, but has struggled mightily to get on base. The outfielder is hitting .091/.130/.091 in six games thus far.
Individual Pitching
Who’s Hot: Mississippi’s (ATL) J.R. Graham was almost perfect in his first five innings this season, walking only one. Teammate Shae Simmons has been almost as unhittable, giving up just one and striking out eight in 4.1 innings in his first four appearances of the young season.
Michael Lorenzen tossed seven scoreless innings for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (CIN) as he transitions to a starting role. The righty struck out six and allowed four hits with no walks.
Duke von Schamann allowed just two hits in seven scoreless innings for Chattanooga (LAD). He struck out two and did not walk a batter.
Tennessee’s (CHC) C.J. Edwards is off to a strong start to the season. He has allowed one earned run in 9.2 innings across the first two starts of the season.
Who’s Not: White Sox prospects Chris Beck and Scott Snodgress have struggled so far. Each allowed eight earned runs on the young season. While Beck’s have been spread across two starts and ten innings, Snodgress was roughed up in his only start, and lasted just two innings.