August 19: McBride Continues to Excell in AAA, Chisenhall and Head Drive Akron to Victory

AAA COLUMBUS (L, 5-9)

• MATT McBRIDE (25, OF):  1-4, HR, 2 RBI.  That was his 3rd HR in 62 AAA ABs, to go along with a .371 BA, 3 2B, and 7 RBI.  Overall in 2010 (AA and AAA):  .296 BA, 28 2B, 20 HR, 71 RBI, .394 OBP.
• WES HODGES (25, 1B):  2-4, RBI.  Last 9 games: .361, 3 extra-base hits, 3 RBI, 0 BB, 11 K.
• DREW SUTTON (27, LF):  3-3, 2B, BB, SB.  Last 9 games: .333, 5 extra-base hits, 6 RBI, 3 BB.
• ZACH PUTNAM (23, RP):  2 IP, H, BB, 2 K.  Last 4 outings (6 IP):  0 R, 5 K, 2 H, BB.  Season in AAA (16 IP): 5.06 ERA, 15 K, 5 BB, .274 BAA.

AA AKRON (W, 15-10)

• JORDAN HENRY (22, OF):  2-6, 2 RBI.  Last 9 games: .375, 6 RBI, 5 BB.
• LONNIE CHISENHALL (21, 3B):  2-5, 2B, 3 RBI.  Last 7 games:  .440 (11-25), 3 2B, HR, 12 RBI, 7 BB, SB.  His pre and post-all star splits are quite telling: .267 BA, 12 2B, 8 HR, 37 RBI, .341 OBP in 266 ABs before the break and .285 BA, 6 2B, 7 HR, 34 RBI, .343 OBP since.  Season (389 AB):  .272 BA, 18 2B, 2 3B, 15 HR, 71 RBI, .342 OBP.  He’s a lock for this week’s BA prospect hot sheet.
• JERAD HEAD (27, OF):  3-4, 2 HR, 4 RBI, BB.  On fire since return to AA: 6-11, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 2 BB in 3 games.  He’s went deep in back-to-back contests.  Season in AA: .323 BA, 15 2B, 15 HR, 39 RBI, .379 OBP.
• CARLOS RIVERO (22, SS):  2-5, 2B, HR, 4 RBI.  Last 7 games: .345 (10-29), 2 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, BB.
• MIGUEL PEREZ (26, C):  2-5, 2 2B.  In 114 AA ABs this season: .289 BA, 10 2B, 10 RBI, 4 BB.
• LUCAS MONTERO (25, OF):  In 34 AA at-bats in 2010: .235, 2B, 3B, 3 BB, 10 K.  Last 4 games: 7-16 (.438).  In 321 ABs with Kinston before promotion: .265 BA, 12 2B, 5 3B, 2 HR, 29 RBI, 47 BB, 80 K, 24 SB.

LOW-A LAKE COUNTY (W, 5-4)

• ADAM ABRAHAM (23, 3B):  2-3, solo HR.  Current 8-game hitting streak: 12-34 (.353), 5 RBI, 4 BB, 4 K.  Batting .314 so far in August after a .317 July, but power is down (1 HR in August, 6 in July).  Pre-all star break: .182 BA, 6 2B, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 8 BB, 33 K in 143 ABs.  Since: .321 BA, 12 2B, 9 HR, 37 RBI, 20 BB, 39 K in 196 ABs.
• CASEY FRAWLEY (22, SS):  2-4.  Last 9: .333 (12-39), 3 extra-base hits, 6 RBI.
• GREG FOLGIA (22, OF):  1-4, HR, 2 RBI.  Last 7 games: .400 (12-30), 6 RBI.
• BRETT BRACH (22, SP):  6 IP, 2 ER, 2 H (HR), BB, 4 K.  Last 6 starts: 43 IP, 31 K, 8 ER (1.67 ERA), 3 BB, 32 H.  Season in low-A (19 starts): 2.87 ERA, 81 K, 22 BB, .264 BAA in 106.2 IP.  As of late, his Ks are slightly up, and his BBs and BAA are both down.
• RAMON CESPEDES (19, RP):  IP, K.  Through 4 appearances in low-A: 4.05 ERA, 5 K, 3 BB, .259 BAA.  Last 2 outings (2.2 IP) scoreless with 3 K.  11 appearances with AZL (rookie) Indians prior to promotion: 0.39 ERA, 28 K, 3 BB, .117 BAA in 23 IP.

SHORT-SEASON MAHONING VALLEY (L, 5-7)

• NICHOLAS BARTOLONE (19, SS):  2-4, 2B, RBI.  Last 3 games: 4-12, BB.  Through 42 short-season ABs: .262 BA, 4 RBI, 2 BB, 7 K, SB.  With AZL (rookie) Indians before promotion: .303, 3 2B, 9 RBI, 9 BB, 18 K, 15 SB in 132 AB.
• DIEGO SEASTRUNK (22, C):  4-4, 2B, RBI.  Last 3 games: 8-12, 2B, HR, 5 RBI.  In 113 short-season ABs: .221, 6 2B, 4 HR, 16 RBI, 17 BB, 22 K.  Has shown steady progress: .105 in 19 June ABs, .204 in 54 July ABs, and .300 in 40 August ABs.
• TYLER CANNON (22, SS):  2-3, RBI, BB.  Through 95 ABs with Scrappers: .200, 6 2B, 3B, 15 RBI, 10 BB, 19 K, SB.
• MICHAEL GOODNIGHT (21, SP):  2.2 IP, 5 ER, 6 H, 3 BB, 3 K.  A rough second start, but first outing showed promise (3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 K).
• KYLE C. SMITH (22, RP):  IP, H, 4 K (that’s not a typo).  Last 4 appearances: 6 IP, 11 K, 5 BB, 5 H, 0 ER.

High-A Kinston’s game against the Potomac Nationals was postponed because of rain.

August 18: Chen Homers, Cid and Constanza Continue Hot Streaks

AAA COLUMBUS CLIPPERS (L, 2-9)

• JOSE CONSTANZA (26, OF):  3-3, 2 BB, RBI, SB.  Jose is the definition of en fuego right now.  Last 5 games: .706 BA (12-17), 4 RBI, 5 BB, and 5 SB.  He’s batting a scorching .383 overall in 60 August ABs, with 4 extra-base hits, 8 RBI, 9 BB, and 6 SB (only 5 K).  His season AAA average is up to .314, to go along with 33 SB.
• MATT McBRIDE (25, OF):  1-3, BB.  Batting .378 in this last 10 games, but with only 3 extra-base hits and 2 RBI.
• LUKE CARLIN (29, C):  2-3, HR, BB.  Recently acquired from the Pirates organization, batting .300 (3-10) in 4 games with the Clippers, with 2 BB and 5 K.
• DAVID HUFF (25, SP):  6 IP, 4 ER, 7 H (HR), 2 BB, 4 K.  In 9 AAA starts 56.1 IP): 3.99 ERA, 39 K, 15 BB, .281 BAA.

AA AKRON AEROS (L, 2-3)

• JORDAN HENRY (22, OF):  2-5.  Last 5 games: 11-23 (.478), 4 RBI, 2 BB.  AA average up to .306 (216 ABs), with a .393 OBP.
• LONNIE CHISENHALL (21, 3B):  1-3, BB.  Last 6 games: 9-20 (.450), 3 extra-base hits, 9 RBI, 7 BB (.593 OBP).
• JERAD HEAD (27, OF):  1-3, HR, 2 RBI, BB.  3-7 in 2 games since demotion from AAA.
• TIM FEDROFF (23, OF):  1-3, BB.  Last 10: .361, 6 extra-base hits, 4 BB (.439 OBP).
• CARLOS RIVERO (22, SS):  2-4.  Last 6 games: 8-24 (.333), 4 RBI.
• SCOTT BARNES (22, SP):  6 IP, 2 ER, 4 H (HR), 2 BB, 5K.  Last 10 starts: 3.36 ERA, 42 K, 18 BB, .218 BAA in 61.2 IP.  8 HR in those last 10 outings is concerning, though.
• CONNOR GRAHAM (24, RP):  2 IP, 3 K.  Last 10 appearances (17.1 IP):  1.04 ERA, 20 K, 4 BB, .169 BAA.  A vast improvement over his season totals: 3.20 ERA, 54 K, 40 BB, .253 BAA.

HIGH-A KINSTON INDIANS (L, 1-9)

• CHUN CHEN (21, C):  1-1, HR, 2 BB.  7 game hit-streak: 9-18, 3 extra-base hits, 3 RBI, 6 BB, SB.  Combined 2010 low-A and high A stats (330 ABs): .312, 32 2B, 3 3B, 9 HR, 56 RBI, .360 OBP (40 BB, 64 K).
• DONNIE WEBB (24, OF):  2-4.  Last 10 games: .324, 2 2B, 2 RBI, BB, 10 K, SB.
• JUAN DIAZ (21, SS):  2-4.  Finally settling in with Kinston.  Last 10 games: .405 BA, 3 extra-base hits, 5 RBI, SB (37 ABs).  Season with Kinston: .258 BA, 5 extra-base hits, and 14 RBI in 159 ABs.
• KAREXON SANCHEZ (22, 2B):  1-3, BB.  Last 9 games: 9-30 (.300), 5 BB, 11 K.  2010 season with Kinston: .259 BA, 18 2B, 4 3B, 10 HR, 43 RBI, 66 BB, 105 K  (.379 OBP).
• T.J. McFARLAND (21, SP):  0.2 IP, 5 ER, 4 H (2 HR), 2 BB, K.  Last 3 starts: 9 IP, 14 ER, 17 H, 3 BB, 10 K.
• TYLER STURDEVANT (24, RP):  3 IP, H, BB, 4 K.  10 appearances with Kinston: 19.2 IP, 4.12 ERA, 21 K, 9 BB, .237 BAA, 3 HR.
• BRIAN GRENING (25, RP):  2 IP, H, 5 K.  27 K in last 19.2 IP, 58 in 45 high-A IP this season.  4 HR allowed in last 10 outings (19.2 IP), though.

LOW-A LAKE COUNTY (L, 2-6)

• TYLER HOLT (21, CF):  1-3, 2B, BB.  In 4 games with Lake County: 3-11 (.273), 2B, 3B, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 3 K.
• DELVI CID (21, LF):  2-4, SB.  Last 3 games: 7-14, 2 BB, 3 SB.  Last 10: .333, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 4 BB, 6 SB.  On the season, he has 62 SB and his overall BA is up to .258 after batting .342 so far in August (73 ABs).
• JASON SMIT (20, 1B/OF):  2-3, 2B.  Last 9 games: .400, 6 extra-base hits, 7 RBI, 2 BB, 9 K, 2 SB.  Season average up to .268 after a .348 August so far (66 ABs), with 19 2B, 8 HR, 41 RBI, and 8 SB.
• CLAYTON COOK (20, SP):  2 IP, 2 BB, K.  Last 10 outings: 2.87 ERA, 37 K, 16 BB, .219 BAA in 53.1 IP.
• OWEN DEW (21, RP):  2.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 2 K.  Rough start in low-A (2 appearances): 6.23 ERA, 4 K, 3 BB, 3 ER, 5 H in 4.1 IP.
• PRESTON GUILMET (23, RP):  2 IP, ER, 2 H, 2 K.  Last 10 outings (21.1 IP): 1.69 ERA, 26 K, 4 BB, .147 BAA.

SHORT-SEASON MAHONING VALLEY (W, 4-2)

• CARLOS MONCRIEF (21, OF):  2-4.  Last 10 games: .378 BA, 5 extra-base hits, 4 RBI, 8 BB, SB.
• DIEGO SEASTRUNK (22, C):  1-4, HR, 3 RBI.  Last 8 games: .286, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 3 BB.  Season with Mahoning Valley: .193 BA, 5 2B, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 17 BB (22 K).  Solid overall K to BB ratio suggests that his recent success at the plate should continue.
• BRIAN HEERE (23, OF):  1-3, 2B, RBI, BB.  Last 7 games: .435 BA, 3 extra-base hits, 3 RBI, 4 BB, 3 K.
• MIKE RAYL (21, SP):  6 IP, 2 ER, BB, 6 K.  12 starts with the Scrappers (58.1 IP): 3.09 ERA, 44 K, 15 BB, .236 BAA.  Last 4 outings: 24 K in 20.2 IP.
• NATHAN STRIZ (22, RP):  IP, BB, K in Scrappers debut.

August 14: Espino and White Stellar on the Mound, Chisenhall Goes Deep

In an effort to save some time, I’m trying out a new format today.  We’ll see how it goes.  Of course, your feedback is always welcome.  Featured performances are italicized.

AAA COLUMBUS (W, 1-0)

• PAOLO ESPINO (23-SP):  7 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 0 ER, 8 K (3 starts in AAA (19.2 IP): 2.75 ERA, 5 BB, 14 K, .239 BAA)
• JOSE CONSTANZA (26-OF):  2-4, SB (Last 10: .368 BA, .429 OBP)
• MATT McBRIDE (25-LF):  2-2, RBI (13 games in AAA (51 ABs): .373 BA)
• DREW SUTTON (27-2B):  1-3, 2B (7 games with Columbus (24 ABs): .292 BA, .370 OBP)
• BRYCE STOWELL (23-RP):  IP, 2 K (14 appearances in AAA (16 IP): 3.38 ERA, 13 BB, 25 K, .167 BAA)
• VINNIE PESTANO (25-RP):  IP, 2 K, SV (36 appearances in AAA (39.1 IP): 1.83 ERA, 12 BB, 52 K, .215 BAA)

AA AKRON (W, 12-2)

• ALEX WHITE (21-SP):  6 IP, 3 H, BB, ER, 3 K (A nice rebound after giving up 11 ER in his last 2 starts (10 IP))
• LONNIE CHISENHALL (21-3B):  3-4, HR, 5 RBI (5-11 in last 3 games, now has 15 HR and 66 RBI in 2010)
• JORDAN HENRY (22-CF):  2-4, RBI, 2 BB (5-12, 4 BB, 3 RBI in last 3 games)
• JASON KIPNIS (23-2B):  1-3, RBI, BB (8 game hit streak, 8 RBI during that stretch)
• BEAU MILLS (24-1B):  2-5, 2B, 2 RBI (4 for last 10 with 2 2B, 22 2B and 61 RBI in 2010)
• JOHN DRENNEN (23-OF):  2-5, RBI (8-18 in last 4 games, .299 BA, 49 RBI in 2010)
• CARLOS RIVERO (22-SS):  2-5 (7-19 in last 5 games with 4 RBI)
• TIM FEDROFF (23-OF):  3-5 (.343 in last 9 games)
• CRISTO ARNAL (24-2B):  2-5 (.324 in last 9 games)
• JUAN APODACA (24-C):  2-3, 2 BB (In 7 games with Akron: .500 (9-18), 10 BB (.679 OBP))

HIGH A KINSTON (L, 1-3)

• JOSEPH MAHALIC (21-SP):  5 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 0 ER (2 unearned), K (Last 10 starts (47.1 IP): 30 BB, 25 K, 25 ER)
• ABNER ABREU (20-OF):  2-4, SB (4-10 in last 3 games)
• DONNIE WEBB (24-OF):  1-3, 2B, BB (7 game hit streak (.320 BA))
• BO GREENWELL (21-OF):  2-4, RBI (.318 BA, .393 OBP in 154 ABs in 2010 with Kinston)
• CHUN CHEN (21-C):  1-3, BB (.282 BA, .389 OBP in 103 ABs in 2010 with Kinston)

LOW A LAKE COUNTY (L, 2-4)

• BRETT BRACH (22-SP):  7 IP, 8 H, 0 BB, 2 ER (1 unearned), 6 K (Last 1o starts (62.2 IP): 2.15 ERA, 8 BB, 56 K, .258 BAA)
• DELVI CID (21-OF):  1-3, SB, BB (59 SB in 2010)
• JASON SMIT (20-1B/OF):  1-3, 2B, BB (6 game hit streak, .318 BA during that stretch)
• ARGENIS MARTINEZ (20-2B):  1-4, 3B, RBI (10-29 (.349 BA) in last 9 games with 7 BB (.472 OBP))
• TYLER HOLT (21-CF):  1-4, 3B, RBI (Professional debut – drafted out of Florida State)
• OWEN DEW (21-P):  2 IP, H (HR), 2 K (Low A debut – 2.64 ERA, 4 BB, 25 K, .206 BAA in 9 starts (47.2 IP with Mahoning Valley)

SHORT-SEASON MAHONING VALLEY (L, 3-4)

• CASEY GAYNOR (23-P):  5 IP, 5 H, ER,BB, 3 K (Last 4 appearances: 18.2 IP, 13 H, 5 BB, 14 K)
• DIEGO SEASTRUNK (22-C):  3-4, RBI (.190 BA in 105 ABs in 2010, .229 BA in last 10 games)
• BRIAN HEERE (23-OF):  3-3, 3B, RBI, BB (9-28 in last 9 games)

August 8: Nuno Solid Against South Bend, Moncrief Continues to Rake

In a day in which ALL of the Indians’ minor league affiliates (above rookie ball) lost their respective games, there are understandably few individual performances to highlight.  After all, the five teams mustered a whole 18 runs between them, with Mahoning Valley accounting for 8 of those.  But I’ll do my best…

Lake County Captains starting pitcher VIDAL NUNO (23) pitched a good game on Sunday, allowing 3 runs (2 earned) on 4 hits and no walks while striking out 8 in 6 innings of work.  The 2 home runs that he allowed were his downfall, as he pitched an otherwise stellar game.  Longballs are a general problem for him, though, as he also gave up 2 in his last outing and has allowed a total of 10 in 70 innings pitched this season.  As a matter of fact, he’s given up just as many HRs as BBs this season.  If he can cut down on the HRs, he has BB and K numbers (10 and 72) that suggest he could be more effective.  His .289 BAA is also on the high side, as is his 5.01 season ERA.

Mahoning Valley Scrappers outfielder CARLOS MONCRIEF (21) continued to impress, going 3 for 5 on Sunday with a stolen bag and a run scored.  Over his last 6 games, he is batting .500 (12 for 24) with a .538 OBP, 2 SB, a HR, and 2 RBI.  Moncrief is a former pitcher in the midst of his first season after converting to the outfield.  He had a rough start to the season, batting .167 in June and .204 in July before exploding in August (.419).  On the season, the left-handed batter is hitting .234 with 6 2B, 5 HR, 16 RBI, and 6 SB.  He’s showing some talent right now, so I am interested to see how things continue to progress.

AAA Columbus Rundown (L, 3-6):  The Buffalo Bisons completed their 4-game sweep of the Clippers in this one.   Starting pitcher PAOLO ESPINO, whose debut with the Clippers on August 3 went well (7 IP, 2 runs, 6 hits, 0 BB, and 4 K), had a rough outing on Sunday.  In 5.2 innings, he allowed 4 runs on 6 hits and 3 BB while striking out 2.  The home run ball has been a problem for Espino, who gave up 2 on Sunday and 1 in his previous start…  JOSE CONSTANZA batted leadoff and went 2 for 4 with a BB.  He went 6 for 15 in the series with Buffalo, with 2 RBI and 2 BB…  Recent acquisition ARGENIS REYES went 2 for 4 with an RBI, lifting his BA with the Clippers to .545 (6 for 11) after 3 games…  WES HODGES went 1 for 3 with a BB.  He’s 2 for 12 since getting re-acquired by the Indians just a few days ago…  The biggest bat in the Clippers lineup on Sunday was that of 27 year-old outfielder JERAD HEAD, who went 3 for 4 with 2 2B, an RBI, and a run scored.  He went 6 for 16 in the series with Buffalo with 3 2B and 2 RBI.  He’s batting .283 with 6 2B, a HR, and 10 RBI in 53 at-bats with the Clippers after hitting .299 with 15 2B, 10 HR, and 28 RBI in 177 AA at-bats earlier this season.

AA Akron Rundown (L, 3-11):  Starter ALEX WHITE had his second consecutive poor outing, giving up 7 runs (all earned) on 8 hits (2 HRs) and 2 BB while striking out 4.  White just hasn’t been himself as of late.  The 6 total BB issued in his last 3 outings contrasts starkly with the total of 3 that he issued in his previous 7 outings.  The 2 HRs that he gave up on Sunday were the first since June 25…  Second baseman JASON KIPNIS‘s bat remained hot as he went 1 for 3 with a 2B and a BB on Sunday.  He’s now hitting .345 so far in August with a .424 OBP…  TIM FEDROFF went 2 for 4 with a 2B.  He’s batting .333 over his last 10 contests (12 for 36)…  Part-time catcher MIGUEL PEREZ got the start on Sunday and went 2 for 4 with a 2B and an RBI.  In limited action this season (101 at-bats), he’s hitting .277 with 8 2B and 9 RBI for the Aeros.

High A Kinston Rundown (L, 3-8):  After a strong start on August 3 that merited a discussion here (6 IP, 2 H, 0 runs, 1 BB, 8 K), JOSEPH MAHALIC pulled the other half a Jekyll-Hyde act on Sunday.  In only 3.2 innings of work, he gave up 4 runs on 3 hits (1 HR) and 8 BB while striking out 1.  Much of this season has been a roller coaster ride for Mahalic and his control issues appear to be the culprit; he’s walked 48 in 87.1 innings of work while striking out 58 and allowing a .281 BAA…  Center fielder BO GREENWELL went 1 for 4 with a SB.  He’s recorded at least 1 hit in each of his last 6 games and in 9 of his last 10…  Catcher CHUN CHEN batted cleanup and went 1 for 4 with a 2B.  He’s batting .343 in his last 10 games with 6 2B and a .415 OBP.

Class A Lake County Rundown (L, 2-5):  Another offensive disappointment for Lake County, as the team mustered only 2 runs on 4 hits in this one.  Second baseman ARGENIS MARTINEZ had the only notable performance at the plate, going 1 for 2 with 2 BB and a SB.  In his last 10 games he’s batting .333 with 7 SBs.

Short Season Mahoning Valley Rundown (L, 7-8):  Shortstop NICHOLAS BARTOLONE had a stellar debut with the Scrappers, going 2 for 5 at the plate with a pair of RBI.  Before getting promoted to Mahoning Valley, the 19 year-old recorded a .303 BA with 3 2B, 9 RBI, and 15 SB in 132 at-bats with the AZL (rookie league) Indians…  GIOVANNY URSHELA went 1 for 4 with a 2B, an RBI, and a run scored.  He’s batting .405 over his last 10 games with 9 RBI…  Outfielder JONATHAN BURNETTE went 2 for 5 with a 2B.  He’s batting .289 over his last 10 games with 4 2b, 3 HR, and 5 RBI…  JESUS AGUILAR had another fine game in his thus far short stint as a Scrapper, going 2 for 2 with a 2B, 2 BB, and an RBI on Sunday.  In 8 games with Mahoning Valley, he is batting .379 (11 for 29) with 4 2Bs and 4 RBI (5 BB, 5 K)…  Switch-hitting DIEGO SEASTRUNK went 1 for 4 with a 3-run home run.  In his first season of professional ball, the 22 year-old Rice University graduate is batting .176 with 5 2B, 3 HR, and 11 RBI in 91 at-bats for the Scrappers.  He has a respectable K to BB figure  of 18:15.