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 12: Young Hurlers Carrasco, Rayl, and Cook Impressive in Thursday’s Starts

Clippers starting pitcher CARLOS CARRASCO (23) threw a gem on Thursday against Syracuse.  In 6 innings of work, he gave up 1 run on 3 hits and no walks while striking out 8.  He’s having a pretty good season overall in AAA, posting a 3.92 ERA with 113 K, 44 BB, and a .255 BAA in 128.2 innings.  He’s been excellent, though, since the AAA all-star break: 2.08 ERA, 24 K, 6 BB, and a .170 BAA in 5 starts (26 IP).  He has a propensity to give up some walks, but he’s been able to, for the most part, minimize them as of late (2 or less given up in 8 of his last 10 starts).  The Indians acquired Carrasco in the deal that sent Cliff Lee to Philadelphia in 2009, and his performance this season suggests that he has the potential to be, perhaps, a middle-of-the-rotation guy at the next level.

MIKE RAYL (21), a starting pitcher for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, had an absolutely dominant outing on Thursday against Staten Island.  In 5.2 innings of work, he gave up 1 run on 1 hit and 3 BB while striking out 9.  The tall lefty is having a stellar second professional season, as he has maintained a 3.10 ERA with 38 K, 14 BB, and a .240 BAA in 11 starts (52.1 innings).  In 2009, he posted a 3.74 ERA with 41 K, 10 BB, and a .267 BAA in 33.2 innings for the AZL (rookie league) Indians.  His K rate dropped this season, but he’s lately shown signs of getting back in that groove ( 18 K in his last 14.2 innings on the hill).  I like how consistent he’s been, as he’s only had one truly bad outing on the season; he’s allowed 2 earned runs or less in 10 of his 11 starts.

Lake County Captains starter CLAYTON COOK (20) had yet another solid outing on Thursday.  In 5 innings of work against Fort Wayne, he allowed 1 run on 5 hits and 1 BB while striking out 4.  In 22 starts this season for the Captains (116.1 IP), he’s recorded a 3.40 ERA with 82 K, 35 BB, and a .246 BAA.  In 10 starts since the all-star break (56.1 innings), he’s shown some improvement: 2.72 ERA, 42 K, 14 BB, and a .226 BAA.  I like that he’s increased his K rate, lowered his BB rate, and given up fewer hits as the season has progressed.  The Tribe selected Cook in the 9th round of the 2008 draft and he’s been stellar in each of his first 3 seasons of professional ball (2.52 ERA, 26 K, 8 BB, .217 BAA in 25 innings for the GCL (rookie league) Indians in 2008 and 2.79 ERA, 64 K, 26 BB, and a .224 BAA in 67.2 innings for Mahoning Valley in 2009).

Kinston relief pitcher MATTHEW LANGWELL (24) continued his solid season in high A yesterday, pitching a scoreless inning in which he gave up 1 BB and recorded his 4th save.  In his 2010 campaign, he’s posted a 2.28 ERA with 47 K, 13 BB, and a .222 BAA in 47.1 innings.  He hasn’t given up a run in his last 10 outings (11 IP), while striking out 9 and walking 2.  The Indians drafted Langwell out of Rice University in the 11th round of the 2008 draft as a starter, but after a disastrous beginning with Mahoning Valley, the Indians converted him to relief work and he’s been solid since then.  In 2009 with Lake County, he struck out 68, walked 22, and posted a .217 BAA in 68.2 innings of work.  Despite moving up a level this season, he’s maintained a similar K rate while lowering his BB rate.  He’s a bit on the older side for high A ball, but he’s done quite well this season and I look forward to seeing what he can do when he gets the call to the next level – he’s ready for it.  He’s not the flashiest or most dominant reliever, but I like his solid, reliable performance out of the Kinston bullpen.

AAA Columbus Rundown (L, 3-4):  CORD PHELPS went 2 for 4 in this one with a solo HR – his 5th in AAA this season and 7th overall (385 total at-bats).  He’s 5 for his last 13…  MATT MCBRIDE went 1 for 4 with a 2B and a BB.  He’s hitting .347 in 12 games (49 at-bats) since getting promoted from AA in late July…  EZEQUIEL CARRERA snapped a 4-game hitless streak (0 for 15) with a 2 for 6 showing on Thursday, including a 2B.

AA Akron Rundown (W, 3-2):  JASON KIPNIS had a big bat again on Thursday, as he went 3 for 5 with a 3B and an RBI against Reading.  He’s batting .366 in his last 10 games with 6 extra-base hits and 8 RBI.  The triple was his 7th on the season between high A and AA…  LONNIE CHISENHALL went only 1 for 4, but that was an RBI double.  He also walked and stole a base.  The 2B was his first hit since his 2-HR game on August 7…   Catcher JUAN APODACA went 1 for 2 with 2 BB and a run scored.  With the Aeros, he’s batting .500 (6 for 12) with an OBP of .684.  In 5 games with Akron, he’s walked 7 times and at least once each game…  JORDAN HENRY went 0 for 3 with 3 Ks, but drew 2 BBs and scored a run.  It’s good to see that he can still get on base even if he’s not swinging the bat as well as usual…  Left-handed starting pitcher SCOTT BARNES had a nice outing, going 6 innings in which he allowed 1 run on 2 hits (a solo HR) and 3 BB, striking out 5.  Barnes continues to issue a few too many free passes (21 in his last 60.2 IP), but he’s giving up fewer runs and fewer hits (3.26 ERA and .218 BAA in his last 10 games as opposed to 4.66 and .235 on the season).

High A Kinston Rundown (W, 3-1 / W, 6-5):  In game 1 of the doubleheader, KAREXON SANCHEZ went 2 for 4 with a double.  He’s 3 for his last 8 after going 0 for 11 before that…  Third baseman KYLE BELLOWS went 2 for 4 with a 2B and 3 RBI…  Shortstop JUAN DIAZ went 3 for 4 with a 2B.  He’s batting .458 in his last 6 games (11 for 24) with 5 RBI…  Left fielder DONNIE WEBB went 2 for 3 with a 2B.  He is 6 for his last 18 (.333) with 3 2Bs in that stretch…  Starting pitcher AUSTIN ADAMS started the game (on Wednesday) and tossed 3.1 scoreless innings before weather suspended the game.  In 40 innings pitched with Kinston, he’s recorded a 1.35 ERA with 32 K, 7 BB, and a .227 BAA…  TYLER STURDEVANT picked up on Thursday where Adams left off, earning the win as he tossed 2.2 scoreless innings in which he struck out 3, walked 2, and gave up 2 hits.  After walking only 8 batters in 35.2 innings with Lake County earlier this season, he’s already issued 8 free passes in just 13.2 IP with Kinston.  Fortunately, he’s still whiffing batters at a high rate (15 in 13.2 IP)…  CORY BURNS picked up his 22nd save with Kinston and his 34th overall in 2010.  In 17 IP since the all-star break, he’s posted a 1.59 ERA with 12 saves, 24 K, 5 BB, and a .169 BAA after posting a 2.13 ERA with 10 saves, 16 K, 7 BB, and a .245 BAA in 12.2 IP before the break.

In game 2 of Kinston’s doubleheader, KYLE BELLOWS had another nice showing, going 3 for 4 with a 2B, an RBI, and 2 runs scored.  He’s batting .333 in his last 10 games and .426 over his last 6 contests (12 for 26) with 7 RBI…  First baseman JEREMIE TICE went 2 for 4 with a 2B and an RBI.  The 2B was his 30th of the season between high A and A ball…  ABNER ABREU went 1 for 3 with a 2B, an RBI, and a run scored.  He’s been slumping lately, batting only .125 in his last 10 games…  Catcher/DH ALEX CASTILLO went 1 for 4 with a 2B, 2 RBI, and a stolen base.  He’s hitting only .236 in 72 high A at-bats after going 2 for 24 with AA Akron earlier this season.

Class A Lake County Rundown (W, 4-1):  Shortstop CASEY FRAWLEY is on fire, as he went 2 for 5 with a solo HR on Thursday to make it 4 consecutive games in which he has 2 or more hits.  In that span, he’s 9 for 18 (.500) with a 2B, a 3B, a HR, and 5 RBI…  ADAM ABRAHAM went 2 for 5, compiling his 4th multi-hit game in his last 6 contests.  He’s batting .333 in that span with 4 RBI…  Left fielder GREG FOLGIA also went 2 for 5, with a 2B and an RBI.  He’s batting .351 in his last 10 contests with 4 2B and 6 RBI…  Catcher ROBERTO PEREZ also had a nice game, going 1 for 2 with a 2B, 2 BB, and 2 runs scored.  He’s batting only .233 on the season, but is hitting .394 over his last 10 games with 5 2B, 9 RBI, and 9 BB…  Outfielder JASON SMIT went 1 for 3 with a 3B, an RBI, and a BB.  He’s hitting .324 in his last 10 games with 5 extra-base hits and 10 RBI.

Mahoning Valley Rundown (L, 1-4):  Unfortunately, the Scrappers didn’t back up Mike Rayl’s excellent start (see above) with some offense.  JONATHAN BURNETTE lead the meager effort, going 1 for 3 with a BB.  He’s batting .359 in his last 10 games with 8 extra-base hits and 8 RBI…  Second baseman AARON FIELDS went 1 for 4 with an RBI and a stolen base.  In 50 at-bats with the Scrappers, he’s batting .240.  He’s in his first season of pro ball after playing for Wright State.

August 1: Chisenhall Homers Again, Big Bats Drive Lake County to Victory

Aeros third baseman LONNIE CHISENHALL (age 21) remained hot on Sunday, going 2 for 4 with a 2B, 2 RBI, and a HR in his second straight contest.  Over his last 10 games, he’s hitting .325 with 4 HR and 12 RBI.  My only concern about his recent performance (other than his continued shaky defense at third) is his lack of selectivity at the plate – only 1 BB to go along with 6 Ks in his last 10 games.  The K numbers aren’t all that alarming, but taking a few more walks would be beneficial.  Chisenhall has done some damage during his last 7 contests in particular, batting .379 with 3 HR and 11 RBI.  His season average is now up to .279, with 15 2B, 12 HR, 53 RBI, and 27 BB to 47 Ks.  He has the talent to continue his recent success and carry it into AAA and perhaps beyond.  The Indians selected Chisenhall in the 1st round of the 2008 draft (although he was previously selected in 11th round of the 2006 draft by Pittsburgh).

The bats came alive for Class A Lake County again on Sunday and some regular subjects of this blog put forth good games.  Center fielder and leadoff man DELVI CID (age 21) went 3 for 5 with 2 RBI, a run scored, and a stolen base.  The SB was his 53rd on the season; he’s been caught 10 times.  In the last 2 games, he’s done a good job of cutting down on strikeouts (1 in 9 at-bats) while logging base hits (5 for 9) and continuing to be a monster on the basepaths (4 SBs).  It’s a small sample size, but it shows that he at least has the talent to steal lots of bags and get on base to do it, something that I recently expressed some concern about.  Shortstop CASEY FRAWLEY (age 22) broke out of a 3-game hitless streak (0 for 11) by going 3 for 4 on Sunday with 2 triples and 3 runs scored.  He’s batting only .242 over his last 10 games, but I like that he can take a walk (.366 OBP over that time).  If he can become more consistent at the plate (most of his production came in the form of big games as of late), he will be a solid ballplayer.  On the season, he is hitting .264 with 21 2B, 7 3B, 8 HR, 51 RBI, 7 SBs, and 36 BB to 39Ks (364 AB).  Outfielder GREG FOLGIA (age 22) continued his recent hot streak, going 3 for 5 with a 2B, an RBI, and a stolen bag.  He’s batting .500 (13 for 26) over his last 10 games, along with 2 HR, 3 2B, and 7 RBI.  On the season, though, Folgia (a switch hitter) has hit lefties well (.328 BA) but has struggled against righties (.213).    He’s hitting .242 with 11 2B, 3 3B, 5 HR, and 30 RBI with 61 Ks to 22 BBs in 244 ABs for the Captains this year.  The biggest bat on Sunday, though, belonged to third baseman ADAM ABRAHAM (age 23) who went 2 for 4 with a double and 5 RBI.  This is his 2nd 5-RBI game in 5 games and he now has 18 RBI in his last 10 games, with 13 of those coming in his last 5.  In those past 5 games, he is batting .500 (11 for 22) with 2 HR, 2 2B, and 4 BBs to go along with only 2Ks.  His season average is now at .251 with 15 2B, 10 HR, and 42 RBI in 271 ABs (22 BB to 53 Ks).

Mahoning Valley Scrappers starting pitcher MIKE RAYL (age 21) put together his 5th straight quality outing on Sunday.  In 5 innings, he allowed 2 earned runs on 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 4.  Over his last 5 starts, he hasn’t allowed more than 2 runs in an outing.  Over those 26 innings, he’s struck out 12, walked 5, and allowed 8 runs (7 earned) on 22 hits.  In 9 starts with the Scrappers this season, Rayl has had only one bad outing (a 2 IP, 5-run shelling on July 3), but he’s been otherwise solidly consistent, giving up 2 runs or less in 8 outings.  His season ERA stands at 3.16 and he has 24 Ks in 42.2 IP with only 8 BB and a BAA of .268.  Although not a strikeout pitcher at this point, the big lefty (6’5″) has demonstrated some potential over his first two seasons of professional ball (3.74 ERA, 41K, 10 BB, .267 BAA in 33.2 IP in the Arizona Rookie League last year).

AAA Columbus Rundown (L, 2-3):  Little to note for this game, beyond two performances at the dish for the Clippers.   Shortstop JOSH RODRIGUEZ continued his breakout season, going 3 for 5 with a 2B and an RBI.  He’s now batting .333 over his last 10 games with 3 2B, 4 HR, and 11 RBI (.409 OBP).  Between Akron and Columbus this year, he’s batting .319 with 21 2B, 11 HR, 50 RBI, and a .401 OBP…  MICHAEL BRANTLEY continues to show why he no longer belongs in the minors, going 4 for 5 with 3 2B and an RBI.  Since getting sent back down to AAA from Cleveland on July 27, he’s hitting .421 (8 for 19)..

AA Akron Rundown (L, 3-11):  ANTHONY REYES’ second rehab start with the Aeros was something of a disaster, as he allowed 9 earned runs on 6 hits and 4 BB in 1.2 innings of work.  As he is rehabbing in the wake of a major reconstructive surgery on his throwing elbow, I won’t worry too much about this outing, especially since his previous rehab start went relatively well (3 scoreless innings)…  Reliever CONNOR GRAHAM had another nice appearance, striking out 3 and allowing 1 hit in 1.1 inning of work.  He hasn’t allowed a run since July 11 (he gave up 4 unearned runs in that game) and during that stretch of 6 appearances (9 IP), he’s walked none and struck out 12 while allowing 4 hits…  Upcoming Wigwammers favorite ROB BRYSON also logged some time on the mound on Sunday, striking out 2 while walking 1 and giving up 1 hit in 2 innings of work.  Through 4 appearances with the Aeros (4 innings), he’s given up 1 earned run on 3 hits and 6 walks (4 in one outing) while striking out 6…  Other than Chisenhall (see above), only JORDAN HENRY had a notable day at the plate.  He went 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored.  The outfielder is now batting .486 over his last 10 games and getting on base at a .571 clip.

Class A Lake County Rundown (W, 11-9):  Not much to note here beyond the offensive explosion discussed above.  On a day when good pitching was short in supply (for both teams), PRESTON GUILMET shined for the Captains, tossing 3.1 scoreless innings, striking out 2, allowing 1 hit and 1 walk while picking up the victory.  He’s now struck out 46 in 32.2 innings with Captains, maintaining a 2.20 ERA while walking only 6 batters.

Mahoning Valley Rundown (L, 3-5):  Few highlights in this one, although JONATHAN BURNETTE went 2 for 4 with  a 2B and a run scored.  He has 3 hits in his last 2 games (8 at-bats) after going hitless in his previous 6 contests (21 at-bats).  He’s hitting .277 with 8 2B, 3 3B, 4 HR, and 18 RBI with a .311 OBP in his first season of pro ball (155 AB)…  CARLOS MONCRIEF, who is making the transition from the mound to the outfield this season, hit a 2-run home run on Sunday.  He’s batting only .196 on the campaign (.281 OBP) with 6 2B, 4 HR, and 13 RBI in 143 at-bats.

Class A Advanced Kinston had the day off.