Norfolk Tides
The Tides have fallen to 7-10 on the season, but after an abysmal start to the week there were some bright sports. On Wednesday, Troy Patton collect his 1st win of the season after giving up 2 runs over 6 innings. On Friday, Chris Tillman looked to be his old self when he gave up 3 runs over 8 innings in a 5-3 win over Charlotte. Arrieta failed to win on Monday when he gave up his 1st runs of the season, but last night he blew away the competition with no runs and 11 K’s. Offensively, the Tides are thriving on Jeff Salazar after he went yard twice this week. Brandon Snyder is back over the mendoza line after his big performance on Friday (2-4 with a HR). It remains to be seen how well this team will do without Rhyne Hughes.
Bowie Baysox
The Baysox hit a rough stretch and went 3-4 this week. Zach Britton raised his era to 5.03 as he went 0-1 this week in 2 starts. Ryohei Tanaka and Tim Bascom are leading this team with their 2-0 records. Offensively, the Baysox are still mashing the ball. Robbie Widlansky and Paco Figueroa are both batting over .350. Paco has taken full advantage of his utility status and has gone nuts at the plate. Journeyman Joel Guzman is leading the team with 5 home runs. Stud 3rd baseman, Brandon Waring, is struggling with his average but he has 4 home runs. The Baysox look to extend their lead in their division this week as they play home against Erie and then head to Richmond for a weekend series.
Frederick Keys
The Keys had a strong week going 5-2. Xavier Avery and Ronnie Welty are the biggest producers at the plate. Billy Rowell mashed a 3-run shot in a win Potomac, but is still batting a measly .193. The Keys seem to be getting some decent starting pitching but they are getting a ton of no decisions. Rick Zagone is posting 1.93 ERA and is 0-1. Cole McMurry is 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA. The team still holds a 2 game lead in their division. They travel to Winston Salem for a 3 game set and then down to Myrtle Beach for a weekend series against the Pelicans.
Delmarva ShoreBirds
The Shorebirds went 4-3 this week and they are leading the standings by 1 game. Matt Hobgood pitched 7 strong innings with 0 runs in a no-decision. Jake Cowan went 1-0 this week over 2 starts. He leads the team with 26 strikeouts. Ryan Berry had a killer start on Friday when he pitched 7 innings of scoreless ball and had 7 k’s in the effort. Tyler Kolodny is killing it for this team with his .324 avg, 6 hr, and 14 rbi. Last years 3rd round pick, Tyler Townsend was called up to Delmarva this week and has gone 5-10 at the plate. The Shorebirds will start the week by finishing up their series in Hagerstown and then head down to Ashville for a 4 game set.
Some thoughts…
It seems to be a matter of time before Arrieta is called up tot he big club. The only thing stopping that is if Bergesen gets his stuff back quickly. In the meantime, I am unsure if Norfolk goes with a 6 man rotation or drops Erbe to the bullpen.
I will be down in Myrtle Beach next weekend, and I am hoping to talk to Xavier Avery. Is there any other player on the Keys that you would like me to interview?
The Bowie Baysox will have Koji Uehara for a few games. How cool would it be for Koji to close out another gem for Ryohei Tanaka.
Nice to see the teams in this organization having some success, and more importantly that the young arms are continuing to prosper. May be time to start dealing 1 or 2 of these guys for some lumber.
Adrian Gonzalez, who won't turn 28 for a another week or is on pace for 47 homers and 116 RBIs…Coming in to this season, he's averaged 35 homers (in a tough home park) and 106 RBIs (with the pitcher's spot five in front of his). Give SD any two, less Matusz, and whatever else they need, and lets get the deal done…
How about Tillman and Arrieta for Gonzalez? Too much to give up? It's probably what they'd want, if not more.
Adrian Gonzalez, who won’t turn 28 for a another week or is on pace for 47 homers and 116 RBIs…Coming in to this season, he’s averaged 35 homers (in a tough home park) and 106 RBIs (with the pitcher’s spot five in front of his). Give SD any two, less Matusz, and whatever else they need, and lets get the deal done…
I'm not thoroughly convinced on Gonzalez just yet. Yeah, he's hit 30 + homers the last few seasons and he has a lot of potential if he were playing at Camden. BUT, He's only a .282 lifetime hitter and his average has declined the last few seasons. He seems like another expensive risk at 5 million and to give up two of our best pitching prospects is a bit fishy .. a la David Ortiz.
Difference is, I think someone needs to check Big Papi's birth certificate. If he's 34, then I'm 16.
I wonder how Ortiz is doing in his quest to find out how exactly it was that he tested positive for steroids……
He's doing the same as OJ is in finding out who killed his ex-wife and the same as Raffy in finding out how that tainted B-12 got into his system.
I’m not thoroughly convinced on Gonzalez just yet. Yeah, he’s hit 30 + homers the last few seasons and he has a lot of potential if he were playing at Camden. BUT, He’s only a .282 lifetime hitter and his average has declined the last few seasons. He seems like another expensive risk at 5 million and to give up two of our best pitching prospects is a bit fishy .. a la David Ortiz.