Minor League Rewind

Since no MLH have been published in nearly a week, I thought it worthwhile to recap the top pitching performances and how the top prospects and performers have fared:

AAA Durham Bulls

Virgil Vasquez went 6 innings in his return from his scooter accident allowing one run on six hits while striking out ten and walking none.

Jeremy Hellickson went 6 shutout innings despite allowing five hits and walking four, with three strikeouts.

With two scoreless appearances in long relief, Brian Baker has extended his scoreless innings streak to 15.1 innings while striking out 14 and walking just 3.

Dan Johnson has been an absolute beast going 8-23 with eight walks, a double, and five home runs (23) in the month of July.

Desmond Jennings is off to a slow start this month with 5 hits in 25 at-bats, none for extra bases. Jennings has three walks and a stolen base as well.

Justin Ruggiano is 6-25 in July with a a pair of doubles and home runs to go with three walks.

Dioner Navarrois 4-17 since being sent to Durham with a home run. However, the free-swinging Navarro has mustered seven walks. Given Matt Joyce and John Jaso's success with the walk since being promoted, Charlie Montoyo must be preaching something right.

AA Montgomery Biscuits

Jake McGee continued his first half brilliance hurling five shutout innings allowing 3 walks and 3 hits while striking out eight. He then proceeded to allow one run in his next start in 6 innings on three hits and two walks to go with eight strikeouts. The lefty's FIP now sits at 2.92 with a K/9 north of 10.

Alex Cobb also went five scoreless allowing just two hits and three walks with five strikeouts. He did sputter in his next start allowing five runs in 5.1 innings surrender a home run with a K:BB of 3:3.

Alex Torres got in on the shutout action going 6.1 innings with two hits and three walks allowed while striking out five.

Leslie Anderson is 7-23 with a pair of doubles thus far in July. Also encouraging is his four walks to two strikeouts.

The adjustment for Henry Wrigley to AA has been far less painful than for Matt Sweeney. Wrigley is 11-31 with three doubles and three home runs for the month with a BB:K of 2:6. Sweeney is 1-19 with a double and a BB:K of 3:8. His AA OPS is now at .502.

Nevin Ashley is in the midst of a 1-18 slump with a home run and three walks.

Shawn O'Malley is 2-15 since returning to AA with just one walk.

A+ Charlotte Stone Crabs

After a brutal June with an OPS of .555, Tim Beckham is once again showing signs of life at the plate. He is 8-24 in July with a double but has walked seven times to just four strikeouts.

Chris Murrillis 8-19 with a double since being promoted. When you factor in his six strikeouts, its clear BABIP has been kind. Murrill also has two steals and a walk.

Joseph Cruz (to be featured soon) has been lights out since a rough first month. In his most recent start he pitched seven shutout innings allowing four hits and a walk to go with three strikeouts.

Matt Moorewas wildly unhittable allowing one hit through 6.1 shutout innings to go with his seven strikeouts, but he did walk six.

Zach Quatehas pitched four scoreless innings of relief allowing one hit while striking out six and walking none. Qaute has a FIP of 1.37 fueled by  a K/9 of 12.1 and a BB/9 of 1.7.

Shane Dyer has faltered a bit through two starts in July surrendering eight runs in 12 innings with a K:BB of 8:3.

Nick Barnese continues to be steady as he allowed one run on five hits and three walks in six innings while striking out four.

A Bowling Green Hot Rods

Tyler Bortnick shows no signs of letting up going 8-24 to date in July with a pair of doubles. Bortnick has five walks and six strikeouts.

Brett Nommensenhas been on fire to the tune of 13-30 in July with three home runs and three stolen bases. Nom-Nom has three walks and three strikeouts.

Ty Morrison is 4-22 with two doubles, a triple, and three steals while posting a BB:K of 5:4.

Cody Rogers is having no troubles adapting to AAA going 7-10 with a double and two home runs while striking out twice.

None of the Hot Rods starting pitchers have been at their best to date. Albert Suarez was promoted and will be used in tandem with Wilking Rodriguez as the organization attempts to limit both of their inning totals.