Part two of our look at the minor league teams; today we'll focus on the two teams just beginning play, the Princeton Devil Rays and the Hudson Valley Renegades.
Only a handful of games into the season for the Rays, but none the less let's start with the batters. International signee Mayobanex Acosta, 19, has four hits in 14 at-bats and five runs batted in. Fifth round selection Dustin Biell has three hits, two doubles, but has struck out 10 times. Draft and follow signee Kyeong Kang has four hits as well, with one RBI, and fifth year senior signee Jeffery Carroll has two hits in seven at-bats.
Pitching for Princeton are a few of my favorites, including Tyree Hayes, although his first start didn't go as you'd hope, 5.1 IP, five earned runs, you have to believe the 18 year old is going to turn it around no problem. Two 2007 draftees, Kyle Ayers and Chris Luck have made their debuts along with Kevin Chavez, all high school arms. Ayers in relief has allowed three earned runs in 2.1 innings, Chavez two earned runs in 1.2 innings, and Luck went three innings without allowing anything other than a walk and a hit to go with five strikeouts.
As for Hudson Valley's offense, it's been pretty non-existent. Epifanio De Leon is tied with the team lead for homers, one, and runs batted in, four, but also has 12 strikeouts. Michael McCorcmik has a homerun and two runs batted in along with four walks and eight K's. This year's draftees; Emeel Salem (.160/.222..240), Gregory Sexton (.208.269/.208) and Stephen Vogt (.158/.208/.158) have yet to adjust to pro ball, although again it's far too early to judge
Another one of my favorites, knuckleballer Diego Echeverria made his first pro start and went five allowing five earned runs while striking out only one. Draftees Joshua Johnson and Robert Della Grotta hae made their debuts, combining for four innings and one earned run. Doug Waechter is also on the roster, along with Jake's favorite; Alexander Cobb, in two starts Cobb has racked up nine innings and only allowed six hits, three earned runs, while striking out a batter per inning.
Tomorrow we travel to Will Kline's destination; Columbus.