Rays prospects and minor leagues: Hot Rods trounce Captains

Clay Davenport’s notably plus or minus defense metrics in the Tampa Bay Rays minor leagues this year include Jonah Heim at +5 runs behind the plate in just 30 games, Joshua Lowe at +9 runs in CF, Lucius Fox at -6 runs at SS, Jesus Sanchez at +6 runs in LF, Riley Unroe at +9 at 2B, Nick Ciuffo at +6 runs at C in just 28 games, Andrew Velazquez at +11 runs at SS, Braxton Lee at +12 runs in CF, Joe McCarthy at -5 runs at 1B, Cade Gotta at +8 runs in RF in just 26 games for Montgomery, Kean Wong at +6 runs at 2B in just 31 games for Durham, and Mike Marjama at +8 runs at C in just 27 games. That up-the-middle defense in Montgomery is probably the best in minor league baseball right now.

Triple-A Durham Bulls (39-23) lose to the Norfolk Tides 6-2

Yonny Chirinos could keep his AAA success going into his third start at the level, though he still managed an efficient pitch count and nine ground outs. Most of the rest of his batted balls went for extra bases, including three in the 2nd inning that contributed to four runs for the Tides. The Bulls would not be able to overcome the deficit. Willy Adames provided the only extra base hit for Durham, his third triple of the season.

Willy Adames 1-3, 3B #3, BB, K, hitting .257

Patrick Leonard 1-3, K, HBP, hitting .301

Shane Peterson 2-3, SAC, hitting .288

Mike Marjama 1-4, K, hitting .285

Casey Gillaspie 0-3, BB, hitting .206

Yonny Chirinos 6.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R/ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 1 HRA, 2.65 ERA, 87p-60s, 9:0 GO:FO

Jeff Ames 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R/ER, 1 K, 2.64 ERA, 17p-11s, 2:0 GO:FO

Adam Kolarek 1.0 IP, 1 K, 1.27 ERA, 12p-7s, 2:0 GO:FO

Andrew Kittredge 1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 K, 1.62 ERA, 19p-17s, 0:0 GO:FO

Double-A Montgomery Biscuits (34-29) lost to the Chattanooga Lookouts 5-4

The Biscuits were also dunked by a four-run 2nd inning, though they made it interesting by coming back to within one run in the 9th after being shut out through 6 innings. The BABIP Gods were not on their side in that inning as Joe McCarthy lined out to center field to strand the tying run on third base. Every hitter reached base safely at least two times, and a pair of relievers put up some strong performances.

Braxton Lee 3-5, K, hitting .321

Andrew Velazquez 1-5, 2B #10, BB, K, hitting .253

Joe McCarthy 1-5, 2B #18, K, hitting .297

Cade Gotta 2-4, OF assist, hitting .335

Justin Williams 2-5, hitting .317

Grant Kay 2-5, K, hitting .274

Justin O'Conner 2-5, hitting .255

Nathan Lukes 1-4, BB, hitting .261

Riley Unroe 0-3, 2 BB, hitting .221

Jordan Harrison 2.2 IP, 3 H, 3 K, 4.39 ERA, 34p-26s, 3:0 GO:FO

Brad Schreiber 2.0 IP, 3 H, 2 K, 5.90 ERA, 24p-19s, 3:0 GO:FO

Class A-Advanced Charlotte Stone Crabs (29-31) beat the Florida Fire Frogs 2-4

Brad Boxberger and Wilson Ramos continued their rehab assignments and Genesis Cabrera threw 5 dominant innings to secure the win. The 20 year old lefty is now up to 63.2 innings pitched on the season and going a career high 116 IP last year in Bowling Green. He is building up innings at an incredible rate for his age.

Wilson Ramos 1-3, allowed 3 SB, caught 1 stealing, hitting .143

Jake Cronenworth 2-4, 2B #10, hitting .288

Peter Maris 3-3, 3B #1, SB #6, hitting .302

Brad Boxberger 1.0 IP, 1 R/ER, 1 BB, 12.00 ERA, 13p-5s, 1:0 GO:FO

Genesis Cabrera 5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R/ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 2.97 ERA, 81p-54s, 4:3 GO:FO

Drew Smith 2.0 IP, 2 K, 2.00 ERA, 27p-17s, 1-2 GO:FO

Brandon Lawson 1.0 IP, 1 K, 3.81 ERA, 10p-6s, 1:0 GO:FO

Class-A Bowling Green Hot Rods (29-32) beat Lake County Captains 17-6

The Hot Rods somehow put up 25 hits and 17 runs in a shortened 7 inning game. Naturally, there are a lot of hitting performances to like from this game. Lots of extra base hits. Not a lot of quality pitching. Fun baseball.

Lucius Fox 4-6, HR #2, 2B #9, K, SB #17, hitting .292

Josh Lowe 2-6, SB #10, hitting .230

Robbie Tenerowicz 3-6, 2B #10, 2 Ks, hitting .284

Rene Pinto 1-2, K, hitting .264

Jonah Heim 2-4, hitting .218

Jesus Sanchez 3-5, HR #9, K, SF, hitting .298

Michael Brosseau 3-4, HBP, hitting .297

Adrian Rondon 3-4, HR #5 (grand slam), K, SF, hitting .227

Eleardo Cabrera 4-4, 2B #8, 3B #3, HBP, OF assist, hitting .261

For all of the Tampa Bay Rays organization box scores, go check out this MLBfarm page. For today’s matchups, go here. Looks like Durham has the day off, and Montgomery’s 20 year old righty Jose Mujica is the only listed starter.