DSL Indians
by Joseph Coblitz
This will be the final time the Dominican Summer League Indians will be mentioned this year in the minor league recap as their final game is today. Nature has apparently already determined that there season should be over as each of their last three games were rained out after they lost their first three games in the last week. This was an extension of a longer streak that stands at six consecutive losses and they will finish last in the DSL North with a season record of 24-44 (the DSL Marlins went 10-56, so it could be worse).
The season will be covered in depth further with the season review coming out tomorrow, so for now, we’ll focus on just the last week. Being outscored 26-9, there aren’t a whole lot of positive performances and two pitchers who have held their own all season, Luis Oviedo and Jean Carlos Mejia each allowed two runs in last Saturday’s loss. The best game for the DSL Tribe took two days to play seven innings and saw Jean Montero and Miguel Jerez hit home runs against the Cubs in a 4-5 loss.
AZL Indians
by Joseph Coblitz
The Arizona League Indians are also wrapping up their regular season this weekend with their final game on Monday. Unlike the DSL squad, however, they earned their play-off spot in the first half and, despite a rough second half, are one win or one Mariners loss from clinching a bye in the first round (game) of the play-offs and home field advantage throughout.
Their play this week has ensured this as they won five in a row (four since our last update) after starting out 6-13 in the second half. They did drop the last two games this week, however, including one to Seattle (Peoria). Notable events during the week included Samad Taylor‘s first professional home run and Nolan Jones‘ first triple. Will Benson, 2016 first round pick, also circled the bases with a home run on Friday night, his sixth of the year.
The top pitching performance of the week belonged to Gregori Vazquez, who the Indians used a little backwards in Wednesday’s game. Randy Marte started the game with two scoreless innings (he also threw a scoreless inning in relief last Saturday), then Justin Garza (2015, 8th round pick) had his best outing with two scoreless innings in a rehab assignment. Vazquez then finished the final five innings without allowing an earned run or walk and striking out four.
One other pitcher worth noting is Paul Hendrix, who has only become a pitcher recently, but has really taken to it. He made two relief appearances this week each one inning long and is yet to allow a run this year. In three innings total, he has struck out four and allowed just one hit. In his last appearance, he was not only throwing his fastball well, but was mixing speeds and locations surprisingly well.
Mahoning Valley Scrappers
by Caitlin Boran
The Scrappers continue to close the gap between them and first place State College. Right now, Mahoning Valley is tied for second place with Williamsport, putting them 9.5 games behind first. They’ve won their last 3 games, and are 5-5 in their last ten.
One name that’s becoming more known this season is OF Gabriel Mejia. He’s on a nice 7-game hitting streak this week. Currently, Mejia’s slash is .329/.387/.380. He’s got 77 hits (89 total bases), 42 strikeouts in 234 ABs and 21 SB in 30 attempts. I would be shocked if I don’t see him playing in a Captain’s uni in 2017, as I’m shocked he isn’t there now.
Another stand out this season is OF Todd Isaacs. The .336 hitter has 37 strikeouts over 110 ABs, 5 home runs, and 8 stolen bases in 10 attempts. He’s quietly but noticeably becoming a name to follow in the future.
A couple transactions that happened during the week: OF Andrew Calica promoted to Lake County (finally!), LHP Alisis Herrera promotes from AZL, and C/1B Juan De La Cruz sent down from Lake County to Mahoning Valley.
While the days keep ticking by and there being ten games left in the season, it’s not likely they’ll be making the playoffs. However, they have put together a season to be proud of. Bringing a team who finished in dead last in 2015 and was expected to ONLY win 15 games their whole 2016, to a seasons end no one thought possible. If you get the chance in the next week to get out to Niles, Ohio and check out a game, do so. I can guarantee you’ll see something amazing.
Lake County Captains (27-34)
by Justin Lada
In Friday’s win aside from McKenzie pitching well, 2016 draft pick Andrew Calica was promoted to Lake County and was 4-4 in his debut with a double and an RBI.
Lynchburg Hillcats (36-25)
Akron Rubber Ducks
The Cleveland Indians aren’t the only baseball team in Northeast Ohio to put together a remarkable streak this season. Just as playoff hopes were looking most bleak for the Akron RubberDucks, the team rattled off a 10 game winning streak. Though the streak was snapped Thursday night, the Ducks now sit just 1.5 games of Altoona for first place in the Eastern League Western Division with 11 games remaining in the regular season.
Many of the usual suspects contributed stellar play during Akron’s recent surge: Greg Allen went 7-20 last week with five walks, raising his AA slash line to an impressive .308/.416/.442 in 27 games. Meanwhile, Nellie Rodriguez blasted two home runs last week, giving him a new professional career high at 24 – his previous best was 22 in 2012 & 2015. Finally, Rob Kaminsky has turned himself into Akron’s unquestioned ace: the 21 year-old put up another excellent start this week, holding
Reading to two earned runs in five innings on Wednesday, including five strikeouts and just two walks. Over his last ten starts, Kaminsky is now 7-2 with a 2.26 ERA with 50 strikeouts and just 19 walks in 59.2 innings.
The Ducks will make their final push for first place in the next 10 days – but they won’t get a chance to face Altoona head-to- head. Next week, they head to Erie after finishing up their weekend series vs. Richmond.
Columbus Clippers
Adam Plutko was named the Class AAA International League Pitcher of the Week on Monday. He became the first Columbus Clippers’ pitcher to win the honor this season. Plutko won for his outing last Monday when he allowed just one run on six hits and struck out eight. He’s been so good that he has earned wins in each of his last four starts. He’s undefeated in four starts this month with a 2.31 ERA and 1.33 WHIP. In two starts last week, Plutko struck out 13 batters in 11 2/3 innings and allowed just two runs, 12 hits, and three walks.
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