Daily recap: 4/13/14 – Thompson shines

By / / Daily Game Recaps

Trayce Thompson had a big day for Birmingham and two White Sox affiliates pitched shutouts on Sunday.
Charlotte 4, Norfolk 0
Gorkys Hernandez 2-5, R, RBI, K
Carlos Sanchez 1-3, R, 2B, BB
Matt Davidson 0-3, BB, 2K
Blake Tekotte 2-4, R, 2 2B
Tyler Saladino 3-4, R, 2B
Scott Carroll 7 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, BB, 2 K
Javy Guerra 2 IP, H, 0 ER, 2 K
Birmingham 9, Jacksonville 1
Micah Johnson 1-4, R, RBI, BB
Gordon Beckham 1-1, R, BB
Trayce Thompson 3-4, 2 R, 2B, HR, 4 RBI
Chris Curley 3-5, R, 2B
Nick McCully 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
Nestor Molina 2 IP, BB, K
Winston Salem 1, WIlmington 0
Jacob May 3-4, 2B
Tim Anderson 1-4, 2B, RBI
Courtney Hawkins 0-4, 3 K
Nick Basto 2-4, R, K
Mike Recchia 5.2 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 7 K
Euclides Leyer 2.2 IP, H, 4 K
Greenville 5, Kannapolis 4 (14 innings)
Adam Engel 0-5, R, 2 BB, 2 K
Cleuluis Rondon 3-6, RBI
Danny Hayes 2-5, R, 3B, K
Jacob Morris 3-7, R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, 2 K
Trey Michalczewski 0-4, 2 BB, K
Andrew Mitchell 4 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 3 K, 2 HR
Jake Sanchez 3 IP, H, BB, 3 K
Tyler Barnette 5 IP, 2 H, BB, 3 K
Star of the Day: Trayce Thompson
The newly turned 23-year-old had a day (3-4, 2B, HR, 4 RBIs) that added some substance to an already encouraging slash line. After a promising start in his 2013 campaign, a dreadful second half and forgettable Winter League performance led to a repeat of the AA level. While maintaining his .359/.419/.513/.931 slash is not a realistic expectation, any improvements at the plate can tremendously help this well-rounded player. Thompson could end up being the gleaming light of the now waning group of White Sox toolsy outfielder prospects.
Gone Cold: Matt Davidson
After a strong finish in big league Spring Training, Davidson has had a less-than-stellar start in his first year in the White Sox system. The 23-year-old is burdening a dastardly strikeout rate of 38.3% per plate appearance. It is surely too soon to put weight into Davidson’s early struggles as he is amazingly 0-10 when he is ahead in the count. While strikeouts are always going to be a part of his game, Davidson is going to have cut back to advance to the next level. If there is a silver lining in Davidson’s small sample size, it is that 6 of his 10 hits have gone for extra bases.
On the Brink: Javy Guerra
In the big leagues, the White Sox have a team ERA higher than anyone in the American League largely in part to their bullpen. While it isn’t clear as to how long of a leash these struggling bullpen pitchers have, Javy Guerra figures to be the first reinforcement to get the call. Guerra, 28, had pitched 102.1 innings for the Dodgers from 2011-2013 resulting in a 2.90 ERA with 7.7 K/9 and 4.1 BB/9. Guerra has only helped his cause in his first 4 games with Charlotte hurling 5.2 scoreless innings while only allowing three base runners while striking out four.
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