For the first time in a while, the affiliates pulled off three wins with the only team losing being Charlotte. Birmingham, Winston-Salem and Kannapolis were all propelled to victory by the way of their respective starting pitchers.
Charlotte 6, Columbus 8
Gorkys Hernandez 2-5, R, K
Carlos Sanchez 0-4, BB, K
Jordan Danks 1-5, RBI, K
Matt Davidson 0-5, 2K
Andy Wilkins 2-4, 2R, HR, RBI, K
Tyler Saldino 3-4, R, 2B
Blake Tekotte 1-4, HR, 2RBI
Jared Mitchell 2-3, R, RBI, K
Erik Johnson (L) 4IP, 8H, 8ER, 3BB,
Duente Heath 2.2IP, H, BB, 4K
Chattanooga 0, Birmingham 2
Trayce Thompson 0-4, K
Rangel Ravelo 1-2, RBI, 2 BB
Kevan Smith 0-3, BB, K
Keenyn Walker 2-3, HR, RBI, SB (10)
Chris Beck (W) 7IP, 4H, 6K,
Kevin Vance (SV) 2IP, 2H, 4K,
Potomac 2, Winston Salem 8
Tim Anderson 2-5, R, 2B, K
Jacob May 2-5, 2R, 3B, RBI
Courtney Hawkins 1-2, 2R, 3BB
Jason Coats 1-4, R, 2B, 3RBI, BB, 2K
Joey DeMichele 1-4, RBI, K
Keon Barnum 1-4, RBI, BB, K
Francellis Montas (W) 6.2IP, 5H, 2R, ER, BB, 8K
Kannapolis 3, Hickory 0
Cleuluis Rondon 2-5, R
Danny Hayes 2-5, R, RBI
Jacob Morris 1-4, R, BB, 2K
Trey Michalczewski 2-5, RBI, K
Jeremy Dowdy 2-4
James Dykstra (W) 6IP, 2H, B, 3K
Jordan Guerrero 2IP, H, BB, 4K
Star of the Day: Chris Beck
After an ugly start to his season, Beck has settled in having limited opponents to three earned runs or less in each of his last seven starts. However, the most concerning aspect of Beck’s performance thus far has to be strikeout numbers as he has struck out only 24 over 54.2 innings. While the lack of strikeouts is a discernible concern, FutureSox’s Brian Balta saw him pitch and Balta’s first hand account suggests something else might be at play. Whether Beck is working on something or not, today he had complete control over the Chattanooga lineup going 7 innings, striking out 6 and only allowing 4 hits in what is his best start of the year to date.
Honorable Mention: Francellis Montas, SP
Montas has had success in each one of his six starts and today was no different as he improved to 3-0 on the year. Montas toed up against Potomac and went 6 and 2/3 innings, giving up only one earned run, while striking out eight and walking one. The big righty has dominated the Carolina League to the tune of a 34/5 K/BB over 30 innings that is good for a 6.8 K/BB ratio.
Courtney Hawkins’ Plate Discipline:
After coming into 2013 with hype of being Baseball America’s #55 prospect, Hawkins had a year that he would probably rather not think about. Hawkins had a K% of 37.6% while he walked only 6.8% this year. In the early going Hawkins had improved his K% dramatically, but Hawkins has had trouble putting the ball in play recently (striking out 15 times in his last 48 plate appearances 39.5%). In any case, the true change to show Hawkins has been making adjustments in his second year at Winston-Salem is his BB%. Hawkins has nearly doubled his walk rate (up to 11.2%) while shaving off a chunk off of his 2013 K%. While there is concern of Hawkins’ pitch recognition and contact rates among the scouting community, he is, at the least, making strides in that aspect of his game.
2013: K% 37.6%, BB% 6.6%
2014: K% 28.8% & 11.2%