The Charlotte Knights have the best record in the White Sox minor league system, but they were swept in a double-header while every other team won. Baseball is a fickle beast.
Buffalo 7, Charlotte 3
Scott Carroll gave up an uncharacteristic four walks – in the first inning – as the Knights couldn’t dig out of a 5-0 hole. Carroll got his control back but the defense faltered, and he ended 7 runs (4 earned) in 5 innings, striking out just 1 while walking 5. Not a lot to report on the offensive front. Trayce Thompson went 1-2 with a double and a sac fly, and singles from Tyler Saladino, Jason Coats and Matt Davidson accounted for all the team’s hits. Worth noting that while Davidson did make an error, it was only his second of the year, and there have been consistently positive reports about his defensive improvements.
Buffalo 4, Charlotte 2
As with the first game of the twin bill, the Knights found themselves in an early hole (4-0) and couldn’t escape. Miguel Chalas made his first start since 2012, giving up four runs (all earned) on eight hits in just two and a third innings. Onelki Garcia and Jarrett Casey cleaned up the remaining 3.2 innings in the shortened affair. Davidson hit his 10th home run of the year and added a walk to his 1-3 day. Micah Johnson went a perfect 3-3 (all singles) and added a walk as he continues to handle AAA quite well from the plate. Matt Tuiasosopo added the other multi-hit day (2-4), and Coats doubled for the only other extra-base hit.
Birmingham 5, Chattanooga 1
The Barons scored all their runs in the 7th inning, being kept striking distance by a strong performance from Myles Jaye against a heavily prospect-laden Chattanooga squad. Jaye put up one of his strongest starts of the year, and struck out seven in six innings of 1-run ball. Chris Marrero went two for four with a double, and hitting in the lineup with his brother (Christian) seems to agree with him – he’s hitting .450 in his first five games with Birmingham. Joey DeMichele (recently named as a Southern League All Star) went 2-3 plus a walk, and Danny Hayes had a double and two walks in four trips.
It was noted in this game that Cody Winiarski left after facing just one batter due to an “arm injury”. No further information has turned up yet on that. Also on an injury note, Tim Anderson is out a few days with a sore ankle.
Winston-Salem 3, Wilmington 2
Jake Peter hit a 2-run home run in the first inning as part of a two-hit day to propel the Dash offense. Peter owns a Carolina League-best 14 game hitting streak, during which he’s posted a .957 OPS with more walks (7) than strikeouts (6). But he may not have even been the real hero of this game for the Dash. Starter Matt Heidenreich was nails, giving up just 2 hits and 1 walk in 8 innings, while striking out 10. Peter and Heidenreich both look like candidates for promotion to AA in the near future. Trey Michalczewski‘s double (scoring Peter) accounted for the decisive run in this one.
Kannapolis 7, Greensboro 6
Christian Stringer‘s 4-hit day led the Intimidators to victory and yet another series win as they continue to improve from a cold start in April. Stringer’s hot June (.996 OPS) has been a significant part of that, and given he’s 24 years old, he really should see a promotion quite soon (probably when Jake Peter goes to Birmingham). Everyone on the Kanny starting lineup reached base at least once. Luis Martinez was so-so in his start as his year hasn’t been going to well, allowing three runs in five innings while walking and striking out one each. Matt Cooper booked the 2-inning save while striking out three, and he has been very effective as the team’s closer: 15.1 innings, 4 hits (!!!), 2 ER, 4 BB, 20 K.
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2 thoughts on “White Sox Minor League Recap 6/11/2015: Heidenreich & Jaye lock it down, Stringer & Peter keep hitting”
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Matt – Any reports out of Charlotte on Micah’s defense. He did a solid job offensively (for a rookie) with his major struggles being on the defensive side. I presume he’s been working extensively on his footwork and fundementals but wanted to see if you had heard anything specific regarding the progress that has been made.
I still view him as our future 2nd basemen with Sanchez serving more of a super-sub role (and being a good one at that) and figure he’ll get the starting job back at some point this year.
Thanks for your comment, Jason. The only word I’ve heard on the defense since returning to Charotte, is that he’s been doing early infield work regularly and often. For what its worth (which isn’t a lot this early) he’s made 3 errors in 21 games so far.