Mobile second baseman Jamie Westbrook is having a darned good May following his somewhat dismal April, if you haven't already heard by now. I thought it would be fun to compare his May numbers to Dansby Sawnson's numbers who got promoted to AA right around May 1st.
Age | PA | Hits | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | K Rate | BB Rate | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | |
Jamie Westbrook | 20.9 | 72 | 25 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 0 | 11.1% | 5.6% | 0.368 | 0.402 | 0.529 | 0.932 |
Dansby Swanson | 22.3 | 105 | 28 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 14 | 3 | 9.5% | 9.5% | 0.301 | 0.381 | 0.484 | 0.865 |
They've played about the same number of games but Swanson has been hitting first or second while Westbrook was dropped in the order after his poor April, so Swanson has more plate appearances. It's notable that Westbrook is nearly a year-and-a-half younger than Swanson. It's also notable that Swanson probably sticks at shortstop whereas Westbrook was moved off shortstop last year and is considered a second baseman. Their K Rates are very similar with Swanson owning the edge in BB rate. But Westbrook has the edge in BA, OBP and Slugging. Small sample size and all but Westbrook is measuring up, especially if he can avoid repeating the poor April. I'm sure everyone would rather have Swanson than Westbrook, as would I, but since I made a strong case in the off-season that the development of Westbrook was one reason they could afford to trade Swanson I thought I'd show some statistical support with a little hindsight now. Do me the favor of not reminding anyone who they got for Swanson please.
Snake Stars
3 Stars: Evan Marzilli, Mobile 3 for 5, 2 R, 1 DBL, 1 HR (1), 3 RBI
2 Stars: John Omahen, Mobile 8.1 IP, 8 H, 2 BB, 5 K, 1 ER, W (3-4)
1 Star: Ethan Elias, Visalia 7 IP, 7 H, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 ER, W (3-3)
0 Stars: Kevin Cron, Mobile 0 for 4, 2 K
AAA: Reno 7 @ New Orleans 5. Matt Buschmann was the beneficiary of a big 6-run offensive outburst in the 6th inning, though he didn't pitch too badly. He had only given up one run through 5 innings but then got bounced around for 3 more in the 6th and the bullpen saved him from there. Ed Lucas capped off the big 6th inning with a 2-run homer, his 4th. Kyle Jensen went 2 for 3 with a walk and drove in one. Jack Reinheimer drove in 2 runs with 2 hits including a double. Peter O'Brien added 2 hits and drove in one. Silvino Bracho pitched the 9th with 2 strikeouts for his 10th save.
AA: Mobile 9 Biloxi 1. The BayBears mauled the Shuckers with Evan Marzilli leading the way with 3 hits including a double and a 2-run homer for 3 RBI. John Omahen continued his resurgence from a miserable April with his 4th straight solid outing. He pitched into the 9th allowing one run on 8 hits and 2 walks while striking out 5. Mitch Haniger also had 3 hits including a double and drove in one. Ronnie Freeman drove in 2 runs with 2 doubles.
A+: Visalia 3 San Jose 2. Starter Ethan Elias held San Jose at bay allowing one run over 7 innings on 7 hits and a walk while the offense eked out single runs in the 1st, 3rd and 5th innings. The bullpen held on from there with Bud Jeter getting the save. Marty Herum had 3 hits including a double and drove in one. Domingo Leyba drove in one tallying 2 hits and a walk, and Rudy Flores drove in the other.
A: Kane County 3 @ Peoria 4. The Cougars trailed throughout this game as Justin Donatella wasn't quite as sharp as he's been allowing 3 runs (2 earned) over 5 innings on 5 hits and 2 walks. Mason McCullough surrendered what proved to be a critical run in the bottom of the 8th when Jose Queliz hit a 2-run homer in the 9th that would have tied it. Unfortunately, that was the end of the rally. Zach Nehrir and Luis Veras each had a pair of singles. Joey Armstrong walked 4 times and scored 2 runs.