It's that time of the year again when the post-all-star promotions throughout the minor league system start filtering in, and we've already seen a pair of significant moves in Arizona's system. First, David Holmberg was moved up to Hi-A Visalia on Thursday, and today the D-backs moved lefty Wade Miley up to Triple-A Reno. The first promotion was a no-brainer, but the second is more complex. Miley has been the definition of mediocrity at Double-A Mobile this year, with a 46:28 K:BB ratio and 4.78 ERA in 75.1 innings of work in 2011.
The promotion is very similar to Miley's 2010 mid-season promotion from Visalia to Mobile, as he was moved up after posting a 50:37 K:BB ratio and 3.25 ERA (in large part due to an extremely low HR/FB rate) in 80.1 Hi-A innings. A year ago, he was utterly dominant after the promotion, seeing a velocity spike and posting a 63:28 K:BB ratio and 1.98 ERA in 72.2 innings of work with an improved GO/AO ratio. Hopefully Miley can find that consistency again, as it's been seriously lacking in 2011, though he's been better as of late (in spite of still-lacking peripherals).
Arizona also traded right-hander Matt Torra to Tampa Bay for cash considerations.
I'll be keeping an eye out for additional promotions, and will be posting them in these reports as they occur.
Triple-A: Reno 17, Salt Lake 8. (49-32) Right-hander Rafael Rodriguez got his first start since 2007 (he was a highly-rated prospect as a starter in 2005), though it was basically a long relief appearance that happened to start off the game. Rodriguez got torched for five earned runs in three innings of work, though reliever Jeff Bennett pitched three scoreless innings of relief to give Reno's offense an opportunity to build a substantial lead. The offense did just that, collecting 10 extra-base hits on the night. Konrad Schmidt and Evan Frey both doubled and tripled, while Cody Ransom, Andy Tracy, and Brandon Allen each doubled and homered. In other words, the Aces slaughtered Salt Lake starter Matt Palmer...
Double-A: Mobile 2, Montgomery 5. (43-36) The BayBears received a limited offensive showing against Tampa Bay top prospect Matt Moore, though it was better than the no-hit effort they put in the last time they saw Moore. A.J. Pollock had a good game, going 2-4 with a triple (which he hit off of Moore) and a pair of runs scored, raising his line to .302/.358/.432, a .790 OPS. Lefty Pat Corbin had an off-night, with a nice 4:1 K:BB ratio in six innings, but nine hits - including a home run - and four earned runs allowed. Corbin's peripherals are fantastic and his June was stellar, but it's probably wise to hold off on the clamors for him to be in the major leagues. Barry Enright is a better option. Your Daily Goldschmidt: Paul went 1-4 with a strikeout, and was caught stealing once.
Hi-A: Visalia 1, Lake Elsinore 5. (36-42) It was an underwhelming all-around night for the Rawhide, as Trevor Harden was yet again roughed up for four earned runs in six innings, with a 6:2 K:BB ratio and two homers allowed. The offense didn't do its part either, collecting only two extra-base hits, from Raoul Torrez and Chris Owings - who was playing left field, but only because it was his first game back from a muscle pull in his leg (no freaking out, people, he's a shortstop) - who hit doubles.
Low-A: South Bend 4, Lake County 7. (38-39) The offense was solid in this game, receiving doubles from Ender Inciarte,Jhoan Pimentel, and Yazy Arbelo along with a home run from Roberto Rodriguez. Unfortunately, starterJ.R. Bradley put the game out of reach early, pitching three batters into the fifth inning (4+ IP) and surrendering seven runs. He gave up nine hits - two of which were home runs - with a pair of walks, though he did strike out five, an improvement on his season-long K-Rate. Bradley had a pair of good outings prior to this one, so I'm still not overly concerned about Bradley's future.
Short-Season-A: Yakima 3, Boise 11. (-) Only one of the four pitchers used by the Bears had a clean game, a clean ninth inning from Sammy De Los Santos. Starter Randy Hamrick was roughed up, allowing five walks, seven hits, and two home runs in his 4.1 innings of work with five strikeouts. Zachary Jones tripled and walked, raising his season line to .277/.358/.447 in his first exposure to pro ball. Kerry Jenkins added three hits. Raul Navarro went back to his suck-filled ways, wearing the golden sombrero for this one.
Advanced-Rookie: Missoula , Great Falls . (-) Projectable right-hander Enrique Burgos finally had a start that matched up to the level of his stuff, giving up just one run in six innings of work. Burgos struck out five batters with no walks and just three hits allowed, posting a spectacular 10:1 GO:AO ratio. If he can solve his command issues, he still has a chance to reward the organization's faith in continuing to develop him as a starter. At just 20 years old and turning 21 in November, he'd be age-appropriate for the Midwest League in 2012 if he pitches well at Missoula this year. 2011 3rd-round pick Justin Biancohit his first professional home run, while Jeremia Gomez continues to kill the ball at Missoula, collecting three hits, two of which were doubles.
Low-Rookie: D-backs , Angels . (4-5) Teenage righty Blake Perry was roughed up in the Arizona League, as six hits and three walks in three innings of work led to six runs crossing the plate (four earned), though Perry did strike out four. The D-backs offense received a home run from rehabbing outfielder David Winfree, and 19-year-old Jesus Abreu tripled and walked. Geoff Blum continues rehabbing with the AZL D-backs, going 0-3 with a strikeout while playing third base.
DSL (game one): D-backs 3, White Sox 5. An underwhelming start from Karl Triana was too much for the offense to overcome, in spite of two-hit games from Ronny Mejias, Yosbel Gutierrez, and Juan Heredia (who also doubled). Jean Guzman threw a scoreless sixth inning with a strikeout in relief of Triana.
DSL (game two): D-backs 5, White Sox 9. (10-19) Designated hitter Jesse Liriano was a double short of the cycle in his three at-bats, also drawing a walk for a stellar day at the dish. Samuel Valdez also had a good, though strange, day at the plate, going 1-1 with a double, a walk, and two HBPs.