Dbacks Minor League Round-Up 5/31: Bolsinger Spins CG Shutout

We all know who the best pitcher in Mobile is. What most people probably don't know is who the second best pitcher is, or at least has been so far this season. His name is Michael Bolsinger. I'm not saying he's the 2nd best prospect on the team behind Bradley, as that honor probably goes to David Holmberg. But Bolsinger has simply been terrific this season especially as a starter. He threw a complete game, 2-hit shutout last night in Mobile's 2-0 win over Chattanooga, and in 6 starts this season has allowed just 7 earned runs. He's gone 36 innings in those 6 starts allowing 26 hits and 11 walks while striking out 24. That's a solid 2.18 K/BB and his BAA is a paltry .202. Granted he's 25 and prospects Holmberg and Andrew Chafin are both just 22. That's a huge difference and makes Bolsinger's potential ascension to the top rung a much bigger question mark.

His rise through the system since being drafted in the 15th round in 2010 has been quite steady with the only minor blip being his mid-season promotion last year to Mobile when he was not as dominant. Can he go all the way? If he keeps pitching like that he can. There's no law that says you can't debut in the big leagues at 26 or 27. It's just doesn't happen as much.

Snake Stars
3 Stars: Michael Bolsinger 9 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 6 K, 0 ER, W (4-0)
2 Stars: Brandon Drury, South Bend 3 for 4, 1 BB, 1 R, 1 DBL, 1 HR, 4 RBI
1 Star: Sean Jamieson, Visalia 3 for 4, 2 R, 1 HR (4), 1 RBI
0 Stars: Keith Hessler, Visalia 3.2 IP, 12 H, 4 BB, 2 K, 10 ER

Triple A: Reno 0 @ Las Vegas 7. The Aces have had a tough time scoring runs of late as they got shut out again. They out-hit Vegas 10-7 but that didn't matter as they were 1-9 with RISP. Charles Brewer started and wasn't doing bad until a disastrous 5th inning when he allowed 5 runs. Chris Owings went 3 for 4 as did Ed Easley but they were stranded on base on every account.

Double A: Mobile 2 Chattanooga 0. Bolsinger's gem was all the team needed as the offense scrapped out 2 runs for the victory. That might have been Bolsinger's best start as a professional. Justin Greene went 2 for 4 with a double, a triple and one of the 2 RBI. The other run was driven in by Keon Broxton. Mike Freeman also went 2 for 4.

High A: Visalia 12 @ Lancaster 10. No surprise at the amount of offense in this one with Lancaster being rated one of the best hitters' parks in all of baseball. Keith Hessler allowed 10 runs in 3+ innings and still didn't get tagged with the loss. The offense came alive and relievers Seth Simmons and Jake Barrett once again did the job. Simmons threw 4.1 scoreless innings of relief to earn the win, and Jake Barrett added a scoreless 9th for his 13th save. The offense racked up 16 hits with Sean Jamieson getting 3 including his 4th home run. Kerry Jenkins went 3 for 5 with a double and 2 RBI, and Jake Lamb hit his 8th home run.

Low A: South Bend 8 @ Bowling Green 6.The Silver Hawks staged a furious come-from-behind rally in the 8th and 9th innings after trailing 6-0. The rally was capped off by Brandon Drury's dramatic 3-run homer with 2 outs in the 9th to steal the win from Bowling Green. R.J. Hively came on and pitched a perfect 9th for his 14th save. Brandon Sinnery started and had his worst outing of the season allowing 6 runs over 4 innings. J.R. Bradley continued his solid stretch of relief with 3 shutout innings. Drury also had an RBI single in the 8th as part of his 3-hit night. Kevin Medrano and Breland Almadova had identical 2 for 4 nights with a walk, 2 runs scored, a double and an RBI.