Dbacks Minor League Round-Up 6/20: Missoula Begins Title Defense

The Missoula Osprey kicked off the defense of their Pioneer League Championship with an 8-7 victory in spite of 6 errors. Missoula always houses several of the organization's most intriguing prospects and this year is no different. Stryker Trahan will be the everyday catcher to see if he can stay behind the plate and got off to an inauspicious debut with 2 throwing errors and a passed ball in Game 1. He did go 1 for 3 with a walk and an RBI. Hitting probably isn't the issue. Felipe Perez, the late minor league free agent signee who looked headed for UCLA before the Dbacks swooped in made his professional debut and was okay though he had 2 errors of his own. Joe Munoz, last year's 2nd round pick will be the everyday shortstop and he chipped in with 2 errors of his own and went 0 for 4. This year's 4th round pick Daniel Palka will be hitting in the middle of the Osprey lineup as we look for some power numbers from him. It should be an exciting year and there is some good talent we'll be watching as the season unfolds.

Snake Stars
3 Stars: Charles Brewer, Reno 5 IP, 6 H, 2 BB, 3 K, 0 ER
2 Stars: Blake Perry, South Bend 5 IP, 1 H, 4 BB, 3 K, 1 ER, W (4-3)
1 Star: Yorman Garcia, Missoula 2 for 4, 3 R, 2 DBL, 3 RBI
0 Stars: Keon Broxton, Mobile 0 for 4, 4 K

Triple A: Reno 1 Fresno 4. Charles Brewer pitched a good 5 innings but was removed after just 69 pitches. It's possible they're keeping his pitch count under control in case the Dbacks need an arm over the next week or so. The offense managed just 1 run on 6 hits and the bullpen blew it late as Evan Marshall blew the save and Matt Gorgen allowed 3 runs in the 10th. Chris Owings had 2 of the team's 6 hits including a double.

Double A: Mobile 2 @ Jackson 5. Bo Schultz made his 3rd start since being promoted from the bullpen and got through 4 innings allowing 3 runs on 4 hits and a walk. The problem was he was facing off against one of the game's top pitching prospects in Taijuan Walker and he didn't disappoint. Walker struck out 12 Bears as he pitched into the 7th inning as the eventual winning pitcher. Raywilly Gomez and Dustin Martin both managed a couple of hits each. Recently promoted Ryan Court had a tough AA debut going 0 for 4 with 3 Ks. Keon Broxton had an even tougher time with 4 Ks in 4 trips.

High A: Visalia 1 @ Modesto 6. Starter Andrew Barbosa got roughed up some allowing 6 runs in 6 innings. The offense managed just 2 hits with one o those a solo home run by Gerson Montilla. Nothing else of interest in this one.

Low A: South Bend 2 @ Fort Wayne 1. Blake Perry had another solid outing allowing just 1 hit over 5 innings though he did allow a run and surrendered 4 walks. Kyle Winkler added 3 shutout innings in relief with 3 strikeouts. RJ Hively pitched a scoreless 9th with 2 strikeouts for his 19th save. Ronnie Freeman and Alex Glenn each went 2 for 3 ith a double.

Short Season A - Hillsboro. Rainout.

Rookie: Missoula 8 Helena 7. Felipe Perez made his professional debut with 6 innings of interesting baseball. He gave up just 3 earned runs but 6 overall. He made 2 errors on errant pick-off throws to add to the defensive woes, but he did produce an amazing 13 ground outs with 0 fly outs. Jose Jose pitched a scoreless 9th with 2 strikeouts for his 1st save. Yorman Garcia went 2 for 4 with 3 runs scored, 2 doubles and 3 RBI. 6th round pick CF Colin Bray went 2 for 4. 19th rounder Jacob Mayers added a double and 2 RBI. The team made 6 errors in all with 2 each by Perez, Trahan and Munoz.