Dbacks Minor League Round-Up 6/21: Chafin Tosses Complete Game

Andrew Chafin put together his best start of the season last night with a complete-game victory in which he allowed just 1 run on 7 hits and 1 walk while striking out 8. It was his season-high for strikeouts in a game and he's now sporting an ERA of 2.56 with 40 strikeouts and 24 walks in 59 innings. In all 9 starts for AA Mobile Chafin has gotten through at least 6 innings and in his last 5 starts has a BAA of just a tad above .200. In other words, he's really pitching well and is developing a level of consistency he didn't show last year. His walk totals are down from last year but so are his strikeout totals. He just turned 23 last week so add another name to the list of arms that will be vying for a rotation spot in 2015. It's almost obscene the depth of pitching that will be arriving on the big league scene in the next few years.

Snake Stars
3 Stars: Andrew Chafin, Mobile 9 IP, 7 H, 1 BB, 8 K, 1 ER, W (4-4)
2 Stars: Tony Campana, Reno 3 for 5, 4 R, 1 TPL, 4 RBI, 1 SB (22)
1 Star: Ross Gerdeman, Hillsboro 7 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 4 K, 0 ER
0 Stars: Michael Perez, Visalia 0 for 5, 5 K

Triple A: Reno 12 Fresno 7. J.J. Putz made his second rehab appearance to start the game, striking out 3 and walking 1. Nate Adcock followed and wasn't as good allowing 7 runs in 4 innings. But the offense got it done with 10 runs in the 5th through 8th innings. Tony Campana had a big night going 3 for 5, with 4 runs scored and 4 RBI. He's now hitting .300--not bad for a guy they said couldn't get on base. Chris Owings did some more damage going 2 for 4 with a walk, his 7th homer and 3 RBI. Owings has his average up to .360 and has 4 home runs and 22 RBI in June. Aaron Hill continues to rehab and went 1 for 4 with 2 RBI.

Double A: Mobile 5 @ Jackson 1. Andrew Chafin went the distance in a 117-pitch effort allowing just 1 run with 8 strikeouts to even his record at 4-4. Chafin is really dialed in right now and a key part of a strong Mobile rotation that has the BayBears battling for yet another post-season berth. Nick Ahmed went 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI. Dustin Martin and Justin Greene each added a pair of hits.

High A: Visalia 6 @ Modesto 10. Starter Conrad Flynn wasn't at his best getting roughed up for 7 runs in 3+ innings. The offense scored 6 runs on 11 hits but came up short. David Nick went 3 for 5 with a double and 2 RBI. Jon Griffin went 2 for 5 with a double and 2 RBI. Michael Perez had a rough go in his first game back from the DL going 0 for 5 with 5 strikeouts.

Low A: South Bend 2 @ Fort Wayne 3. The Silver Hawks lost in 11 innings in a battle of bullpens late. Brad Allen had a fine start going 6 innings allowing 2 runs on 5 hits. The offense only managed 7 hits with Alex Glenn doing the most with 2 hits including a triple and an RBI.

Short Season A: Hillsboro 5 @ Everett 6.The Hops went extra innings and took the lead in the 11th, only to lose it in the bottom half with Alex Byo blowing the save in his first professional outing after being drafted this year in the 33rd round and signing just last week. Ross Gerdeman started and was stellar throwing 7 shutout innings on 4 hits and 2 walks. The bullpen wasn't very good allowing 3 in the 8th and another in the 9th to send it into extra frames. Yogey Perez-Ramos went 3 for 5 with an RBI to pace the offense. Taylor Ratliff added a pair of hits.

Rookie: Missoula 6 Helena 8. Independent League signee Brad Weller had a rough go allowing 6 runs in the 3rd inning and the offense couldn't quite come all the way back. 2013 27th rounder Jake Miller had a big game in his first professional game clubbing a triple and a home run in his first 2 at bats for 5 RBI. 3rd rounder Daniel Palka got his first 2 professional hits, though he struck out 3 times. SS prospect Joe Munoz went 2 for 4, Chuck Taylor went 2 for 4 with a stolen base, and Jacob Mayers contributed 2 hits.

AZL Rookie: Dbacks 4 Cubs 6. The AZL Rookie League kicked off and the Dbacks went down to the Cubs as starter Anfernee Benitez got knocked around for 5 runs in 4+ innings. Jency Solis struck out 6 in 3+ innings of relief. Cesar Carrasco went 3 for 4 with a double and an RBI. 2013 2nd round draftee Justin Williams went 2 for 4 with a double in his first professional game. 4th rounder Matt McPhearson didn't fare as well going 0 for 5 with 4 strikeouts.