Dbacks Minor League Round-Up 6/8: Munson Working to Realize Potential

Reliever Kevin Munson was drafted in the 4th round of the 2010 draft and he's always been held in high regard by the organization as someone who could eventually be a piece of the major league bullpen. But after a rough 2012 season and an even rougher April to start this year, questions were starting to be asked whether Munson would ever realize his potential. He's always posted the big double digit K/9 numbers you want to see from a top reliever with 9.0 in 2010, 12.4 in 2011, and 10.9 in 2012. However, too many walks and a tendency to give up the long ball have held him back. Suddenly though Munson seems to be putting things together. His output in May was perhaps his best month as a professional with a 1.69 ERA and a 17/5 K/BB in 10.2 innings of work. He has continued that kind of performance into June and added 2 shutout innings last night to earn the win in Mobile's 3-2 win in 10 innings. Munson is 24 years old and may see Reno before too long where he'll just be a phone call away from realizing his potential.

Snake Stars
3 Stars: Randall Delgado, Reno 6 IP, 6 H, 2 BB, 4 K, 2 ER, L (1-5)
2 Stars: Andrew Barbosa, Visalia 5 IP, 6 H, 1 BB, 7 K, 2 ER
1 Star: David Nick, Visalia 3 for 5, 1 TPL, 1 RBI
0 Stars: Brad Allen, 2 IP, 9 H, 1 BB, 2 K, 8 ER, L (2-2)

Triple A: Reno 1 Colorado Springs 2. Randall Delgado kept the Aces in the game with 6 innings of 2-run ball, but the offense couldn't get him off the hook. Mike Jacobs hit a solo home run in the 9th to cut the lead to 1, and the offense then loaded the bases with one out. But Taylor Harbin struck out and Tuffy Gosewisch flew out to end the game. Chris Owings went 2 for 4 and Delgado went 2 for 2.

Double A: Mobile 3 Tennessee 2. Reliever Kevin Munson pitched 2 shutout innings late and the offense made him a winner with a walk-off hit-by-pitch that scored Keon Broxton who had doubled to lead off the inning. Reliever Bo Schultz started the game and gave the team 3 shutout innings. Willy Paredes also threw 3 shutout innings leading to the late game heroics. Ender Inciarte went 2 for 3 with a walk, an RBI and his 15th stolen base. Keon Broxton went 2 for 4 with the crucial 10th inning double. And Nick Ahmed went 2 for 3 with a walk.

High A: Visalia 2 Rancho Cucamonga 5. Starter Andrew Barbosa had it going on with a shutout through 5 innings. But he allowed 2 runs in the 6th and after Seth Simmons ended the threat and got through 2 shutout innings, the rest of the bullpen gave it up. David Nick led the offense going 3 for 5 with a triple and an RBI.

Low A: South Bend 1 @ Great Lakes 15. South Bend finally lost a game as starter Brad Allen got creamed and J.R. Bradley got creamed right behind him. Bradley had really come on in his last 10-12 games but giving up 7 runs undoes a lot of good for a reliever. Andrew Velazquez went 2 for 5.