Dbacks MiLB Round-Up 4/20: Ahmed Homers?

I had to look at the box score several times, but there it was in black and white. Nick Ahmed hit a 2-run homer in the top of the 8th inning to give Reno a 2-1 win over Fresno. Ahmed, as everyone knows, was one of the pieces in the Upton deal, and as everyone also knows he's a terrific defensive shortstop. Unfortunately, he just hasn't been able to produce enough with the bat to push himself ahead of guys like Chris Owings and Didi Gregorius. Before the season I predicted that Ahmed would need to put up at least a .750 OPS if he wanted to be taken seriously as a future major leaguer. Well, he hasn't quite reached that level after getting of to another slow start, but he has come on a little of late getting 10 hits in his last 28 at bats to raise his average to .264 and his OPS to .673. Let's see if he can keep that up.

Snake Stars
3 Stars: Chase Anderson, Mobile 7 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 5 K, 2 ER, L (2-2)
2 Stars: Charles Brewer, Reno 7 IP, 6 H, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 ER, W (2-2)
1 Star: Nick Ahmed, Reno 1 for 3, 1 R, 1 HR (1), 2 RBI
0 Stars: Roger Kieschnick, Reno 0 for 3, 2 K

Triple A: Reno 2 @ Fresno 1. The Aces were losing a pitcher's duel until the 8th inning when Nick Ahmed delivered a 2-run homer with one out to give the team a 2-1 lead. Charles Brewer went 7 strong innings allowing just 1 run on 6 hits and a walk and Jess Todd followed with 2 shutout innings and his 2nd save. The offense only had 4 hits but it was enough due to Ahmed's heroics.

Double A: Mobile 1 @ Huntsville 3. Chase Anderson had another excellent outing with 7 strong innings and 2 runs allowed. But the offense only came up with 5 hits and a single run. jake Lamb had an RBI single and no strikeouts in 3 at bats.