Dbacks MiLB Round-Up 5/17: Montilla Red Hot

Anyone who's been reading my minor league round-ups for the last few years probably knows I've always been somewhat fond of Gerson Montilla. He's really stepped his game up the last couple of years even though it's still a tad short of what you want to see from a prospect destined to have an impact at the highest level. He started the year for Mobile as mainly a bench player and didn't get a lot of starts. He got his chance to start a little over a week ago and he has not taken that chance lightly hitting .484 in his last 10 games with multiple hits in his last 5 games in a row. He mainly was an infielder coming up through the system but Mobile has needed him in the outfield so that's where he's playing. My evaluation of him is he's one of those guys that does everything pretty well but nothing great. I still think he can be a decent utility guy at the major league level with his position versatility along with a little bit of power, decent OBP and adequate speed. Time will tell if he ever gets his chance.

Snake Stars
3 Stars: Roger Kieschnick, Reno 3 for 5, 1 R, 1 HR (5), 2 RBI
2 Stars: Ryan Court, Visalia 3 for 5, 1 R, 1 HR (3), 2 RBI
1 Star: Socrates Brito, Visalia 3 for 6, 2 R, 1 HR (5), 2 RBI, 1 SB (15)
0 Stars: Alex Glenn, Visalia 0 for 6, 4 K

AAA: Reno 5 Salt Lake 4.The Aces got a walk-off win in the bottom of the 10th inning when Brandon Lyon (yes, that Brandon Lyon) walked Andy Cunningham with the bases loaded. Lucas Harrell started and had his typical outing, 4 runs allowed on 7 hits and 2 walks with no strikeouts over 5 innings. The bullpen was terrific with 5 scoreless innings led by Will Harris who went the final two to earn the win. Reno racked up 13 hits led by Roger Kieschnick who had 3 of them including a solo home run. Didi Gregorius also had 3 hits including 2 doubles.

AA: Mobile 5 Chatanooga 4. Justin Fitzgerald was decent going 5+ innings allowing 3 runs (2 earned) on 6 hits and 3 walks. Mobile took the lead in the 7th on a bases loaded walk to Jake Lamb and Jake Barrett closed it out in the 9th striking out the side for his 6th save. The Bay Bears only managed 5 hits with 2 from Gerson Montilla. Sean Jamieson walked 3 times and stole a base, but he also was caught stealing once and got picked off on another.

A+: Visalia 6 San Jose 7. The Rawhide got out to a 6-1 lead after two innings but couldn't make it hold up as three errors and shaky pitching in the middle innings led to extra innings and an 11th inning defeat. Andrew Barbosa started and stretched out a little further going 5 innings allowing 3 runs (2 earned) on 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 7. Socrates Brito and Ryan Court were the offensive stars as each had 3 hits plus a home run. Brito stole his 15th base. Brandon Drury had 2 hits including a double and an RBI but he also struck out 3 times and committed one of the 3 errors.

A: South Bend 4 Fort Wayne 2. Blake Perry was solid going 5.1 innings allowing 2 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks with 4 strikeouts. Will Locante pitched a perfect 9th for his first save. Steve McQuail hit a solo home run and Andrew Velazquez went 2 for 3 and scored twice.