:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/33635505/Velazquez-Andrew-2013-01.0.jpg)
Sticking with the recent theme of Andrew Velazquez and his breakout season, let's talk a little bit more about exactly what Velazquez has done of late. Last night he went 1 for 3 with 2 walks, a double and his 13th stolen base. He has hit in 19 of his last 20 games. In the month of May he's hitting .327 with a .403 OBP and a 1.007 OPS, along with 5 doubles, 7 triples and 3 home runs...and he stole 8 bases. He's sporting a .209 ISO and a 138 wRC+ on the season. His K rate is down to 15.9% and his BB rate is up to 9.7%. He has a Fan Graphs speed score of 8.0, where 7.0 is the top of the scale as excellent.
There's only six players in the Midwest League with a higher ISO, none of whom are infielders and none of whom are 19 or younger. He's 2.5 years younger than the league median age. This kid is a natural leadoff hitter whose upside continues to grow. He's going to be a lot of fun to watch over the next few years.
Snake Stars
3 Stars: Sean Furney, South Bend 6 IP, 7 H, 0 BB, 4 K, 1 ER, W (1-1)
2 Stars: Mike Jacobs, Reno 3 for 4, 2 R, 2 RBI
1 Star: Bobby Wilson, Reno 3 for 5, 1 R, 1 DBL, 2 RBI
0 Stars: Rudy Flores, Visalia 0 for 4, 2 K
AAA: Reno 9 Fresno 8. The Aces battled back from an 8-5 deficit with 2 runs in the 8th, another in the 9th, then won it in the bottom of the 10th on a Nick Ahmed double that scored pinch-runner Lucas Harrell. Ahmed also scored the tying run in the 9th after a walk, a passed ball and an RBI single by Mike Jacobs. Andrew Chafin got the start and was doing fine until a disaster 5th inning that saw 5 unearned runs scored following a Tyler Bortnick error. Chafin didn't make it out of that inning after allowing the 6 runs (5 earned) on 6 hits and 2 walks with just 1 strikeout.
AA: Mobile - Rained Out
A+: Visalia 4 Bakersfield 6. Spencer Arroyo couldn't make it out of the 4th inning before allowing 3 runs, and the bullpen wasn't much better allowing 3 more. The offense could only come up with 4 runs total led by Socrates Brito who went 2 for 3 with 2 RBI, and Alex Glenn who was 2 for 4 with 1 RBI. Glenn is another prospect having a big May with a .986 OPS with 6 homers, 16 RBI and 5 stolen bases.
A: South Bend 4 @ Lake County 1. Starter Sean Furney put up his best start of the year with 6 solid innings allowing just 1 run on 7 hits and no walks while striking out 4. Tom Jameson, Daniel Gibson and Silvino Bracho each tacked on shutout innings to close it out with Bracho notching his 7th save. The offense did enough with their 6 hits that featured a 2-run homer by Stryker Trahan, his 5th. Andrew Velazquez went 1 for 3 with 2 walks, a double and his 13th stolen base.