Diamondbacks MiLB Round-up, 4/14: Todd Glaesmann cycles, Peter O'Brien update

Todd Glaesmann had his hitting gloves on from the get-go this evening. He had the first three legs out of the way early, having doubled in the first, singled in the second, then homered in the fourth. Up in the sixth, he wasted no time, tripling to complete the first cycle for the Visalia Rawhide since 2007. He grounded out in the fifth, but it was still an impressive feat - not least because Glaesmann retired from baseball entirely, little more than a year ago, saying at the time, "The passion for the game was not there anymore." I guess something rekindled it, and with three home-runs in six games already for Visalia. I'm very happy for him.

Also of interest this evening, Chip Hale's comments about Peter O'Brien, saying O'Brien is "getting a mental break" from catching as he works through the throwing issues. However, the plan is to ease him back behind the plate in a month or so, with O'Brien playing both first and left-field to keep his bat going in the meantime. Added Hale, ""He had come a long way catching and gaining the trust of the pitchers. I really feel at some point there could be a chance to get back there again and be a quick remake." Obviously, the team wants him to catch, since first-base  is locked-down for the D-backs, and we seem overstocked with outfielders e.g. Yasmany Tomas.

Snake Stars
3 stars: Todd Glaesmann, Visalia: 4-for-5, HR (3), TPL, DBL, 3 R, 2 RBI
2 stars: Danny Dorn, Reno: 2-for-4, HR (2), 1 R, 2 RBI
1 star: Vidal Nuno, Reno: 7.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO
0 stars: George Roberts, Visalia: 0-for-4, 3 SO

Triple-A: Reno 4 @ El Paso 2.  Vidal Nuno improved to 2-0, and reduced his ERA for the Aces to 2.19, working into the eighth inning against the Chihuahuas. He ended with 7.1 IP, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk, with a half-dozen strikeouts. Dan Runzler tidied up the inherited runner, and Jake Barrett picked up his second save, striking out two and allowing a hit in the ninth. The Aces were held to six hits, two of them off the bat of 1B Danny Dorn, including his second homer; he drove in a pair, though was caught stealing. SS Danny Worth doubled and singled, and 3B Nick Evans had his second HR.

Double-A:  Mobile off-day

High-A Visalia 9, San Jose 2. After falling two behind before they came to the plate, the Rawhide responded vigorously and early this evening, scoring seven times over the first two innings against the Giants, including back-to-back homers by Kevin Cron and Stewart Ijames in the first, each opening their account for 2015. As well as Glaesmann's cycle, DH Daniel Palka had two hits, with 2B Jamie Westbrook getting two singles and a walk. After wobbling early, Anthony Banda settled down, working five innings and allowing two runs on five hits and two walks, with four strikeouts. Johnny Shuttleworth worked two scoreless frames of relief.

A-ball Kane County 4 @ Burlington 3. Cougars starter Brent Jones struck out eight over 6.2 innings, being charged with three runs on five hits and three walks. Bud Jeter got the win for 1.1 scoreless relief frames, as Kan County scored twice in the top of the eighth, both runs coming home on a double by pinch-hitter Stryker Trahan. Zac Curtis then worked the ninth for the save, as the Cougars moved to a 2-4 record. 3B Marty Herum was the only Kane County hitter to reach base twice safely, driving in a run and stealing a base. Kane County were running wild, stealing six bases, including a pair from 2B Fernery Ozuna.