Another middle infield prospect pushing his way quickly up the ranks is 19-year-old shortstop Isan Diaz who merely hit for the cycle on Sunday. Drafted in the competitive balance round B last year Diaz is raking in Missoula hitting .351 with 1.029 OPS. Nearly half his hits have been for extra bases with 18 doubles, 9 triples and 8 home runs in 55 games. The organization is suddenly stocked with middle infield prospects both high and low. Diaz is one to watch closely going forward.
Snake Stars
3 Stars: Isan Diaz, Missoula 4 for 6, 2 R, 1 DBL, 1 TPL, 1 HR (8), 4 RBI
2 Stars: Ildemarro Vargas, Kane County 3 for 4, 4 R, 1 HR (4), 3 RBI, 1 SB
1 Star: Marty Herum, Kane County 4 for 5, 2 R, 2 DBL, 2 RBI
0 Stars: Josh Taylor, Kane County 1.1 IP, 5 H, 3 BB, 2 K, 7 R, 6 ER
AAA: Reno 4 Nashville 8. Allen Webster wasn't that good allowing 12 hits and 4 runs over 6 innings. Enrique Burgos got popped for 3 more runs in the 8th and that was pretty much it. The offense had 8 hits scattered around with 2 by Danny Dorn. On an interesting note Brandon Drury played shortstop again, probably mostly due to a lack of middle infielders available for the game.
AA: Mobile 3 @ Biloxi 2. Brandon Sinnery was called up from Visalia to start this one and he was pretty good allowing 2 runs over 6.1 innings on 5 hits and 3 walks with 5 strikeouts. The bullpen was perfect all the way through the 11th with jake Barrett getting the win and Jimmie Sherfy the save. They won it in the 11th when Evan Marzilli tripled and Jack Reinheimer singled him home. Reinheimer had 3 hits, 2 walks and an RBI. Rudy Flores added 3 hits and Socrates Brito hit a 2-run homer in the 3rd, his 8th.
A+: Visalia 12 Rancho Cucamonga 5. The offense scored early and often in this one led by 2-run homers from Stewart Ijames and Tyler Baker. Archie Bradley made his 2nd rehab start for the Rawhide allowing 4 runs (2 earned) on 3 hits and 2 walks with 6 strikeouts over 4 innings of work. The bullpen went 5 innings allowing one run the rest of the way with Joey Krehbiel getting his 10 save with 3 strikeouts. Kevin Medrano drove in 3 runs with a single and a double. Gerson Montilla had 3 hits with 2 doubles. Fidel Pena had a double, a triple and an RBI, and Jamie Westbrook had 3 hits.
A: Kane County 10 Quad Cities 9. It was looking bad early when Josh Taylor got rocked for 7 runs in the first 2 innings. The offense was not to be outdone though battling all the way back and finally taking the lead with 3 runs in the 8th. The top 4 hitters went 12 for 19 for 2 doubles, a triple, a home run and 8 RBI. ildemarro Vargas had 3 hits including a 2-run homer. Marty Herum had 4 hits with 2 doubles and 2 RBI while Henry Castillo had 3 hits and 3 RBI. Ryan Burr got the win with 2 shutout innings late and Zac Curtis picked up his 29th save.
A-: Hillsboro 2 Tri-City 1. It was all pitching in Hillsboro as Troy Marks went 6 strong innings allowing one run on 3 hits and 2 strikeouts. He left the game trailing 1-0 as the bullpen kept the slim margin intact and the offense finally broke through in the 8th. Sergio Alcantara walked, Dansby Swanson doubled him to third, and Grant Heyman drove them both in with a single. Swanson had 2 doubles in the game and Heyman had 2 hits and the 2 big RBI. Brody Greer got his 3rd save with a perfect 9th.
R: Missoula 13 @ Billings 2.This one was rarely in doubt as the offense blew it open early and Bryant Holtmann was solid for 6 innings allowing a run on 8 hits with 4 strikeouts. Isan Diaz was the big star hitting for the cycle. He doubled in the 1st, homered in the 6th and tripled in the the and delivered a single in the 9th to wrap up the feat. Matt McPhearson had 4 hits, all singles and stole 2 bases, though he was also caught twice. Francis Christy drove in 3 runs on a double and a single and Kal Simmons drove in 2 on 2 hits.