Stryker Trahan blasted a 3-run homer and drove in 5 in Visalia's 8-3 victory. Trahan has fallen from grace a long way since being drafted in the first round back in 2012. He's been written off by almost everyone and it's hard to suggest that's at all unfair. He's not playing catcher anymore. He hasn't been able to get his K rate under 30% at any level. He does have some power with 52 home runs since 2012, but it's not what you would call other-worldly power given the high strikeouts. He's still only 22 years old. His season is just getting started since being on the shelf the first 2 months with an injury. It's just tough to imagine that he'll suddenly develop some contact skills that will resurrect his future as a prospect. It doesn't mean we won't be rooting for him though and it's at least nice to see him have a big day. Hope springs eternal when it comes to baseball so I guess one should be careful to never say never.
Snake Stars
3 Stars: Stryker Trahan, Visalia 2 for 4, 1 R, 1 HR (1), 5 RBI
2 Stars: Shelby Miller, Visalia 6 IP, 6 H, 1 BB, 8 K, 3 R, 1 ER, W (2-0)
1 Star: Henry Castillo, Visalia 2 for 4, 2 R, 2 DBL, 1 RBI
0 Stars: Jamie Westbrook, Mobile 0 for 4, 1 K
AAA: Reno 1 @ Las Vegas 2. Matt Buschmann pitched plenty good to give the Aces a chance in this one allowing 2 runs over 6 innings on 7 hits and 3 walks with 4 strikeouts. Unfortunately he wasn't rewarded as the offense laid an egg with just one run in spite of collecting 10 hits. Sean Jamieson had 3 of those hits, all singles. Mitch Haniger had 2, also both singles.
AA: Mobile 3 Jacksonville 7. Luke Irvine wasn't all that good allowing 5 runs over 6 innings, which the offense couldn't overcome. They did score 3 runs in the 4th to cut the lead to 5-3, but the bullpen allowed 2 more and there was no rally. The offense only managed 4 hits on the night with Travis Denker providing the bulk of that with a 2-run homer.
A+: Visalia 8 @ Bakersfield 3. It was Stryker Trahan's night as he drove in 5 of the 8 runs with 3 of those coming via home run, his first of the year. Shelby Miller made his second rehab start and was pretty good, though he did allow 6 hits in 6 innings and walked one. Three runs were scored against him though just one was earned and he did strike out 8 on 100 pitches. He probably makes his next start in the big leagues is my guess. Henry Castillo was solid at the plate with 2 doubles and 2 RBI. Gabe Speier followed Miller with 3 shutout innings and earned his first save.