The Diamondbacks Minor League Affiliates combined to go 2-4 on the day. The Jackson Generals and Kane County Cougars picked up big wins. Here were the stars of the day:
3 Stars: Jackson RHP Taylor Widener 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 12 K, GS 78, W (4-3)
2 Stars: Reno RF Socrates Brito 3 for 4, HR, 2 RBI, R
1 Star: Kane County SS Jazz Chisholm 2 for 5, 3B, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R
0 Stars: Jackson RHP Mason McCullough 0 IP, 3 H, 3 R (3 ER), 2 BB, 0 K
Reno Aces 7, Iowa Cubs 8: A classic PCL slugfest at the Aces’ (30-36) hitter friendly confines, Reno came just a bit short. Jake Buchanan got tagged for 7 runs on 11 hits in 5 innings, although the Aces offense was keeping it close. Socrates Brito and Christian Walker both homered, but it was not enough. Michael Dimock keep the Cubs offense at bay for 3 innings, but the run he allowed was enough for the Cubs to withstand a furious Aces rally late. Brito and Walker were the only Aces with multi-hit games.
Jackson Generals 11, Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp 3: The Jackson (36-29) offense and Taylor Widener were relentless as Jackson had a big lead early on. Big innings were the theme as Jackson put up 3 runs in the 2nd, 2 in the 5th, and 5 in the 7th. Daniel Robertson, Kevin Medrano, and Jamie Westbrook each had multiple XBH, the latter driving in 4 runs. Taylor Widener was equally as unstoppable as he shut down the Jacksonville lineup for 6 innings, racking up 12 strikeouts and only needing 90 pitches. Mason McCullough had a problem finding the zone in the 7th as 5 consecutive batters reached against him in the 7th before Bud Jeter put the fire out before Jacksonville could even think of a comeback.
Visalia Rawhide 6, Modesto Nuts 8: Connor Grey gave up 11 hits, but was able to limit the damage to 4 runs (3 earned) in 4 1⁄3 innings. The Visalia (34-32) offense played long ball early with solo shots by Ramon Hernandez and Drew Ellis to make it a 4-3 game. However, a disastrous 7th inning allowed Modesto to pull away late and withstand a late charge by Visalia. Pavin Smith went 2 for 3, Drew Ellis 1 for 3, Daulton Varsho 1 for 4, and Marcus Wilson 1 for 5.
Kane County Cougars 6, Cedar Rapids Kernels 2: The Cougars (32-33) scored 6 times between the 3rd and 6th innings and that was enough thanks to solid pitching. Mack Lemieux allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 6 hits in 5 innings with 5 Ks. Jazz Chisholm was the main catalyst in the offense with 2 XBH (homer and a triple) in 5 ABs. Most of the lineup also contributed to the effort while no other player had an individually great day.
DSL Brewers 8, DSL Dbacks2 7: There were early fireworks in this game as the two teams combined to score 13 runs in the first 4 innings. The Dbacks put up a 3 spot in the first and a 4 spot in the 4th to take a 7-6 lead. Rafael Jimenez had the only 2 XBH for the Dbacks with a 2-run homer and a triple in the game. Unfortunately, the lead did not hold in the 9th when two runs scored on Michel Gelabert, who entered the 9th with 3 2⁄3 scoreless pitching in the game.
DSL Dbacks1 5, DSL Padres 16: Free passes came to haunt Dbacks pitching as they walked 13 in the game. Because of those free passes, the Dbacks pitchers were unable to stop big innings from happening. The Dbacks were able to claw back into the game and cut the deficit to 3 in the 7th, but the Padres answered with 8 in the bottom half of the inning to ice the game.
Draft Signings: I have some signings to pass along in regards to this year’s MLB Draft. Dbacks have signed their CBA-4th round picks, 6th round pick, as well as their 11th round pick so far.
CBA (39) OF Jake McCarthy ($185k savings)
Supplmental 1st-rder Jake McCarthy signs w/@Dbacks for $1.65 million (pick 39 value = $1,834,500). Virginia OF, missed much of year w/broken wrist but has enticing tools, plus speed, solid CF, bat potential. @MLBDraft
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) June 13, 2018
2nd (63) OF Alek Thomas ($165k over slot)
Damn autocorrect! That's Alek Thomas, of course. https://t.co/qjvvNY4jSo
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) June 13, 2018
3rd (108) RHP Jackson Goddard ($15k savings)
3rd-rder Jackson Goddard signs w/@Dbacks for $550k (pick 99 value = $565,100). Kansas RHP, missed time this spring w/oblique strain, misses bats w/92-97 mph fastball & low-80s slider, good run & sink on changeup, needs more strikes to remain a starter. @MLBDraft
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) June 13, 2018
4th (138) RHP Ryan Weiss ($22k savings)
4th-rder Ryan Weiss signs w/@Dbacks for $400k (pick 129 value = $422,100). Wright St RHP, 91-96 mph fastball w/downhill angle, solid changeup. @MLBDraft
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) June 13, 2018