Diamondbacks Minor League Recap 6/23/21: Ryne Nelson still loves pitching in Oregon

The Diamondbacks Minor League affiliates combined for a 1-2 record, with Hillsboro picking up the win. Pitching prospects Matt Tabor, Ryne Nelson, and Blake Walston took the mound for the team’s respective affiliates.

Top Pitching Performance: Hillsboro RHP Ryne Nelson - 5 iP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 9 K
Top Hitting Performance: Hillsboro CF Dominic Canzone - 2 for 3, 3B, BB, R, 1 K

AA: Amarillo Sod Poodles 2, Corpus Christi Hooks (HOU) 13

Matt Tabor got lit up in this start, surrendering 7 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks while striking out 4 in 3 ¹⁄₃ IP. Jeff Bain didn’t help much either, allowing both inherited runners to score while surrendering an unearned run in the 5th. Amarillo’s offense was limited to solo homers by Renae Martinez and Luis Alejandro Basabe and was really unable to string together any offense.

RF Alek Thomas: 0 for 4, 3 K
CF Dominic Fletcher: 1 for 4, 1 K
SS Geraldo Perdomo: 0 for 3
RHP Matt Tabor: 3 ¹⁄₃ IP, 5 H, 7 R (7 ER), 3 BB, 3 K

High A: Hillsboro Hops 5, Spokane Indians (COL) 2

Another typical Ryne Nelson start it appears, as Nelson allowed just a 5th inning solo homer in 5 innings, walking 2 and striking out 9. On the season, he’s put up a 4-1 record with a 2.52 ERA/RA9 with only 21 hits allowed and a 59/14 K/BB ratio in 39 ¹⁄₃ IP over 8 starts. At some point the organization has to consider challenging him in AA because the Northwest League isn’t putting up much of a resistance.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Hillsboro offense was able to get the job done enough to stay ahead in this one. They scored three runs in the 2nd and 2 in the 3rd in order to take a 5-0 lead. A pair of free passes opened up the inning before Tristin English would single home the first run. A balk would then precede a double by Leodany Perez to plate two runs. In the 3rd, they would get a one out single by Canzone before Andy Yerzy would double him home and reach 3rd on a botched relay to the plate. Axel Andueza would bring home the 5th run home with a single.

The rest of the game was dominated by the Hillsboro bullpen. Things got a bit concerning in the 6th when Tyler Jones came in and would load the bases with 2 outs. A single would bring home the runner from 3rd, but a strong throw from Eduardo Diaz would cut down the trail runner at the plate and essentially end any scoring threat that Spokane would have. Wesley Rodriguez, Mailon Arroyo, and Joe Jones would each throw scoreless innings to bring this game home.

Low A: Visalia Rawhide 1, Fresno Grizzlies (COL) 3

Blake Walston took the mound and looked more human in this start, giving up 3 runs (2 earned) on 7 hits, 2 walks, and 9 strikeouts. In the meantime, Visalia’s offense struggled against Rockies pitching prospect Sam Weatherly (3rd round/81st overall pick last year out of Clemson), only getting 3 hits and 3 walks for the game. After falling behind 3-0, Visalia would scratch their only run across with a double by Glenallen Hill Jr. and a couple of productive outs to score him.

DH A.J. Vukovich: 2 for 4, 2B, 1 K
LHP Blake Walston: 5 IP, 7 H, 3 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 9 K