Diamondbacks Minor League Recap 6/2/21 - Pitching prospects shut down opposition

The Diamondbacks Minor League affiliates combined to a 1-2 record, with Hillsboro being the only team to pick up the win on the back of strong pitching. Pitching prospects Luis Frias, Blake Walston, and Ryne Nelson took the mound for their respective teams.

Top Pitching Performance: Visalia LHP Blake Walston - 6 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 6 K
Top Hitting Performance: Hillsboro CF Eduardo Diaz and LF Leodany Perez - 3 for 5, 2B each
Alek Thomas: 0 for 4; .302/.384/.512 (149 wRC+) in 99 PA

AA: Amarillo Sod Poodles 0, Frisco Roughriders (TEX) 3

Amarillo’s offense was held to a single and 4 walks overall, struggling to put any sort of offense on the board. Luis Frias would allow all three runs in 4 innings on 4 hits, 2 walks, and 5 strikeouts. Getting out of jams have been a problem for Frias of late, as he’s been getting bit by big innings. Jake McCarthy was the only batter to reach base twice with a pair of walks and D.J. Burt recorded the only hit.

LF Alek Thomas: 0 for 4
CF Jake McCarthy: 0 for 2, 2 BB
RF Dominic Fletcher: 0 for 3, 3 K
SS Geraldo Perdomo: 0 for 2, BB, K

High A: Hillsboro Hops 6, Everett Aqua Sox (SEA) 2

Ryne Nelson turned in another quality start and Hillsboro’s offense exploded in this one. Nelson allowed just 2 runs on 4 hits over 5 ²⁄₃ innings, walking 1 and striking out 10. The Hops recorded 15 hits in the game and continued to put pressure on the opponent late. Eduardo Diaz and Leodany Perez each recorded 3 hits, 1 extra base hit, and an RBI in this game. The bullpen got the final 10 outs without too much difficulty.

Hillsboro’s offense did most of their scoring late in the game, scoring 5 of their 6 runs in their final 4 trips to the plate. A pair of singles and a stolen base put runners on 2nd and 3rd with no outs before Tra Holmes would single them both home for the lead. The 8th inning started with another pair of hits and a stolen base putting runners on the corners with no outs. A sac fly, swinging bunt preceded a single from Diaz, who would make it 5-3 with a 2-out single. The 9th had a similar story as a double, single, and a swinging bunt would produce the 6th and final run.

RHP Ryne Nelson: 5 ²⁄₃ IP, 4 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 10 K, W (2-1)

Low A: Visalia Rawhide 3, Fresno Grizzlies (COL) 4 (F/10)

Blake Walston took the start in this one and spun another gem with 6 innings of 2 run ball with 1 walk and 6 strikeouts. Visalia would score in the first after a pair of 1-out singles set the stage for Neyfy Castillo. Castillo would hit a ground ball to 2nd and a throwing error while attempting to turn a 4-3 double play would allow Jorge Barrosa to score from 2nd. Solo homers by each side, with Elian Miranda hitting his 3rd of the year, would give Visalia a 2-1 lead going into the 7th. Walston would give up a double to the only batter he faced in that inning before being lifted.

A single followed by a double play ball would result in the tying run scoring, although Mailon Arroyo would find himself in a jam of his own making. After a couple two-out hits, Arroyo would induce another ground out to escape the inning. The game would remain tied until extras. A single and a sacrifice fly would score the go-ahead run for Visalia, although they would not get any further past second. Fresno would counter with 2 off Liu Fuenmayor in the bottom half to walk off Visalia.

LHP Blake Walston: 6 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 6 K
3B A.J. Vukovich: 2 for 4, BB