The minor league season wrapped up for a few teams on Monday night, though the incredible number of affiliates in the playoffs means the MLUs will continue for at least a few more days.
Salt Lake 2 at Las Vegas 10
Las Vegas finished off its season in classic Las Vegas fashion, banging out 10 runs on 13 hits against the Bees. Among the hitlessless were Darin Mastroianni (4-5), Adeiny Hechavarria (2-5, 3B), Ryan Shealy (1-3, HR, BB) and Manny Mayorson (3-3 2 2B, BB). Hech finishes his Las Vegas tour at .389/.431/.537 in 108 at bats.
It should be noted that Hech's peripherals at Vegas are eerily similar to those at New Hampshire - he's striking out and walking at about the same rate, and his isolated on base is about the same as it was in NH. His power has improved, as his isolated slugging has gone from .102 in NH to .148 in Vegas. However, I hate to be a downer, but aside from this mild increase in power (some of which is likely due to the Vegas effect), his Vegas hot streak looks to be mostly BABIP-driven. On the other hand, it's possible that Hech genuinely has improved his hitting by improving his batted ball profile. Regardless, I think he should be in the minors for another full season.
Fittingly, the 51s concluded their season with their ace Brad Mills on the hill. Mills had a typically good outing, tossing 6.2 innings while allowing eight base-runners and two runs. The lefty struck out six. Brad didn't pitch well in Toronto, but I could see him having success in the National League.
New Hampshire 8 at Portland 3
If Monday was any indication, New Hampshire is ready for the playoffs. The Cats slugged their way to an 8-3 victory courtesy of home runs by Anthony Gose, who also singled, doubled, walked and stole his 70th base, and John Tolisano. Yohan Pino got the start, presumably because he's not part of the playoff rotation, but made a strong bid for some playoff action by tossing six strong innings, allowing just two runs on four hits and K'ing seven. Deck McGuire came off the DL and threw two innings of relief. He didn't allow a run and struck out three.
Dunedin - no game scheduled. Dunedin will start their playoff series with Daytona tomorrow.
Lansing 2 at Dayton 3
Jonathan Jones did his part... but he was the only one. Jones had a perfect day, going 4-4 with a walk and stealing three bases, but his teammates could only bring him home once, which is not surprising considering his teammates only accumulated two hits between them.
Marcus Walden pitched pretty well in getting the last start of Lansing's regular season. He threw five innings and allowed two runs, one earned.
Eugene 8 at Vancouver 3
It was New Hampshire Opposite Day in Vancouver! That's not a real day. Anyway, the Canadians dropped the first game of their postseason and now face elimination tomorrow night. Eugene beat up on Blake McFarland (5 IP, 4 H, 4 BB, 4 ER, 3 K) and Kramer Champlin (1 IP, 4 H, 3 R) and the offense couldn't match that output despite Nicholas Baligod (2-4, HR)'s best efforts.
The seasons are over for Bluefield, the GCL Jays and the DSL Jays.
Three Stars!
3. Brad Mills - 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 6 K
2. Jonathan Jones - 4-4, BB, 3 SB
1. Anthony Gose - 1B, 2B, HR, BB, SB
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