A few weeks ago I talked about it still being early when looking at stats. The affiliates have now played around 30 games and while its not early any more its also not far enough into the season to be definitive about stats lines. However, a few players have been so consistent that it does look like they are taking the next step. I am speaking of Max Pentecost, Danny Jansen, Bo Bichette and Vlad Guerrero. They have hit in most games with rarely a let down. Other hitters who started hot like Dwight Smith and Anthony Alford have had down periods where you wonder will the hot or not lead the way.
Buffalo
Buffalo went 1-2 on the weekend. Jason Leblebijian had five RBI's in Saturdays win with a home run and a double. Leblebijian had one hit in five tries on Sunday, his BA is .320 and his OPS over 1000. Mike Ohlman had two hits over the weekend, both left the park. Rowdy Tellez had a hitless weekend, Dwight Smith had just one hit.
The pitchers have been throwing well, trying to get the next opportunity in the big leagues. TJ House pitched a complete game, seven inning, shutout on Saturday. House didn't walk anyone but had just two strikeouts. Brett Oberholtzer went 5.2 innings Sunday and lost because he let up a solo home run. Oberholtzer had just one K in his 5.2 innings. Mike Bolsinger did not start at the weekend and looks to be in line for Tuesday's start in Toronto.
New Hampshire
Conner Greene had an excellent start on Saturday and his strikeouts were down. Greene had only two strikeouts in 6.2 innings but he recorded 15 ground ball outs. Greene came into spring training trying to throw as hard as he could and as a result his control was off and his pitch counts were up. This start was a pitch to contact start and Greene can do that with his stuff. After a rough start Greene looks to be coming around. Francisco Rios had been pitching reasonably well and was on Sunday through four innings. He had conceded a solo home run but was cruising was a 4-1 lead. Eight batters later Rios had allowed eight runs including a lead off home run and a grand slam in the inning. Rios, as a shorter righty who doesn't get a lot of strikeouts, increasingly looks like his future at the big league level will be in the bullpen.
New Hampshire's hitters spread the hits around over their two games. Ryan McBroom hit a three run home run on Saturday, with another hit on Sunday. Anthony Alford hurt himself on Saturday but is supposed to be day to day. Nothing is going well for the Fisher Cats. Tim Lopes was the strongest hitter so the manager moved him to the third spot in the order. He went 1-4. Jonathan Davis had two hits from the nine hole on Saturday so he was moved to the lead off position where he went oh for four on Sunday. Harold Ramirez and Gunnar Heidt each had two hits on Sunday, but both still are not hitting consistently.
Dunedin
The Jays had two hits on Friday, four on Saturday and 22 on Sunday. The two hitters who had a hit on Sunday hit in all three games. Lane Thomas and Matt Dean had a hit each on Friday and Saturday and three each on Sunday. The big hitters on Sunday were Max Pentecost and Danny Jansen. Jansen had four hits, two of them home runs. Pentecost also had four hits, with just one home run and five RBI's. Cavan Biggio chipped in with three hits, two of them doubles.
Angel Perdomo was average on Friday, he had six K's in four innings but he walked four. TJ Zeuch allowed two runs on Saturday over six innings. Ryan Borucki is still on a 45 pitch count, that was good for 2.2 innings. The Jays are being very careful with him.
Lansing
Bo Bichette played two games and had four hits in total, all for extra bases. He is out-hitting his more famous team mate, Vlad Jr. Speaking of Vlad Jr, he had a down weekend, just one hit in 11 tries. He did pick up a walk in each game. Vlad might be getting pitched around. Brad Jones was hitless in the first two games but got back on track with a double and a triple on Sunday. Josh Palacios had three hits in two games, JB Woodman had four hits in three games.
Justin Maese had his best start of the year, seven strong innings, one earned run, five K's. Patrick Murphy pitched seven innings, he had just one K, but like Conner Greene he had 12 ground ball outs.
Three Stars
Third Star - Bo Bichette
Second Star - Max Pentecost
First Star - Danny Jansen
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