Casey Lawrence is gone, which is probably the most important news farm related coming out of your Thursday, May 11, 2017. Justin Maese threw a complete game down the road in Lansing, while two other starting pitching prospects also turned in respectable pitching performances.

All four affiliates had day games scheduled and three of them won and one was rained out. These games are scheduled for school groups to come in and get a day at the park. The teams clean up on the concessions while the players try to wake up when they normally sleep. The affiliates won behind good pitching. The three starters conceded one run between them, Sean Reid-Foley, Cesar Valdez and Angel Perdomo all pitched well. Chris Rowley also turned some heads with his pitching out of the bullpen.

The Lansing Lugnuts slugged their way to another victory. That was the only 'W' the affiliates came up with in four tries Tuesday.

The affiliates had a .500 night with Buffalo and Lansing getting into the win column.

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.

Two wins and two rain delays down on the farm (Thursday night). Connor Panas hot a walk off homer and the Fisher Cats overcame a rough Sean Reid-Foley start.

Casey Lawrence is back in AAA and he pitched five good innings. Lawrence's start helped Buffalo split a double header. New Hampshire lost, again. Dunedin's hot bats were cooled off while the Lugnuts participated in another slugfest.

The affiliates won just one of three on Tuesday. Buffalo's game against Rochester was rained out. They will play two today at Coca-Cola Field.

A good start to the month of May on the farm as both affiliates put one in the win column. Buffalo and Lansing had the night off.

Pitcher development does not move in a straight line. When a pitcher dominates start after start it could be time to think of a promotion but when a pitcher is new to a level, or trying to learn something new, progress is uneven. It was that way for several prospect pitchers over the weekend. Meanwhile, the hitters keep on hitting. For those of you who took a break from the minors over the weekend Vladimir Guerrero tweaked his knee in a run down on Friday. It is not thought to be serious but he has not played since.

After yesterday’s debacle some good news from down on the farm. The affiliates were 3-1 highlighted by a come from behind victory down in High A.

Only one win in six games for the affiliates. Some of the hot hitters are cooling off and batting averages are returning to normal levels. The affiliates defense was poor on Wednesday. Each of Jon Harris, Francisco Rios and TJ Zeuch were not helped by their defense and had unearned runs allowed. The error rolls for Wednesday included Anthony Alford, Cavan Biggio, Bo Bichette, Tim Lopes, Brad Jones, Ryan Hissey and Emilio Guerrero.

Another .500 night on the farm with Dunedin getting into the win column. Buffalo's doubleheader in Norfolk and New Hampshire's home date against Trenton were washed out.

New Hampshire lost a one-run game. Lansing won big.

Four wins on Sunday made for a good day on the farm. The affiliates at this stage of the season have played between 15 and 18 games. Some of the hitters have gaudy numbers, when can we say it's for real and not just a hot streak? At the end of April, 20-25 games in, a hitter could still be on a hot streak. A hitter could have a weakness and it might not be until the second time though the league that the weakness gets exploited. If April is still a small sample size, what about May? A hot streak that extends until the end of May is good and probably 80% to 90% for real. There have been hitters who had a big first half and tailed off in the second half. It doesn't happen too often but it can. To me a streak that goes to mid-June is getting to 95% real. It could earn the hitter a mid-season promotion.

Pitcher evaluation can happen a little bit faster, the one game sample size is bigger and opposing teams can adjust mid game. A pitcher who stays hot through the end of May is real for me.