By Scott Stedman - AngelsWin.com Minor League Reporter
Salt Lake – The Bees lost two of three over the weekend, but some players continue to shine. Hank Conger keeps swinging a hot stick, hitting .314 with 5 home runs in his short time with the Bees. Alexi Amarista also had a good weekend going 4-12, bringing his season average to .299 for Salt Lake all while playing a variety of positions including Left Field, Center Field, Second Base and Shortstop. On the pitching side, Michael Kohn lowered his ERA to 2.79 with 2 scoreless outings over the weekend.
Arkansas – Mike Trout picked up right where he left off in Double-A. He went 4-10 over the weekend bringing his average to .326 and swiping his 31st stolen base. 1B/3B Gabe Jacobo blasted his 8th home run of the year on Saturday propelling the Travs to a 9-1 victory. Also on Saturday, 22 year old Eddie McKiernan tossed a complete game allowing just 1 earned run and striking out 7. In the Travs bullpen, David Carpenter still hasn’t allowed a run in 12.2 innings, after he dominated on the 66ers with a 0.93 ERA.
Inland Empire – Outfielder Kole Calhoun continues to mash for the 66ers. A true 5 tool player, Calhoun is hitting .311 with 17 home runs and 17 stolen bases, including 3 hits over the weekend. One of the few catchers in the Angels’ system with some upside, Carlos Ramirez is hitting .368 for Inland Empire, but with Scioscia’s strict catching policies, will Carlos Ramirez ever see the light? In the rotation, Matt Oye has put together a couple very good starts including Sunday where he threw 6.1 innings giving up just 1 run and punching out 7 hitters.
Cedar Rapids – The Kernals had a rough week-end, losing all 3 games. There were some bright spots, however. Pitcher AJ Schugel tossed 6 innings on Saturday allowing 2 runs but striking out 6 and walking none. He is having a very good year for Cedar Rapids with a record of 3-3 and a 2.77 ERA. 2009 1st round pick Randal Grichuk has struggled in Low-A ball hitting just .205. On Sunday, speedster Travis Witherspoon swiped his 40th base of the season.
Orem – The Owlz won all 3 games this weekend, continuing to flex their muscles at the plate. CJ Cron hit 2 more home runs on Friday bringing his total to 13. Unfortunately on Sunday, he dislocated his knee cap on a strike out, but isn’t expected to miss more than 2 weeks. On Saturday, 2010 supplemental pick Taylor Lindsey stole the show hitting for the cycle. 2011 third rounder Nick Maronde went 3 innings on Sunday striking out 5 and giving up just 1 run, lowering his ERA to 1.33. Frazier Hall maintains his “man among boys” status, hitting .400 on the season.
AZL Angels – 18 year old Jackson Whitley is coming out of a horrible slump at the beginning of the year, hitting .351 in his last 10 games. Saturday, he went 2-4 with a double. Chevy Clarke (2010 first rounder) is also showing some upside hitting .343 in his last 10 games, with blazing speed. Lefty Robert Fish who is rehabbing from a hamstring injury, tossed a scoreless inning in relief on Sunday.
DSL Angels – The Dominican Summer League Angels only had 2 games this weekend playing a double header on Saturday. 19 year old Eswarlin Jimenez, just one of many gems the Angels have in the DSL, threw a masterful 7 shut out innings striking out 12 and walking none! In addition to Jimenez, names to watch for next year are Jean Carlos Santiago, Daniel Hurtado, Junior Cruz, Gabriez Perez, who all make up a terrific starting rotation.
