By Adrian Noche, AngelsWin.com Staff Reporter -
Because of the focus on the draft this past week we're taking a break from our prospect hotlist, but no worries they'll be back next Monday. That said, below is our minor league affiliate reports which highlight some of the top player performances from each affiliate.
Triple-A Salt Lake Bees
The Salt Lake Bees split 6 games this week with a record of 3-3 and are still sitting in last place (12.5) in their respective division. Top prospects Taylor Lindsey and Matt Long were placed on the 7-day disabled list (concussion symptoms-Lindsey, hamstring strain-Long) on Tuesday. The extremely versatile Shawn O’Malley (OF,3B,SS,2B) continued to hit the ball at a high level with an average of .545 for the week, raising his season average to .372. Zach Borenstein hit his first Triple-A extra-base hit on Sunday (a double), and raised his batting average to .269 after starting off his AAA career 0-12. Efren Navarro has driven in 8 runs since Monday with the help of 3 doubles, 1 triple and a home run. Hector Santiago struggled in his lone start this week, giving up 11 hits and 6 runs (4 earned) in 6.0 innings pitched. In the pen, Ryan Chaffee continued to pitch well and has extended his scoreless streak to 9 innings (13 K’s). Dane De La Rosa appeared in 3 games, pitching a combined 2.1 innings with 0 earned runs and 4 strikeouts.
Double-A Arkansas Travelers
The Travelers won 3 of their 6 games this week and are in second place of the Texas League North with an overall record of 30-31 (5.0 GB). Both Kyle Hudson (OF) and Eric Stamets (SS) made their returns from the disabled list this week. Stamets is batting .400 since his return and has also chipped in a double and a stolen base. Third baseman Kaleb Cowart is continuing his struggles and has seen his average dip down to .201 on the season. Michael Roth struggled in his last start but was still able to manage a quality start, pitching 6.0 innings with 3 earned runs on 8 hits and 1 walk. Starting pitcher, Orangel Arenas, was undefeated in the month of May, going 4-0 while only giving up 2 earned runs in 16.2 innings. Arenas saw his undefeated streak come to an end on Sunday, giving up 4 earned runs in a 5.0 inning start against Northwest Arkansas. Drew Rucinski threw a complete-game shutout on Saturday, only allowing 5 hits with 6 strikeouts and no walks. Danny Reynolds and Kurt Spomer have been lights out in the pen, with Reynolds boasting a 1.80 ERA on the season and Spomer with an ERA of 0.24 (across three levels).
High-A Inland Empire
The 66ers struggled this week and lost all but one game (1-6), bringing their overall record to 22-43. Top prospects, Jose Rondon and Michael Clevinger, were both added to the 7-day disabled list to what seems to be an illness. Former Mariner farmhand and indy-league player Dennis Raben put on a show this week, as he slugged 4 home runs (he has 8 HRs all season). 1st baseman, Wade Hinkle, launched his 6th home run of the year on Saturday as well. Due to injuries, Chris O’Grady made his first two starts of the year and pitched well, going 3.0 innings in each start and giving up an overall 2 earned runs with 7 strikeouts. Tyler DeLoach gave up 5 hits and struck out 8 in 6 shutout innings on Sunday.
Low-A Burlington Bees
The Bees had the best week among all Angels’ affiliates, going 4-1 on the week. Burlington is now above .500 on the season with an overall record of 32-29 (9.0 GB). Four Bees were named to the Midwest League All-Star team; infielders Eric Aguilera (first baseman), Kody Eaves, (2nd baseman) and pitchers Harrison Cooney and Garret Nuss. Both Aguilera and Eaves were named starters for the game. Kody Eaves slugged a pair of home runs along with a couple of doubles to bring his slugging percentage to a healthy .461 on the season. Outfielder Chad Hinshaw continued to be an on-base machine for the Bees this season as he reached base 12 times (8 hits and 4 walks) with 3 stolen bases, 3 doubles and a home run. Starting pitcher, Yency Almonte, was added to the 7-day disabled list on Monday while relief pitcher, Joey Krehbiel, was activated from disabled list. Alfonso Alcantara carried a no-hitter all the way to the 5th inning until control problems forced him to exit the game with a line of 5.1 innings pitched, 3 earned runs, 4 walks and 6 strikeouts. Both Harrison Cooney and Ryan Etsell gave up just 1 run in 5.0 inning starts this week (Etsell’s run was unearned). The Bees bullpen has been sharp thanks to strong performances by Alan Busenitz (2.10 ERA), Brian Loconsole (0.92 ERA), Ben Carlson (2.28 ERA) and Trevor Foss (2.94 ERA).
