It was a rough weekend for the Jackson Generals but brightened a bit from more good news about the players on the rosters, just on the edge of becoming major stars in the major leagues.
Firstly, Taijuan Walker had his worst start of the season on Friday, allowing 6 hits and 6 ER in 3.2 innings with 4 K and 3 BB. Walker has now given up 13 ER in his last three starts, covering 12.2 innings. Rough patches can be expected for players of all ages, and there shouldn’t be much concern about the teenager.
Yesterday, Forrest Snow made his AA debut for the Generals and went 5.2 innings, allowing 2 R, 1 ER, 4 K and 0 BB. Snow was demoted from Tacoma after having an ERA of 8.42 in 13 games. He had struck out a batter per inning, but showed almost no control and allowed a bunch of hits and a bunch of home runs. Snow skipped over AA last season but has now found his way there anyway. Jackson lost the game yesterday by a score of 4-2.
Finally, shortstop Nick Franklin was named Topps Southern League Player of the Month for May after hitting .394/.457/.648 with 6 stolen bases in 6 attempts. He committed just one error at short and hit .472 at home. It’s the first time a Mariners-affiliated player has won the award since Mike Wilson in June of 2008.
He’s struggled in June, but he was red-hot in May and could find himself in Tacoma after the All-Star break.