It's been a busy weekend of M's pitching prospects since the M's affiliates all returned from the break. Here is a breakdown of what's happened over the last few days:
It was a mixed bag of results for Danny Hultzen on Friday: 5 innings, 8 hits, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 7 K, 1 HR allowed in the Rainiers loss to Colorado Springs. Similar to what he did in Jackson, Hultzen is limiting runs after having allowed just 3 ER in his last 14 innings, but he's yet to find his control.
Nick Franklin was 1-for-5 with a HR in the game on Friday and was 2-for-5 with a triple yesterday. He's now hitting .259/.323/.471 in 20 games for Tacoma and is really starting to heat up.
The Rainiers won 16-9 over Colorado Springs yesterday. Carlos Triunfel was 4-for-5 with a HR and 5 RBI. Mike Carp was 2-for-4 with a double and 5 RBI. Hector Noesi made the start and was terrible, allowing 8 hits, 5 walks, and 7 ER in 3.1 innings.
Stephen Pryor had a scoreless, hitless inning of relief.
Taijuan Walker made his first start in nine days yesterday, trying to right a ship that has been quite out of control lately. The results: 6 innings, 3 hits, 4 ER, 5 BB, 6 K, 2 HR. Not quite in control. Walker did limit hits and got some strikeouts but two of his hits allowed went for home runs and he allowed way too many free passes.
He was eventually able to settle down and his final inning (K, popout, K) might have been his best. But there's still a lot of room to grow on Walker and that's why we won't see him in Seattle this season.
James Paxton, who has been much better in two starts since returning from the DL, is scheduled to make the start for the Generals today.
The High Desert Mavericks won 15-13 yesterday behind a lot of strong hitting efforts but none stronger than the 3 HR of Steven Proscia. James Jones, Jack Marder, and Dennis Raben also homered. Brad Miller was 2-for-5 with a double and a walk.
I'll spare you pitching details.
Jordan Shipers should be making his first start since his Wednesday no-hitter for Clinton tomorrow.
Finally, Victor Sanchez isn't a name I've said around here very often but that's only because he plays in Everett and is very far away. But let me say it now: Victor Sanchez, Victor Sanchez, Victor Sanchez.
Victor Sanchez can't even buy cigarettes until next January but he's holding his own against hitters that are several years older than him. He's made six starts for the Aquasox and is 4-0, with a 3.03 ERA and 30 K/13 BB in 38.2 innings. The big 6'1", 200 pound righty could make his full season debut for Clinton next season. He made his last start on Thursday and struck out five with two walks and three ER in six innings.
Just imagine what he could do when he is able to start smoking cigarettes!