Padres’ Minor League Round Up for June 17th-Galvez To Get His Shot?

Padres’ third base prospect Jonathan Galvez. Mandatory Credit: utsandiego.com

As of last Monday, Padres’ baseball will never be the same. Tony Gwynn was an amazing once-in-a-generation-type player. I believe he is the best pure hitter since Ted Williams, a fellow San Diegan. While he will be remembered for his hitting, his baseball acumen, his smile, and his laugh, I will also remember a specific quote. I don’t remember anything else about the interview, who it was, what else they were talking about, but the interviewer asked Tony, how he had managed to spend such little time on the disabled list? Tony responded, “You can’t pull fat.” He then let out that cackle of a laugh. These are the reasons I will miss Tony Gwynn. And as Art LaFleur said, when playing Babe Ruth in The Sandlot, “There’s heroes and there’s legends. Heroes get remembered but legends never die.” Tony Gwynn is and always will be a hero and a legend.

Now let’s take a look down on the Padres’ farm.

Triple-A

Box Score

The El Paso Chihuahuas (34-39) defeated the Iowa Cubs (34-35) 8-5.

Chihuahua 3B Jonathan Galvez went 1-for-4, hitting a 3-run home run in the fourth inning. Galvez now has 5 home runs, and 19 RBI on the season, while hitting .316. Perhaps he could see some playing time if the Padres become sellers and cash in on Chase Headley before he walks at the end of the season.

Tonight, the Chihuahuas play the second game of a four-game series with the Iowa Cubs. El Paso sends struggling right hander Odrisamer Despaigne (1-2, 8.20 ERA) to the mound against Tsuyoshi Wada (6-4, 2.82 ERA) of the Cubs. First pitch is at 8:05 pm ET.

Double-A

Box Score

The San Antonio Missions (37-34) defeated the Corpus Christi Hooks (34-37) 3-0.

The game was a scoreless pitcher’s duel until the bottom of the eighth inning, when Missions’ 2B Casey McElroy came up to the plate. McElroy blasted a 3-run home run to right field for his 5^th of the season. Top prospect Austin Hedges had a rough night going 0-for-3 with a strikeout. Hedges is 0-for-8 in his last 3 games. His slash line has dipped to .247/.296/.395. He may need a full season at the Triple-A level before he will be ready to face major league pitching.

Tonight, San Antonio sends Juan Oramas (2-0,0.48) to the bump, who seems to have rediscovered his pitching stroke since being demoted from Triple-A. He will face Thomas Shirley (5-2, 1-81 ERA) of Corpus Christi. First pitch is at 8:05 pm ET.

Class-A Short Season

The Eugene Emerald’s game was postponed last night due to rain. They will return to the diamond tonight against Ben Wells (0-0, 0.00 ERA) and the Boise Hawks. The Emeralds as of the publishing of this article have yet to name a starter.

Rookie: Dominican Summer League

Box Score

The DSL Padres (3-12) lost to the DSL White Sox (6-9) 9-1.

Errors have doomed the DSL Padres again, they allowed 5 errors during yesterday’s game. It is no better that their offense was held to 1 run on 5 hits. Padres’ catcher Fabian Castillo had the best night at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double to raise his average to .333 on the season.

Today the DSL Padres will face the DSL White Sox for a rematch. As of the publishing of this article neither team has named a starter. First pitch is at 10:30 am ET.

Keep the Faith.