Padres’ Minor League Roundup For August 14

Aug 14, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Newly elected commissioner of baseball Rob Manfred speaks at a press conference after being elected by team owners to be the next commissioner of Major League Baseball. Mandatory Credit: H.Darr Beiser-USA TODAY Sports

Yesterday the Rob Manfred was elected as the next MLB commissioner. He will take over for current commissioner Alan H. “Bud” Selig. Selig has had quite a term as commissioner. He was commissioner during the 1994 strike season that prevented Tony Gwynn the chance to become the first player since Ted Williams to hit .400 in a season. That 1994 strike season also had a lasting impact on the Montreal/Washington areas. Had the 1994 season been able to be played out it is highly likely that the Montreal Expos would have won the World Series. Former players, scouts, and experts has discussed that the 1994 Montreal Expos was one of the best teams EVER. If the 1994 Expos win the World Series and had received the revenue to the ball club, city, and legacy they may still be in Montreal. They may have kept Larry Walker, Vladimir Guerrero and had a dynasty to rival the Braves of the ‘90s. There would still be no baseball in the Nation’s capital and Bryce Harper and Steven Strasburg would be competing to bring Montreal its second, if not third or fourth title. Let’s hope Manfred doesn’t let the fans be robbed of watching this amazing sport. Now let’s take a look down on the Padres’ farm.

Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Triple-A: El Paso Chihuahuas (60-66)

Last night the El Paso Chihuahuas lost to the Nashville Sound 4-2. Despite the losing effort top Padres prospect Matt Wisler had a solid outing. He pitched 6 innings allowing 2 runs on 5 hits and 1 walk while striking out 7. This outing is important because Wisler has struggled this season after nearly missing out on being the team’s fifth start out of Spring Training. In his 19 starts at the Triple-A level, Wisler is 7-5 with a 5.16 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and 83 strikeouts in 99.1 innings. His stock has dropped a bit since the beginning of the season, but if he can have a strong month of August he has a shot to get a spot start when the roster expand in September.

On the offensive side of the ball Yeison Asencio had a solid night at the plate. Ascenio went 2-for-4 with a 2-run home run in the bottom of the 7^th inning of his teams’ only two runs. He has only had 10 plate appearance at the Triple-A level and has held his own. Combining his numbers between San Antonio and El Paso he owns a triple slash line of .294/.444/.776. Add that to the list of strong outfield prospects in the Friars system.

Future Friar of the Game:

Yeison Asencio 2-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R

Future Friar of the Game

Tyler Greene 0-for-4, 4 K

Double-A: San Antonio Missions (60-63)

After tying the game in the bottom of the ninth, the San Antonio Missions lost the game 9-6 in the 10^th inning after the bullpen allowed 3 runs. Pitcher R.J. Alvarez started the inning allowing hits to the first four batters he faced. After a pitching change brought in Matt Branham the score is now 7-6. Branham gets the first out of the inning on a sacrifice bunt moving runners to second and third. The next batter, Maikol Gonzalez, singles to right scoring both runners making the score 9-6. The inning ended with Branham inducing a double play.

The offensive output was spread out pretty even among the Missions’ hitters. 2B Cory Spangenberg went 2-for-4 with a walk, triple, and 1 run scored. Spangenberg now owns a triple slash line of .339/.379/.472 on the season at the Double-A level.

Future Friar of the Game

Cory Spangenberg 2-for-4, 1 3B, 1 BB, 1 R

Future Friar of the Game

Justin Hancock 2IP, 6 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 1K

Mandatory Credit-MiLB.com

Single-A: Lake Elsinore Storm (66-57)

The Lake Elsinore lost a slugfest to the Inland Empire 66ers 12-9. Mallex Smith shines at the plate going 3-for-4 with 2 RBI and 1 run scored. Smith is quietly having a tremendous season for Lake Elsinore. He owns a triple slash line of .326/.404/.469 on the season with 10 2B, 5 HR, and 35 stolen bases in 42 games since joining Lake Elsinore. Before being promoted to Lake Elsinore, Smith was a Mid-season All-Star for the Fort Wayne TinCaps. He will be fun to watch as he progresses through the minors.

Storm LF Jeremy Baltz also joined in the on hit parade going 3-for-5 with 2 RBI, and 1 run scored. Baltz has had a season of extremes; he will have huge nights at the plate. Followed by nights with no hits. Baltz owns a triple slash line of .239/.342/.397. To Baltz credit, he does have a strong OBP which means he is not getting himself out. This alone could keep him moving the ladder towards the Majors.

Future Friar of the Game

Mallex Smith 3-for-4, 2 RBI, 1 R

Future Friar of the Game

Dane Phillips 0-for-5, 1 R

Mandatory Credit: MiLB.com

Single-A: Fort Wayne TinCaps (53-68)

The Fort Wayne TinCaps were defeated by the Lansing Lugnuts 6-1. Despite taking the loss, starter Cody Hebner kept his team in the game lasting 5 innings allowing 3 earned runs on 6 hits and 1 walk while striking out 7. Hebner has had a disappointing season; he started the season at Lake Elsinore but had a dismal performance. In 31 games he owned a 4.81 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, and batters were hitting .263 against him. He has performed much better since being demoted to Fort Wayne. In 8 games, Hebner owns a 2.81 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and batters are hitting a miniscule .224. Hopsfullt Hebner can get back on track and start heading in the right direction again. As the saying goes, you can never have too much pitching.

Fort Wayne was nearly skunked at the plate. The team only mustered 2 hits and 4 walks against Lansing pitchers. Trea Turner went 0-for-3 with 1 walk and 2 strikeouts. Is this just a bad game or is he finally starting to cool off. Time will tell.

Future Friar of the Game

Josh VanMeter 1-for-2, 1 BB

Future Friar of the Game

Josh Nester 0-for-4, 4 K