Down on the Farm: April 12 – Josh Naylor, Power Hitter
Credit: EVT News
El Paso Chihuahuas (5-3) Lost 9-5
The Bees were first on the scoreboard with runs in the top of the second and third. The Chihuahuas responded with a two-run, inside-the-park home run by Raffy Lopez and a run scoring on an error. The Chihuahuas put up two more runs in the bottom of the fifth on a two-run home run by Nick Schulz. However, things came unraveled for the Chihuahuas in the top of the eighth with T.J. Weir on the mound. After a double and a walk, Weir was removed for Jonathan Aro, who proceeded to give up a two-run single and a sacrifice fly that brought in a third run. Then Jabari Blash hit a two-run home run to give the Bees the lead, a lead which they wouldn’t give up. Jared Carkuff came in for the ninth and gave up three more runs to make the final score 9-5.
San Antonio Missions (5-2) Tied 2-2
There isn’t much to say in this game except that Josh Naylor hit two more home runs, and both Miguel Diaz and Matt Strahm made appearances. Okay, so Naylor’s first home run was an inside-the-parker, but it’s still worth mentioning. But more on those three below. Sadly, Naylor’s home runs were both solo shots and were the only offense of the game for the Missions and the game ended in a 2-2 tie.
Lake Elsinore Storm (3-5) Won 6-2
After a rough start to the season on the road, the Lake Elsinore Storm kicked off their 2018 home schedule with their home opener on Thursday night. Reggie Lawson took the hill for the Storm against the Lancaster JetHawks. Lawson gave up a run in the top of the first on a solo home run, but did not give up another run in his five innings of work. The Storm kicked off scoring of their own in the bottom of the second after a Jorge Ona walk followed by an RBI double from Ruddy Giron, an RBI double by Eguy Rosario, and an RBI single by Nate Easley, giving the Storm a 3-1 lead. The Storm came right back in the bottom of the third with three more runs on back-to-back singles by Hudson Potts and Brad Zunica, a walk by Jorge Ona, a two RBI single by Buddy Reed, and a sacrifice fly by Ruddy Giron. That was all the scoring the Storm needed as the trio of Elliot Ashbeck, David Bednar, and Gerardo Reyes shut down the JetHawks over four innings to seal the victory for the Storm.
Fort Wayne TinCaps (1-7) Lost 13-4
It’s just been a really rough start to the year for the Fort Wayne TinCaps. Fresh off their first win of the year on Wednesday, they got absolutely hammered on Thursday. Ironically enough, Fort Wayne got off to a good start, as Luis Campusano hit a three-run home run to give the TinCaps a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Sadly, that was pretty much all the offense that the TinCaps could muster. Aaron Leasher was solid enough on the mound, pitching five and a third and giving up just two earned. However, things took a turn for the worse in an 11-run seventh inning for the Lansing Lugnuts. Right-hander Henry Henry gave up six earned runs on four hits and three walks while Spencer Kulman came in and didn’t do much better, giving up five runs on two hits and four walks. Just an ugly inning. There were some bright spots, as every player in the starting lineup except for Tre Carter got at least one hit.
Friday’s Probable Starters
Chris Huffman – El Paso Chihuahuas
Logan Allen – San Antonio Missions
Adrian Morejon – Lake Elsinore Storm
Mason Thompson – Fort Wayne TinCaps
Prospects of Note
Brett Kennedy – RHP, Triple-A, El Paso Chihuahuas
5.1 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
There hasn’t been a more dependable starter in the Padres’ minor league system the last few years than Brett Kennedy. Dating back to the beginning of last season, Kennedy has given up more than three earned runs in a start just five times. In 13 of those 27 starts, Kennedy gave up one earned run or less. He definitely lacks the impact of a lot of the other pitching prospects in the Padres’ system, but he has just been so consistent. If he keeps this up, it’s hard to see him not at least getting an opportunity to pitch in the big leagues this year.
Josh Naylor – 1B, Double-A, San Antonio Missions
3-4, 2 HR, 2 RBI
Okay, so one of those home runs was of the inside-the-park variety, but Naylor now has five long balls on the year. Coming into last night’s game, Naylor was already showing more extra-base power this year, as evidenced by his .833 slugging percentage through six games and 24 at-bats.
Fernando Tatis Jr. – SS, Double-A, San Antonio Missions
2-4, 1 2B
Man, so much for Tatis being a bust. Just kidding.
Miguel Diaz – RHP, Double-A, San Antonio Missions
2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
This can probably be said about a lot of prospects on the borderline between being a starting pitcher and a reliever, but Miguel Diaz could be really good if he could find more consistent command. He showed both sides of that on Thursday, striking out five batters while also walking three. With an electric fastball like his, the sky is the limit for Diaz if he can maintain more consistency in command and develop a more well-rounded repertoire. If not, he could make one dangerous big league reliever.
Matt Strahm – LHP, Double-A, San Antonio Missions
2.1 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
Reggie Lawson – RHP, High-A, Lake Elsinore Storm
5 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
Reggie Lawson was solid in the home opener for the Storm, throwing five innings and giving up just one earned run on a first-inning solo home run. Lawson is on the outside looking in in terms of Padres’ pitching prospects, but he can move himself up prospect lists with a strong showing in 2018. The fact that Lawson is not in the top-30, and is probably the 11th or 12th best pitching prospect in the system, says a lot about just how deep the Friars’ system is.
Tirso Ornelas – OF, Low-A, Fort Wayne TinCaps
3-4, 1 R
It’s been a rough go of it for Fort Wayne to start the year, but Tirso Ornelas has been one of the lone bright spots. The numbers aren’t great, but it’s good to see an 18-year-old playing in full-season ball and holding his own.
Luis Campusano – C, Low-A, Fort Wayne TinCaps
2-4, 1 HR, 3 RBI
Editorial and Prospect Writer for East Village Times. Twenty-five years young, Patrick has lived in San Diego for his entire life and has been a Padres fan nearly as long. Patrick lives for baseball and is always looking to learn new things about the game he loves through advanced stats.