D-backs Farm Rumblings Week 4: It’s not fun to hit against Kane County pitching

The Arizona Diamondbacks’ four MiLB affiliates just keep on winning. The Reno Aces, Jackson Generals, Visalia Rawhide and Kane County Cougars combined to go 17-8 in games last week, keeping the D-backs minor league winning percentage the best in baseball.

Effective Wherever – Right-hander Joel Payamps had a good week and notched wins at two different levels. After getting three starts with Visalia to start the year, Payamps jumped two levels to make a spot start for Reno last Monday against El Paso, and he took advantage of the opportunity. The 23-year-old got early run support when the Aces put up a 5-spot in the first, and that allowed Payamps to relax. He pitched six shutout innings in his Triple-A debut, allowing just six hits as Reno beat the Chihuahuas 12-1.

On Saturday, Payamps was back in the California League with Visalia, and he shined again, throwing seven solid innings in which he allowed just six hits and two earned runs in a 5-3 win over Modesto. So far this season, the Dominican native is 3-0 with a 3.21 ERA, a 1.14 WHIP and 19 strikeouts in 28 innings.

Reno starting pitcher Joel Payamps had never been above Class A ball in his 6 years as a pro until tonight. Has a shutout through 5.1 IP.

— Felix Chavez (@Fchavezeptimes) April 25, 2017

Ending the Week in Style – Sunday afternoon’s tilt with Fresno was a wild one. After Reno rallied to tie the game at 10-10 with two runs in the eighth, the Aces loaded the bases in the ninth. Ildemaro Vargas singled to left to score Reymond Fuentes with the winning run, giving Reno a walk-off.

Baseball is family. pic.twitter.com/ccrb1MNkig

— Reno Aces (@Aces) May 1, 2017

Strong Pitching – The Jackson Generals registered back-to-back shutouts to start the week, blanking Biloxi 11-0 on Monday and then 1-0 the very next night. Lefty Josh Taylor allowed just one hit over five innings Monday before handing off to the bullpen combo of Grant Sides and Miller Diaz, who kept the goose egg intact. On Tuesday, right-hander Brooks Hall twirled six shutout innings while striking out seven for his first win of the year.

In fact, Wednesday, starter Ivan Pineyro allowed only one unearned run over 6.2 innings in a 6-5 victory in his Jackson debut. The Generals gave up just one run over a 22-inning span against Biloxi.

Former Shucker Brooks Hall and Co. combine on second-straight shutout win for the Generals Tuesday night. RECAP: https://t.co/lkbnvQjnld pic.twitter.com/EDku2PA3qb

— Jackson Generals (@jacksongenerals) April 26, 2017

Westbrook Getting Hot – The 2017 campaign got off to a rough start for Jackson infielder Jamie Westbrook, a graduate of Basha High in Chandler, but the former fifth-round pick is turning it around. Westbrook batted a blistering .481 (13-for-27) in seven games last week, with six doubles and nine RBI. Over his last eight games, he has raised his batting average from .120 to .259. Westbrook was named the Southern League Player of the Week for his performance.

Congrats to @jwesunderscore4 on being named @SLeagueBaseball Player of the Week! Hit .481 (13-for-27) with 6 2B, 3B, 9 RBI in 7 games! pic.twitter.com/qv9adF8mrf

— Jackson Generals (@jacksongenerals) May 1, 2017

Unhittable – Kane County’s Jon Duplantier, Arizona’s No. 8 prospect according to MLB.com, has been lights out all season. The 22-year-old Rice product allowed just three hits in five shutout innings of a 5-1 win over Wisconsin Monday. In 20.1 innings over four appearances (three starts), Duplantier has yet to allow an earned run. Opposing hitters are batting just .121 against him and Duplantier’s WHIP is a minuscule 0.59.

He was named the Diamondbacks Organizational Pitcher of the Month for April.

Pitcher of the Week – For as good as Duplantier’s been, lefty Cody Reed is the one with the hardware. Reed struck out a career-high 11 in six shutout innings of a 13-0 win over Wisconsin last Wednesday. Reed has a 1.35 ERA with 27 strikeouts and six walks through his first 20 innings of 2017.

.@codyreed1399 is your #MidwestLeague Pitcher of the Week! He earned his first W, tying career high of 11 K in 6 IP

📸: Paul Gierhart/@MiLB pic.twitter.com/aJBwh19bhI

— Kane County Cougars (@KCCougars) May 1, 2017

Kane County’s staff ERA through 22 games is a ridiculous 2.17, which leads the Midwest League.

Standings

Team	Week	Season	Notes
	4-2	14-10	2nd place in Pacific Northern Division, 1 game behind Tacoma
	5-2	15-9	1st place in North Division; .5-game lead over Tennessee
	4-3	13-11	Tied for 2nd place in North Division; 1 game behind Modesto
	4-1	15-7	1st place in Eastern Division; 2.5-game lead over Cedar Rapids

Related

Diamondbacks avoid worst loss of season, defeat Pirates in 12 inningsDiamondbacks’ Gabriel Moreno reaches niche but impressive franchise recordDiamondbacks’ Max Kepler playing catch-up, focusing on daily process after missing first halfDiamondbacks president: I’m sure we’ll talk to Gabriel Moreno about his futureDiamondbacks walked off by Pirates, drop 3 straight vs. Wild Card competitorsDiamondbacks deadline: Left-handed bats to watch in trade rumors