D-backs Farm Rumblings Week 6: Fuentes on fire, Duplantier still dominating

It was a rough week for the teams in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ farm system.

The Reno Aces (Triple-A), Jackson Generals (Double-A), Visalia Rawhide (Single-A) and Kane County Cougars (Single-A) combined to go 10-16 for the week, which is saying something since every team was in first or second place in its respective division heading into the week.

Fuentes Swinging A Hot Bat – Reno outfielder Reymond Fuentes has been on fire at the plate. In six games last week, Fuentes batted a ridiculous .652 (15-for-23) with a double, a triple, two RBI. For good measure, Fuentes also stole five bases. The former first-round pick of the Boston Red Sox was signed to a minor league deal by the D-backs in December, and has been a pleasant surprise at Reno. Since April 19, Fuentes has at least one hit in 20 of the 21 games he’s played in. His stellar week pushed his season average to .376, which is fifth in the Pacific Coast League, but only third on his own team. Ketel Marte (.391) and Oswaldo Arcia (.387) rank second and third, respectively.

Walker Cycle – Reno first baseman Christian Walker hit for the cycle in a wild 11-10 win over the New Orleans Baby Cakes Saturday night. The 26-year-old tripled in Oswaldo Arcia in the first inning, clubbed a two-run homer in the fifth, had a two-run single in the ninth and doubled to lead off the 11th. It wasn’t just a one-game wonder for Walker either — he had another strong week at the dish for the Aces, batting .348 (8-for-23) with two home runs and 12 RBI. Picked up on waivers from Cincinnati late in spring training, Walker has been outstanding for Reno and leads the PCL with 42 RBI in 35 games.

A six-run ninth inning gave Christian Walker a shot at history and #Dbacks No. 30 prospect made good on it for @Aces https://t.co/TfSenzKZdT pic.twitter.com/6eWBbKQdWw

— MiLB.com (@MiLB) May 14, 2017

Another Candidate? – Although it’s died down a little, there has been chatter this season about the D-backs’ closer position. Free agent pickup Fernando Rodney has been shaky, with two blown saves and a 9.22 ERA through his first 15 appearances. Should those struggles persist, Reno right-hander Jimmie Sherfy could be a candidate for a promotion. Sherfy, a 10th-round pick out of Oregon in 2013, has been outstanding in a notorious hitters’ league, converting both of his save opportunities while posting a microscopic 0.68 ERA and 17 strikeouts against just one walk.

Stellar D – Pitcher Matt Stites nearly pulled off a ridiculous double play Saturday night, but the catch alone was worth sharing.

Reno #Aces Matt Stites with an acrobatic @SportsCenter #SCtop10 play! @MLB #BigLeagueWorthy on @Dbacks Affiliation Night. pic.twitter.com/MQ5Vt0316O

— Reno Aces (@Aces) May 14, 2017

Clarke Rolling Along – Right-hander Taylor Clarke, the D-backs’ fifth-best prospect according to MLB.com, had another strong outing for Double-A Jackson. Clarke threw six shutout innings, allowing only three hits and a walk while striking out seven in a 2-0 win over Tennessee last Wednesday. In his last five starts, Clarke has allowed a total of three earned runs in 27.1 innings. On the season, Clarke is 4-1 with a 1.85 ERA and has yet to allow a home run in 34 innings of work.

Flores Power Surge – Jackson first baseman Rudy Flores had three home runs in six games last week, bringing his season total to six. Most of those have come very recently.

#Dbacks prospect Rudy Flores slugs his fifth HR in 10 games for @jacksongenerals. Watch LIVE: https://t.co/IL7Lyw0YKW pic.twitter.com/C7Sg9wsgai

— MiLB.com (@MiLB) May 13, 2017

Where’d the Offense Go? – Visalia squandered a good week of pitching from their staff (collective 1.90 ERA) by snoozing at the plate. Rawhide hitters batted just .157 (29-for-185) over the six games and scored a single run in three of those contests. Offense has been a struggle for the ‘Hide for most of the season. Visalia is dead last in the California League with a .232 team batting average and only 136 runs in 37 games.

Atkinson Dealing – Right-hander Ryan Atkinson was outstanding again in his latest start, when he hurled six innings while allowing just one unearned run, two hits and two walks with nine strikeouts in a 3-1 loss to Rancho Cucamonga Sunday. In two starts last week, Atkinson allowed only three hits, one unearned run and struck out 14 in 12 innings.

Duplantier Gunning For Promotion – The outstanding season of right-hander Jon Duplantier continued for Kane County this week. In two starts, the former Rice Owl allowed one unearned run over 11 innings while striking out 15 and walking one. In the process of picking up two of the Cougars’ three wins, he lowered his ERA to 0.74, which leads the Midwest League.

.@dup_thereitis all swagged out today for @KCCougars #ProspectOne @InThisLeaguePod #milb scouting pic.twitter.com/q0aekiN1rc

— The Welsh (@IsItTheWelsh) May 13, 2017

Standings

Team	Week	Season	Notes
	3-4	22-15	2nd place in Pacific Northern Division, 2 games behind Tacoma
	2-5	21-15	2nd place in North Division, 0.5 games behind Tennessee
	2-4	19-18	2nd place in North Division; 2 games behind Modesto
	3-3	19-14	Tied with Cedar Rapids for 1st place in Western Division

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