D-backs Farm Rumblings: Duplantier still cruising; Shipley, not so much
Jul 17, 2017, 8:51 AM | Updated: 11:48 am
Well-traveled: Reno right-hander Jake Buchanan made his second start for the Aces since being signed by the D-backs on July 6. The 27-year-old went 5.2 innings Thursday night against El Paso, allowing just two hits and one earned run in a 6-2 win. Reno is the fourth different team Buchanan has pitched for this season alone. He started the year in the Cubs organization and started eight games at Triple-A Iowa before being claimed off waivers by Cincinnati, where he pitched in five games before being optioned to Triple-A Louisville. Later in June, Buchanan elected free agency and signed with the D-backs. The former eighth-round pick out of North Carolina State has now pitched for four organizations and five different Triple-A cities. He’s been on the move so much that even MiLB.com has had trouble keeping track of what teams have signed him.
Shipley struggling: Right-hander Braden Shipley is no stranger to the process of being called up and optioned back down to Triple-A this season. That’s happened three times in 2017, and since returning to the Aces June 29, it’s been a rough go for the 25-year-old. In his latest start Saturday against El Paso, Shipley was touched up for eight runs on 10 hits in just five innings of work in a 6-5 loss. In his last three starts, Shipley is 0-2 with a 12.86 ERA and has given up at least five runs and 10 hits in each outing.
All-Star Action: Three Aces — Christian Walker, Ildemaro Vargas and Jimmie Sherfy — saw action for the PCL squad in the annual All-Star Game against the International League Wednesday night in Tacoma. Walker started as the PCL’s designated hitter and went 2-for-4 with a run scored. Vargas was a reserve second baseman and struck out in his only plate appearance, while Sherfy pitched a scoreless eighth inning with a strikeout in a 6-4 win for the PCL.
Hazelbaker homers, the hard way: Outfielder Jeremy Hazelbaker got a rare inside-the-park homer Friday night.
Tonight’s @nvisionglass Play of the Game goes to @j_hazelbaker and his Inside-the-Park HR – First since Jensen/Brito did it last season! pic.twitter.com/mlvvZO5ExI
— Reno Aces (@Aces) July 15, 2017
Young gun: Alex Young, the 23-year-old lefty, had a good week for the Double-A Jackson Generals. Monday, Young pitched five scoreless innings, allowing just two hits in a 1-0 win at Mississippi. The former TCU Horned Frog picked up another win Saturday, allowing three runs over six innings in a 9-4 triumph over Montgomery. On the season, the D-backs’ 11th-best prospect (MLB.com) is 6-5 with a 4.63 ERA and 1.44 WHIP over 18 appearances (15 starts) and 81.2 innings.
It was a team effort tonight, but big helping hands came from @AlexYoung_23 & @OscarHernDbacks in a 9-4 win. RECAP: https://t.co/670NfVlAqV pic.twitter.com/zKdYQI5ds7
— Jackson Generals (@jacksongenerals) July 16, 2017
Club Medrano: Third baseman Kevin Medrano had a hot week at the dish, hitting .379 (11-for-29) with four doubles and four RBI. He’s raised his season average to .322 entering Monday’s play, which ranks second in the Southern League, behind only Braxton Lee of Jacksonville (.325).
Duplantier update: Right-hander Jon Duplantier made the jump to High-A Visalia in June and continues to excel. Friday against Modesto, Duplantier allowed three hits and one run over seven innings with seven strikeouts in a 5-1 win. In three starts with the Rawhide, he’s 2-0 with a 1.84 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 14.2 innings.
The scorekeeper is getting bored: The Single-A Kane County Cougars of the Midwest League didn’t exactly put up a lot of big numbers on the scoreboard last week, posting a total of 12 runs in six games. Not surprisingly, the Cougars went 2-4. Kane County ranks 14th out of 16 teams in the Midwest League with 367 runs scored.
Real tomato ketchup, Eddie? The Cougars celebrated Christmas in July and Cousin Eddie from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” by giving away what might be the most awesome bobblehead ever created.
Cousin Eddie bobblehead – greatest ballpark giveaway ever. @KCCougars Christmas in July night pic.twitter.com/QxqaM6EVYN
— Michael Halston (@mikehalston) July 15, 2017
Some lucky @KCCougars fans will snag these Cousin Eddie bobbleheads tonight! 😂🌲 pic.twitter.com/PYO86gCu7h
— MiLB.com (@MiLB) July 14, 2017
As advertised: First-round pick Pavin Smith, billed as an advanced hitter with a tremendous eye, has been just that for Short-season Hillsboro. The former Virginia Cavalier batted .360 (9-for-25) last week while driving in four runs.
Cool play, Tramayne: Here’s something you don’t see every day.
“Steph Curry, you can learn from this!”
Watch @Dbacks‘ Tramayne Holmes avoid the tag for @HillsboroHops. https://t.co/99S5I2t4in pic.twitter.com/lJodjOf794— MiLB.com (@MiLB) July 16, 2017
| Team | Week | Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1-3 | 55-39 | 1st place in Pacific Northern Division; 2.0 games ahead of Fresno |
|
4-3 | 12-12 | Fourth place in North Division (2nd half); 7.0 games behind Chattanooga |
| 1 |
5-1 | 11-13 | Second place in North Division (2nd half); 3.0 games behind Modesto |
|
2-4 | 12-12 | Fourth place in Western Division (2nd half); 5.0 games behind Quad Cities |
|
3-3 | 17-14 | Tied for 2nd place in South Division; 1.0 game behind Eugene |
 |
3-3 | 14-13 | Tied for first place in North Division; 2.0 games ahead of Helena |
 |
0-5 | 8-10 | Third place in East Division; 4.0 games behind Giants |
