D-backs Farm Report: Peter O’Brien on another home run binge
May 16, 2016, 3:01 PM
It’s another look at all the happenings in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ minor league system.
Reno Aces (Triple-A Pacific Coast League)
Week: 4-3|Overall: 16-20, 2nd place in Pacific Northern Division
An extended partnership: The biggest news coming out of Reno this week was that the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Aces have extended their player development partnership through the 2018 season. The union started back in 2009. The Aces celebrated the renewed agreement by busting out the purple and turquoise — the original colors of the D-backs.
The @Aces wore @Dbacks purple last night after renewing their player development contract. Cc: @PhilHecken #uniwatch pic.twitter.com/pGvvf8gTPX
— David Calvert (@calvertphoto) May 15, 2016
O’Brien hot again: It just feels like we’re getting very close to seeing the 2016 Major-League debut of outfielder Peter O’Brien, who continues to terrorize PCL pitching. O’Brien hit .346 (9-for-26) on the week and clubbed three more home runs to bring his season total to 12, which is tied for the league lead. He also leads the PCL with 31 RBI. Tuesday, O’Brien had a four-hit game, including a solo home run in the eighth inning during an 8-2 win at Sacramento.
#OBgonnaOB pic.twitter.com/k4pntiY3Uy
— Reno Aces (@Aces) May 15, 2016
Brito heating up: Many D-backs fans were wondering why Socrates Brito wasn’t called up to the big leagues considering Arizona’s dire need for outfielders — especially ones that can man center field. The answer is simple: Brito wasn’t hitting. Until this past week, that is. The 23-year-old batted .346 (9-for-26) with two home runs last week for the Aces. Brito brings a 9-game hitting streak into this week’s action, during which he’s batting .350 (14-for-40).
Escobar fitting in nicely: Left-hander Edwin Escobar, who was claimed off waivers from the Boston Red Sox in late April, has pitched well since joining the Aces. Tuesday, Escobar allowed just three hits and one earned run over seven innings in a win over Sacramento. Escobar has a solid 2.40 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 15 innings of work so far in Reno.
Mobile BayBears (Double-A Southern League)
Week: 4-4|Overall: 15-21, 4th place in South Division
Have yourself a week: Infielder Kevin Medrano is swinging a white-hot bat for the Bears. The 18th-round draft pick in 2012 out of Missouri State batted a blistering .556 (15-for-27) last week. Medrano had five multi-hit games, including three three-hit performances, and raised his batting average 105 points over the course of eight games.
Goose eggs:
Shutouts were the norm last week for Mobile as four of their eight contests featured a zero on the scoreboard. Friday night, right-hander Edgar Garcia twirled a gem, completing a four-hit shutout in a 7-0 win over Mississippi. Garcia walked two and struck out seven on the night, marking the first complete-game shutout in the entire D-backs’ organization this season. Sunday, Charles Brewer, Seth Simmons and Daniel Gibson combined on a four-hit shutout of their own in a 9-0, seven-inning win over Jackson.
Tonight, RHP Edgar Garcia became the 1st BayBear pitcher to record a 9-inning, complete-game shutout since @MBolsinger did it in May of 2013
— Mobile BayBears (@Mobile_BayBears) May 14, 2016
Visalia Rawhide (High-A California Rawhide)
Week: 1-5|Overall: 23-13, 1st place in North Division
Breakdown: Not the best of weeks for the ‘Hide. Visalia batted just .201 as a team, posted a 6.00 ERA and committed 12 errors, including six in a 9-1 loss to High Desert Saturday. Despite the struggles, the Rawhide still hold a two-game lead over San Jose in the North.
Season High Six Errors Leads to Lopsided 9-1 Loss to High Desert. RECAP:https://t.co/sLBFfXkqch
— Visalia Rawhide (@VisaliaRawhide) May 15, 2016
Herum’s hot: The bright spot offensively last week was third baseman Marty Herum, who hit .476 (10-for-21) with a home run, four doubles and four RBI. The 24-year-old got a late start to the season due to injury, but hit the ground running after making his season debut last Tuesday.
Sick catch by our CF Colin Bray & sick photo by @Strike3photos! pic.twitter.com/Ixj8pw8c0X
— Jeff Bajenaru (@jeffbajenaru) May 13, 2016
Kane County Cougars (Single-A Midwest League)
Week: 3-4|Overall: 19-17, 3rd place in Western Division
Cribbs making progress: Galli Cribbs, who has struggled at the plate for most of his minor league career, continues his improvement at the Single-A level. Cribbs came into this season as a .165 career hitter but is batting .308 this year — good enough to lead the Cougars. Cribbs had two three-hit games last week while batting .320 in seven games.
Takahashi update: Bo Takahashi, a 19-year-old right-hander from Brazil, is pitching very well at Kane County. In two starts last week, Takahashi allowed just one earned run in 12.2 innings while striking out 11 batters and walking four. In 26 innings this season, he has a stellar 1.73 ERA and 0.81 WHIP — which both would be near the top of the Midwest League if he only had enough innings.
