April 12th

 

Florida Marlins

 

Triple-A Albuquerque (1-3): CF Chris Aguila is 5-for-15 with 3 RBIs in the Isotopes' first four games. Aguila is a good hitter, but he lacks the power to start as a corner outfielder in the majors. He should be a quality extra outfielder, though. C Ryan Jorgensen doubled and homered in his only game of the season. Not a bad debut. LHP Frank Gracesqui has struck out 5 batters in 3 scoreless innings of relief. Gracesqui should be a call-up lock this season. RHP Ben Howard didn't allow a hit or a run in 3 innings of relief for the 'Topes. RHP Mike Flannery has pitched 2 scoreless innings of relief.

 

Double-A Carolina (2-2): The Mudcats are hitting, but they aren't pitching. 1B Jason Stokes is 4-for-10 with a homer, 4 runs scored, and 4 RBIs, C Josh Willingham is 3-for-11 (.273) with 2 jacks, 5 runs scored, and 3 ribs, CF Eric Reed is 6-for-16 (.375) with a homer, 2 steals, and 3 runs scored, and RF Chip Ambres is 5-for-15 with 2 doubles, 3 runs scored, and 3 RBIs. RHP Trevor Hutchinson is the only starter for the Mudcats to turn in a good outing. Hutchinson dished out 2 runs in 5 innings to notch his first win. LHP Bill Murphy was victimized by 3 bombs in his start. Murphy would pitch 4.2 innings, allowing 4 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks, K'ing 5. RHP Ronald Belisario was pinned with the "L" in his start after giving up 6 runs -- 4 earned -- and 5 hits in 4 innings. He walked 3 and K'ed 3. RHP Nic Ungs was roughed up for 5 runs and 9 hits in 4 innings in his start.

 

High-A Jupiter (0-4): RHP Yorman Bazardo pitched well for the Hammerheads but LHP Scott Olsen and RHP Logan Kensing did not. Bazardo did not receive a decision in his start, but he only allowed 2 runs -- one earned -- and 4 hits in 6 innings pitched. Olsen handed out 3 runs and 6 hits in 3 innings to take the loss in his start. Kensing gave up 5 runs -- 4 earned -- and 9 hits in 4 innings. CF Travis Ezi, RF Charles Frazier, and DH Eliezer Alfonzo have led the way offensively for Jupiter. Ezi, 22, is 5-for-17 (.294) with 2 doubles, a triple, a homer, and 4 runs scored. Frazier, 23, is 5-for-13 (.385) with a homer and 3 runs scored. Alfonzo, 25, is 7-for-16 (.438) with 2 taters and 6 RBIs.

 

Low-A Greensboro (2-2): 1B Ryan Bear and 3B Joe Mazzuca have hit the best for the Bats early on. Bear is 6-for-17 (.353) with 4 runs scored and Mazzuca is 4-for-12 with a double, a triple, and 4 runs scored. Youngsters CF Jai Miller and 2B Cole Seifrig are the two position prospects to keep an eye on. Miller is 6-for-18, but he hasn't picked up an extra-base hit or a walk. He's fanned 6 times. Seifrig is 6-for-20 (.300) with 3 doubles and a steal, but 7 Ks. RH Gabriel Benitez won his first start for the Bats, surrendering 3 runs -- one earned -- and 4 hits in 5 innings, K'ing 4. RHP Mauro Zarate gave up 4 runs -- 2 earned -- and 5 hits in 3 innings in his first start.

 

 

Heres updates for April 13-14th

 

1B Jason Stokes doubled in 2 runs while RHPs Peter Bauer, Mike McNutt, and Jerrod Fuell combined to pitch a 2-hit shutout against the hard-hitting Huntsville Stars, as Carolina cruised to a 5-0 win. Stokes is hitting .385 and slugging .692 in 4 games. On the negative side, he's fanned 6 times in 13 ABs.

 

 

RHP Josh Johnson rung up 7 batters in 5 innings of 2-hit, one-run ball to help lead Jupiter (FLA) to an 8-2 victory over Daytona (CHC). Johnson is a very intriguing prospect. The 6-foot-7 righty has a plus slider and low-90s gas. RF Jeremy Hermida made his 2004 debut for Jupiter, going 1-for-5 with an RBI. CF Travis Ezi had a manic depressive day for the Hammerheads, lining a double and a triple and knocking in 2 runs while also striking out 3 times. Ezi leads the FSL in extra-base hits with 6.

RF Jeremy Hermida went 2-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI and C Eliezer Alfonzo tripled, homered twice, scored 3 times, and knocked in 6 runs to help power Jupiter (FLA) to a 9-7 triumph over Daytona (CHC). Alfonzo, 25, leads the FSL in homers (4) and RBIs (12). He belongs at Double-A. RHP Yorman Bazardo started the tilt for Jupiter, giving up 4 runs -- 3 earned -- and 6 hits in 5 innings. Bazardo has a 3.27 ERA after 2 starts.

 

 

Travis Ezi, the player aquired in the Encarnacion deal, has gotten off the a fast start. Alot of other players are looking good.

Thanks for the update.

 

Didn't Hutchinson & Cave combine for a no-hitter the other day?

Cool man thanks for the updates

Thanks, I love keeping an eye on the farm. Where did this C Alfonzo come from? We have some good catchers in the minors.

Eliezer Alfonzo is a cousin of San Francisco's Edgardo Alfonzo. Gotten off to a fast start but is close to not being a prospect (24 y/o). They should move him up to Double A but Josh Willingham is there.

As of 7 games, Alfonzo is hitting .443, 4 HR, 13 RBI

Willingham didnt play yesterday...I wonder if hes hurt? We currently have a logjam of catchers which is not a bad thing:

 

AAA - Jorgensen and Treanor

 

AA - Willingham

 

A Eliezer and Arlis

 

 

Plus 2 solid ML options in Castro and Red

 

 

 

Dont be surprised to see one them traded for an arm in the next month...They better not trade Willingham though.

As of 7 games, Alfonzo is hitting .443, 4 HR, 13 RBI

This guy is WAY old for his level (Hi-A) but its still impressivel because The Florida State League is possibly the best pitchers league. Alfonzo comes from the MIL organization and has never really had a great year and has awful BB/K ratios, so he doesnt project to do much.

As for Travis Ezi...Hes not even a top 600 prospect and wasnt a top 20 for the Dodgers. He repeated Low-A ball at the age of 22 and showed a little improvement. I'd be happy if he makes it to Carolina in his career.

Update for April 15th

 

RHPs Trevor Hutchinson and Kevin Cave combined to pitch a 7-inning no-hitter in Carolina's (FLA) 5-0 whitewash of Huntsville (MIL). That's a no-hitter against prospects like 2B Rickie Weeks, 1B Prince Fielder, and LF Brad Nelson. Darn impressive. Hutchinson pitched the first 6 innings, allowing one walk and K'ing 4. Cave finished the no-no out with a scoreless 7th inning. Hutchinson is 2-0 with a 1.64 ERA after 2 starts. He's starting to stand out in the ultra-thin Marlins' farm system. The Fish don't need big league starters right now, though. How great are the Marlins? Wow! D-Train 4 Life. C Josh Willingham crushed his 3rd homer of the season for the Mudcats in the win. The Cats would win game two of the doubleheader, as well, 5-1. CF Eric Reed went 3-for-4 with a double, a steal, and 2 runs scored and 3B Joe Dillon was a perfect 4-for-4 with 2 doubles, a run scored, and 2 RBIs for the Mudcats. Reed is 8th in the SL in batting with a .400 average. Dillon, 28, leads the SL in batting (.545) and homers (4) and he's tied for 1st in RBIs (10).

Update for April 15th

 

RHPs Trevor Hutchinson and Kevin Cave combined to pitch a 7-inning no-hitter in Carolina's (FLA) 5-0 whitewash of Huntsville (MIL). That's a no-hitter against prospects like 2B Rickie Weeks, 1B Prince Fielder, and LF Brad Nelson. Darn impressive. Hutchinson pitched the first 6 innings, allowing one walk and K'ing 4. Cave finished the no-no out with a scoreless 7th inning. Hutchinson is 2-0 with a 1.64 ERA after 2 starts. He's starting to stand out in the ultra-thin Marlins' farm system. The Fish don't need big league starters right now, though. How great are the Marlins? Wow! D-Train 4 Life. C Josh Willingham crushed his 3rd homer of the season for the Mudcats in the win. The Cats would win game two of the doubleheader, as well, 5-1. CF Eric Reed went 3-for-4 with a double, a steal, and 2 runs scored and 3B Joe Dillon was a perfect 4-for-4 with 2 doubles, a run scored, and 2 RBIs for the Mudcats. Reed is 8th in the SL in batting with a .400 average. Dillon, 28, leads the SL in batting (.545) and homers (4) and he's tied for 1st in RBIs (10).

Ultra thin system???? It may not be the richest farm system but its about middle of the pack talent wise. Certainly not ultra-thin if you ask me.