- Lauer gets back on track after allowing 4 earned runs in 3.2 innings during this first start with the Storm. He matched a career high in strikeouts to start the season and was one K away from repeating last night. The #13 ranked and 1st round pick (2016) out of Kent State last year had a leading ERA of .069 in NCAA Division I in 2016 and the lowest since 1979. The 6’3″ 205 lbs right-hander has a 4-pitch mix that includes low 90’s fastball with sink.
- Big things can come in small packages, and Lachlan Wells standing at 5′ 8″ has proved that point since being signed by the Twins in late 2014. His pro debut with the GCL Twins was a success (2.09 ERA, 4.45 K/BB) and also his first taste of full season ball with LoA Cedar Rapids in 2016. With the Kernels he made 12 starts and posted a 1.77 ERA over 71.1 innings with 7.2 H9 and 3.49 K/BB rates. Whats works for Wells is his quick arm, deceptive delivery and ability to throw strikes in all zones. Hey…if fellow 5′ 8″ Marcus Stroman can carve out success at the MLB level, why not Wells. Alex Wells, who’s in the Orioles system, maybe taller than his twin brother, but Lachlan has the bragging rights be at a level higher than brother.
- Another relief pitcher that hasn’t allowed a base runner to start the season. The 27th round pick in 2016 has made 5 appearances (4.2 IP) without a hit or walk and striking out seven. This comes to no surprise as Ruotolo only allowed 16 hits and struckout 49 in 28.2 innings over two levels in 2016.
American League – Starters RHP Clark Beeker (LoA Cedar Rapids – Minnesota) 24 years old 7.2 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 9 K, 2.45 ERA, Win 1-1 RHP A.J. Ladwig (HiA Lakeland – Detroit) 24 years old 6 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K RHP Zachary Thompson (HiA Winton-Salem – Chicago White Sox) 23 years old 5 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 2.77 ERA, Win 1-1 American League – Relief RHP Dakota Chalmers (LoA Beloit – Oakland) 20 years old 4 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 10 K RHP Jose Mesa (Hia Tampa – New York Yankees) 23 years old 2 IP,0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
Under The Radar Minors 