TOP NL UTR PITCHING PERFORMANCE LHP Joey Lucchesi (HiA Lake Elsinore – San Diego) 23 years old 7 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K Season Stats: 1-0, 0.96 ERA, 28 IP, 15 H, 3 ER, 9 BB, 36 K in 5 starts
- The Padres 24th ranked prospect sets a career-high in strikeouts last night with nine over seven innings. He leads the California League with a 0.86 ERA, 33.8% strikeout rate, with 36 K’s against 105 batters faced; impressive for the notorious hitter’s league. He’s right on the heels of Thomas Pannone (39) for the strikeout leader of all HiA pitchers. Last night was the first time Lucchesi allowed a baserunner to score in 5 starts. After giving up lead-off single to begin the 3rd inning, Lucchesi gave up a double to move the runner to third, then a fielders choice allowed the RBI. Prior to that run, his other two earned runs came via 2-solo home runs. Nothing special about the 4th round pick in 2016 other than a low 90’s fastball and the ability to provide deception.
TOP AL UTR PITCHING PERFORMANCE LHP Thomas Pannone (HiA Lynchburg – Cleveland) 23 years old 7 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K, Win Season Stats: 2-0, 0.00 ERA, 27.2 IP, 10 H, 0 ER, 7 BB, 39 K in 5 starts
- A rain delay last night couldn’t throw off Pannone’s gameday routine, as he went out and extended his scoreless streak to 27.2 innings. Looking back to 2016, the streak actually stands at 45.2 innings He gave up his last earned run on August 25th, 2016 in the first inning of a 5.1 inning start. He threw 13 scoreless innings in his last 2 starts at Hi Lynchburg. As soon as an opening becomes available at Double-A Akron, look for Pannone to be sent packing. Right now, Julian Merryweather is off to a good start at Akron and could be the first shipped to Triple-A to create that opening.
- 2014, 2015, 2016 UTR Organizational All-Star
- 2016 One to Watch
- Angels #23 ranked prospect
Under The Radar Minors 