TOP NL UTR PITCHING PERFORMANCE RHP Jon Duplantier (LoA Kane County – Arizona) 22 years old 6 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K Season Stats: 5-0, 0.50 ERA, 54.1 IP, 25 H, 3 ER, 11 BB, 62 K in 10 appearance with 9 starts
- When the time comes to prepare for my post-season routine, I could expect to pencil Jon Duplantier as the #1 UTR Organizational All-Star. The righty once again mowed down Cedar Rapids yesterday with 6 scoreless innings. It was his 5th start in-a-row without allowing a run (8 of his 9 starts) and second without a walk issued. The #9 ranked prospect for the D-Backs has to expect a promotion to HiA Visalia very soon. It will be great to follow how his outstanding command will play-out in the California League. It’s Duplantier’s second mention as the NL Pitcher of the Day – May 13th and, of course, was the D-Backs UTR Top Prospect Pitcher of the Day.
- The 9th round pick (2016) out of Dartmouth is also off to a solid start in his first full season. With a 6’6″- 220 lb projectable frame, Robinson hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in any of his 10 appearances (7 ER in 46.2 IP). He debut in 2016 with the AZL Cubs (1 appearance) and was promoted to the Northwest League with Eugene (7 appearances). He posted a 3.68 ERA over 20.1 innings, striking out 18 and walking six. As a spot starter in 2017, Robinson has shined in putting up a 0.89 ERA in 5 starts with 20 K’s and 3 walks.
- Brewers #6 ranked prospect
- 2015 UTR Organizational All-Star
- Bray is the National League version of the today’s AL Pitcher of the Day (Clark Beeker). Both share that they were 33rd round picks, but a year apart. Bray was selected the year prior (2015) out of South Dakota State and is experiencing a breakout thus far. He did get rocked last time out allowing 6 ER with 10 hits in 5 innings on May 24th. But 6 of his 10 appearances were of the scoreless variety, with 10 ER over 43.1 innings. He’s also 2 for 2 in save opportunities. He matched his career-high with seven strikeouts yesterday. Bray was a 2016 UTR Organizational All-Star as a relief pitcher with LoA Great Lakes and HiA Rancho Cucamonga.
TOP AL UTR PITCHING PERFORMANCE RHP Clark Beeker (LoA Cedar Rapids – Minnesota) 24 years old 6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K Season Stats: 5-2, 2.50 ERA, 57.2 IP, 49 H, 16 ER, 8 BB, 40 K in 9 starts
- Doing my daily boxscore scans can become mundane, especially early-on when breaking down only Lo-A and HiA Leagues. By the time the Rookie Leagues begin their season in a couple weeks, most of the LoA/HiA cream has risen and devotion is aimed towards the new crop of arms. Before you know it, it’s time for the post-season breakdowns; and Clark Beeker’s name shakes out as a UTR Organizational All-Star. It’s like…wait a minute, I recall him being a Top Pitcher for the Day (on a day where the performances were lacking), but your excited that your system zeroed in on a 33rd round pick (2016). The 6’3″- 205 lb right-hander is quietly building upon a breakout season. In his first shot at full season ball, Beeker has lasted, at least, 6 innings in 8 of his 9 starts. The only start where he didn’t, he threw a 5-inning shutout. The only time when Beeker did stumble, he still earned a win (his 5th in-a-row) when he gave up 5 earned runs over 6 innings. In throwing caution into the wind, as Beeker currently holds a 4.58 FIP over his 2.50 ERA and a very low .246 BABIP. One thing about his nice start to the season, is that six of Beeker’s nine start were on the road. Granted, he’s allowed 7 home runs on the road, but has held opposing hitters to a .220 average and a 27:7 K:BB rate over 38.2 innings.
Under The Radar Minors 